EPCs – Ignorance comes at a steep cost
When the concept of Energy Performance Certificates was first proposed I recall the reception within the property profession was generally muted, but here we are 14 years later and never has energy performance been higher up the property shopping list than now. Admittedly, this has recently been put in to sharp focus courtesy of Mr […]
Rating – Are Rates Appeals in No Mans Land?
The recent release of management information and statistics in relation to ratepayer’s experience of the Check Challenge Appeal system (CCA) to date makes illuminating reading. Introduced at the same time as the 2017 Rating Revaluation on 1 April 2017, the new system, abbreviated to CCA introduces a completely new way of appealing business rates […]
Valuation in Uncertain Times
Property valuation in 2019 has proven to be a minefield. With a ‘prime’ retail market in continuing freefall starkly contrasting with the strong local industrial sector. To the untrained eye it can be difficult to know which way to turn. Add in to this melting pot the dreaded ‘B’ word and this political limbo and […]
Building Cost Reinstatement Assessments
Have you had your properties valued for insurance purposes within the last 3-4 years? If the answer is no, then you may well be under-insured and open to unnecessary business risk. We have been asked to assist on a couple of buildings recently where the clients had not undertaken a valuation for 7+ years […]
New Permitted Development Rights Introduced
The Government has issued amendments to the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), the Statutory Instrument that allows certain works and operations to be carried out without the need for obtaining planning permission. These changes came into effect on the 25th May 2019 and will mainly impact developments for house extensions and changes of use. To […]
Residential lease extensions – Falling between the cracks
Owners of long leasehold interests in residential property have a legal right to extend their lease under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 in respect of flats, or the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 in respect of houses. The former is the most common in light of leasehold being the preferred legal medium […]
Rates – A Hot Potato?
Bucking the trend of several decades of being below the radar, business rates has emerged as a political football in recent years with some particularly vociferous lobby groups taking the opportunity to bounce it further and further up the political agenda, and justifiably so. With a marginal tax rate approaching 50%, business rates in the […]
Dilapidations – Understanding a Confusing and Difficult Process
The law of dilapidations has long been misunderstood by landlords and tenants alike. Dilapidations and the associated statute and case law can be complex and therefore seeking expert guidance is essential and could save you significant amounts of time and money as either a landlord or tenant. Although the negotiations at lease end are important, […]
Property Management – The Key to Unlocking Asset Potential
We all hear and have read in the news about the rapidly changing commercial property industry in the last 18 months. There is now increased pressure on business tenants to ensure they can be sustainable, by meeting the needs of their customers, as well as ensuring they can pay their rent and comply with the […]
MEES – Unintended Consequences
As dawn has now broken on a new age of property legislation and energy efficiency in the form of the MEES Regulations (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) we have awoken to the issue which is created by the high proportion of commercial properties which are mid-way through a lease term with an energy efficiency rating of […]