Spending watchdog slams failure to sell public land for homes July 24, 2019 The UK’s public spending watchdog has slammed the government for failing to sell enough public land for houses to be built on, saying it has prolonged “the nation’s housing crisis”. Read more: UK house sales plummet in June, held back by Brexit ‘ball and chain’ The government set itself the target of selling enough publicly-owned [...]
UK house sales plummet in June, held back by Brexit ‘ball and chain’ July 23, 2019 House sales crashed 16.5 per cent in June, as the property market took a “wait-and-see” attitude to transactions amid Brexit uncertainty. Monthly HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures showed British residential property sales fell to 84,490, more than one-sixth down on the same period last year. Read more: London house prices suffer worst plunge in [...]
Wework grabs €62m from EU in Brexit deal for London office spot July 23, 2019 Office sharing giant Wework is set to net a €62m (£55.7m) windfall when it takes over the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) former London headquarters, following the body’s relocation to Amsterdam. A deal secured earlier this month will see Wework sublet 280,000 square foot in Canary Wharf’s 30 Churchill Place, creating one of the world’s largest [...]
Legal Q&A: I want to make alterations to my flat, but joint freeholders are blocking this. What can I do? July 22, 2019 This is a common problem encountered by flat owners who want to make improvements to their flat but are faced with objections from the other leaseholders in the building. To overcome this hurdle, there are a number of things to consider. Firstly, will the type of alterations to be carried out affect the structural integrity [...]
BT reveals new City headquarters as it plans to move by end of 2021 July 22, 2019 BT will move its headquarters to a new site in the City following the £210m sale of its London offices last week. Read more: BT agrees £210m sale of London headquarters The telecoms firm said its new headquarters will be based in a new 320,000 square foot building near Aldgate East station at 1 Braham Street, [...]
Mortgages with terms over 40 years jump 20-fold July 22, 2019 The number of approved UK home mortgages with a term of more than 40 years rocketed in 2018, rising over 20-fold to 3,483 from just 162 the previous year, according to analysis by London estate agent Ludlow Thompson. Read more: Mortgage approvals dip in May but remain above average The figures are the latest sign [...]
Pinch brings boutique British interiors to Pimlico’s design district July 19, 2019 Pimlico Road Design District is fast becoming a galaxy of interiors stars. From designers Rose Uniacke, Nicholas Haslem and Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, to the delectable fabrics and wallpaper of Soane Britain, and the luxury textiles of de Le Cuona, each shop and showroom is unique, and there’s a contemporary energy to a district [...]
Shareholders rebel at Homeserve over ex-director payouts July 19, 2019 Shareholders dealt home repairs company Homeserve a bloody nose today as 30 per cent voted against the directors’ pay report. Read more: Homeserve maintains strong outlook as investors toast success across the pond Advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) had recommended Homeserve shareholders vote against the remuneration report – which lays out directors’ pay – [...]
Sadiq Khan slammed for London rental cap proposals July 19, 2019 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been blasted as “economically illiterate” after announcing plans to cap rents on homes in the capital. Read more: Sadiq Khan rejects Tulip tower planning application Khan today called for the government to give him powers to limit the amount rents can rise in London, which has seen rental prices [...]
Focus on St John’s Wood: Super-prime rentals are hot property in this US enclave July 19, 2019 With its secluded streets, proximity to the West End and legendary status in the worlds of both sport and music as the home of Lord’s and Abbey Road, St John’s Wood has long been a desirable address. PG Wodehouse made it the home of Bertie Wooster’s best pal, aristocrat Bingo Little, in his Jeeves series; [...]