Written By Em

Em

Em Morley

The cost of living near London’s 342 ‘outstanding’ primary schools

Published On: October 10, 2019 at 9:43 am

Author:

Categories: Property News

Tags: ,,,

famous uk landmark

Portico’s latest research reveals exactly how much more you’re likely to spend on a home near top-rated schools.

The report shows that there are 342 state-funded primary schools rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in London. This means that the capital has the highest number of top-rated primary schools out of all the regions in the UK.

The top boroughs in London for choice of ‘outstanding’ state-funded primary schools include:

  • Barnet (24 ‘outstanding’ schools)
  • Lambeth (22)
  • Richmond upon Thames (20)
  • Wandsworth (17)
  • Hackney (17)
  • Lewisham (16)

House prices across London’s outstanding schools compared

Portico has also analysed the property prices of areas surrounding all 342 ‘outstanding’ primary schools in the 32 London boroughs:

  • Barking and Dagenham in east London offers the best value for money, with average property prices at £307,463. There are three ‘outstanding’ primary schools in the borough.
  • Kensington and Chelsea ranks as the most expensive borough, with an average property price of £1,739,268. There are fourteen ‘outstanding’ primary schools in this borough.

Portico London estate agents table below shows the number of ‘outstanding’ state-funded primary schools per London borough, plus the average cost of living near an ‘outstanding’ school in the area:

BoroughNo. of Outstanding SchoolsAverage Property Price
Barking and Dagenham3307,463
Sutton5353,204
Greenwich10397,479
Bexley3398,017
Havering7415,911
Hillingdon10433,120
Croydon7468,428
Tower Hamlets13474,745
Newham7484,118
Redbridge14484,118
Brent10487,698
Hounslow11494,833
Waltham Forest5506,362
Harrow13525,431
Lewisham16553,360
Southwark13586,632
Ealing8617,561
Hackney17634,465
Enfield7645,961
Barnet24649,793
Lambeth22670,706
Kingston upon Thames8680,501
Islington7709,883
Haringey11710,286
Richmond upon Thames20826,340
Wandsworth17846,967
Hammersmith and Fulham11878,433
Merton8881,883
Camden14995,966
Westminster61,723,120
Kensington and Chelsea141,739,269

Drilling down to specific schools and areas within the London boroughs

Portico has also looked at individual ‘outstanding’ schools to find the best local bargains. The results show: 

  • The winner is Hounslow in Greater London, which is home to ‘outstanding’ Edward Pauling Primary school. The average price of a house here is just £233,615.
  • A close second was Beavers Community Primary School in Hounslow, which has an average price-tag of £247,571.
  • Third was St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School in Bexley, where the average property price is £269,453.

On the other end of the scale, London’s most expensive catchments ranked as:

1. Westminster’s St Peters Eaton Square Corn Primary School on Lower Belgrave Street – £3,184,794.

2. Kensington and Chelsea’s Christ Church CofE Primary School on Robinson St, Chelsea – £2,589,755.

3. Camden’s Primrose Hill School on Princess Rd in Primrose Hill – £2,573,738.

Fiona Veitch, Portico’s Marketing Director, says: “Each year, parents across the nation fight to get their children into the right school, and we see many families moving purely to be in the catchment area of a specific school.

“According to our research, the average property price of a London home in the neighbouring area of an ‘outstanding’ state-funded primary school costs £693,849. Compared to the average London property price of £618,587, this means parents will pay a huge premium of £75,262 to give their kids the best start in life.

“Living near a state-funded primary school with an Ofsted ‘needs improvement’ rating costs even less. In fact, the average property price near a school that ‘needs improvement’ costs £540,638 – which is over 22% cheaper, or over £150,000, less than an ‘outstanding’ school area.

“Despite there being such a strong correlation between house prices and top-rated schools, we hope our research will help the parents who are looking to move to an ‘affordable’ area near a top-rated school see what options are available to them.”

Portico’s table below shows the top 20 most affordable areas surrounding London’s ‘outstanding’ primary schools:

Local Authority AreaProvider NameSchool addressAverage property price
HounslowEdward Pauling Primary SchoolRedford Cl, Feltham TW13 4TQ233,615
HounslowBeavers Community Primary SchoolArundel Rd, Hounslow TW4 6HR247,571
BexleySt Stephen’s Catholic Primary SchoolRuskin Ave, Welling DA16 3QG269,453
GreenwichCardwell Primary School118 Frances St, Woolwich, London SE18 5LP276,786
EalingGifford Primary SchoolGreenhill Gardens, Northolt UB5 6BU277,079
SuttonSt Elphege’s RC Infants’ SchoolMollison Dr, Roundshaw, Wallington SM6 9HY281,000
SuttonSt Elphege’s RC Junior SchoolMollison Dr, Roundshaw, Wallington SM6 9HY281,000
GreenwichHeronsgate Primary SchoolWhinchat Rd, London SE28 0EA285,143
GreenwichHawksmoor SchoolBentham Rd, Thamesmead, London SE28 8AS293,172
Barking and DagenhamWilliam Ford CofE Junior SchoolFord Rd, Dagenham RM10 9JS299,900
HaveringSt Ursula’s Catholic Junior SchoolStraight Rd, Romford RM3 7JS301,678
Barking and DagenhamThe St Teresa Catholic Primary SchoolBowes Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 2XJ301,739
HounslowFeltham Hill Infant and Nursery SchoolBedfont Rd, Feltham TW13 4LZ309,675
Tower HamletsBonner Primary SchoolStainsbury Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 0NF312,825
Barking and DagenhamWarren Junior SchoolGordon Rd, Dagenham, Romford RM6 6DA320,750
BrentSt Joseph’s RC Infant SchoolWaverley Avenue, Wembley, HA9 6TA328,972
Richmond upon ThamesSt James’s Roman Catholic Primary School260 Stanley Rd, Twickenham TW2 5NP329,475
SouthwarkPhoenix Primary SchoolMarlborough Grove, London SE1 5JT330,675
LewishamDownderry Primary SchoolDownderry Road Bromley BR1 5QL332,795
Tower HamletsOld Palace Primary SchoolSt Leonard’s St, Bromley By Bow, London E3 3BT335,190

Should housing benefit increase in line with UK rent prices?

Published On: October 10, 2019 at 8:17 am

Author:

Categories: Tenant News

Tags: ,,,,

housing benefit

Did you know that today is World Homeless Day? This is an awareness day that takes place around the world on 10th October in order to change the lives of homeless people in their local communities.

As such, Crisis and The Joseph Rowntree Foundation are calling on the Government to invest in Local Housing Allowance (LHA), the housing benefit aspect of Universal Credit. This is due to the opinion poll published today, which shows 75% of respondents agree that housing benefit should increase if rents go up.

A survey was commissioned by the charities and conducted by Public First. Over 4,000 UK adults were involved, with 76% responding that housing benefit is a practical way for Government to stop people experiencing homelessness in the first place.

Housing benefit was originally designed in 2011 so that people on low incomes could afford the cheapest 30% of private rentals in their area. However, there has since been a lack of investment and a four-year freeze since 2016. The rates now fall woefully short of the true cost of renting, which continues to rise in many parts of the country. 

Research published by Crisis earlier this year shows that housing benefit shortfalls have led to little to no affordable private housing in many areas across the UK. The charity believes that this is pushing thousands of individuals and families to the brink of homelessness.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: “A safe and stable home is fundamental to our dignity and humanity. But every day, we hear of people losing their homes as the constant pressure of rising living costs become impossible to bear.

“The Westminster Government has committed to reduce homelessness, but without addressing the root causes such as unaffordable rents, homelessness will continue to rise. Housing benefit is an important tool and could be the quickest and most effective way to prevent homelessness in the short term, but it is fundamentally flawed because of severe under investment. Ending homelessness is truly within our capabilities and government must act now to deliver on its promises.”

Darren Baxter, Housing Policy and Partnerships Manager at The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “A home should be an anchor against being swept into poverty but for many families the cost of renting a home is adding an extra strain. 

“It does not have to be this way. We can ensure housing costs do not push households into poverty if we invest in building the low cost rented homes and, in the short term, invest in housing benefit so that it reflects the real costs of renting.”

Generation Rent campaigners take Section 21 protest to Government’s door

Published On: October 9, 2019 at 9:42 am

Author:

Categories: Law News

Tags: ,,

Generation Rent

A campaign took place yesterday outside the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to highlight unfair evictions across England.

Organised by Generation Rent, London Renters Union and ACORN, these housing campaigners were protesting against the use of Section 21 eviction notices.

A consultation is currently in progress on the MHCLG’s decision to end Section 21. However, under the current proposals, tenants could still be forced to leave their home if a landlord wished to sell the property or move into it themselves. Tenants are also not protected from unaffordable rent hikes.

Protesters are calling on the Government to end unfair evictions and provide support and security to tenants who are forced to leave their homes.

Over 40,000 signatures have so far been gathered for an open letter of demands to Boris Johnson and Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick. This has been organised by the End Unfair Evictions coalition.

Generation Rent highlights that Section 21 is the leading cause of homelessness in the UK. Its figures suggest that 216 families are made homeless by Section 21 every week.

Generation Rent
Photo credit © Jess Hurd

The notice allows unscrupulous landlords to use revenge evictions. Citizens Advice states that private renters in England who formally complain about issues such as damp and mould in their home have a 46% chance of being issued an eviction notice within six months.

An end to section 21 is just one of the radical reforms called for by campaigners to reform the housing system. Campaigners are demanding rents should be capped at one third of local incomes.

Georgie Laming, Campaigns Manager at Generation Rent comments:

“We all deserve a house we can call home. But Section 21 means private renters can be forced out of their homes for no reason at all, meaning we can’t complain about disrepair or plan our lives. We need a radical overhaul of the private rented system.

The Government’s proposed reforms are a step in the right direction but don’t go far enough and will allow many unfair evictions to continue. Renters deserve a secure home, which is why we’re demanding the Government take action to end unfair evictions for good.”

Kirsty Archer, London Renters Union says:

“Londoners need a housing system that prioritises providing everyone with homes in which they can flourish rather than the profits of private investors. Ending these unfair evictions is a vital first step to fixing our broken housing system. 

“Millions of Londoners live with the constant fear of eviction and the stress of unaffordable rent. Instead of looking at ways to maintain the power landlords have over our lives, the government must end evictions and introduce rent controls.”

Jonny Butcher, ACORN National Field Director, said: “The government needs to choose which side they are on – families or buy-to-let investors. Genuine protection from eviction means that private tenants can lay down roots for the very first time without the fear of being forced to move every six months.

“If this government goes back on its commitment to end no fault evictions, they can expect a huge backlash from a growing movement of organised tenants across the country, as well as from an expanding renters’ vote bloc at the next general election.”

Megan Bentall, Campaigns Manager at 38 Degrees comments:

“It’s not right that landlords can abuse loopholes in current laws to evict families from their homes – with no warning and for no reason. And if you’re a family in this situation it’s easy to feel like you’re alone and powerless.

“That’s why almost 40,000  people – renters, homeowners and landlords alike – have signed this open letter, in solidarity with families affected by the current laws. Together we’re calling on the government to make sure their new law is fit for purpose, and protects renters across the country.”

Slow in house price growth reported by Halifax House Price Index

Published On: October 9, 2019 at 8:30 am

Author:

Categories: Property News

Tags: ,,

Halifax House Price Index

Yet another report confirms a slow in house price growth for the UK, as the latest Halifax House Price Index shows annual growth to now be at 1.1%.

The highlights for this latest report from Halifax include:

  • House prices in September were 1.1% higher than in the same month a year earlier 
  • On a monthly basis, house prices fell by 0.4% 
  • In the latest quarter (July to September) house prices were 0.4% higher than in the preceding three months (April to June) 

Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: “Annual house price growth slowed somewhat in September, rising by just 1.1% over the last year. Whilst this is lowest level of growth since April 2013, it remains in keeping with the predominantly flat trend we’ve seen in recent months. 

“Underlying market indicators, including completed sales and mortgages approvals, continue to be broadly stable. Meanwhile for buyers, important affordability measures – such as wage growth and interest rates – still look favourable. 

“Looking ahead, we expect activity levels and price growth to remain subdued while the current period of economic uncertainty persists.” 

Lucy Pendleton, founder director of independent estate agents James Pendleton, comments: “The housing market’s game of musical statues continues. The only problem is that a rowdy bunch of competitive parents have been jostling for control of the off button for months and the music never actually stops.

“Annual growth is now at a six and a half year low and any fuel injection provided by buyer incentives and low mortgage borrowing rates has long gone. The fumes of uncertainty are all that enter now, and the housing market’s engine must take what sustenance it can until the UK’s political future is more assured.

“This index has gone from gazelle to sloth in only a matter of months, although some tinkering with the methodology has now removed the astoundingly high year on year figures we saw in the first half of the year from the index.”

House sales slump in South England, following Brexit delays

Published On: October 8, 2019 at 9:02 am

Author:

Categories: Property News

Tags: ,

house sales slump

The biggest declines in property transactions following the aborted March Brexit deadline were in the South, new research shows.

An analysis by property developer Southern Grove reveals which areas of the UK had the biggest house sales slump during May 2018 to May 2019.

The results show that UK residential sales volumes began to collapse on an annual basis in May. However, there was an overall increase in the number of homes sold during that period, according to the latest Land Registry data.

Southern Grove has highlighted that stretched valuations made the South acutely vulnerable to the risks associated with this political deadlock. As such, there was a widespread decline in sales with much of southern England and southern Wales skewing the overall picture.

It was in June’s HMRC figures that the house sales slump was first noticed. Sales volumes had dropped 11.3% in the 12 months to May 2019, as homeowners and buyers decided to wait for a final Brexit decision in March.

Of 406 local authority areas in the UK, 168 (41.4%) saw transactions fall between May 2018 and May 2019. 104 of these places (62%) were in the South.

Year on year figures reached a 16.5% fall in June and a 12.4% drop in July before largely recovering in August.Southern Grove believes unrealistic vendors and costly Stamp Duty exacerbated the slowdown.

The following table shows the 20 worst affected local authority areas between May 2018 and May 2019:

Local Authority% Fall in Transactions May 2018 to May 2019
North Dorset-35.4%
Harrogate-33.9%
East Cambridgeshire-29.6%
Broxbourne-27.8%
East Hertfordshire-27.4%
Slough-27.3%
Camden-27.2%
Hammersmith and Fulham-25.9%
Burnley-25.5%
Watford-25.3%
Barking and Dagenham-24.1%
Ipswich-23.7%
Braintree-23.5%
Coventry-23.3%
Cheltenham-23.0%
Uttlesford-22.7%
Mid Devon-22.4%
Tewkesbury-22.1%
Derby-22.1%
Rushmoor-22.0%

In the year to May 2019, Wales saw sales volumes climb 5.3% on average with nine of 22 local authority areas (41%) seeing declines.

In England, transactions increased by 2.9% on average but fell annually in 157 of 352 areas (44.6%).

In Scotland, just two of 32 local authorities (6.3%) saw a fall in sales and the entire country actually recorded a 20.5% rise in transactions. 

Andrew Southern, Chairman of developer Southern Grove, commented: “This is an eye-opening dissection of a collapse in sales that was clearly weighted towards the South. It’s a region that has seen huge price growth over the past five years so it’s no accident. 

“Homeowners in more expensive areas clearly felt it was better to ride out the storm, as any subsequent purchase would carry a hefty stamp duty bill at a time when they couldn’t be confident property values would be bulletproof in the medium term.

“In that situation, it is only human to wait and see what happens. High valuations give homeowners a taste for the piggy bank they think their home has become and they are often wary of doing anything that could jeopardise that peak valuation.

“It’s in this type of market that the hammer blow of stamp duty is most unhelpful. It’s a tax so punitive as to be totally counterproductive.”

Estate agents should have flexible working options, including working from home

Published On: October 8, 2019 at 8:29 am

Author:

Categories: Lettings News

Tags: ,

flexible working

Flexible working options for estate agents, including more opportunities to work from home, should be considered, according to Agent & Homes.

The prime London hybrid agency believes that as flexible working has been welcomed across a range of sectors, a similar opportunity in the property industry is bound to improve efficiency, productivity and staff morale.

Recent ONS Labour Force Survey figures show that more than 1.54m people work from home for their main job, which is up from 884,000 ten years ago. This survey is the largest study of employment circumstances in the UK.

The number of people working in different places but with their homes as a base has also increased. It has risen by 200,000 to 2.66m between 2008 and 2018.

On top of this, an analysis from the BBC suggests a 74% rise in the number of people working from home over the same period. 

Also, a survey of remote work by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed found 55% of workers said increased flexibility was the biggest advantage of remote working.

Bob Crowley, co-founder of Agent & Homes, says: “Being flexible means agents can work more closely to the needs of the modern consumer, who is likely to be time poor and predominantly available during evenings and at weekends.

“It therefore makes logical sense for agents to make themselves available at these times, rather than being chained to rigid traditional office hours.

“We believe there is no point in agents sitting around in dead high street offices all day when they could be providing a more pro-active, hands-on, efficient service at the times that suit their clients.”

Agent & Homes co-founder Rollo Miles comments: “Allowing staff to work more autonomously, organise their own schedules and work to their own targets will make agents more motivated.

“These days, it’s increasingly recognised that it’s important for people to have a good work/life balance with the opportunity to take holidays and time off.”

“Estate agencies should be no different and it’s no secret that a happier team are likely to be more motivated.

“In order to remain profitable and meet the changing needs of modern consumers, agents need to embrace the flexible working structures adopted by many other sectors.

“Providing a professional and expert service which isn’t constrained by a high street office or traditional working hours really is the future of estate agency in this country.”