As of January, therefore, Transport Scotland owns all the land required to construct the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), amounting to some 1,400 acres.  This has resulted in several practical issues for a number of claimants including how they fund replacement land.
 
Larry Irwin, land agent in Strutt & Parker’s Banchory office, said: “There are a number of practical issues to be taken into account. However, one of the single biggest surprises is that of the 400+ affected property owners less than 50% have so far submitted their claims for advance compensation under the 90-day notice form.
 
“Affected Continue reading →

And thieves will be keen to get their hands on anything within easy reach – from children’s toys to bikes to garden tools:

Of the garden equipment stolen last year:

* 42% of thefts were for power tools, of which 56% were drills;
* 39% were for simple hand tools like spades, shovels, rakes and forks;
* 19% were for electric and petrol lawnmowers, chainsaws and ladders.

However, the thieves don’t just wait for British Summer Time to begin before they start looting gardens, as the lighter evenings in March show a 10% increase in thefts compared with the dark nights of January.

And as Continue reading →

According to the British Geological Society, the preceding two years of rainfall have a strong influence on ground saturation in any given year. Clay soils swell when saturated but when dryer weather causes evaporation these soils can shrink, crack and cause subsidence in properties.

In the ten years to 2011 there were two periods of particularly high rainfall which were followed by very dry years.

In 2002, 14% more rain fell than in a normal year.  This wet period was followed by a very dry year – in 2003, rainfall was down 20% from the average.
 
Rainfall during 2008 and 2009 Continue reading →

Theft lies in fourth place and fire, which covers damage from small cigarette burns to major house fires, is in fifth place on the list which combines the number of claims made for both buildings and contents insurance.

Top Home Insurance Claims:

1 Escaping Water

2 Storm

3 Accidental Damage

4 Theft

5 Fire

6 Subsidence

7 Flood

8 Malicious Damage

9 Impact Damage

10 Freeze

Although a leaking pipe could be a relatively minor issue, in comparison to fire and flood, it can ultimately cause a major problem which costs an average of £3,500.  At this time of year a frozen pipe in the loft can quickly become a burst pipe. This Continue reading →

Martin Egan, national property claims manager at Direct Line home insurance, said: "If you do have a frozen pipe, turn the water off, drain the system and leave the taps open. Check the local weather report and if you are expecting high winds, lock your gates and put any garden furniture you can move into the garage. Nearly half of all weather related claims are due to roof damage. However, personal safety is paramount and if it is not safe to do so, do not attempt even temporary repairs."

Direct Line tips on how to thaw and protect condensing drain away pipes:

* Continue reading →

The number of flood searches undertaken by homebuyers drops to its lowest in January when just 6% of the annual number of searches are undertaken. 

This Year

2012 saw the wettest April to June on record with further wet weather in July, late September and October. This caused the proportion of flood searches undertaken in November this year to spike at 14.4% of the annual total. In contrast, the month with the lowest proportion of flood searches, just 7.3%, was September when the fine and warm first half of the month suggested the UK might enjoy an Indian summer. However, many homeowners who Continue reading →

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of CCWater, said: "We have seen recent images in the media of the damage and devastation water can cause to our homes. Lagging your pipes now could avoid a burst pipe later. And knowing what action to take should your pipes freeze could save you thousands of pounds and a lot of trouble."

Don’t wait for a big freeze – act now. Every winter families all over the UK suffer from the effects of pipes bursting and water pouring through their homes as a result. Problems in our homes are our responsibility – so it’s worth taking some Continue reading →

Santander is urging households to consider other ways of protecting their home and not to risk house fires by leaving tree lights on for prolonged periods or when the property is unoccupied.

Santander’s survey also revealed that the use of social networking sites over the festive season could compromise home security, with 43% of people, who will leave their homes unoccupied, intending to post updates about their whereabouts. Some 30% of those planning to go away over Christmas say they will update their Facebook status with a message about where they are and one in 10 (11%) will tweet about it. A Continue reading →

Outside:

* Check the condition of the roof. Look for cracked or broken tiles, cracks in the chimney or problems with the pointing. If any repairs are needed, hire a professional roofing contractor to carry out the work as soon as possible;
* Clear the gutters and drain pipes of any leaves or debris that have built up in them to reduce the risk of blocks and overflows;
* Keep gates and outbuilding doors fastened securely and secure any other loose items;
* Check external light fittings are secure;
* Cut back low hanging branches that could cause damage in high winds Continue reading →

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) proposed the Government provide a temporary overdraft facility, which would only be used to pay claims while the scheme built up cash reserves, with the borrowed sum to be repaid by the industry the following year. 

The BPF wants the Government to commit to the scheme, as property without insurance is essentially worthless.

Liz Peace, chief executive, said: "As the sad current events highlight, wide scale flooding has significant implications for property owners.

"The Government needs to act quickly on its word to provide greater assurances over flood protection for developers to ensure that homes and regeneration sites Continue reading →