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

EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015

Andrew WilliamsCommercial Energy Reports, Commercial EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, Legal, News

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

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

EPCs – Energy Performance Certificates

Andrew WilliamsBNI, Commercail Energy Reports, Commercial Energy Reports, Commercial EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, Home Buyer report, Home Condition Reports, Party Wall, Photographic Condition Reports, Surveying, Uncategorized

  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

What is a Commercial EPC?

Andrew WilliamsBooks, Commercail Energy Reports, Commercial EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, Surveying

  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

Andrew WilliamsBooks, Home Buyer report, Home Condition Reports, Photographic Condition Reports, Surveying

  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

Party Wall Awards

Andrew WilliamsBNI, Books, Commercail Energy Reports, Commercial EPC, Energy Performance Certificates, Extensions, Home Buyer report, Home Condition Reports, Legal, News, Party Wall, Photographic Condition Reports, Surveying

  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

Andrew WilliamsLegal, News, Surveying

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

SAVA Home Condition Survey

Andrew WilliamsHome Condition Reports, Surveying

Putting you in the know 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, … Read More

Badly flooded gardens

Andrew WilliamsLegal, News, Surveying, Uncategorized

We have a client who has a badly flooded gardens. The gardens in question have been flooding for at least 12 years. The flooding is so bad that three quarters of the rear garden is flooded for at least four months of the year. Even in dry weather, the ground under foot is soft. Despite many letters to the Local … Read More