We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers an enjoyable summer.
Thanks to you, Property Talk Live has enjoyed another hugely successful period and seen exceptional growth in the number of people visiting the site.
And that’s not all – the number following us on Twitter alone has now exceeded 13,000, which we think is phenomenal.
Join us again on 20th August 2012 when we’ll be bringing you all the latest property news and stories.
The independent review of upland evidence is being carried out in two parts and was launched last month with a request for contributions around three initial topic areas. The first phase will draw to a close on 20 July and the independent experts will begin to carefully consider the evidence in relation to each of the questions set out in the scoping document: (341kb).
Natural England is now inviting submissions of evidence for the second phase of the study which will cover:
- Determining environmentally sustainable stocking regimes on moorland
- Assessing the feasibility of restoring degraded blanket bog
The deadline for submissions is Continue reading
Councils and the property industry are working together to form ambitious partnerships that can support growth and create jobs. Together they have identified a number of ways in which government could help to get even more development schemes off the ground.
The key measures being called for are:
* Make it easier to pool public sector capital funding in a broad local area to allow for more coordinated infrastructure development;
* Allow councils to quickly bring forward and implement Tax Increment Financing powers to fund growth creating infrastructure (TIF allows the cost of building infrastructure to be Continue reading
Wendy Evans-Scott, President of the National Association of Estate Agents, said: "These figures are disappointing, but unsurprising. Anyone who works in the property industry will testify that the gender balance has only recently started to change.
"Women obviously make up a big part of our customer base and most likely women are the ultimate decision-makers when it comes to purchasing a home. There is a lot to be said for having a balanced agency in terms of male and female agents and many organisations are waking up to this fact. Others still have a long way to go.
"On the plus side, the Continue reading
Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF, said: "The property industry makes up a major part of the UK economy in its own right, as well as providing a platform for virtually all of the country’s other major industries.
"The sector also provides places for people to live and employs over 800,000 people across the country and is consequently fundamental to the social and economic health of the country."
Howard Morgan, founder and managing director of RealService, said: "The property industry isn’t directly to blame for Britain’s economic and social malaise but equally it can’t just shrug it off as somebody else’s problem Continue reading
Mr Hunt believes the park, which was delivered on time and on budget, can be a blueprint for delivering large scale construction projects and that sharing its lessons will help British businesses win more lucrative contracts around the world.
“We need to ensure that the companies who built the Olympic Park, and others, learn from the experience of 2012, exploit the global spotlight and go on to bigger and better things in the future,” Mr Hunt said. “I hope that Sir John’s report will pave the way for British businesses after 2012 and help secure a long term economic legacy for UK Continue reading
Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard that on 17 December 2010, a gas installer was called by the landlord to repair a boiler at Laurel Court, Nye Bevan Close, Oxford. He refused to service the appliance and called an emergency gas engineer, who immediately condemned the boiler and flue. He then reported it to the HSE.
The HSE investigation revealed that Dr Mahmood had failed to maintain the flat’s boiler and flue for two years between January 2009 and December 2010. This action endangered the lives of the students who lived there, exposing them to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Continue reading
As part of their commitment to make a difference and raise awareness of the issues surrounding bad housing and homelessness, Zoopla will work closely with Shelter to help support their charitable efforts and will participate, donate directly and identify new opportunities to raise funds in 2012.
Zoopla employees have wasted no time in showing their commitment to the partnership by donating over £7,500 themselves already via payroll giving alone and committing to numerous events throughout the year, including Shelter’s annual Vertical Rush in early March, which involves scaling the 920 steps of Tower 42 in the City. Zoopla also plans to make Continue reading
But, how many of us have stopped to think about whether our properties are ready to tackle the elements?
William Davies, managing director at aspect.co.uk, a leading property maintenance and refurbishment company, comments: “When the cold arrives, we are overrun with work as people crank up their boilers to get their heating working to its full potential. It’s often when you need it most that problems occur, as the demand being placed on your boiler is so much greater than the rest of the year. Being ill prepared for the cold could mean uncomfortable living.
“If you suspect your boiler has any problems, Continue reading
Individuals at a higher risk of fraud include owners who are absent for whatever reason; for example because the owner may live abroad, buy to let landlords, the elderly not living in their properties because they may be in long term hospital or residential care, and where a relationship has broken down.
Land Registry’s top tips to help owners protect their property from fraudsters are:
* First of all make sure your property is registered. If you become an innocent victim of fraud and suffer a financial loss as a consequence, you will be compensated.
* Once registered make sure your contact details Continue reading
