UK Strike Action – How does this impact the property market?

November 30, 2011 Leave a comment

UK strikeThe UK Strike action planned for today is underway, and around 2.6 million public sector employees are making a stand.

The problem?

People are now being asked to pay more into their pensions, they are being asked to work for longer, they have to accept a pension which will be based on a ‘career average’ salary rather than the current arrangement where there is a final salary arrangement. Read more of this post

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Government planning reforms might endanger the heritage sites

November 29, 2011 Leave a comment

Government planning reforms might endanger the heritage sites

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)  fears, that government planning reforms might endanger World Heritage Sites, Greenfield land and irreplaceable archaeology. This includes Georgian Bath, Stonehenge and the Jurassic Coast from East Dorset into East Devon. The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework is supposed to stimulate economic growth by trying to simplify and organise the planning system.

Twenty-seven representative samples of local authority responses to the public consultation on the draft of NPPF were analysed by CPRE. The outcome was that most of the local authorities, regardless of political affiliation, were very critical and concerned about the proposed changes, especially the definition of sustainable development (twenty-six authorities mentioned that problem). Insufficient focus on reusing brown-field land and the need for appropriate transitional arrangements to make the shift to the new system effective and smooth were also issues expressed by the surveyed authorities.  According to them some parts of the draft should be clarified and specified in order to protect the World Heritage sites. Read more of this post

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Dangerous UK housing is a major health and safety hazard

November 28, 2011 Leave a comment

Dangerous UK housing could cost up to £52 billion to repair, according to research by SearchFlow.

More than one in five homes (21%) are believed to be affected by Category 1 Hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which include death, lung cancer, loss of consciousness, loss of limbs, burn injuries, eye disorders, heart attack, and poisoning. Under the 2004 Housing Act, dangerous UK housing would need to be repaired or the owners could face prosecution, as local authorities are obligated to intervene, either deeming the property to be vacated or repaired immediately.

The English Housing Survey also estimated that 1.9 million houses have unsafe stairs. Read more of this post

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Dining room Style

November 26, 2011 Leave a comment

Dining room styleDining room style has gone through many changes over the past few years. Whilst usually dining rooms have been plain and attention is usually given to the table décor, now focus is more on the walls with any style being acceptable.

Rich elegance, minimalistic style, retro patterns, all characterise the various types of dining rooms that people are going for these days. By keeping these few points in mind, we guarantee that you will have great success with your dining room. Read more of this post

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UK flatsharers pay the highest rental bills in Western Europe

November 25, 2011 Leave a comment

UK flatsharers pay the highest rental bills in Western EuropeAccording to the flatshare website Easyroommate.co.uk, which analysed 33,000 UK, French, Italian and Spanish rental properties, UK flatsharers pay the highest rent in Western Europe with an average monthly rent of £360, reported by propertytalklive.co.uk. Brits are paying at least 5% more per month than tenants in other countries. The second most expensive country is France, where the flat rent cost is £342 per month.

UK rent is 22% higher than in Italy, the third most expensive out of the analysed countries (£282 pcm) and 56% higher than that in Spain (average room cost is £230 pcm).  The director of Easyroommate Jonathan Moore emphasised the difficult situation of flatsharers who can’t afford their own place and must depend on highly priced rental accommodation. Read more of this post

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First time buyers aided by new government scheme

November 24, 2011 Leave a comment

first time buyersFirst time buyers can be helped under a new government plan which allows them to borrow 95% worth of their potential property value, as stated by Money Expert.

First time buyers are caught in a housing market which is undergoing a low period of growth. David Cameron and Nick Clegg stated that “The housing market is one of the biggest victims of the credit crunch: lenders won’t lend, so builders can’t build and buyers can’t buy. That lack of confidence is visible in derelict building sites and endless For Sale signs. It is doing huge damage to our economy and our society, so it is right for government to step in and take bold action to unblock the market.” Read more of this post

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Showers or baths? Which is more economically friendly?

November 23, 2011 Leave a comment

 Showers or baths? Which is more economically friendly?A recent survey has revealed some interesting trends. It is claimed that the showering habits of Average Joe have changed. The classic debate of showers or baths now seems to show that showers are not as great as initially thought.

Apparently the average shower lasts eight minutes, a three minute increase on the time previously thought. This uses almost as much water and energy as the average bath. Unilever recorded 2,600 showers by 100 families over a 10-day period and claimed that eight-minute showers use 62 litres of hot water and baths use an average of 80 litres.

This increase is blamed on the rise in the number of households that now use ‘power showers’. These require twice as much water and energy as a bath. It also needs to be kept in mind that it is not only water that is wasted, it is the energy needed for heating the water too. Figures have also been given. Eight-minutes showers would cost an average UK family £416 a year, with power shows doubling the annual cost to £918. Read more of this post

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New development of eco scheme in Rackheath, Norwich

November 22, 2011 Leave a comment

New development of eco scheme in Rackheath, NorwichThe new development of an eco scheme was officially opened in Rackheath, near Norwich, reported the Green Building Press. A plaque to mark the special occasion was unveiled in the presence of the residents, as well as the officials from the Broadland District Council and local housing provider Wherry Housing Association, who together funded the £1.7 million development.

At first sight the quiet Norfolk village doesn’t seem to differ from the other developments. However, in reality the 12 brand new houses have the latest building design and low carbon technology. With a zero carbon status and the sustainable homes code level 6, they are considered one of the greenest in Britain. Read more of this post

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Lord Mandelson property worth £7.6 million

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

lord mandelson property

Lord Mandelson has purchased a property said to be worth £7.6 million and questions are being asked as to how the former MP could afford such a property after leaving office in May 2010.

Lord Mandelson is estimated to have taken out a £5 million mortgage after putting down a £2.6 million deposit in order to purchase the property.

The property that former MP Lord Mandelson has purchased is a Grade II listed Gothic Revival ‘mansion’ featuring a wine cellar and atrium as well as luxurious reception rooms overlooking a park.

MP Richard Bacon, a Member of the Commons Public Accounts Committee comments that “It is a matter of considerable public interest how he can afford such an expensive home within barely a year of leaving Government”. Read more of this post

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London property prices could rise to £10,000 per square foot by 2016

November 18, 2011 Leave a comment

london property pricesLondon property prices could soar by 2016 where residential properties may cost as much £10,000 per square foot, as stated in a research report recently released from Knight Frank.

The report refers to One Hyde Park, a property of 86 luxury apartments in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge, which is considered one of the most expensive properties in the world. The value throughout the duration of the development has increased from £4,560 per square foot in 2006 to £7,500 per square foot in late 2011.

It is thought that connections with luxury brands, such as the Mandarin Oriental Group and Candy and Candy Interior Design, and the use of the best timber and marbles, as well as highly-trained concierge team lead to the increase in value. Furthermore there is a huge demand from wealthy citizens from abroad wanting to buy London property which further pushes up prices. Read more of this post

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