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GREEN HOME GRANTS NEWSLETTER

BY STEPHEN CHIPP, TOWN & COUNTRY

“BUILDING SURVEYING IS BORING”...?

BY BEN ANDERSON BSC (HONS) MRICS

Green Homes

Grants newsletter

Some welcome news for landlords! The Government is launching ‘Green Homes Grants’ which landlords can take advantage of.

Homes currently have to be an E

Property energy efficiency rating or above in order for a tenancy to be granted unless there is an exemption (very few properties will apply!). However, with the drive to be more environmentally friendly the UK Government has stated that by 2025 all properties must be a D rating or above and then by 2030 at least a C rating or above. This does cause some issues with the types of properties we have within Brighton and Hove as some of the more obvious works simply cannot be carried out – due to listed or conservation area status.

However I would urge you to take advantage of the new scheme if applicable as potentially the UK Government will pay 2/3 of the cost of works to improve energy efficiency ratings. However the devil will be in the detail which will be forthcoming toward the end of August, I believe.

Please check the UK.GOV website and search for Green Homes Grant for more information.

COURTS ARE OPEN FOR POSSESISON CLAIMS FROM THE END AUGUST

I am proud of the fact that Town and Country Property Services worked hard with both client and tenant alike over these

past four months and as a result, by and large, have had few significant problems with tenants plunging into arrears.

We took a very human approach and dealt with each tenant on a case by case basis and it would appear that this paid dividends for our clients – particular when reading about huge arrears building across the country. We are not counting our chickens however and will continue to work with both sides if and when problems occur.

THE MARKET

Following recent newsletters to our clients where I have had to temper expectation on rental demand I have to say that over the past 2-3 weeks we have never been so busy with new applications!

Tenants have given notice and in some cases we have had 3-4 people wanting to take the property at full asking price within a day of it being on the market. This is welcome relief for those clients whose properties came available and hopefully means that the predicted downturn will not be as bad as originally thought. In fact, the Bank of England announced recently that the downturn would not be as bad as originally feared.

Brighton and Hove will remain a long term attractive proposition for residential lettings. If you require any assistance for your residential property management do not hesitate to give us a call.

Stephen Chipp

01273 771977

www.brightonlettings.co.uk

Stephen Chipp

“Building surveying is boring”...?

A stark realisation or common misconception?

By Ben Anderson BSc (Hons) MRICS

I recently came across an online

Property article and blog discussion based on professional construction and real estate roles. The discussions outlined the typical work undertaken, salary expectations etc. with the intention of advising undergraduates on a career path. I was surprised to read that a career in building surveying is commonly considered boring.

This got me thinking, is this true? Or, is the role of a building surveyor misunderstood and hence leading the next generation into other construction/real estate professions that are perceivably more exciting, such as project management or as somebody interestingly suggested, quantity surveying?!

So what does a building surveyor do? The dreaded question… Having studied building surveying at university and being in the profession for a decade, I have still not perfected my elevator pitch.

The public generally perceive building surveyors to be encountered when purchasing a residential property and often at the inconvenience of the vendor and purchaser. Whilst some companies specialise in this field, for the majority of surveyors this is a very small part of the workload.

The typical role of a building surveyor is extremely broad and diverse and covers both the commercial and residential sectors including: • Project management • Dilapidations • Building inspection (Technical due diligence) • Planned maintenance reporting • Contract administration • Party wall advice (Under Party Wall etc.

Act 1996)

I often find that given the huge variety of duties performed by a building surveyor, industry professionals often find it difficult to comprehend exactly what we do, let alone the wider property community.

In my opinion building surveying is far from being a boring profession. A career in this field will enable a diverse range of work meaning no two days are the same. Additionally, you have the choice to specialise in a service line if that is your preference.

Trained chartered building surveyors can be found working in all corners of the globe albeit under different titles. I have been given the opportunity to inspect and work on a range of buildings both in Europe and across Oceania and Asia. The role often requires our team to be out on site inspections, frequently entering parts of buildings that the public will never see. The profession can offer extensive opportunities and be a fulfilling and exciting career choice for the practically minded person. Shared here, is a snapshot of my (admittedly more exciting) experiences working as a building surveyor and highlights the work you could be involved with.

Technical Due Diligence (Commercial Building Survey)

In 2016, I was approached by a potential purchaser to inspect and report on three Hotels in Wellington and Queenstown, New Zealand. This involved a thorough inspection of all the buildings and assessing the condition of the building fabric. The evenings and weekend spent white water rafting and skiing weren’t part of the inspection but a perk of the job!

In 2017, I was engaged by a potential purchaser to inspect a 5* Luxury Island Resort in the Maldives. This involved a comprehensive inspection of all the buildings and services on the island which meant five days staying at the luxurious resort. As several of the buildings were built into the sea bed, it also included diving underwater to assess the condition of the structural timber posts.

Project Management / Contract Administration

In 2013, I was involved with a feasibility study, full design and project management role on a significant historical Town Hall building in Sussex, England. The works included installing glazed pavement lights above the steps to highlight an area of the

Access to the overwater structures

building where 17 Protestant women were martyred in the 14th century. The stakes for delivering this job on time and within budget were therefore even more crucial.

From 2017-2019, I have been involved with the specification and project management of the external repair works to arguably three of London’s most significant and well-known historic buildings across the city and west end. These projects have involved liaison with specialist consultants and engaging with the local government and historical officers.

From 2012-2015, I was involved with large external repair and maintenance projects at the Brighton Marina, England. Who wouldn’t enjoy completing an inspection by the seaside? In the summer at least…

Dilapidations (Landlord & Tenant)

In 2016, I provided strategic dilapidation advice and negotiation for the Queensland Government, Australia. Several premises were consolidated to one large purpose

built building. This yielded significant multimillion dollar savings for the Government and tax payer.

In 2017, I advised one of the globe’s largest nutrition and hygiene brands on their potential dilapidation options and liability for relocating their London HQ to elsewhere in Europe.

Forward Planned Maintenance

In 2014, I undertook a maintenance plan for a police building which transpired to be the police riot training facility for the London Olympics in 2012, deep beneath the ground in the Sussex countryside.

In 2015, I undertook a planned preventative maintenance report on a government building in the Northern Territory, Australia. This provided an exciting new experience visiting the area and surrounding national parks - one I would never have achieved otherwise.

If the above experiences sound interesting, and you think you could see yourself as a ‘boring’ building surveyor but would like some more information about

Glazed pavement light highlighting the culturally significant stepped access

the role, then feel free to get in touch.

About Crossley Anderson Ltd

Crossley Anderson is a privately owned and professionally led property development and building consultancy, with its senior management team’s experience behind some of the most acclaimed residential and commercial assets in London and Sussex. Services include:

• Project Management • Employers Agent / Contract

Administration • Development Monitoring • Technical Due Diligence Surveys (commercial) • Dilapidations • Party Wall Services • Defect Advice

For more details visit www.crossleyanderson.com or contact grant@crossleyanderson.com | ben@crossleyanderson.com

Ben Anderson BSc (Hons) MRICS Director Crossley Anderson Ltd