TELLING THE TRUTH CAN HURT

Andrew WilliamsLegal, News, Surveying

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

Andrew WilliamsHome Buyer report, Home Condition Reports, Surveying, Uncategorized

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

Andrew WilliamsCommercial EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, Surveying

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

Andrew WilliamsBNI, Commercail Energy Reports, News, Surveying

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

Andrew WilliamsHome Buyer report, Home Condition Reports, Surveying

  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

Andrew WilliamsHome Buyer report, Home Condition Reports, Japanese knotweed, Surveying

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

Andrew WilliamsBNI, Commercail Energy Reports, Home Condition Reports, News, Party Wall, Surveying, Uncategorized

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

Andrew WilliamsNews, Surveying

(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

Andrew WilliamsLegal, News, Surveying

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