Testimonial & Reasons for having a report TESTMONIAL FROM CLIENT Hi Andrew, Just to let you know the client thought the sample report looked great. The bank valuation is booked in for Thursday, so assuming that comes back at the £90,000 mark, the client would like to instruct you. I will let you know as soon as I hear from … Read More
TELLING THE TRUTH CAN HURT
Telling people the truth can sometimes hurt. I went around a property recently. It had been extended and had a loft conversion of sorts. Under modern building regulations staircases are suppose to have minimum headroom of 2 metres. (There are slight variations allowed.) The staircase to the loft only had 1.6m headroom. The loft room floor hadn’t been strengthened, there … Read More
A guide to home maintenance
The external walls The walls of a property are the barrier which keeps the elements, and particularly water, from reaching your comfortable internal environment but they need maintenance. In order to fulfil that function effectively, however, they need to be clear of soil and ground level build up. The problem Old properties Already prone to rising damp, solid wall structures … Read More
Now an EPC matters
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 came into force on 1 April 2016, and apply to landlords of both commercial and residential property. The regulations provide that properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G are to be classified as “sub-standard”. Landlords must not grant a lease of sub-standard property after … Read More
BNI BRAVO
Here’s my top 6 reasons for joining BNI BRAVO and you should join too: http://bnimerseyside.com/bravo/gallery.php 1. BNI Bravo mean business. And I mean business. BNI Bravo aren’t kidding about giving and receiving referrals. At the end of each meeting members are expected to go around the tables and with everyone witnessing, either offer a testimonial, a referral or a thank … Read More
Defects in property
He was a marvellous gardener. The neighbour was right. The garden was perfect. Pity about the defects. Pity he grew a low hedge up the front wall of the house and porch. (See photographs) This created defects that I had to report. As the hedge prevented visible access, I had to report that it was not possible to fully … Read More
Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed I was discussing surveying matters with a friend a few days ago and thinking about the results of surveys. If a surveyor finds a major problem with a property, the chances are that finding the problem wasn’t really chance; it the result of years of training. There is of course the temptation to dance a jig to … Read More
NEW HOMES, HOUSE BUILDING AND PROPERTY
The number of new homes being completed is exceeding 2014 figures by 14%. The majority house building was made up of private sector completions. According to Knight Frank prime UK waterfront property is 70% above that of inland homes. The Environment Agency saying 1.8m homes in the UK are at risk from sea or river flooding. Jeremy Corbyn is proposing … Read More
HOUSING STARTS – REFORM OF HOLIDAY HOME INHERITANCE
(Housing Starts – Reproduced from Property Matters) Shortage of skilled construction workers will hit housebuilding The Economist reports on the shortage of bricks and bricklayers in the UK and how it could slow the pace of house building. Mark Farmer of EC Harris has said, “Either we need more people or we need to construct homes in a different way. … Read More
NEW LANDLORD REGULATIONS
Reproduced from information supplied by Open House Estate Agents Joanne Bradley Phone: 07742 370 828 joanne.bradley@localagent.co.uk NEW LANDLORD REGULAIONS New regulations requiring landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their rental properties are expected to come into force, subject to approval, on 10 October 2015. Landlords will be required to install smoke alarms on every floor … Read More