Shock ruling: London property bigwig sent to jail after refusing to grant wife Jewish religious divorce April 1, 2022 A London property tycoon was sent to 18 months in jail this afternoon for engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour after failing to grant his wife a Jewish religious divorce. Alan Moher, 57, and Caroline Moher, who have three children together, separated in 2016 and divorced in the Family Court. But Moher did not give [...]
Buyers set hearts on Balham as stock gap hits unseen levels April 1, 2022 South London’s Balham has seen the biggest surge in buyer competition out of London boroughs this year. Buyer demand has soared 113 per cent over the past year, with home movers keen to snap up homes with space and gardens, Rightmove said. With Wandsworth and Tooting Bec commons around the corner, buyers are keen to [...]
House price growth hits highest level since 2004 with record average of £265.3k March 31, 2022 Annual house price growth has increased to 14.3 per cent, from 12.6 per cent in February. According to Nationwide’s house price index, this was the strongest pace since November 2004. The price tag of the average home hit a new record of £265,312, an increase of more than £33,000 in the past year. Prices have [...]
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 battle has ‘brain drained’ economy as house prices are forecast to fall March 30, 2022 While some restrictions are due to be eased next month, Hong Kong’s battle with Covid-19 will fuel a shrinking economy and plunging house prices, according to Goldman Sachs economists. House prices are forecast to fall around 20 per cent over the next four years, falling five per cent every year, while mortgage rates are expected [...]
GPE snaps up London’s Fashion Retail Academy building for over £36m March 30, 2022 GPE, formerly known as Great Portland Estates, has snapped up the government and Philip Green-backed Fashion Retail Academy building for £36.5m. While the property development and investment firm has bought the building, in the heart of Fitzrovia, it will remain home to the fashion school until it relocates to a larger building. The building, a [...]
Average mortgage hits £235k as cost of living crunch threatens home ownership plans for many March 29, 2022 The total value of mortgages lent rocketed last month as buyers face more affordability roadblocks to home ownership. Some 70,933 mortgages were given the green light in February, compared to 73,841 in January, according to the Bank of England’s monthly money and credit figures. However, the total value lent rose (from £16.6bn to £16.7bn), meaning [...]
Government readies to name and shame rogue landlords on social media March 29, 2022 The government is preparing to name and shame landlords on social media for breaching housing regulations. Under draft legislation published on Tuesday, social housing landlords who do not offer adequate homes will be made examples of on the gov.uk website and its social media channels. Dodgy landlords will be identified if they fail to meet [...]
Bellway forecasts average selling price will top £305k in hiked guidance March 29, 2022 Property developer Bellway has said it expects its average selling price to be more than £305,000, up on previous guidance. In half-year results, revenue rose 3.5 per cent to £1,780m, up slightly on 2021’s figure of £1,720m. The housing developer said the forward visibility provided by the order book meant that the average selling price [...]
Prices in prestigious London areas could dip as Russians rush to sell homes March 28, 2022 Real estate experts have said the impact of sanctions on Russians could lead to a saturated market in some of London’s priciest neighbourhoods. “While the sanctions against Russia only impact a relatively small pocket of the market, the prime market is one that very much operates on quality over quantity,” according to director of Benham [...]
Car dealership Lookers sells Battersea site for £28m March 28, 2022 Car dealership chain Lookers has sold a freehold dealership property in Battersea, south London for £28m. The 95,000 sq ft property was sold with Urban Logistics REIT, with a 20-year lease agreed at an initial rent of £1.25m per year. Lookers CEO Mark Raban said: “We’re pleased to have agreed the selective sale and leaseback [...]