Recent Articles in Financing property checklists

Market is stable but not necessarily strong!
Jul 23, 2019

The word ‘stable’ to describe the property market has been used by many of the indices over the last few months – but no-one is describing the market as ‘strong’. What most indices agree on is that in today’s market people just aren’t being forced to sell, mainly due to rock bottom mortgage rates. To find out more, read Kate Faulkner's latest property price analysis.

Will 2019 continue to stagnate or see a rebound?
Jun 12, 2019

In my latest price report, a recent survey by Zoopla says that “Confident homeowners predict 4.8% house price growth”. Fortunately, not everyone thinks this will happen or the market could grind to a halt even more than it already has in some areas! Find out which areas people think prices will rise by 5% or fall by nearly 7% - what do you think will happen?

Latest rental market update - June 2019
Jun 4, 2019

2019 will prove a decisive year for the direction of the private rented sector. The government has increased the costs to let for both landlords and agents and increased the number of hoops they have to jump through to let legally. On top of this, they have increased the chance and the level of fines with Local Authorities able to charge up to £30,000 for serious breaches. And, although the government may be 'patting itself on the back' for reducing the percentage of households in the PRS versus home ownership, the loss of homes to rent is likely to be one of the main causes of any increases in homelessness and evictions, especially as our population is still rising.  This continued 'attack' on those operating in the Private Rented Sector is set to continue. 

New legal decision to impact flat owners?
Apr 24, 2019

The Upper Tribunal has handed tenants an important victory concerning ‘common parts’ including roof spaces and airspace leases in leasehold enfranchisement. The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has held that a lease of the airspace above, and the subsoil below a leasehold block of flats must be classed as "common parts" of the building when deciding if they were to be acquired, in a decision that could potentially have a profound impact on the property sector. This means that freeholders may not able to sell 'air space' to people who wish to develop on top or below an existing block of flats. This is particularly important if it remains law as the Government is relaxing planning rules on building on rooftops, for example, to help create more homes in London.

Property update from Philip Hammond's Spring Statement 2019
Mar 14, 2019

The Spring Statement from Philip Hammond wasn't the most exiting event of the day, but at least it was a rare bit of 'respite' away from the disaster that is now Brexit - or maybe not! Much of the statement repeats pledges and consultations on more changes to property taxation from previous budgets, but there is some news on where investment is going into areas such as Nottingham, Derby, Portsmouth, Southampton and the likes of Stoke on Trent.