Thursday, 17 January 2013

Property Market Overview January 2013

Property Market Overview January 2013
Our latest Property Market Overview is available to download at
 
http://www.michaelparkes.co.uk/images/stories/2013_1.pdf
 


 

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Michael Parkes Surveyors Limited Launch New Facilities Management Division

As an extension of our longstanding and well respected Property Management division, Michael Parkes are pleased to bring our new Facilities Management division to our clients.

We can tailor specialist contractors to deal with any property maintenance issue, from simple breakdowns to full refurbishment.

Our services include:
Reactive Maintenance (repairs), Planned Maintenance (including tenders), Estate & Grounds Maintenance, Security, Cleaning, Health & Safety Compliance, Refurbishment (commercial and residential)

Advantages of using our Facilities Management team are:

One point of contact for all services
Reliable contractors, fully qualified and insured

Our complete package includes, for landlords:

Gas Safety testingElectrical & PAT testing
Inventory checking in/out
Cleaning
General repairs
Emergency repairs

Covering the South East of England, we are happy to tender for single properties or investment portfolios, with our professionals offering the same high level of service to all.

Talk to us:

Cheryl Tutt
Tel: 01634 294994
E-mail: ctutt@michaelparkes.co.uk

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Residential Property Management – Compliance Update

Landlords should note that there are two proposed changes in regulations concerning rented property.

The first change in Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 comes into force on 6 April 2012.

The key changes are as follows:

The duty to commission an energy performance certificate (EPC) before marketing a property will be extended to the marketing of residential properties to rent;

The current 28-day period within which an EPC should be obtained using “all reasonable efforts” will be reduced to 7 days. The requirement to include an EPC with written particulars will apply to all residential buildings, whether offered for sale or rent. It will not be possible to only include the asset rating;

The second change has a slightly longer lead time and this change concerns flues that are concealed in voids.

If a property contains a gas flue concealed within a wall or ceiling then an inspection hatch must be fitted.

The proposed legislation stipulates that work must be completed by the 31st December 2012, as from January 2013, gas engineers will have the right to turn off gas supply to properties that have not complied and where they are unable to inspect properly.

These changes can be easily adhered to with the help of Michael Parkes Surveyors Limited Property Management Department; we can arrange works on behalf of landlords to ensure that the property is fully compliant with the changing regulations.

For further information please contact Cheryl Tutt on 01634 294994 or email ctutt@michaelparkes.co.uk

Friday, 2 December 2011

New South East Hub Airport increasingly more likely

The Government in its National Infrastructure Plan 2011, http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/national_infrastructure_plan2011.htm, published alongside the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, has confirmed that in March 2012 it will be consulting on a long term Aviation Strategy for the UK which “.... will explore all of the options for maintaining the UK’s aviation hub status, with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow.” .

The Chancellor has also confirmed the Government’s commitment to building a Lower Thames Crossing to the east of Dartford. 3 route options are to be assessed and these proposals will be consulted upon in 2013.

It is clear that at this stage a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary has not been ruled out by the Government. The commitment to building a new Thames Crossing may suggest greater support for an airport within the Thames Estuary rather than somewhere else in the South East.

If you are concerned by any property or planning issues associated with a Thames Estuary Hub Airport and Lower Thames Crossing, then Michael Parkes Surveyors Limited may be able to assist. Please contact us on 01634 294994 or visit or website www.michaelparkes.co.uk

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Thames Hub Airport & River Crossing Proposals - Update

It is being reported that amongst the corridors of Westminster there may be growing support for a new hub airport somewhere within the Thames Estuary.

It is being suggested that the Chancellor, George Osborne, may no longer be opposed while his shadow, Ed Balls, has refused to make a comment either way.

This comes in the wake of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, publishing a second report setting out the claimed economic benefits for an island airport off the Isle of Sheppey (Boris Island) he is promoting.

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Thames Hub Airport & River Crossing Proposals

If you are concerned by any property or planning issues associated with the Thames Hub Airport, Port and River Barrier and Crossing Proposals for Grain and the Hoo Peninsula, then Michael Parkes Surveyors Limited may be able to assist.

Please contact us on 01634 294994 or visit or website www.michaelparkes.co.uk