At this time of year Japanese Knotweed is dormant during the winter but it won’t be long before the 2016 growing season starts in March/April. In Spring: Young red/purple asparagus like shoots appear which turn green as they age. Some plants leaf initially but can grow 50cm as straight rod. In Summer: These shoots turn into bamboo like hollow stems, … Read More
Planning – Fracking
Planning – The house is the wrong colour. A woman from Lancashire designed her new house and chose the colour grey for the external walls, as the bricks they had wanted weren’t available. Part of the planning approval stated that the external colours had to be agreed prior to the works commencing. The design of the house was granted planning … 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
UNDERPINNING FOUNDATIONS
UNDERPINNING FOUNDATIONS, Building Regulations, Party Wall Notices and CDM. Underpinning foundations is structural work and notifiable under the Building Regulations. You must make an application to the building control authority in all cases, without exception. If the underpinning works are to be carried out adjacent or in close proximity to another existing building, you need to ensure the requirements of … 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
EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPC) Both domestic and commercial buildings require Energy Performance Certificates when they are sold or let. The ratings on both types of certificate go from A (the highest) to G. (the lowest) Domestic energy performance certificates for existing dwellings are assessed using RdSAP. (Reduced data Standard Assessment Procedure.). Domestic ratings run from 1 (G) the worst to … Read More
Wind turbines in England Welsh Planning changes
Wind turbines in England The government has honoured its manifesto pledge over giving local communities a greater say over onshore wind turbines and axing subsidies for them. The new rules concerning wind turbinescome in on 18 June 2015. Under these new provisions councils should only grant permission for wind turbines in their area if the site is in an area … 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