Whathouse? West Midlands June 2015 by WhatHouse? Local

l r, or ca e o lo ap r d ur y p ou Yo ert to y op d pr ere liv de West Midlands Edition June 2015

- the agent that gets results

tr ac t t tr ac

Co n

Su bj

tt o

t tr ac

Co n

tt o

tr ac

Co n

ec Su bj

Su bj

tt o

Su bj e

ct to

SO L C D

SO LD

We consider ourselves to be a proactive estate agent with innovative ideas that get results. The properties below were all on the market with other estate agents without success. They all decided to instruct haart to assist them with the marketing of their homes and we are pleased to announce we have sold them all.

If you are still on the market and want to sell, why not give us a call on 0121 426 1876 to find out how we helped these home owners move and how we could also help you. Our telephone lines are open 7 days a week between 8am-10pm or alternatively email your enquiry to harborne@haart.co.uk

haart.co.uk

Harborne Sales 0121 426 1876 Harborne Lettings 0121 426 2931 8am - 10pm every day

We are currently offering FREE professional photography and FREE floorplans for every property listed for sale with us.

tr ac t tr ac

Co n t tr ac

Co n

LD je

SO Su b

tr ac

Su bj

tt o

Su bj e

ct to

SO L C D

tr ac t tr ac

Co n

tr ac

Co n

SO Su b

Su b

Su bj

tt o

Su bj e

ct to

SO L C D

tr ac t tr ac

Co n

Su bj

tt o

Su bj e

ct to

SO L C D

We have sold these properties with the help of professional photography. Take advantage of our offer and show your home in its best light.

l r, or ca e o lo ap r d ur y p ou Yo ert to y op d pr ere liv de

West Midlands Edition

June 2015

AGENT INSIGHT P4 INTERIORS P12 MORTGAGES P28 BUY-TO-LET P29 AUCTIONS P30

Post-election reaction P3

12 tips for new landlords P29

Starting over –

retirement property focus P15

Quality homes in desirable locations across the Midlands For more information about our extensive range of quality homes, from first time buyer apartments to luxury executive houses visit

www.lioncourthomes.co.uk or call 01905 755167

West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire – Find your new home at Whathouse.com

You can keep in the picture with Veyo Chain View Launching in Spring 2015, Veyo is a comprehensive conveyancing portal that will enable Estate Agents and their clients to view the status of other transactions in the housing chain. Find out more at www.veyo.co.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The portal will offer greater transparency to everyone involved in the sale and transaction of a propertyâ&#x20AC;?

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

post-election round up 3

Post-election W property focus

Welcome!

ith election fever beginning to die down and a Conservative government now in place, attentions are turning towards which pre-election pledges will now be implemented. A Conservative government certainly means an end to the Labour-

pledged mansion tax, but what will it mean for the housebuilding industry? Here, we take a look at the reforms promised by the Conservatives in their pre-election manifesto, and take in the reactions of key players in the housebuilding and estate agency industries.

IN THE MANIFESTO

THE HOUSING MINISTER

• A £1bn fund to build 400,000 new homes on brownfield sites • A Help to Buy ISA to provide a 25% savings boost for first-time buyers • An extension of the Right to Buy policy to help 1.3m housing association tenants purchase their homes • 15,000 new homes in Garden Cities • No mansion tax • No rent controls

Brandon Lewis has retained his position as minister for housing and planning, after a brief period of confusion when he was erroneously replaced by Mark Francois on the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Lewis has held the position since

last July, and was congratulated by the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA), who described him as a “highly effective minister”. ARLA is also leading the argument to elevate the position of housing minister to cabinet level, amid concerns that the position has long been undervalued in government, especially with housing having played a key role in this year’s general election.

THE INDUSTRY REACTS Housebuilders Steve Errington, chief executive of Story Homes “Story Homes welcomes the election of a majority Conservative government, which has already made a commitment to deliver muchneeded new housing throughout the country. “We would like the new government to look at supporting affordable mortgages and a return to high loan-to-value mortgage products. A normalisation of a 5% to 10% deposit for customers would help to stimulate housebuilding. With the National Planning Policy Framework embedded in most local authorities, government support to ensure that planning departments are resourced to prevent a bottleneck would be a prudent move.” Andrew Richards, group managing director of Linden Homes “What the housebuilding industry now needs from the new government is stability. Stability translates into certainty around planning reform, ‘homebuyer enablers’ on offer and the wider economy to help keep Britain building. We hope that this government will command that level of guarantee and solidarity in the planning process to spur the delivery of much-needed homes across the country.

“We recently issued ‘Housing our Nation – a Manifesto’ in a bid to inform the debate with our suggested actions to help ease the housing crisis...[and] we look forward to discussing [these] ideas with the newly elected government.” Ian Dyke, managing director of Rippon Homes “The government and the locally elected council members now need to address the housing shortage, which is driving up home prices for both first- and second-time buyers. “The market is driven by supply and demand - if the supply is increased then the market price will stabilise. Housing is not an industry that can be switched on and off like other commodities - it takes up to 12 months to bring a new housing site to fruition to provide new homes, so all stakeholders must look at the process and the planning of developments to take this into account.”

Estate Agents Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops & Staff “The clouds that have hung over the London property market have now dispersed. Having seen the number of property transactions slow down sharply over the last six months as the prospect of mansion tax loomed on the horizon, we expect to see

greater activity in the London market from now on. “High valued properties, while still affected by some of the more recent tax changes, should see more stable demand and the resurgence of international interest. Now that London is open for business again we expect the wider markets to respond accordingly.” Lucian Cook, head of research at Savills “We expect much of the deferred demand from the pre-election period to flow back into the prime market over the remainder of 2015 and 2016, particularly given that the spectre of a mansion tax is now removed from the market.” Adam Day, founder of Hatched “I believe this to be great news for the housing market, particularly in the short term, evading the potential surprises and uncertainty that a Labour majority or hung parliament would have created. “If we were faced with a Labour government today, they would have enforced rent cap rises and banned tenants’ fees. Both of these proposed policies would have interfered with market forces, something that should never be controlled. With a Conservative government, it is ‘business as usual’ and I predict that the market will continue to grow.”

Russell Quirk, founder of eMoov.co.uk “Those at the top end of the UK property market will be breathing a sigh of relief having avoided a hefty Labour-led mansion tax. “I don’t think there will be huge implications at the other end of the market. The Conservatives introduced the new Help to Buy ISA to encourage first-time buyer votes and plan to extend it. I can’t see them making a U-turn on their stamp duty amendments either so the lower end of the market should benefit to some extent.”

Private Rented Sector Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom.co.uk “A Tory majority is a worry for UK renters. The Conservatives’ pledges all but ignore the 11 million people in rented accommodation – in particular their concerns around rising rents and letting agents’ fees - with a tunnelvision focus on home ownership. “Trying to get people on to the property ladder is the only box ticked. A supply shortage has led to unbelievable strain on the rental market over the past five years. The Tories need to act fast to ensure renters have access to affordable housing and are better protected from rent rises, particularly when interest rates rise and landlords see their mortgage repayments go up.”

hatever your political persuasion, the outcome of the general election was, from a property industry perspective, a positive one. The machinations of creating a working partnership from a hung parliament may well have set back what has become a largely stable property market across the country. Regions outside London and the South East have been recovering determinedly over the past few months after a destructive few years. It was disappointing to hear some agents – unsurprisingly, those dealing with the headline-hogging “prime Central London” market – crowing about the likely surge in property prices in some parts of the capital when the prospect of a ‘Mansion Tax’ disappeared. While such rises are beneficial to some homeowners – and, of course, the agents they employ to sell their expensive homes – it hardly assists those already struggling at the foot of the property ladder in those areas. It is widely recognised that modest year-on-year growth in property prices is the best position for everyone, though with the caveat, of course, that there’s an affordability factor in all this; that would-be buyers are able to borrow enough to buy the property they need in the area they would like to live in, without overstretching themselves now or risking such a scenario in the future. We are so used to our record-low base rate, and consequently some of the record-low mortgage rates on offer, that it would be easy to forget (accidentally or otherwise) the certainty that from here, there’s only one way they are going to go. The Bank of England has been putting back its likely date for starting to raise the base rate until sometime in 2016, which will provide further leeway to increase their income by the time their currently low mortgage rate inevitably rises. But we all have to remember that whether we’re on variable or fixed rates, there will come a day when that 0.5% base rate will be closer to 5% and the mortgage rates hovering just over 1% will be a dim and distant memory. Government-supported schemes in the new homes industry in particular might also start to disappear and buyers will be back at a market-led “sink or swim” position. We all have to be careful that we know where the other lifebelts are kept before we fall in.

Keith Keith Osborne, editor. ko@whathouse.com @keithosborne69

4 interview

More about auctions at whathouse.com/property-auctions

Agent insight We speak to Nick Berriman, founding partner of Berriman Eaton particular specialism in the middle-toupper end of the residential market, which sees us entrusted with some of the region’s finest and most interesting properties.

Could you please tell us a bit about Berriman Eaton and the areas you cover? Berriman Eaton is the leading independent estate agency acting

across Shropshire, South Staffordshire and the West Midlands borders. We offer expert advice on all aspects of residential sales and lettings and land sales and acquisitions, but we have a

What is your USP? We are the only independent, nonfranchised firm that operates across all three regions. This gives us a distinct advantage in being able to provide a truly geographically connected service. Our customers choose us because we take a traditional approach to selling homes. Yes we embrace modern technology and take full advantage of the national search engines and our website, but we place a real emphasis on relationship building and customer service. A house sale without hiccups or delays is rare, and we have found our customers really value our expertise and our commitment to keeping them updated. It has paid enormous dividends – by far the greatest percentage of our clients come through happy customer referrals.

What is the market currently like in the West Midlands? We are experiencing a resurgence of confidence and demand with a higher level of instructions and sales reported from all three of our offices. In fact, our Bridgnorth office has had its best first quarter on record, statistically 100% up on 2014’s results for the same period. At present, prices are stable but they will creep up over the coming months. We have already noticed a marked increase in the volume of activity following the general election. Indeed, the first working day after the Conservatives claimed victory we had offers at full asking price on three separate properties by 9.30am. Is now a good time to sell your home? Absolutely - for all the reasons listed above and more. The economy is recovering, interest rates are low and there is tangible confidence in the market across all price thresholds. The government is committed to its Help to Buy scheme and to the housebuilding industry as a whole, which will keep things moving. What opportunities are currently on offer for first-time buyers? As employment statistics and industry levels rise across the region we have noticed that developers are increasingly including starter homes within their quota on new developments in the region, which is a strong indication

Rupert Bates, editorial director of WhatHouse? has been a property journalist for 25 years. He is an award-winning writer who started on local newspapers before becoming a columnist on The Daily Telegraph. He presents the annual WhatHouse? Awards, edits leading housebuilding magazine Show House and is property correspondent of The Field magazine.

A chance to win £50 It couldn’t be simpler – just ‘follow’ us on Twitter (@What_House) One of our new followers from 3rd June to 1st July will win £50 in Marks and Spencer vouchers

Keith Osborne started writing about property 14 years ago and has been editor of Whathouse. com since 2010. He is currently a columnist in housebuilding trade magazine Show House and has previously written for Homes Overseas magazine. He has also been a part of the WhatHouse? Awards judging panel for a number of years.

that the market is expected to grow. Help to Buy has assisted this and has helped encourage both first- and second-time buyers. Easier access to finance will also greatly help to unlock the market. What trends are you expecting to see in the remainder of 2015? We have already seen anecdotal evidence of post-election confidence in the marketplace, but we are expecting this to carry through the remainder of the year with an increase in the volume of both instructions and sales. People have sat tight for a long time waiting for a ‘better’ time to move and we believe that many of them will decide that the time is now right. If we are correct in this assumption then we would expect to see gentle price rises across the board before the end of the year, with a predicted rise of around 5% in the next couple of years.

FACT BOX Founded: 2006 Branches: Three Locations: Tettenhall. Bridgnorth, Wombourne Expertise: Residential sales and lettings, land sales and acquisitions Contact: www.berrimaneaton. co.uk; 01902 747744

Managing director Daniel Hill Editorial director Rupert Bates Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com Assistant editor Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.com Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost Designer Sarah Davies Contributors Marc Da Silva Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham Tilly Rubens Sales director Adrian Talbot at@globespanmedia.com Head of sales Andy Lunn al@whathouse.com Sales manager Jay Ali ja@whathouse.com Business development manager Steve Coyle sc@whathouse.com Account manager Ann Chaloner ac@whathouse.com

Stephen Maunder is assistant editor of Whathouse.com, having previously spent 18 months there as a freelance special correspondent. He has a background in academic research and has worked at Sky News as a picture researcher. He has also written for BBC News, Huffington Post UK and the Shropshire Star newspaper.

What House?

@What_House

Head of digital Simon Phillips simon@whathouse.com Cover photo: Bishopstoke Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire, courtesy of Anchor Trust, 0808 274 1623

Published by: Globespan Media Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG T: 020 7940 1070 E: info@globespanmedia.com W: www.whathouse.com Printed by 39zero / Distributed by Royal Mail © 2015 Globespan Media Limited WhatHouse?, ISSN: 02691310

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors and omissions.

NHBC – the mark of a quality home

...Buying a new home is a big decision, so you’ll want to know that your property is of good quality and your investment well protected. Only builders approved and registered by NHBC can offer Buildmark, and they must build to the detailed technical standards we have been developing and updating for more than 75 years. It will give you peace of mind to know that all new homes with NHBC’s Buildmark have been independently inspected at key stages during construction, and come with 10 years’ warranty and insurance. This gives you the reassurance that, on the rare occasion when something does go wrong, we’re here to help you.

So, before you buy a new home, make sure it has Buildmark.

Talk to us...

Call us now on 0844 633 1000 and ask for ‘Customer Services’. Or visit www.nhbc.co.uk/myhome H391 08/14

H391 - What House? advert_Sept_FINAL.indd 1

8/14/14 9:38 AM

6 six appeal

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Viridium, Camberley, Surrey From £295,000

Viridium, an exclusive collection of apartments located on Frimley Road in Camberley, has scooped the Best Medium Development prize at the Awards. Alan Hodson, managing director of Hodson Developments, says: “It was our aim to bring a unique development of very attractive apartments to the Camberley market that would appeal to a wide range of homebuyers, including first-time buyers. We are delighted with the result and we are very proud that Viridium has been awarded this fantastic accolade.” Lynda Clark, editor of First Time Buyer Magazine, says: “Our panel of judges were particularly impressed with the very high quality of finish available with every

apartment at Viridium. It was clear to see that no corners have been cut and that every homebuyer would receive the same level of exceptional care.” The attractive one-, two- and threebedroom apartments at Viridium are available with Help to Buy. With prices starting from £295,000, homebuyers only require a deposit of £14,750 to buy one of the stylish apartments if they take advantage of the government-backed Help to Buy.

From: Hodson Developments Contact: 01276 66693 (Romans Land & New Homes)

Six appeal

Our pick of the winners from the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2015 Stonechat Mews, Dartford, Kent From £270,000

Regeneration specialists Countryside won the Private Developer of the Year category at the Awards and Stonechat Mews is a great example of the work they do. This Kent development currently offers a range of two- and three-bedroom renovated apartments now available with the government-backed Help to Buy scheme. Andrew Loveday, sales and marketing director at Countryside, says: “The refurbished apartments at Stonechat Mews present first-time buyers with a brilliant opportunity to get onto the property ladder. The Help to Buy scheme means that only a minimum of a 5% deposit is needed to secure their first home here at Stonechat Mews, which equates to £13,500 for a two-bedroom apartment costing £270,000.” The apartments are located on part of

the Old Stone House Hospital site, part of what used to be the old nurses’ home, Martin House, originally built in 1909. The development has been a special project for Countryside, refurbishing and renovating the existing building, mixing the history and character of the location with modern architecture and design. The external shell and structure of the building have been retained and the inside completely renovated, with a quality specification, flooring fitted throughout and neutral contemporary decor. The stylish fitted kitchens have fully integrated appliances while bathrooms and en suites feature a light, natural palette contrasted with stylish chrome accessories.

From: Countryside Contact: 01322 277705

Kidbrooke Village, London SE3 From £255,000

Berkeley East Thames and Viridian were the winners in the Best Housing Alliance category, which has put the spotlight on their work together at the huge Kidbrooke Village regeneration project in southeast London, which will provide over 4,000 social and open-market new homes to a long-neglected corner of the capital. Civil servant Peter White is delighted to be one of those who has finally found a home that he can call his own at the scheme, with the benefit of a shared ownership arrangement. “I am very pleased, it is not very easy to get on the property ladder and due to my circumstances I have been paying what you would call ‘dead rent’ for the last 15 years,” he says. “I already lived in Kidbrooke through Southern Housing and have been here since 2011.

Without a partnership such as this then I would not have been able to purchase my own home. In addition to that I must say it has been well designed and the amount of green space around the village has made a massive improvement.” Over 88 hectares of Kidbrooke Village’s total area will be open space, including the new Cator Park. White concludes: “Berkeley Homes and Viridian have been very thorough with their work and I am delighted to have finally moved in. I look forward to seeing the future facilities in the village centre in the coming years.”

From: B erkeley Homes/ Viridian Group Contact: B erkeley 020 8150 5151/ Viridian 0800 012 1442

.co.uk

Prices from ÂŁ425 + VAT get a free personal property manager with promo code whathouse

8 six appeal

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Six appeal The Schoolyard, Wandsworth, London SW18 £POA

2 The First Time Buyer report for the Best Show Home category says: “For the shared ownership show home at the exceptional new development, The Schoolyard, L&Q briefed Catherine Wilman Interiors to create a look that would be aspirational, yet affordable, combining modern elegance and practicality. “Offering 139 outstanding apartments, including 20 shared ownership homes, priced from £93,750 for a 25% share, the superb development is ideal for first-time buyers. The topquality show home incorporates a mix of high street and luxury brands, blended with a range of contemporary fixtures and fittings and a colour palette of soft off-white and muted anthracite,

enlivened with accents of orange and bold artworks.” The Schoolyard is located in the heart of Wandsworth and comprises a range of high-specification one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. It is close to the vibrant heart of Wandsworth and moments away from open spaces and the River Thames. Excellent transport links bring central within easy reach. In addition to the low running costs associated with quality newbuild, Wandsworth also benefits from the lowest council tax in UK – another plus for those hoping to minimise the outlay at their very first home.

From: L&Q Contact: 0844 406 9288

Green Dragon House, Croydon From £206,250 Kings Park, Harold Wood, London RM3 From £110,250 Leading the Best Large Development category is East Thames Group with this development in Havering on the eastern fringes of Greater London. The new build homes at the development are set in the grounds of the 19th-century, Grade II listed The Grange, which will be restored to its former glory as a centrepiece of the scheme. They have been sensitively designed to respect the regal history of the Great Gubbins site, which dates back to medieval times, combining contemporary

architecture and sustainable design. Only three-bedroom houses now remain for sale under a shared ownership arrangement, with buyers able to purchase a home for as little as a 30% initial share. One of the most appealing qualities of Kings Park is its location, particularly for travel into central London. Harold Wood station is reachable with an Oyster card (Zone 6) and provides a frequent train service to London Liverpool Street, with a journey time

of around 35 minutes. In addition, by 2018 Crossrail will provide extensive, fast links from Harold Wood station into central London and onwards to Heathrow and Maidenhead. Harold Wood also has easy access to the nearby A12, A127 and M25 motorway.

From: East Thames Group Contact: 0300 303 7333

Designed in the 1960s as an office building for Croydon’s growing economy, Green Dragon House has been home to a number of wellknown companies over the years. Today, however, with a change to residential use, the building is receiving an extensive programme of upgrading, refurbishment and development to create a new era of stylish, urban living. Green Dragon House is centrally located in the area popularly known as Croydon’s Cultural Quarter. Here you’ll find numerous bars, quality restaurants, modern arts and shops, all just a stone’s throw away. Croydon’s three stations are also nearby, with buses stopping right

outside and trams just a twominute walk away. So when you’re off exploring the surrounding areas, you won’t have far to walk. Now transformed into a landmark setting for contemporary apartments, this Inspired Homes development offers high specifications throughout. Every home incorporates efficient heating and lighting, the UK’s fastest broadband, high quality fixtures and fittings and an open-plan interior designed for modern, luxurious, urban living.

From: Inspired Homes Contact: 020 7495 0523

Vista, Drayton Garden Village

Creating new communities across the South

Inland Homes are currently regenerating areas across the South providing quality homes with an emphasis on design and sustainability. Visit our fabulous range of Showhomes to discover more.

Charterhouse Mews, Chelmsford

DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE: Carter’s Quay, Poole 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

Abbeywood Park, Markyate 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom houses

Vista, Drayton Garden Village, West Drayton 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

COMING SOON: The Comptons, Wooburn Green 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses

St John’s, Chelmsford 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses Charterhouse Mews, Chelmsford 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom houses

Carter’s Quay, Poole

The Comptons,Wooburn Green

For further details call 01494 762 450 or email sales@inlandhomes.co.uk Showhome open at this development

Please check website for current availability. Computer generated illustrations are indicative only and subject to change.

Alexandra Gardens, Iver 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses Rutherford Park, Stanbridge 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

St John’s, Chelmsford

www.inlandhomes.co.uk

Now on Sale:

an exciting range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes in Brierley Hill. Choose from 10 different designs! Artisan’s Walk is a whole new community, perfectly placed almost equidistant from Wolverhampton and Birmingham, just off Brettell Lane, with views towards the Clent Hills. Beautifully built to an exacting specification using energy saving technology, all the homes at Artisan’s Walk will be economic to run. The careful design and well thought out interiors will make them practical and comfortable to live in too.

Ask about our launch incentives 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £155,000

Showhome open daily 10.00am - 5.30pm

Artisan’s Walk, off Delph Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 2RP Call: 0845 873 2887 or visit: www.lioncourthomes.co.uk

Help to Buy

DESTINED TO BE A LONDON LANDMARK

+ 360 aspirational apartments + Award-winning development team + Superb connectivity + Sustainable design + Near Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new 3rd business district + Ideal investment property See for yourself at the Hoola Marketing Suite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now open! The Pavilion 1 Siemens Brothers Way Royal Victoria Docks London E16 1GB Images are artists impressions for indicative purposes

Tel: 0207 474 1121 www.hoola-london.co.uk newhomes@strawberrystar.com

12 interiors

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Grout expectations Current wall tile trends are all about bold colour, pattern and texture. Richenda Oldham asks, are you feeling brave? 1

1 Moody blue: these dramatic mosaic tiles have a hint of the Medina about them and are a mixture of stone, glass and metal; Raipur mosaics, £199.95 per 300 x 300mm sheet, www.originalstyle.com; 2 Black is back: Black is the new grey and is ideal for making an impact in a small space such as a cloakroom; Underground black ceramic wall tiles, £18 per square metre, B&Q www.diy.com; 3 Patchwork pretty: mix textured and plain tiles in delicious complementary colours, with gold tiles for a shimmery highlight, to create an eye-catching visual feast; Picasso Natural Patchwork tiles, www.alhambrahome.co.uk; 4 Tin city: it’s hard to believe that these detailed tiles are actually a vintage-effect wallpaper and not the real deal; Brooklyn Tin Tiles wallpaper, £219 per 10-metre roll, www.housejunkie.co.uk; 5 Plum choice: brick-shaped tiles with a bevelled edge are perfect for injecting an industrial feel into a contemporary kitchen - the spicy Marsala colourway is bang on trend, too. Metro tiles, £16 per square metre, www.tilemountain.co.uk

★★★★★

From a five star builder

OOM HOME 4 BEDR – FR OM

4 bedroom homes from

£ 424,995! at time of print

in partnership with

Off Greenway Lane, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6SL Open Thursday to Monday, 10am – 5pm For more information: 01395 444434 horizon@cavannahomes.co.uk

www.cavannahomes.co.uk

£4

TH E

– OK RO B S ER

9 ,9

3 & 4 bedroom new homes Greenway Lane EX9 6SL

Available on this site

For the latest on the property market

@What_House

interiors 13

In the dog house Richenda Oldham goes in search of canine comfort and finds there are some seriously luxurious beds out there for discerning dogs (and their owners)

f you were to spend around 12-14 hours each day sleeping, you’d make sure you chose a comfortable bed, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s how long dogs spend actually asleep. For 30% of the day they are awake, but inactive, which leaves just 20% to run around and exercise. So it makes sense to improve the quality of a dog’s life by providing them with the best possible bed, based on the simple (but commonsense) principles of warmth and softness. There are an unbelievable number of different types of dog bed on the market, from pads and mattresses to solid foam ‘nest’-style beds or even sofas, so it’s a good idea to evaluate your dog and his needs first before going shopping. Even if your dog is allowed to share your chairs and bed, there will be times when you won’t want him to, but if he has a great bed of his own, he might actually prefer to sleep there... A simple checklist could be: • Breed • Size • Age • Habits

Furry friend: what dog could resist snuggling up on this luxurious faux Silver Fox fur dog bed? Fofo bed by Sasha & Me, £129.99, thepetbusiness.co.uk

Country classic: Harris Tweed and leather basket on wooden bun feet, available in a choice of colours, £295, www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

Lady in red: beechwood frame dog lounger, ideal for smaller breeds such as terriers, spaniels, pugs or poodles, £229, www.inspaces.com

Cover story: use this Molly Mutt dog bed duvet to cover an old dog bed or fill it with redundant pillows to make a smart new bed for your pooch, £16.99, www.easyanimal.co.uk

CLEANLINESS Unless you are prepared to buy a new dog bed every time your pet’s bed becomes too dirty and smelly to bear, then washability has to be top of a list of must-have dog bed features. It’s also important to control fleas by keeping the bed clean. Check to see whether a dog bed is machine washable, or at the very least if its cover can be washed.

DESIGN It’s important that you choose a style that suits your dog. It’s not just a simple case of big bed for big dog and small bed for small dog. Some dogs like to curl up tight in round beds with raised ‘doughnut’ sides, which makes them feel secure, while others like to stretch out, in which case a mattress or pillow design is a better choice. Other dogs like to sleep under a blanket, in which case a ‘cave’ bed (with a cover that is already attached) is ideal as it allows the dog to burrow beneath the cover. For old dogs with stiff joints, a well-padded bed that is easy to climb in and out of is essential, while for a dog that feels the cold, a raised bed (off the floor and out of draughts) with high sides, will help keep it warm. For anyone tempted by a ‘designer’ sofa style bed, which will generally have a solid frame, covered in either leather, or fabric, make sure that your dog isn’t a serial chewer. The same applies to rattan beds, which are irresistible to some dogs.

Basketweave: this smart Charley Chau raised dog bed is hand made in greywashed rattan and demonstrates that it’s possible to combine canine comfort with trend setting design, £210, www.charleychau.com

Snug as a bug: for dogs who love to sleep under a cover then a bed with a cosy pocket to burrow under is ideal, Charley Chau snuggle bed, £65, www.charleychau.com

If you are in the construction industry, then we can help with all your insurance needs. Whether you want to cover the computers in your office, your onsite equipment, your tools or your motor fleet, we can help. KLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation has been built on our expertise in providing cover to all the trades within the construction industry. From sole traders through to multinationals, we can provide the right cover to remove the risks that can harm your business. To find out more and discuss your particular circumstances contact info@kerrylondon.co.uk

Construction. Covered.

For the latest on the property market

retirement 15

@What_House

A new lease of life

Owning your property is not the only way to benefit from developments dedicated to later living, as Peter Girling of Girlings Retirement Rentals explains independent customer. For those who are seeking a sense of community, the residents’ lounge and communal gardens provide ideal opportunities to meet other residents in a social setting. Your ‘Diamond Collection’ properties sound more like luxury hotels. Are they a niche, or becoming the standard of choice for more retirees? minded people helps to alleviate feelings of loneliness and gives the resident a new lease of life. Do you think people generally have misconceptions about ‘retirement property’? It is true to say that there remains a misconception surrounding ‘retirement property’ with many people still thinking that it is more akin to a care home with no privacy for the residents. Purpose-built retirement developments offer an independent lifestyle: the apartments are all selfcontained with their own front door so lend themselves to the active,

Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring...

www.girlings.co.uk

Without doubt, the best property decision you may ever make... 55+? Did you know you can rent private retirement property on a Life Long Tenancy which gives you the right to remain living in the property for as long as you wish, with service charges and maintenance included in the rent? ty Spec r e

Peace of Mind

Independence Flexibility Choice

ists in le ial

0800 525 184

Find out more at www.girlings.co.uk; 01823 346800

ent prop m

What are the main priorities of your customers? Our customers have many and varied requirements. We are seeing an increase in people downsizing and selling their property outright, taking the capital and investing it to fund their retirement. The ‘younger’ end of the retirement market is attracted by the ‘lock-up-and-leave’ element and the security this delivers, particularly when taking holidays abroad, whereas the ‘older’ end is attracted by the idea of a ready-made community, of particular importance for those who are living alone. The companionship that comes from living amongst like-

ng retire tti

What kind of customers do you get at Girlings Retirement Rentals? We receive enquiries from a wide range of customers who have different requirements: those who are looking to downsize to free up capital to fund their retirement; those who are renting already but wish to benefit from the security of tenure that we can offer through the assured tenancy and those whose family have moved away and they wish to move nearer to them without the aggravation that comes from purchasing a property in later life. We also receive enquiries from people who live overseas and are wishing to relocate to the UK.

The ‘hotel’ style of retirement living is not new – such models are in existence overseas, in the USA for instance. They are now also more widespread in the UK, with several developments across the south of England offering a hotelstyle service to their residents. In the past, developers of high-end retirement property have focused primarily on sales to fulfil their requirement for short-term capital return; however we are seeing some developers who recognise that demand for rentals is increasing among the older market and they are looking to fulfil this potential by offering properties for rent as well as sale, with rents commensurate with capital value.

It can be an emotional time, so how do you help people deciding to move to one of your properties? Moving home at any age can be a stressful and emotional time and this is why we treat each enquiry as if it is our first. We have a team who are highly experienced and are trained to deal with the older market and the different nature of problems which may occur. The security which comes from renting on an assured tenancy gives comfort to our customers and the peace of mind that this brings for the family is incalculable. The message we like to give to our customers is that you are never too old to consider a move and that renting in retirement can and does bring with it a new lease of life, free from the worries of home-ownership and its associated maintenance. We hear regularly from tenants who have rented a retirement property with us and wish that they had taken the decision to do so much earlier on.

For the latest on the property market

retirement 17

@What_House

The way ahead Clive Fenton of McCarthy & Stone explains how the retirement sector’s leading name continues to innovate on-site support that our traditional developments are known for, but they will be built to future-proof later living and are perfectly suited for those who wish to buy them. They will also be bigger than usual, around 1,000 sq ft or more, and have two bedrooms, more storage and car parking.

McCarthy & Stone chief, Clive Fenton

a ving sold some 1,677 homes last year, McCarthy & Stone qualifies as one of the UK’s top housebuilders. That it specialises in just one sector– properties aimed at retirees – is testament to its dominance of this part of the housing market. The company has the largest share of the owner-occupied retirement market, having built almost 50,000 apartments since it was founded in 1977, and currently has more than 160 developments under construction or for sale. And since Clive Fenton joined as chief executive in February 2014, the company has not sat on its laurels. It has launched its Platinum Range for its Retirement Living (for the over-60s) and Assisted Living developments (for the over-70s), which includes enhanced internal and external specifications, together with a completely new brand, Ortus Homes, which will bring a new type of age-exclusive development to sought-after locations around the country for the 55+ market. Furthermore, McCarthy & Stone has announced plans to invest £2bn over the next few years, which will see the company double in size and confirm its place as one the nation’s biggest housebuilders. Following the launch of the company’s first two Ortus Homes schemes, in Solihull and Swanage, WhatHouse? met with Clive Fenton to find out more about McCarthy & Stone’s new product range and what homebuyers can expect to find at one of its new developments. Hi, Clive. How does Ortus Homes differ from McCarthy & Stone’s traditional products? Our Ortus Homes range will provide age-exclusive and high-quality contemporary apartments that are intelligently designed with stylish, modern interiors exclusively for the over 55s. They are designed to appeal to those people who want to downsize but perhaps aren’t quite ready for our core products. Apartments won’t give residents the communal areas or

What does the Ortus brand stand for in terms of lifestyle, location and specification? The interest we’ve had already in Ortus has generally been from people in the 65 to 75 age range, though anyone 55 or over can buy one. Customers will typically still be very active and some will have other properties, perhaps overseas, and appreciate that they can ‘lock up and leave’ their Ortus property when they head elsewhere. We’ve deliberately chosen to build them in sought-after, ‘feel-good’ locations where local amenities are within easy reach. McCarthy & Stone developments are usually within halfa-mile of amenities because many buyers need to walk or use public transport. With Ortus, purchasers will typically still have cars, so they don’t need to be quite so close to those amenities, so we’ve been able to choose from more locations and have provided more car parking. Most properties will have private outdoor spaces or balconies and we will extend our in-house management service to Ortus, so it can look after the maintenance of the grounds and provide added peace of mind for our customers. It’s this management service that has helped us to retain the HBF’s five-star customer service rating for the last 10 years, and we’re delighted to be the only UK housebuilder to have achieved this. How has research from the USA and Australia affected your choices for Ortus Homes? The retirement property market in these two countries is quite different from the UK. In the USA, around 17% of people move to a retirement community, in Australia and New Zealand, around 12%. In the UK, that figure is just 1%. Most other developed countries have a much wider range of retirement housing than is offered in the UK. Our management team has travelled to the US to look at their developments and undertook three years of extensive research here in the UK. Attitudes are quite different here – people prefer a more intimate feel to where they live, as opposed to the extensive ‘village’ concept that exists in America. We’re also seeing that the new generation of people reaching retirement age has a very different attitude to previous generations. They don’t feel old when they retire; they don’t want to be located away from the larger community; and they still want to travel and pursue a wealth of

interests. Some have benefited from a working lifetime that’s seen property prices soaring and generous pensions and they are able to enjoy a high quality of life now they are retired. Have you found any distinctive trends in the retirement market? In respect of the properties themselves, we’ve tried to reflect some of these trends by providing an impressive sense of arrival and upgrading the quality and specification of our developments across our product range, including larger apartments, new kitchens and bathrooms and more security, as well as offering utility rooms to de-clutter the kitchen, providing more living space and private outdoor space, and installing features such as underfloor heating. Home technology is also something we are looking at. We’re already aware that the buying process for homes in later life can be longer than other parts of the property market and there’s a lot of family involvement in the decision. McCarthy & Stone’s popular Smart Move and removals service is also available to all Ortus customers. Pension constraints have meant some people are forced to downsize in order to release equity, but of course they are sometimes reluctant to have to dispose of excess furniture and possessions so they need homes that still have plenty of places to store them. It’s an ever-evolving market but with around 4.6 million people over 60 in Britain looking to make one more house move in their lifetime, we believe it’s one where Ortus Homes will thrive. Find out more at ortushomes.co.uk; 0800 201 4847

Scarlet Oak in Solihull, West Midlands

Interior at Scarlet Oak

Shore House in Swanage, Dorset

Bewick Grange in Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Thinking of selling your home? Do you know how much your home is really worth? Find out with our FREE valuation service. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quick and easy process that you can carry out online or over the phone. Visit www.whathouse.com/value-my-property/value-myproperty-now or call us now on 01245 835 053.

WhatHouse? works with a team of reputable agents that will carry out the free valuation

ÂŁ?

British Intelligence. Efficient & stylish heating from Sunflow The only British-made refractory clay core heaters in the market

ith energy prices increasing year on year and gas a diminishing resource, it’s not easy to choose how best to heat your home. At Sunﬂow, our experts in heat technology have created an outstanding heating solution to keep your home cosy, comfortable and affordable throughout the winter months and for many years to come.

The Science Behind our Heaters Sunﬂow heaters are built from the very best coldrolled steel and have a 10 year guarantee. At the forefront of heat technology, our lightweight refractory clay core boasts such efﬁcient heat transfer because the elements are embedded directly into the core by hand. Our heaters provide 100% of the heat in any single room at the time and temperature you need

• • •

Individual thermostatic controls ﬁtted to every heater. Specially developed heat storage technology Deliver constant heating when you need it.

100% Manufactured in Britain

0800 158 8270 Questions or FREE no obligation survey?

Call Suzanne on 0800 158 8272

10 YEAR GUARANTEE

Why Choose Sunflow? • • • • • • •

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Call our 24hr Brochure Line

Huge range of colours & finishes

Sunflow are the only British manufacturer of refractory clay heaters Our heaters are handcrafted from start to finish in our factory in Wiltshire A family owned and run business you can rely on Free home advisory service and superb after-service care Slimline designs AND fittings Huge range of colourways to suit every décor Bespoke, hand crafted heaters can be made for every room British Standards Institution Tested

www.sunflowltd.co.uk

Buying overseas? Don’t miss out on your FREE overseas property guide Buying a property overseas can be easy when you’ve got the right team on your side. To see what’s happening at your destination, or for tips and guidance on the overseas property-buying process, visit everythingoverseas.com.

Wherever you’re going, we’ve got you covered Australia Florida France New Zealand Portugal South Africa Spain Download your free guide at everythingoverseas.com

EO - Advert v2.indd 1

23/02/2015 12:01

HOW SMALL CHANGE COULD MAKE YOU BIG RETURNS There aren’t many investment opportunities with a 2,000 year old heritage. But this is a coin with the seal of approval from the ﬁrst Emperor of Rome. It is a gold ‘Aureus’ struck in 15-13 BC, featuring both Augustus, the Emperor and a butting bull. This Augustan Aureus is priced at £32,000. In 2013 an Aureus from 15-13 BC was auctioned for US $425,500, 227% up on its $130,000 estimate. Another, with a unique heifer design, sold for £300,000 in 2014. Uncorrelated with other asset classes, rare coins and stamps provide several thousand Stanley Gibbons Investment clients with strong portfolio diversiﬁcation and the potential for capital growth.

To find out more call 0845 026 7170 or visit sginvest.co.uk/whathouse The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back what you put in. Stamps and certain other collectibles are not designated investments for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 and as such are not subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or otherwise. Stanley Gibbons Investment does not provide valuations.

AUCTION

Five Day Sale - 149 Lots 15 June - Essex and North & East London 16 June - Kent & SE London 17 June - West Country 18 June - Sussex & Surrey 19 June - Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Sussex & Surrey Lots - Thursday, 18 June at the The Hilton Brighton Metropole - commencing 11am

A range of Sussex & Surrey Lots including:Rattle Road

Semi-detached cottage in 5 acres Guide: £600,000+ epc:d

Two bedroom flat for investment or occupation Guide: £190-200,000 epc:d

Guides are provided as an indication of each Seller’s minimum expectation. They are not necessarily figures which a property will sell for and may change at any time prior to Auction. Unless stated otherwise, each Lot will be offered subject to a reserve (a figure below which the Auctioneer cannot sell the Lot during the Auction). We expect the reserve will be set within the guide range or no more than 10% above a single figure guide. Please check our website regularly at cliveemson.co.uk, or call 01273 571853, in order to stay fully informed.

HURSTPIERPOINT

Guides: £70-75,000 £30-35,000 epc:c/tbc

Land Between 27-31 Rattle Road, Westham, Pevensey, East Sussex

STORRINGTON

Two flats in seafront location to be sold separately

Paddock with planning for barn Guide: £50-55,000

Residential Investment Guide: £300,000+ epc:tbc

Brown Loaf Farm N Drove Road

Dowland Road

50m

100m

150m

Ordnance Survey©Crown Copyright (2014). All Rights Reserved. Licence Number LIG1016. Plans are for location purposes only. Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Licence number 100022432. Plotted Scale - 1:2922

Land and yard with potential Guide: £130-150,000

BEXHILL-ON-SEA

WESTHAM

BRIGHTON

ST LEONARDS

WARLINGHAM

BOGNOR REGIS

Leasehold block with ground floor commercial premises Guide: £90-110,000 epc:tbc

Commercial block with planning for conversion of upper parts Guide: £550,000+ epc:f

Vacant commercial premises with potential Guide: £90-95,000 epc:tbc

Catalogue Hotline LAND & PROPERTY AUCTIONEERS

View Lots and download catalogues via our website cliveemson.co.uk

(60p per minute at all times)

09068 517744 Follow us on:

The smart money knows when to move,

we provide the where.

If you’re looking to buy an Edinburgh property valued over £325,000, then now is time to make your move. From 1 April 2015, Stamp Duty will be replaced in Scotland by the Land & Buildings Transaction Tax, which will beneﬁt purchasers of

Main image:

lower priced properties, but will cost buyers of higher priced homes thousands of pounds more. Fortunately, at AMA, we have a

Caer Amon Apartments, Cramond

range of superb detached family homes and award-winning apartments throughout Edinburgh available to purchase now. If the

Images (clockwise from top left)

prospect of saving thousands of pounds in tax wasn’t enough, many have additional incentives to make your purchase smoother.

Caer Amon, Cramond

Transactions must be completed before the 1 April 2015, so contact Behnam Afshar today on 0131 226 1780

Springside

or email behnama@amahomes, to discuss your options and view our range of homes.

For further information telephone 0131 226 1780 or visit www.amahomes.co.uk

Shandon Garden Marchmont School Printhouse, Canonmills

LET’S TALK LANDSCAPING FLAG PAVING BLOCK PAVING PERMEABLE PAVING NATURAL STONE PAVING DECORATIVE AGGREGATES SPECIALIST KERB SYSTEMS

Let’s talk great looking gardens Homeowners want the best for their outdoor spaces. That’s why our extensive portfolio of domestic landscaping products for gardens and driveways allows consumers to choose their look from contemporary, modern and traditional designs. If you want to achieve good-looking, cost-effective paving solutions. Talk to us.

LANDSCAPING AND BUILDING PRODUCTS

Call 0845 60 80 570... ...and talk to us direct. Alternatively, email us at: landscaping@brett.co.uk Brett Landscaping Ltd. @brettpaving BrettPaving

www.brettpaving.co.uk

24 new homes

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Bellway sees high confidence in BentleyCourt £575,000 West Midlands housing market Artist’s impression. For illustrative purposes only

Prices from

Sat Nav: W7 3ST

UXBRIDGE ROAD

Firm sees prices recover and house-hunters ready to commit

onfidence in the West Midlands housing market SHOW HOME DRAWS VISTORS TO NEW COVENTRY SCHEME is riding high in the wake of the recent general Bellway has unveiled a show home at homes in Coventry. With such election, according to The ‘Lowesby’ show home Stonebridge, its latest development a buoyant market, Help to Buy is at Stonebridge, Coventry housebuilder Bellway. The firm in Coventry. playing a crucial role in helping experienced a buoyant pre-election The four-bedroom ‘Lowesby’ has people to fund their first or trading period, with prices steadily been professionally decorated by next move.” Bellway’s Stephen Rose rising and transaction levels growing. interiors specialists to provide houseWith Help to Buy you can Stephen Rose, sales and marketing housing market so its extension until hunters with an inspring example purchase a new home with a 5% director for Bellway West Midlands, 2020 can only improve this.” of what life could be like in a new deposit and a 75% mortgage. says: “There is an inevitable degree of House prices across the country rose home at the scheme in Wilsons Lane. The remaining 20% is provided as tension when an election is looming as by 1% from March to April, according The development will provide 48 a government-backed equity loan, we wait to see how the market will be to Nationwide. The annual rise was For more information please contact Lea Valley Homes threeand four-bedroom homes, which is interest-free for five years. affected. We were prepared for some 5.2%. Nationwide’s regional figures with six of them offered to first-time Three-bedroom homes at pre-election jitters but they never for the first quarter of 2015 showed buyers at 75% of market value. Stonebridge are currently available materialised. If anything, we found the average West Midlands property Sales director Ben Smith remarks: from £126,995. Four-bedroom people were more ready to commit than was priced at £161,989, up 4.7% from “We have had some fantastic homes start at £229,995 and the they had been towards the end of 2014. the same period in 2014. feedback on the show home since ‘Lowesby’ is available from £269,995. “Consumer confidence is returning Rose adds: “Prices in the West it opened earlier this month. The sales centre and show home E | seen sales@leavalleyhomes.co.uk W | toleavalleyhomes.co.uk to levels last before the recession Midlands took longer recover than The ‘Lowesby’ is a traditional twoare open from Thursday to Monday, and house prices in the West Midlands in other regions but throughout 2014 storey family home, which is perfect between 10.30am and 5.00pm have recovered almost entirely. Two prices rose steadily. This more organic for expanding families. This seems (7.30pm on Thursdays). years ago we were working to assist growth has created stability and houseto be what people in this area are people in negative equity but that hunters are reassured by this. This looking for. Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk; has become an increasingly rare steady growth looks set to continue 02476 362578 “There is a need for more family scenario. Help to Buy has had an and may accelerate to some degree now

Bentley Court is a new development of nine, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes tucked away in a gated court located off Uxbridge Road in Hanwell, Ealing. All the properties have private gardens and parking making this a fabulous environment for London living.

T | 01923 251799

The development is located next to St Mellitus Church, an imposing Gothic style building of the Edwardian period situated in the heart of Hanwell. Specification includes Paula Rosa Manhattan kitchens with granite worktop, integrated AEG appliances, flooring throughout, contemporary fully tiled bathrooms and en-suites.

immense impact on confidence in the

that the political future is clearer.”

Eight unique Grade II listed 2, 3 and 4 bedroom barns converted to a high specification, retaining many original features. All properties have private gardens with plots 1, 2 and 8 having the added benefit of a paddock.

Prices from £650,000

‘The Barns’ Merton Grange is situated in an idyllic rural location on the edge of Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire. The approach is via a private drive with far reaching views either side across fields.

Specification includes:  Fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances including range cooker and wine cooler  Flooring throughout  Contemporary fully tiled bathrooms & en-suites, including vanity units and heated towel rails  Oak panelled internal doors with pewter finished handles.

Tel : 01923 251799

Email: sales@leavalleyhomes.co.uk www.leavalleyhomes.co.uk

150392H Composite 340x265_150392H Composite 340x265 27/10/2014 14:58 Page 1

Inspired by tradition

TRADITIONAL CHARACTER, CONTEMPORARY LIVING If you're searching for a new home with traditional charm as well as all the internal features you desire for comfortable, convenient and stylish living, look no further than Hopkins Homes and Hopkins and Moore. We are East Anglia's leading developers, building collections of homes to exceptionally high standards, each one individually designed to complement its setting, be it town, village, countryside or coast.

Call us or visit our website for further information hopkinshomes.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ 01394 446860 Hopkins Homes builds traditional award winning homes throughout Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex

26 armchair gardener

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Coco cabana: Rattan domed roof gazebo with removable beds and table, £5,355, www.whitestores.co.uk Citric acid: Lime green retro garden chair, £45, www.rigbyandmac.com

In the black: Polyethylene Raviolo armchair designed by Ron Arad in collaboration with Magis, £396, www.S design55online.co.uk

Swing low...: Aluminium and copper outdoor swing with ‘floating’ sofa, £5,500, www.touchedinteriors.co.uk

All-rounder: Luxurious outdoor seat finished in Gmelina wood, £13,800, www.touchedinteriors.co.uk

Sunny side up: Ergonomic metal sunbed designed by Karim Rashid, £930, www.furnish.co.uk

Are you sitting comfortably...?

...then Richenda Oldham will begin, as she checks out the latest outdoor seating designs to suit every budget

ake no mistake, outdoor seating just gets more and more cutting edge, with top industrial designers such as Ron Arad and Karim Rashid creating striking pieces that are functional yet highly collectible in their own right. Their designs demonstrate that it is possible to fuse efficiency and appeal in a single item. The days of plastic chairs and

wooden “pub” benches are longsince gone – replaced instead with a sophisticated choice of materials and eye-catching designs. Sofas and loungers, capacious armchairs with deep seats and wide arms, pouffes, mini gazebos and swinging chairs all help bring interior living space into the garden. Fruit-shaped or dome-topped wicker gazebos, offer a cosy retreat either as a day bed, with plenty of scatter cushions, or as a mini outdoor

‘bedroom’, complete with curtains, to create a shady boudoir. Hanging seats offer a casual, but distinctive form of fun seating that will add to the variety of the look being created. They can be hung from trees or come with their own hanging frame, which means they can be placed anywhere – from the lawn to the terrace. This explosion of style is a result of industrial design and art becoming synonymous with each other, which has opened up many exciting and sometimes provocative possibilities, with furniture acquiring a sculptural identity. An assortment of materials and textures are being used, with the emphasis on hardwearing, weather-resistant textiles that look like interior fabrics.

WICKER Wicker is a hugely popular choice and refers to the technique of weaving materials such as rattan, willow, bamboo, straw, rush and synthetic resin. Rattan is a type of vine, which is very durable, eco-friendly, lightweight and easy to maintain – perfect for outdoor use. Synthetic wicker furniture is weatherproof and exceptionally hardwearing. Make sure that furniture is UV stabilised, which protects it from cracking or snapping.

METAL A number of different metals are used to make garden furniture. Aluminium is a favourite, as it is light, but strong and durable. Patinated zinc has

industrial appeal and ages well, but is also long lasting. Wrought iron furniture is a heavyweight option, so it’s unlikely to blow away, which means it can be safely left out. However, it can rust if not treated with a preventative coating. Steel furniture can also rust, but is not as heavy as wrought iron.

WOOD The perfect wood for outdoor use, and therefore a top choice, is teak. It contains natural oils and chemicals that prevent it from rotting. Other choices include keruing and eucalyptus. All these woods are easy to maintain – they can either be allowed to acquire a silvery patina or sanded and re-oiled.

More news and interviews at whathouse.com/news

advertorial 27

Strawberry Star launches iconic development in Royal Docks

w ard-winning London property consultant, Strawberry Star, has this month brought Hoola London to market. Developed in partnership with midmarket specialist HUB, Hoola London is transforming a brownfield site in Royal Docks into two near-identical 23- and 24-storey towers surrounded by rippling glass balconies. Designed by celebrated CZWG Architects, the towers offer 360 studios, one-, two- and three-bed apartments, available in no less

than eleven layouts. Interiors from Johnson Naylor, specialists who have worked at Battersea Power Station and King’s Cross Central, will bring a “Zone 1 finish to Zone 3 pricing”, complemented by breathtaking skyline views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Set in immaculate landscaped gardens and benefitting from a range of facilities on-site including a gym, residents’ business lounge and concierge services, Hoola fulfils the appetite for aspirational homes at mid-market prices. An innovative link-up will pipe excess

heat from the neighbouring ExCeL Centre into the development, providing all heating and hot water requirements, while the building’s concrete frame will also act as a heat sink – absorbing heat on warm days and releasing it back into apartments when it cools. Assessments by HUB’s technical team show Hoola is likely to produce 57% less CO2 emissions than current building regulations require, meaning homes that are great to live in while being cheaper to run. Hoola London reflects Strawberry Star’s commitment to investing in

previously overlooked areas of London, poised for regeneration. It is located close to the planned £1.7bn Asian Business Port – the transformation of a 35-acre site into London’s third business district, creating 20,000 jobs and contributing £6bn to the UK economy. Strawberry Star’s focus on high-end design and strategic location ensures these properties have the potential to appreciate considerably in value. As well as high population growth, the Royal Docks’ proximity to Crossrail, due in 2018, will further drive capital value in the area. Prices could rise by around

25% above baseline projections, according to an impact survey.* Hoola is a remarkable development that promises to deliver both exceptional design and unparalleled quality, in a remarkable location poised to thrive over the coming years. Prices from just £359,000. Hoola London Marketing Suite now open – Hoola Pavilion, Royal London Dock, E16 1GB (behind the Siemens Crystal Building). Find out more at www.hoola-london.co.uk; 020 7437 1000 * GVA Crossrail Property Impact Study

28 mortgages

Find a great mortage deal at whathouse.com/mortgages

Mortgages now the hardest financial product to switch Consumers find switching insurance and even mobile phone provider much more straightforward than switching their mortgage, says Nick Parkhouse

hanges to the way that home loans are underwritten introduced in 2014 have resulted in mortgages becoming the hardest financial product to switch. That is the outcome of new research by a leading internet financial comparison site, which has found that only just over half of borrowers said that the remortgage process was ‘easy’. A new survey from price comparison website Gocompare.com has found that mortgages are the hardest financial product to switch. Just 59% of people described the remortgage process as ‘easy’, a fall from 70% in July 2014 when the survey was last carried out. The research found that 90% of consumers who switched home insurance providers in the last

12 months found the process easy, followed by 88% for car insurance and 82% for credit cards. Meanwhile, 72% of people found changing broadband provider easy while 70% said the same about switching their mobile phone company. The research suggests that the Mortgage Market Review (MMR), introduced in April 2014, is continuing to make it difficult for consumers to switch their mortgage provider. Changes to the way that home loans are underwritten have made it tougher to get a new mortgage and the survey suggests that borrowers are finding the remortgage process increasingly difficult. “It is clear from our research that consumers have taken issue with the changes to the mortgage application process introduced 12

months ago. To put it into context, the recent improvements in bank account and energy switching have failed to register at all on this survey, yet mortgages have slipped 11 percentage points,” said Matt Sanders from Gocompare.com. “It would be fair to say that mortgages were never the most straightforward product to switch, but MMR has added an extra layer of complexity and in many cases led to delays in the process, which just frustrates people further. “Even though applying for a mortgage is more complicated, there has never been a better time to shop around and with record low interest rates, the hassle of going through the checks and balances might be worth it to save some cash every month.”

Found a house you love? We’ll find you the perfect mortgage to match. We specialise in all types of mortgages including: • New Home purchases • First time buyers • Remortgaging • House Moves

• Self employed • Landlords • Buy to Let • Specialised bespoke options

whathouse.com/mortgages Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is a registered company in England & Wales under company number 06334944. Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Home Counties Mortgage Protection and Finance Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. There may be occasions where we may charge a fee which will depend on your circumstances. In these situations we will inform you at an early stage, the fee typically being no more that 1% of the total loan amount.YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED UPON IT. The actual premium for protection products will depend upon individual circumstances. Please ask us for a specific customer illustration be contacting us by completing our enquiry form or telephone the office directly. *The above mentioned products are not regulated by the FCA and accordingly the protection normally afforded does not apply.

buy-to-let 29

More news and interviews at whathouse.com/news

12 things you need to know as a first-time landlord

Don’t jump into property investment without reading Tilly Rubens’s top tips what is included in their management agreement.

5 THINK THROUGH WHAT YOU WILL ALLOW YOUR TENANT TO DO (OR NOT DO) IN THE PROPERTY Some tenants may want to bring a pet with them to the property or run a small business from home. If you are worried about a pet causing damage to the property, then you need to put a clause into the agreement prohibiting animals or stating one named animal will be allowed. If you do not want the tenant smoking inside the property, your tenancy agreement must clearly say so.

6 TENANCY DEPOSIT LEGISLATION If you take a deposit from a tenant, you must ensure that it complies with the tenancy deposit legislation. Otherwise, you could end up being ordered by a court to pay the tenant compensation and have difficulty evicting them at the end of the tenancy. As a landlord, you must ensure that you put the tenant’s deposit into a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving the deposit. You must also ensure you provide the tenant with specified information about the scheme (called prescribed information).

7 INVENTORY CHECK-IN

a king the first steps into the world of rented property can be a daunting task for the novice landlord. There seems to be so much bureaucracy and regulations to comply with and that is before you have even found a tenant. Our no-nonsense guide to renting out a property should ease you over the first hurdle and take away some of the stresses of starting out as a landlord.

1 HOW WILL I FIND MY TENANTS? You can either find tenants yourself by advertising in the local paper or by word of mouth. Alternatively, you can pay a fee to an estate or letting agent to find the tenants, carry out reference and financial checks, and deal with the deposit and other tenancy-related issues. The first option is obviously cheaper but you may prefer to rely on the experience of a letting agency if you are a first-time landlord.

2 WHAT TYPE OF TENANCY? Nearly all new tenancies in the private rented sector will be what are called Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements, which are often for an initial fixed term of six or 12 months. Once the first six or 12 months have expired, the tenant can remain in occupation in the property on a month-by-month basis, under the same tenancy agreement, but it is now called a periodic agreement.

3 DO I NEED A SOLICITOR TO DRAW UP MY TENANCY AGGREEMENT? This depends on the complexity of the agreement and whether or not you use a letting agency. There are several websites that allow you to download a pro-forma agreement, or you can ask a solicitor to draw one up to cover your specific requirements. Check if the solicitor will be charging a fixed-fee

for the agreement or charging on an hourly basis. If you are using a letting agent to find tenants and manage the property for you, they will have their own standard agreement.

4 DO I WANT TO MANAGE THE PROPERTY MYSELF OR ASK AN ESTATE AGENT/LETTING AGENCY TO DO IT? You need to carefully consider whether you have the time to manage the property yourself and deal with issues such as the boiler breaking down or a tenant losing his key. If you live nearby, or are retired, you may prefer to deal with these day-to-day issues yourself, as it will certainly be cheaper. However, remember that dealing with maintenance issues can be time-consuming. The alternative is to pay an estate agent or letting company to manage the property for you. Check the level of their fees and

The condition that a property is left in at the end of the tenancy can be one of the main areas of contention between landlords and tenants. Compile a detailed inventory list and report on the state of the property before the tenancy starts, which is agreed and signed by both landlord and tenant. This can save some of the headache further down the line. Also take photographs showing the condition of the property before your tenant moves in. Most letting agents offer an inventory check-in service.

8 GAS SAFETY/OTHER REGULATIONS Remember that you are responsible for ensuring a gas safety check is carried out on all appliances and installations in the property, by a Corgi-registered gas engineer, once a year. A copy of the gas safety certificate needs to be given to the tenant. Your property will also need to comply with all other relevant standards, for example for furniture and fittings, and regulations/ licensing if it is let as a house in multiple-occupation (HMO).

9 REPAIRS OBLIGATIONS Also remember that you will be responsible for keeping the property in a good state of repair. There will be obligations about this contained in your tenancy agreement and also implied by law. If you fail to keep the property in a good state, your tenant can take you to court and the court can order you to carry out these repairs and also pay your tenant compensation.

10 RENT ISSUES Most rent is paid monthly in advance by standing order on a specific date and many landlords will in addition ask for a couple of months rent to be paid before the tenancy starts. You may also want to consider having a guarantor for the tenant, especially if they are a student or cannot provide good financial references. This is a person (often a parent if the tenant is young) who will agree to pay the rent in the event that the tenant defaults.

11 CHECK-OUT The check-out procedure at the end of the tenancy is a very important part of the process. Make sure you have clearly agreed a time and date for your tenant to move out. You will then need to carry out a comprehensive inventory check-out report. If you intend to make deductions from the tenant’s deposit, you must follow the procedure as set down in your particular tenancy deposit scheme and the relevant legislation.

12 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THINGS GO WRONG? Unfortunately, even with the best planning in the world, things still go wrong. Your tenant may stop paying the rent or a neighbour may complain they are holding noisy parties. Make sure all communications between you and your tenant are in writing, be it by email or letter, and keep copies. You may be able to ask your tenant to leave the property in certain circumstances, e.g. if he has broken the terms of the agreement or you have given him the correct notice. You will only be entitled to bring court proceedings to evict your tenant if you have served the proper possession notice first. Do remember that landlord and tenant law can be complicated and each case is different. If you have specific queries about a landlord and tenant matter you may need to consult a specialist solicitor.

30 auctions

More about auctions at whathouse.com/property-auctions

Allsop launches online-only auction for new build homes in West Drayton Leading auctioneer hails its “revolutionary” way of buying a brand new home

uction specialist Allsop is launching the country’s first ever online-only auction for new build homes. The company describes its new system as “revolutionary” and says it is “set to change the landscape of off-plan and new build purchasing across the globe”. The system will be launched at the auction of Phase 2 of Clearview Homes’ West Drayton Waterside development on Thursday 11 June. Bidding will open at 10.00am on Wednesday 10 June with bids starting to close from 10.05am on Thursday 11th June. All bidders will participate in the auction in an identical way, can watch live as bids are placed and will enter an entirely fair market place. According to Gary Murphy, residential auction partner at Allsop, this new service “provides a superior route of sale for new properties and will co-exist harmoniously alongside our traditional ballroom auctions. We identified a niche specifically in the

new build market and felt strongly that there should be a simpler, more transparent, fair, convenient and certain way of investing in new homes.” A crucial feature of this new concept is the transparency of the process, which allows investors, wherever they are in the world, to watch the entire selling process evolve in front of their eyes, with absolutely zero risk of gazumping or gazundering. Buyers will see the prices being set for the properties and will be party to the exact incremental increases in bidding, which are usually withheld in the traditional buying process. West Drayton Waterside is a canalside development from Clearview Homes. Aside from the pleasant location by the Grand Union Canal, many investors will be attracted by the potential of West Drayton to benefit from the Crossrail effect, in terms of both demand for homes there and possible capital growth. The properties are within a five-

minute walk of West Drayton rail station, where Crossrail services will begin from 2019, providing highspeed access to locations including Paddington, the West End, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf and Heathrow. Phase 1 of West Drayton Waterside sold out over a single weekend, so expectations are high that the 36 leasehold apartments available in Phase 2 at the auction will be in strong demand. The properties are set within a private gated community, with allocated parking, and most of them have a private garden or balcony. As with traditional property auctions, all sales are legally binding at the fall of the gavel and solicitor details, bidder identities and bidder security payments are gathered prior to auction at the registration stage. Minimum bidding increments and the reserve price will be preset and regulated by the auctioneer, and contracts will be signed on the behalf of investors by Allsop representatives. All participants must complete

Artist’s impression. For illustrative purposes only

Prices from

£575,000 Sat Nav: W7 3ST

registration in advance of bidding and should allow ample time for verification of their ID by their UK solicitors before the auction. Clearview Homes’ chief executive Stephen Murphy is delighted that his company are the first in the UK to sell a new build development this way. He says: “When presented with the opportunity to be the first developers, we didn’t hesitate. It is the perfect platform for our product, which we believe will appeal to investors not just locally but nationally and even internationally. “We know for sure that we will make sales on the day and achieve the best possible price and have absolute trust in the Allsop team and expertise to execute the auction in a fair and efficient manner. We feel sure that this will be the future and are excited to be a part of it.” Find out more about the auction at https://onlineauction.allsop.co.uk and more about West Drayton Riverside at www.westdraytonwaterside.co.uk; 020 7344 2665

BentleyCourt UXBRIDGE ROAD

The development is located next to St Mellitus Church, an imposing Gothic style building of the Edwardian period situated in the heart of Hanwell.

E | sales@leavalleyhomes.co.uk W | leavalleyhomes.co.uk

Specification includes Paula Rosa Manhattan kitchens with granite worktop, integrated AEG appliances, flooring throughout, contemporary fully tiled bathrooms and en-suites.

T | 01923 251799

Unlock your holiday home’s potential Take the first step today and find out how we can make your property a success.

 01237 426 712

Bideford - North Devon

£735,000

• Stunning elevated position • Long private gated drive • 5 Bedrooms / 3 en-suite

• 2.6 Acres

• 3 Reception rooms

• Detached one bed. annexe

• Breathtaking river views

• EPC E

For full details, or to view more of our portfolio, visit our website

morrisandbott.co.uk 01237 459 998 | Grenville Wharf, 6a The Quay, Bideford EX39 2HW

Morris and Bott - HC - What House.indd 1

29/04/2015 15:08

Harborne Sales 0121 426 1876 Harborne Lettings 0121 426 2931 8am - 10pm every day

Meet your local property experts and find out how we can help you. haart Sales The sales team is headed up by branch manager David Grubb who has over a decade’s worth of industry experience. He is joined by negotiators Levi Barratt, Catherine Higgins and Tanya Johnson. David believes the secret to any successful business is its dedicated and hardworking team of staff. This bright and energetic team balance great sales techniques with good honest advice and a commitment to providing our customers with the 1st class service they deserve. Harborne is a very desirable place to live, it has an urban village sort of feel, with good cafes, restaurants and pubs, yet Birmingham city centre is only just over a mile away.

haart Lettings haart Residential Lettings aim is to find the right tenants for the right property quickly. The lettings team comprises of Lettings Area Manager Minder Virdee who has been with the company over 7 successful years. He is joined by Negotiator’s Inderpaul Channa and Harminder Matharu who have helped the lettings business take off with great effect. “Key to our business is our ability to act as an advisor and treating everybody as an individual,” says Minder Virdee. “Our ability to let a property quickly and efficiently is based on two factors, marketing and price. Get both right and a property will not be on the market long.”

Pop in and see us at 107 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9NR, or call us for a free valuation of your home.

Stop guessing when the time to sell is now!

Now is the time to sell and we will help you achieve the best price for your home Let us take the guesswork out of when to sell your home. House prices are strong, demand is growing and stamp duty is reduced. Take advantage of our in-depth knowledge and intelligence, within your local market here in Harborne, so we can put you in the best position to get the best price for your home at the right time for you. We have prospective buyers ready to view and we are available every day from 8am - 10pm on 0121 426 1876.

Follow your

...

call us today for your free valuation or to discuss your sale

HARBORNE

or go online to