Interiors: If we spend a third of our lives in bed, then why don’t we spend serious money luxuriating in linens? October 21, 2016 Let’s be honest, one of the most enticing things about a weekend away is climbing into a freshly laundered, luxurious bed with crisp white sheets, pillows like clouds and a cashmere throw for cosiness. Hoteliers spare no expense to ensure your slumber is deep, peaceful and refreshing; so why do so many of us put [...]
Holiday Homes: Rare homes for sale in the middle of the Indian Ocean, from Soneva Group, first company to sell property internationally in the Maldives October 21, 2016 Falling asleep under the stars in the Maldives sounds like the sort of once-in-a-lifetime experience reserved for honey-mooning couples. But it could be a regular part of your life, at least for a few weeks a year, if you invest in one of the properties on sale at the newly-opened Soneva Jani, which is the [...]
Property sales start to stumble following Brexit vote October 21, 2016 The number of people buying and selling homes, flats and offices has dipped in the latest sign of uncertainty in the UK property market. According to transaction figures published by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) this morning, sales of both residential and commercial properties are down. There were 93,130 residential transactions rubber-stamped during September, down 4.3 [...]
Remember the fried chicken guide to house prices? Now we know which London boroughs have the most fast food joints October 21, 2016 Remember the guy who, this time last year, came up with a theory that London's best property deals can be found where the most chicken shops are? Well, now the government has given would-be London property investors a helping hand – with a map of the boroughs in the capital which have the most fast food joints. According [...]
London Zoo’s aviary and an iconic City of London church right by Bank station have been added to the at risk buildings register October 21, 2016 An iconic City of London church and London Zoo's aviary are among the buildings added to the "Heritage At Risk" register by Historic England. The organisation said settlement in the tower of the Church of St Mary Woolnoth, right next to the Lombard Street exit of Bank Station, has caused cracks, while parts of the [...]
Gross mortgage lending down seven per cent in September October 20, 2016 Gross mortgage lending fell seven per cent last month, but hit the highest September figure since 2007. According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), gross mortgage lending was £20.5bn in September, down seven per cent month-on-month. Read more: London boss of Barratt Developments arrested on suspicion of misconduct The figure represented a two per [...]
London construction slowing after the Brexit vote October 20, 2016 Construction in London is undergoing a slowdown following the Brexit vote, according to chartered surveyors. A survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) found that nine per cent of surveyors have reported that construction had risen rather than fallen in the capital this quarter – but this was the lowest reading from the survey since [...]
Foxtons reports decline in revenue in third quarter due to reduced activity in the London property market October 19, 2016 Reduced activity in the London property market hit Foxtons revenues during the third quarter of the year. The estate agents said total group revenue for the three months to 30 September had fallen to £37.5m from £43.5m last year, while sales revenue was down to £12.2m from £18.5m – reflecting a continuation of reduced activity [...]
Tech sector drives demand for London’s offices post-referendum October 18, 2016 The tech sector is driving a return to health for the commercial property sector in central London. According to Knight Frank, there was demand for 9.5m square feet (sq ft) of office space in central London between June and September. This is ahead of the long-term quarterly average of 7.5m sq ft. Read more: How [...]
Tax changes to force 440,000 landlords up a tax bracket October 18, 2016 More than 400,000 landlords will be pushed up a tax bracket from April next year. By 2021, landlords will not be able to deduct mortgage interest payments or other financial costs from their turnover before declaring their taxable income. Read more: Watch out, tenants: Landlords threaten to hike rents because of new taxes The changes [...]