Cladding service launches to help landlords win Building Safety Fund applications

admin    Uncategorized     agents

A cladding remediation service has been set up to help leaseholders and landlords struggling to navigate the Building Safety Fund application process.

Cladding Consulting promises to be hands-on during the entire funding journey, through to completion of the cladding remediation work.

It will arrange a survey, organise an EWS1 review by a chartered fire engineer, submit the application and manage the process until funds are granted, remaining involved until the project’s completion.

The government set up the £4.5m fund to pay for the removal of non-ACM cladding from high-rise buildings, 18m or above.

Latest figures show that there are 1,014 applicants who have registered interest but have not progressed their claim.

Process maze

MD Steven Truman (pictured) says it’s very easy to get lost in the process maze. “We immediately recognised the huge challenges leaseholders and managers were going to face trying to complete BSF applications, which are extremely complicated and time consuming, while juggling their everyday duties,” he explains.

“With many leaseholders already at the end of their tether, worried that they could be financially ruined by the cladding fiasco, the added stress of applying for funds is the last thing they need.”

The new cladding remediation service is for those who have already started the application process, but need help to complete it, as well as those who have registered interest in accessing the fund before the 31st July deadline.

Fees

Cladding Consulting charges an initial flat fee payable after the application has been accepted while a second fee – a percentage of the net construction cost – is due once funding is received; this is only payable if remediation is successful and then only the fee included in the remediation package is payable.

All fees are charged to the building, not to individual leaseholders. 

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Cladding service launches to help landlords win Building Safety Fund applications | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Cladding service launches to help landlords win Building Safety Fund applications

BREAKING: House prices surge unexpectedly to record high

admin    Uncategorized     agents

House prices surged by 0.7% in February, taking economists by surprise and reversing the 0.2% decline recorded the previous month.

The Nationwide’s house price index shows the annual rate of house price growth rebounded to 6.9% from 6.4% in January, raising the average price to £231,061 – the highest on record.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist (pictured, below), admits the increase was unexpected.

“It seemed more likely that annual price growth would soften further ahead of the end of the stamp duty holiday, which prompted many people considering a house move to bring forward their purchase,” he says.

The lender had expected activity and price growth to weaken, given that the purchase process typically takes several months.

Tax holiday

But it believes the tax holiday could still provide some momentum, particularly as there’s currently fewer properties on the market. Shifts in housing preferences could also boost demand, despite the uncertain economic outlook, says Gardner.

“Many peoples’ housing needs have changed as a direct result of the pandemic, with many opting to move to less densely populated locations or property types, despite the sharp economic slowdown and the uncertain outlook.”

He adds: “As a result, the outlook for the housing market is unusually uncertain. There is scope for shifting housing preferences to continue to boost activity, especially if there is further policy support in the budget.

“Nevertheless, if labour market conditions weaken as most analysts expect, it is likely that the housing market will slow in the months ahead.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is widely expected to extend the stamp duty holiday to the end of June in tomorrow’s announcement.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – BREAKING: House prices surge unexpectedly to record high | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: BREAKING: House prices surge unexpectedly to record high

Update on Pilar – Squatting and private property rights undermined in Spain

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Some of you may remember the letter I published, written by Spanish property-owner, Pilar Damian, who had her home squatted. Well, I can now update you on what happened next.

Pilar used eviction specialists, led by Dani Esteve and got possession of her property about a month ago.

The post Update on Pilar – Squatting and private property rights undermined in Spain appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Update on Pilar – Squatting and private property rights undermined in Spain