August 2020 Property Surveying Newsletter

build the house wording written on house

In this month’s Property Surveying Newsletter … we look at permitted development changes, discuss leasehold reforms and ask whether the chancellor popped his cork too soon

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, reflecting survey data, statistics, trends and information from the property market. This provides a single place where anyone with an interest in UK property can find the information they need.


Property developer faces prison for contemptGrosvenor Property Developers ‘consultant’ faces prison

A man claiming to be a consultant to developer has been found guilty of contempt in the High Court for failing to disclose assets and making false statements.


Permitted development rule changes throw caution to the wind

In a surprising announcement that includes restrictions on the ability of local councils to prevent unwanted or unsightly development, the government has made changes to the rules around permitted development.


Calls for urgent action on leasehold reform

The housing minister, Luke Hall, has caused frustration among MPs, after saying that Covid 19 was to blame for the government’s three year failure to properly address leasehold reform, ground rents and the building of more leasehold properties.


Rogue estate agents still at large

In April 2018, the government announced housing reforms which would crack down on rogue estate agents and leave greater transparency. However, these reforms are yet to begin in earnest and there are calls for the government to ‘get on’ with improving standards, in particular with regard to rogue estate agents.


New houses roofsAn empty house is better than a bad neighbour

Do you have a bad neighbour? Does your bad neighbour impact on your family’s enjoyment of your home? What can you do if your neighbour is affecting your ability to sell? We look at some of the less drastic solutions available.


Demand for homes surges – but not thanks to stamp duty holiday 

Although figures show that, just a fortnight after the government announced a stamp duty holiday until 31st March 2021, many regions began to experience a surge in demand for homes, many of these housing transactions were already well under way. We ask whether the chancellor popped his cork too soon.


Green Homes Grant concerns over quality of work 

The government’s new Green Homes Grant is due to be launched in England in September 2020. Under the scheme the government will fund between £5,000 and £10,000 towards qualifying energy-saving home improvements, which equates to around two thirds of the cost.


Residential tenant repossession rules set to change in September

Thanks to Covid 19 emergency measures, all new and existing residential tenants had a stay of execution over possession proceedings after 27th March, but the rules are due to change soon. The Civil Procedure Rules Committee has agreed how the rules on home possessions will change once the suspension is lifted and proceedings can resume.


Harry Potter's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry building for saleIdeal home available for Harry Potter fans

Harry Potter fans can now live in their ideal home, at the real-life refurbished Hogwarts! Harry Potter is undoubtedly one of the most loved and popular franchises in British cinema history and now fans of the books and movies can actually move into the real Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.


A-list effect home with the designer edge

Do you want an A-list effect home at a fraction of the price? Here are some tips on how to give your home the ‘designer edge’.


And finally …

Sexual fantasy confusion over wrong home address

As if more evidence were needed that some very strange things happen Down Under, two men have appeared in court in Australia, after attempting to carry out a sexual fantasy at the wrong address.


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

The Property Surveying Newsletter is a free service by PropertySurveying.co.uk for those with an interest in the UK Property Market. As well as being posted online here, it is emailed direct to our subscribers all across the country.

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