(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
Planning Permission not obtained.
The London Borough Ealing issued an enforcement notice against Dragan Milinkovic in 2011 because planning permission had not been obtained to convert a house he owned into three flats. The enforcement notice requiring him to stop using the building as flats. The council also maintained that the flats were substandard. When the enforcement notice was ignored, a letter of caution was issued by … Read More
EPCs – Energy Performance Certificates
Chartered Surveyors Energy Performance Certificates are required when selling or renting a domestic or commercial building. For domestic premises the EPC can be completed very quickly but because commercial premises are more complex, a commercial EPC is calculated using the SBEM formula. Andrew R Williams & Associates are qualified to carry out both types of EPC. Energy Saving Ideas … Read More
Land wanted for housebuilding
Land wanted for house building We have clients looking for land in the Northwest (eg St Helens, Liverpool, Widnes) If you have land for sale preferably with Planning Permission, drop us a line on info@andrewrwilliams.co.uk Land wanted for house building Land wanted for house building Widnes, St Helens, Liverpool, Warrington Land wanted for house building Land wanted for house building … Read More
What is a Commercial EPC?
Chartered Surveyors A commercial Energy Performance Certificate is a document intended to give an estimate of the energy usage and CO2 emissions of a commercial building. The Commercial EPC is information for the prospective purchaser or tenants and can be used to compare one building against another of similar type. When do I need a Commercial EPC? … Read More
Dry Rot
Chartered Surveyors Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) is a wood-destroying fungus. In the UK, it is best known for its ability to destroy timbers in buildings. Typical indications of dry rot include: If strands are touched a distinct mushroom smell is emitted. Affected wood shrinks, darkens and has cuboidal cracks . Cottonwool – mycelium develops under humid conditions. Moisture – … Read More
RICS Home Buyer (Homebuyer) Survey and Valuation
Chartered Surveyors The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has designed the Homebuyer (Home Buyer) Survey and Valuation report to provide a prospective purchaser with basic information in a standardised format. It includes details of: General condition and form of construction. Significant factors which might influence or affect value. Market value. Valuation for insurance. Information is provided in a simple, straightforward … Read More
Party Wall Awards
Party Wall Work The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 introduced a procedure for resolving disputes between owners of neighbouring properties, arising as a result of one owner’s intention to carry out works which would affect the party wall, involve the construction of a party wall or boundary wall at (or adjacent to) the line of junction between the two … Read More
Japanese Knotweed
There have been cases where Japanese Knotweed come up inside houses and damaged them so badly that they are no longer saleable. The new Invasive Alien Species Regulation 2014 obliges land owners to manage invasive alien species such as Japanese Knotweed. Part 4 of the new Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has also introduced community protection notices, which … Read More