Whether you are a landlord or a lease agent, there should be no rush in entering into a lease contract when you are just starting to talk with a prospective tenant. Due diligence should be observed when trying to deal with a prospective tenant; otherwise, you may risk ending up
The importance of placing people at the heart of home building is one of the key messages being delivered to over 1000 senior industry representatives attending the Annual Lunch of trade body Homes for Scotland in Edinburgh later today (Friday 17 May). Highlighting examples where such focus has delivered tangible
As one of the most attractive destinations on the beautiful Costa Blanca it offers a chance at the Mediterranean lifestyle, with beautiful beaches and an inspiring artistic heritage and a relaxed marina where you can spend the hours at peace in the sunshine. It is hard not to fall
Since the 1925 Land Registration Act in the UK, which was replaced by an updated Land Registration Act in 2002, it’s been compulsory to register unregistered property and land. However, according to the HM Land Registry, there is still 14% of land in the UK that remains unregistered or unclaimed.
An England football legend has helped ArtificialGrass.com greet visitors to its display at a major industry event held in Coventry. Former Leicester City and Liverpool star Emile Heskey joined forces with the leading artificial turf company for this year’s National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) exhibition, which took place at the
Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions for building management, ‘go green’ for Earth Hour 2019 and commit to 60 minutes of complete darkness… On Saturday 30th March 2019, Gira headquarters in Radevormwald, Germany turned out its lights. From 8:30 to 9:30pm, Gira switched off
Family owned builders merchants, Chandler Building Supplies, has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Seven Port Challenge. The 180 km charity cycling challenge covers seven ports across England and France over four days. A team of six from the builders merchants is taking on the difficult challenge of cycling ‘The
Archaeologists excavating a site in Berkshire have discovered an unusual Underground Monitoring Post (UGMP), dating back to the Cold War. The excavation, undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on behalf of Balfour Beatty as part of the Wokingham Borough Council’s Major Highways Programme, uncovered the post after an anomaly was spotted on
LEADING architects and designers have heralded the mezzanine studies that are a feature at Scotland’s most upmarket new development. Boasting a dramatic view out to the grounds and building of one of the country’s most iconic estates, the studies at The Crescent at Donaldson’s benefit from the sweeping homes’ almost
Charity Reuben’s Retreat has appointed Hadfield-based Building Projects Group Ltd to undertake the next stage in the development of the charity’s forever home. Reuben’s Retreat aims to help families who have children with a life threatening or life limiting illness, or those who have lost a child, offering support in
Whether you are a landlord or a lease agent, there should be no rush in entering into a lease contract when you are just starting to talk with a prospective tenant. Due diligence should be observed when trying to deal with a prospective tenant; otherwise, you may risk ending up with a lease agreement which is pre-terminated, and worse, having unsettled rental payments. It would be wise and beneficial if you would be able to invest in tenant screening services to protect or secure your rented properties so that you will be able to gauge whether or not it will be favourable for you to enter such tenancy agreement with that certain prospective tenant or lessee. It is also critically important that you have tenants that you know will be able to pay monthly rent on time, preserve the property that you have rented him or her, as well as be admirable residents, too. Though it might not appear necessary to take the time to screen those tenant applicants comprehensively, failure to do so would later on cost you significant time and expense. If you hastily decide to accept money from a prospective tenant that has cash on hand and ready to pay you right then and there, it might end up backfiring on you. It might also be a huge mistake if you just approve a tenant basing on his or her job just because you are very keen to lease out the property. It does not always mean that if the tenant applicant has a job then he or she has a good rental history. It does not also indicate that because the applicant has the deposit readily available, that he or she is a good payer and that he or she does not have any criminal record. As a landlord, a set of tenant screening considerations will help make sure that your tenant would not contribute to your neighbourhood’s crime rate. Having a tenant screened or doing a background check on the applicant will enable to fully verify and confirm that the person is representing himself or herself truthfully. This way, you would be assured that you are not turning a blind eye on potential dangers that might harm you, the neighbours and your property. It is also really vital to carry out credit checks because most, if not all, landlords would never want to negotiate with someone who does not have good credit scores. Although nobody can stop you from contracting with those with bad credit, this could actually expose you from the chances of having late rental payments, or even worse, wasting time and effort in going after the lessee because he or she just suddenly disappears. In the long run, it might also mess up your credit score because you might not be able to fulfil your own credit obligations because your tenant or lessee did not pay on time. It would be best to know the financial capability of your tenant because it will provide you the certainty that said tenant is capable of paying his or her rent. With having this tenant screening, you are now discouraging those with bad credit scores from renting out your property which is actually beneficial for the business. In addition, if you are the owner of the properties being rented out, naturally you would only want to enter in a contract with tenants that you are confident with that can take care of your rented property – as if it was their own. By screening out tenants, you will then have an insight on the way that certain lessee’s capability to carry out adequate care of your property. Doing background check will let you be aware of future problems such as history of substance abuse or the tenant being a part of a terrorist group. It is quite obvious that dealing with and being connected with these types of people will do no good, not only to your rented property, but also to you, as the landlord, and to your business. Doing tenant screening will aid you in revealing red flags about the tenant applicant before even entering to an agreement to lease your property. In planning to avail tenant screening services, you should evaluate first which provider would be best to suit your needs. Since you are the primary owner and you know your business quite well, it would not be hard for you to come up with factors and standards which you think are acceptable or unacceptable when looking for tenants. Although there are already several online tenant screening services providers, these providers just typically use only computerized databases to run background checks, making it more likely that only those readily available information such as credit histories and criminal records will be checked. This would then tend to leave out other investigative options that would necessitate talking with old landlords and other references. Moreover, online tenant screening services only check a number of databases for each person; therefore, they will simply tell you that the tenant is cleared for the background check if nothing turns up. On the other hand, a competent investigator will give you more detailed information about the tenant applicant if the standard background check does not turn up anything. Although hiring an investigator is recommended to do a thorough background check, it is still not for everyone. It is an alternative choice which is more detailed and complete but, also, far more costly than doing online background checks. So it would be best to consider closely regarding all the possible risks you would take and your investment’s perceived value. Hiring an investigator is perhaps the preferred option for those long-term lease agreement, business and top-notch rental properties who would want a thorough and complete background check for potential tenants. It is certainly not an easy feat to find the perfect tenant for your rental property, which is also one of the reasons why a lot of landlords would choose
The importance of placing people at the heart of home building is one of the key messages being delivered to over 1000 senior industry representatives attending the Annual Lunch of trade body Homes for Scotland in Edinburgh later today (Friday 17 May). Highlighting examples where such focus has delivered tangible results across a wide range of areas (including customer satisfaction, quality and placemaking) Chief Executive Nicola Barclay will say: “I talk about homes all the time, but today I’d like to talk about people. We build homes and great places to live but it is people who bring them to life – by living in them, designing them, consenting them, funding them and constructing them. So we are, by any definition, a people business. “And what I hope today will demonstrate is that it simply doesn’t matter what size of company you are – if you put people at the heart of it, you’ll get great results.” With the industry having been challenged on a number of fronts in recent months, Barclay will also add: “We are often told that as an industry we must evolve. I believe that evolution is well underway and will continue to gather pace as we move towards a decarbonised society. As we compete for talent and the future pipeline of people to work within our industry, it is vitally important that we continue to innovate and create flexible, attractive environments for our people to work in as well as for our customers to live in.”
As one of the most attractive destinations on the beautiful Costa Blanca it offers a chance at the Mediterranean lifestyle, with beautiful beaches and an inspiring artistic heritage and a relaxed marina where you can spend the hours at peace in the sunshine. It is hard not to fall in love with Denia the first time you see it. Denia is situated a little over an hour from Alicante airport, and is quickly becoming the place for tourists and those looking to make their stay much more permanent. So many choose to relocate here from within and outside Spain, and although tourists are also drawn here, somehow Denia has retained much of its charm and elegance, more so than close neighbour Benidorm. There are a wide range of houses for sale in Denia to suit all needs and preferences for those who would prefer a life in the sun. Denia has a lot to offer those looking for a better way of life Denia is a beautiful modern city, but it also has all the history and culture of a spanish coastal town. It is impossible to miss the fortress on top of the hill, the Castle of Denia. It plays host to many cultural events that you can enjoy, all while taking in the wonderful views. Heading into the town you will see a fascinating mix of old and new, with elegant buildings and whitewashed fisherman’s houses in the typical Spanish style. It is easy to imagine years gone by in the historic centre. And of course there are the wonderful beaches, the town is lucky enough to have almost 15km of rocky coves and long sandy beaches. There is plenty to do here, from snorkelling and watersports to simply relaxing and taking in the sun and sound of the ocean. The marina is also very active and what better way to spend an afternoon that to rent a boat and explore the coastline or do a little fishing. Of course being on the Mediterranean, the fresh seafood available here is amazing and if you aren’t keen on catching your own dinner you can always head to the fish market to pick up the day’s catch. There many fresh food markets here offering a chance to try the local gastronomy. There are plenty of other shopping opportunities too, with local craft shops and boutiques. There are also many local restaurants and cafes where you can sit out on the terrace and enjoy traditional local dishes in the sunshine with a well earned glass of wine or two. With so much to see and do, it is for good reason people fall in love with Denia. It also makes a great base for exploring more of the Costa Blanca or the stunning mountains and hills of the nearby countryside. Choose your perfect new home, or build one There are some stunning houses and apartments available to buy in Denia. Talking to the Peretó Group for Houses in Denia is a great start to the adventure. Denia is a cosmopolitan place, and it is well worth having an expert on hand who knows the city inside and out and how to find the right house, villa or apartment while making the most of the available budget. Navigating a house purchase in a new country in a new language can be daunting but with the right support, and with excellent English speakers available Peretó Group can make the whole process much easier. Of course the other option they can also help with is building your own dream home. From the purchase of the plot to development of plans and assistance with the construction process they are there to make sure it is the best possible experience ready for you to start your new life in the home of your dreams.
Since the 1925 Land Registration Act in the UK, which was replaced by an updated Land Registration Act in 2002, it’s been compulsory to register unregistered property and land. However, according to the HM Land Registry, there is still 14% of land in the UK that remains unregistered or unclaimed. Along with complying with the law, there are numerous benefits to registering land. But, firstly, let’s discuss how you go through the process of registering unregistered land in the first place. What is an unregistered property? This could be land or a building such as a house, garage or even something as small as a shed. Basically, it’s any property that is legally owned but is yet to be registered with the Land Registry in the true owner’s name. The owner will usually have Title Deeds that explain how they came to own the property. But simply having these Title Deeds doesn’t mean the property is registered, so to reap the benefits of having a registered property and to protect it from encroachment by others, it’s advised that you register the land as soon as you can. The two ways of registering unregistered property There are two types of registration, compulsory and voluntary. Here’s what you need to know about both. Compulsory registration Since 1925, a property that is ‘dealt with’ has the change of ownership officially registered and the new owner will receive a Title Register and Title Plan to confirm their ownership of the property. But what does ‘dealt with’ actually mean? It means that some activity has happened with the property that will trigger the compulsory registration. Some of these activities are as follows: A new lease of 7 years or over is granted. The first legal mortgage on an unregistered property is granted. A Freehold Estate is transferred in a sale of purchase. A Leasehold Estate is transferred with over 7 years remaining (this is known as assignment). In all these cases, it’s a legal requirement for the land or property to be compulsorily registered. You can do this by registering online with the HM Land Registry Voluntary registration You don’t have to wait for the property to become ‘dealt with’ in order to register it. You can simply make a voluntary first registration application in the same place where you would compulsory register it. While you can do this yourself, you can also instruct a land registry solicitor to do it if you want to make sure everything is done smoothly and legally. The solicitor can take your Title Deeds to find out how you came to own the property and submit an application to the Land Registry on your behalf, passing a copy of the Title Register onto you.
An England football legend has helped ArtificialGrass.com greet visitors to its display at a major industry event held in Coventry. Former Leicester City and Liverpool star Emile Heskey joined forces with the leading artificial turf company for this year’s National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) exhibition, which took place at the Ricoh Arena. The ex-striker was on hand to meet and greet, as well as sign footballs for NMBS members visiting ArtificialGrass.com’s stand. More than 280 exhibitors and 850 delegates came together for the annually-held trade show, which is the largest buying and selling event for independent builders, as well as timber, roofing, plumbing and heating merchants. Delegates were also given the chance to speak to the firm’s experienced team of grass experts, who offered their advice and tips on everything from how to install artificial grass to promoting new products in the range, as well as exclusive deals on the day. Andy Driver, Sales and Marketing Director for ArtificialGrass.com, said: “It was fantastic to join industry colleagues at the NMBS exhibition once again this year. “The event proved to be a huge success for us. We had lots of positive discussions and our team are excited to help grow the landscaping businesses for our merchant base. “Having Emile join us on our stand was a great honour and encouraged lots of people to come along and say hello for photographs and autographs. “ArtificialGrass.com has established itself as the go-to brand for the independent builders’ merchants, thanks to our ongoing investment in product development and our comprehensive service and training packages that we are able to offer.” For more information, go to www.artificialgrass.com or call 0843 224 7878. You can also follow ArtificialGrass.com on Linked In www.linkedin.com/company/artificialgrass and Facebook or Twitter @merchantgrass.
Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions for building management, ‘go green’ for Earth Hour 2019 and commit to 60 minutes of complete darkness… On Saturday 30th March 2019, Gira headquarters in Radevormwald, Germany turned out its lights. From 8:30 to 9:30pm, Gira switched off its entire lighting system within the new Production, Development & Logistics center for one hour in a bid to help save the planet and participate in this year’s Earth Day. Not stopping there, Gira also switched off the four illuminated logos which adorn the facade of its high-bay warehouse to completely immerse itself in complete darkness for 60 minutes. For the first time, Gira played a part in ‘Earth Hour’: a global community action which is organized by the international nature and environmental organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Since 2007, participants around the world come together and power down lighting in the workplace for the purpose of ‘Earth Hour’. According to the WWF, the campaign should “motivate as many people around the globe as possible to live and act more environmentally friendly – far beyond the 60 minutes.” In 2018, results show that over 180 countries took part in Western Europe, made-up of the general public, entire communities, businesses and institutions. Last year saw Germany positively step up and support Earth Day with Cologne Cathedral, Hamburg City Hall, an entire skyline of high-rise buildings in downtown Frankfurt and the Town Hall in both Remscheid and Wuppertal-Barmen, all becoming dark for an hour. It is therefore no surprise that ‘Earth Hour’ is now considered one of the world’s largest community actions for environmental and climate protection. What are you doing to help? Earth Hour 2019 – 30th March 2019 Earth Day 2019 – 22nd April 2019
Family owned builders merchants, Chandler Building Supplies, has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Seven Port Challenge. The 180 km charity cycling challenge covers seven ports across England and France over four days. A team of six from the builders merchants is taking on the difficult challenge of cycling ‘The Beast’ – a 6 person tandem – for the first leg of the event from Brighton to Portsmouth on Thursday 2, May. The brave cyclists from the Brighton, Lewes, Ringmer, Petworth, Chertsey and Bookham branches of Chandlers Building Supplies are Jason Austin, Chris Vernon, Ashley Miles, Brian Smith and Stuart Campbell and Paul Hawes. Brian Smith from Chandlers Building Supplies, Brighton, said: “We’ll have to put in a lot of practice on the tandem before May 2. It’s a very tricky bike to master and it is quite heavy too. The guys are all up for it and have committed to hours of practice to master the ‘Beast’. Let’s hope that our six pairs of legs are up to the challenge. We’re all looking forward to it!” This 52 mile ride starts at the i360 in Brighton and the riders will cycle via Chandlers’s Brighton store near Shoreham port and then along to Portsmouth Harbour . Sue McKinney, marketing manager at Chandlers Building Supplies said: “As a family owned building merchants we are always keen to support the local charities in the areas in which we are located. We dedicated the opening of our extended Brighton store last summer to Off the Fence, homeless charity, one of the charities this event is also supporting along with the other Mayor’s Charities to include Rocking Horse, Grace Eyre Foundation and Martlets. “We are delighted to be involved in the Seven Port Challenge and are proud of our team of six who very readily jumping at the opportunity to get involved.” Follow the Chandlers Building Supplies team’s practice on the ‘Beast’ on twitter and Instagram: @ChandlersBS and @chandlersbuilding. To sponsor their efforts visit: www.gofundme.com/SevenPortChallenge <http://www.gofundme.com/SevenPortChallenge> #7PortChallenge The Seven Port Challenge is run by The Brighton & Hove Property Consortium in association with Colin Brace Properties. Chandlers is a privately-owned, independent roofing & builders’ merchant with branches across the South East of England & the Midlands.
Archaeologists excavating a site in Berkshire have discovered an unusual Underground Monitoring Post (UGMP), dating back to the Cold War. The excavation, undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on behalf of Balfour Beatty as part of the Wokingham Borough Council’s Major Highways Programme, uncovered the post after an anomaly was spotted on the site’s preliminary survey results. The structure, part of a national network of 1,563 strategically placed UGMPs, was built for the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) in January 1961, part of preparations for the reporting of radioactive fall-out, should a nuclear strike occur. It is relatively uncommon to uncover the posts in such a way and archaeologists were surprised to discover that the monitoring post presented a further anomaly. “It is a fantastic find, made more unusual by the fact that it was also constructed back-to-front,” explains Wessex Archaeology Senior Research Manager, Dr Bob Clarke, an expert in the field of Cold War Archaeology. “These structures were built by local firms using prescribed blueprints, which in this case was misinterpreted by the builder. We suspected that an underground room may have survived even though the surface features had been demolished in the mid-1970s. It’s an extraordinary find as many of the sites connected with the Cold War are still secret.” This spot in the landscape was used as an above-ground observation post from 1936, and as a UGMP from 1961 until closure in 1968. Within the specially equipped and reinforced underground room, three ROC Observers (all volunteers) would monitor the effects of a nuclear attack on this part of the United Kingdom. Details of the power of the explosion, height above ground and subsequent radiation were reported to the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO), who, in turn predicted the results and issuing ‘Fall-Out’ warnings to the rest of the country. The site is located on the route of the Arborfield Cross Relief Road, which is part of the wider Wokingham Borough Council’s Major Highways Programme. Matthew Parkes, Project Manager on the Arborfield Cross Relief Road scheme from Balfour Beatty, who are constructing the road, said: “This historic discovery is yet another example of the great work, skill and insight of archaeologists, as well as the fine planning, attention to detail and brilliant connection and collaboration of the project team. It’s a thought-provoking experience, one which gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate how times have changed so significantly since the Cold War.” The remains of the structure will be removed prior to the construction of the relief road. In acknowledgement of this historic find and to mark its significance, Wokingham Borough Council and Balfour Beatty are planning to install a memorial stone at a date yet to be confirmed. The proposed memorial stone is to mark the location of the Observation Post, in partnership with local groups, Arborfield Local History Society, ROC Heritage Group and Arborfield and Newland Parish Council.
LEADING architects and designers have heralded the mezzanine studies that are a feature at Scotland’s most upmarket new development. Boasting a dramatic view out to the grounds and building of one of the country’s most iconic estates, the studies at The Crescent at Donaldson’s benefit from the sweeping homes’ almost entirely glass frontage. Featured in both show apartments, a three-bed duplex and two-bed apartment, exactly half (42) of all the homes at the CALA Homes (East) development feature the stand-out studies – made possible by the complex and rare interlocking storey structure. Acclaimed architect Richard Murphy OBE, who led the bold design of the project, said: “These amazing study levels are made possible thanks to the freedom that CALA granted us to create dynamic spaces – with homes across multiple levels and not bound by fixed lateral storeys. “This is rare – and typically only seen in seminal architectural projects and is certainly not associated with residential projects. “This directly enables us to create the double-height living areas that enable the south-facing mezzanine studies at the front of the home – benefiting from the outlook to Donaldson’s and beyond.” Located within the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Crescent is set within 18 acres of grounds that make up the largest new shared garden to be created in the Scottish capital. This creates a feel of a secluded private estate just minutes from Haymarket station, and a mile from the heart of Princes Street. The design of the two show apartments has been inspired not only by the architecture itself but also its outstanding surroundings, led by multi-award-winningexander James Interiors. Speaking specifically about the home studies, Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James, said: “It’s not too often you get to work on a project as distinct as this – and the study spaces are a key part of what makes The Crescent so special. “They really are inspiring and I’d personally love to have a space like this to get my head down. “With this in mind, when it came to the show apartment interiors, we really wanted to keep it minimal, with on-trend mid-century furniture. “We also made sure to reflect the gorgeous view with coffee table books on Scottish painters and architects.” Philip Hogg, Sales and Marketing Director for CALA Homes (East), said: “We’re finding that home study spaces are increasingly in demand with our buyers – both with flexible working on the rise and the desire for a quiet space for hobbies or home admin. “The design teams have done an incredible job taking office spaces to ‘that next level’. “Yes, they are jaw-dropping, but ultimately they work on a practical level – as they also allow for copious storage spaces beneath the mezzanine level – and thus the feedback we have had from buyers and visitors to the show homes has been incredible.” Designed by Richard Murphy OBE, the architecture of The Crescent has been directly influenced by Edinburgh’s famous Georgian crescents. Paired with an impressive glass façade are generous flowing spaces, enhanced height living areas and dynamic levels and with each apartment offering a dual-aspect living arrangement, The Crescent uniquely combines classic design with modern style. Prices range from £950,000 to £1,925,000. Visit https://www.cala.co.uk/the-crescent or call 0131 516 2667 for more information.
Charity Reuben’s Retreat has appointed Hadfield-based Building Projects Group Ltd to undertake the next stage in the development of the charity’s forever home. Reuben’s Retreat aims to help families who have children with a life threatening or life limiting illness, or those who have lost a child, offering support in a number of ways. Building Projects Group has now begun work on phases four, five and six at the Retreat. The three phases, which are part of a 10 phase, multi-million pound project, will include a hydro suite, a sensory play and movie room, offices and fully accessible changing facilities. The building work should take around 30 weeks, so is expected to complete in Autumn 2019. The work will involve comprehensive structural works, extensions. full electrical & mechanical upgrades and a high specification construction and fit out. It will also see the creation of a feature glazed link, a new entrance, a fully accessible Hydro Pool including accessible changing facilities and plantroom. The charity bought the old Wood’s Hospital in Glossop in 2014, taking on the massive challenge of renovating it from near dereliction to become Reuben’s Retreat, a place where families can relax, recharge, remember and rebuild. Reuben’s Retreat was set up in memory of 23-month old Reuben, who fell ill while on a family holiday in Devon in August 2012. A trip to A&E revealed a rare and aggressive brain tumour. He sadly never regained consciousness and passed away a week later in his mother’s arms, who pledged his short life wouldn’t be in vain. Nicola Graham, Reuben’s mummy and founder of Reuben’s Retreat, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Building Projects Group – they quickly stood out as a partner who understood what we are about and who would help us achieve our aims. They’re going out and championing our cause for us and asking their key suppliers for their most competitive pricing in order to maximise our money. We need to make sure that every penny that our fundraisers and volunteers raise is put to good use, so it allows us to help even more families. We can’t wait to be able to offer our families the use of the hydro suite and play rooms – it’s a vital and exciting stage of our development.” Adam Bell, managing director at Building Projects Group, said: “On behalf of us all at Building Projects Group we are delighted to have been chosen for this fantastic project. We very much look forward to delivering this wonderful scheme with Nicola and the Reuben’s Retreat Team. I’d also like to extend our thanks to our supply chain partners for their continued support of this wonderful charity.” To find out more information log on to www.reubensretreat.org or follow Reuben’s Retreat on Facebook or Twitter.