July 2018 Property Surveying Newsletter

Connecting you to Verified Independent Chartered Surveyors
In this month’s edition … we look at divorce and careful financial planning
, discuss the dangers of ammonia and carbon monoxide in the home, and discover what £80 million in the bank can’t buy

The Property Market Monthly Fact File

The property market fact file is a collection of data compiled each month by our Chartered Surveyors and the propertysurveying.co.uk team; collating survey data, statistics, trends and information from the property market. This aims to provide a single place where anyone with an interest in UK property can find the information they need.


Landmark legal ruling: Mills v Mills

Those campaigning for a fairer split of property between divorcing couples may well have reason to hope, following a landmark ruling in the Supreme Court.


First recorded rise in home ownership in 13 years

Government data reveals that the number of homeowners in England has increased and is now at its greatest level in thirteen years although in London, where prices are beyond many young people unable to get on the housing market, the number of empty properties is higher than anywhere else in the country.


Countrywide shares drop nearly 30%, as Estate Agents in financial distress

The number of houses for sale at estate agents has slumped to a 40-year low, with the average agent selling just 42.5 properties. Estate agents aren’t finding it easy, but the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors blames ‘political uncertainty’ more than the Brexit effect, or the rise of online marketing ‘agents’.


The facts about ammonia and using ammonia in the home

The death of a man from a massive ammonia exposure brings reminds us that hidden dangers really do lurk beneath the kitchen sink. Here are some things we should all know about ammonia.


How to: let, lease or rent a safe home

The statutory booklet ‘How to Rent’ has been updated and published alongside two other helpful booklets for current and prospective private sector landlords, tenants and leaseholders.


Five top home buying tips for 2018

The current property market may favour home buyers, but that does mean they shouldn’t be well prepared and armed with the facts when purchasing property.


Are miniature homes the answer to Britain’s housing ‘crisis’?

The concept of ‘Modern Tiny Living’ is spreading across the Atlantic. 256 sq ft (24 sq m) of property may not sound a lot – but it’s surprising how much you can squeeze into these ‘luxury’ properties.


Dangerous carbon monoxide detectors sold on Amazon and eBay

Most of us live in a property that has a fuel-burning, gas or oil-fired boiler, wood burning stove or open fire. Fitting (and maintaining) a good quality carbon monoxide detector could save the lives of you and your family.


Could your new home’s decoration be hiding a secret (or skeleton) from the past?

A Californian couple have discovered a 23-year old message from a couple (and their rabbit), but what else might you discover as you strip back the wallpaper of time?


Older may not be wiser … when it comes buying house insurance

Hmmm, old property: lead, asbestos, subsidence, damp, mould, electrical nightmares … problems, problems, problems. Statistically, it is more expensive to put an older property ‘right’, but there have been plenty of new build ‘snagging’ problems suffered by recent new buyers – so is house insurance fair?


Do ‘smart meters’ have a hidden agenda?

The £11 billion government roll-out of smart meters could leave many of us paying more for our domestic energy supplies, according to some who believe we’re poised on a tariff knife edge.


And finally …

Here’s why Ed Sheeran won’t be going to the chapel to get married

Ed Sheeran may have £80 million in the bank, but the great crested newt is more important.

Written by Independent Chartered Surveyors
of the UK wide network of Property Professionals

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