Breaking News
Christopher Hamer stands down as the Property Ombudsman.
After nine successful years as the Property Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer’s term of office is coming to an end. On 30th November 2015 he will be officially standing down. The independent TPO Council together with the TPO Board Chairman, Bill McClintock, have began the search to fill the position. Christopher will however remain as Ombudsman for…
Christopher Walkey
Definately not Labour
Today, I am posting why I personally would not be voting Labour tomorrow, it is a view with one eye on the negative effects it could have on the property industry and the other on a few points in general that others may not be aware of. It is not only myself that feels that…
Allen Walkey
MANCHESTER SET TO BECOME FIRST CHOICE FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS.
Manchester is the front-runner for domestic and international investors looking to expand their property portfolio, according to a new report from property investment firm IP Global. Manchester rapidly becoming top choice in the UK for property investment Predictions of 22% growth in property value in the next three years 65% of FTSE 100 companies now…
Alex Evans
Rented sector could suffer under Labour
There could be serious problems ahead if a labour Goverment were to enforce all the Landlord reforms they have been threatening to enforce, that is if they are elected into power with or without support from another party. We could see fewer rented homes available as Landlords may just look to sell up and not…
Allen Walkey
Good news from Halifax
The Halifax has introduced a new mortgage scheme for First Time Buyers, it will apply to those first time buyers applying for a qualifying mortgage between the 4th May to the 28th June this year, this offer excludes Buy To Let and Large Loans over £1 million. According to the Halifax they understand what a…
Allen Walkey
Just 3 days before Election
Yes, just 3 days to go before the General Election 2015, and still no one is able to predict a confident outcome, that applies to the party that will have most seats and the coalition that may exist after. The Yougov results for Sunday 3rd May were as follows. Cons 34% Lab 33% LD…
Allen Walkey
Mortgage approvals for March
U.K. mortgage approvals unexpectedly fell in March, probably due to consumers being wary of purchasing a new home in the months before the general election. Approvals fell to 61,341 from 61,523 in February, the Bank of England reported today. Economists had forecast an increase to 62,400. With a less than a week until the general…
Allen Walkey
Rents should stabilize
All too often high rents have been in the spotlight over the last year or two, affordability for most has become close to a joke, especially in the Capital, maybe we have light at the end of the tunnel, according to a survey conducted by Your Move and Reed Rains of more than 1200 landlords…
Allen Walkey
Decision re letting boards in Cardiff
Two areas in Cardiff, Cathays and Plasnewydd will see a ban on letting boards coming into force from this October, both areas are heavily populated by students. The Welsh Government gave power to Cardiff Council to take action against Landlords who displayed such advertising without requesting consent. Landlords are not at all happy how these…
Allen Walkey
Zoopla Property Group surprise purchase
Zoopla Property Group (ZPG), the digital media business which owns and operates some of the UK’s leading online property brands including Zoopla and PrimeLocation, has conditionally agreed to acquire Ulysses Enterprises Limited, owners of price comparison site uSwitch, in a £160m deal. Founded in 2000, uSwitch is one of the most widely recognised and trusted…
Allen Walkey
London Property Sales
It would appear that first-time buyers are almost level with investors in the Prime London property market, according to a report from estate agent Marsh & Parsons’ latest London Property Monitor. According to reports almost one in three of Prime London properties were purchased by investors in the first three months of this year, that…
Allen Walkey
House prices at record high
The price of a typical home in the UK rose by 1% between March and April, according to the latest figures from the Nationwide House Price Index, this is the largest monthly rise since June 2014. UK house price growth rose an annual rate of 5.2 per cent in April, a small rise from the…
Allen Walkey
TPO Scotland established with Codes of Practice for the Scottish sales and lettings market.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme recently launched two new versions of its Code of Practice for sales and lettings agents operating in Scotland, and to officially mark the launch of TPO Scotland, invited individuals from leading industry associations, agents and local journalists to join the Scottish Board and the Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer, for a celebration….
Christopher Walkey
House builders shares drop
Some of the biggest names in UK housebuilding took a hit Monday on the stockmarket as Labour’s plans to impose tighter rules on landlords emerged. This drop in housebuilding stocks comes as no surprise, we already have the Labour party threatening a Mansion Tax and the abolishion of Non Dom Staus, now rent caps and…
Allen Walkey
Tim Fairweather: London agent warns of potential Labour disaster.
As we enter our final full week before the long awaited Election Day, Central and North West London agent Sandfords join a chorus of other industry experts and warn of the possible disastrous consequences for the property market if Labour is elected into power. Tim Fairweather, a Director at Sandfords, comments: “In the immediate run…
Christopher Walkey