Offices To Residential – Article 4 Direction
Certain types of extensions to buildings and changes of use of buildings do not require full planning permission from the council. These forms of development are called permitted development. The Planning Portal provides a useful summary of the permitted development and provides links to the legislation which need to be referred to. It also sets out the […]
Share of Freehold
So you have done it. You have been through the process of buying your freehold and you have emerged the other side as proud new ‘share of freeholders’. So what now? The completion of the purchase of your freehold is far from the end of the story. Your freehold requires careful management and the time […]
Deposit Guarantee Schemes
The RICS have published statistics which suggest that acquiring a buy-to-let property is now 500 per cent more expensive than it was five years ago. A 70 per cent Loan to Value mortgage on a typical new-build apartment will mean that an investor has to find well over £100,000. Where a flat may not be […]
Energy Performance Certificates for Rented Properties
From 1st October 2008 all landlords in England and Wales will be required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for their property. Failure to do so will incur a £200 penalty. Under new legislation, landlords without an EPC cannot market their property to prospective tenants. The EPC must be given when any written information about […]
General Permitted Development Rights
Householders currently enjoy significant permitted development rights which largely remove the need to apply for planning permission for someone looking to alter or extend their home within certain ‘permitted development’ levels. Under Planning legislation as a general rule all developments require planning permission. However, certain types of development are low impact and it is considered […]
Auction purchases – flourishing during the recession
Going once, going twice, sold! What can be more exciting than buying a property at auction? This is a question that you might now be able to ask an increasing number of your friends and colleagues, as buying a property at auction becomes less and less the preserve of the seasoned investor, and a more […]
Watch what you’re stepping in to…
My grandmother used to refer to it as “stepping out” or, if feeling particularly modern, “courting”. At the time that the second Heir to the throne has announced his engagement, what are the pit-falls of moving in with your other half? Apart from the inevitable squabble about dirty washing up being left in the sink […]
Ashworths announces further expansion of their Commercial Property Department
Ashworths are pleased to announce that Michael Thom returns to the Firm in September to join Andrew, Brendan and James in the Commercial Property team dealing with Landlord and Tenant work and Residential Property Development. Michael will already be known to some of the Firm’s clients having worked with us a couple of years ago […]