Following an extensive survey of members, the QSi General Council decided that there would be another Conference in November / October 2012. The most likely venue this year will be Wolverhampton University if the venue is available.
UK house prices crept up by one per cent across 2011
According to recent research, House prices in the UK inched up by one per cent in 2011. Regional variation in prices has been less significant than that recorded in previous years, with London witnessing the strongest growth for 2011.
Richest Buyers costing £1bn in Stamp Duty Avoidance
A stamp duty dodging scheme is reportedly costing up to £1bn in potential Government revenue from house sales. Research indicates that as much as one in three sales over £1m are avoiding the 5% Stamp duty. This popular avoidance system involves the use of offshore companies to transfer ownership of a property. In this case, the deeds to a property … Read More
Frequently asked questions concerning Energy Performance Certificates on holiday lets in England and Wales.
Is an Energy Performance Certificate needed for holiday accommodation? In certain circumstances, yes – basically, an Energy Performance Certificate is required whenever a property is rented out (unless it is intended to be used for less than 4 months in a year), including when it is rented for use as holiday accommodation. A rental arrangement is one where a person … Read More
Putting you in the know – SAVA Home Condition Survey
Buying a house is a major investment. One that you really need to make an informed decision about. That’s exactly what the Home Condition Survey allows you to do. It’s a striking fact that around 70% of homebuyers do not commission any form of independent survey on the property they purchase. Which?, the consumer agency, estimates that undertaking a condition survey … Read More
GREEN DEAL
GREEN DEAL The ‘Green Deal’ intends to reduce carbon emissions cost effectively by revolutionising the energy efficiency of British properties. The new innovative Green Deal financial mechanism eliminates the need to pay upfront for energy efficiency measures and instead provides reassurances that the cost of the measures should be covered by savings on the electricity bill. ECO A new Energy … Read More
VAT and Listed Buildings
You would think that the government would try to assist the owner of the owner of a listed building or scheduled monument. After all, the owner of such a building is helping to preserve the national heritage. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Although “Alterations” are VAT exempt, repair and maintenance work isn’t. So, if you want to re-slating a … Read More
Photographic Inspection Advice
This is similar to normal Acquisition Advice, however, the client may or may not meet the surveyor at the property at the end of the inspection. The surveyor would take a photograph of everything that he or she would report on in a typical survey and provide the client with a disc of photographs. A written index is provided if … Read More
House prices still falling in most parts of UK
A recent RICS Housing Market Survey indicates that both supply and demand for property have stayed low, and prices are still falling in every region of the UK except London. Wales and the West Midlands saw the largest falls in house prices in the month, and yet the West Midlands had the highest level of newly agreed sales. The South … Read More
Want to save money?
Do your want to save money on your gas bill? Do your want to save money on your electric bill? Do your want to save money on your telephone bill? Do your want to save money on your mobile? Do your want to save money on your broadband? Would like to pay for all your services on one Bill? Then … Read More