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Em Morley

Rightmove’s Questionnaire to Agents Focuses on OnTheMarket

Published On: August 3, 2015 at 8:50 am

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Rightmove has sent out a lengthy questionnaire to agents, focusing on their opinion of competitor property portal, OnTheMarket (OTM).

Rightmove tells the agents that it wants to “design our plans with you in mind” before continuing to the questions.

Rightmove's Questionnaire to Agents Focuses on OnTheMarket

Rightmove’s Questionnaire to Agents Focuses on OnTheMarket

The survey barely mentions Rightmove’s main competitor, Zoopla, suggesting that it is considering OTM a bigger threat at this moment in time, six months after OTM launched.

The study asks agents how likely they would be to recommend Rightmove, and then asks the same about OTM, and why. It does not ask this about Zoopla.

In a section of 17 questions, the survey asks agents to list the most and least important reasons for using a property portal, such as, whether the portal resolves queries in an efficient manner, rewards loyalty, understands agents’ needs, or makes agents feel in control of the relationship.

It asks whether it’s important for a portal to negotiate on price, generate quality leads and care about its customers.

In the following 28 questions, it asks agents to rate Rightmove and OTM on a range of specific matters, including friendliness and approachability.

In the next set of questions, the study mentions Zoopla, but only in a few questions alongside assessments of Rightmove and OTM.

Agents are then asked to select one of the following three statements, regarding the portals: “My company couldn’t operate without this portal”; “A brand that is only in business for themselves”; and “A brand that knows what it stands for.”

The questionnaire also asks questions about Rightmove’s and OTM’s account managers.

The study is conducted by independent market research firm, Jigsaw Research, and offers ten prizes of £100 Amazon vouchers.

A Rightmove spokesperson says: “In order to make Rightmove work better for agents, we are asking our members how our product, services and customer relationships compare to the other options that they may have.

“Our aim is to improve Rightmove for agents. This wide ranging survey is being conducted by an independent third party.”1

1 http://www.propertyindustryeye.com/rightmove-send-out-questionnaire-asking-agents-to-rate-onthemarket/

What Can You Rent for £700 a Month Around the UK?

Published On: August 2, 2015 at 4:45 pm

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If you have £700 a month for your rent, there are many different options around the country for you. But beware, as prices differ greatly across the UK, some places have more on offer than others.

We have a look at the rental properties available at this price and what they offer:

London

Studio flat – £695

Location – Uxbridge

  • 5 miles from zone 6 tube station.
  • Private entrance to open plan kitchen and bedroom.
  • Open to single professionals and couples.
  • Bills included.

Attic room – £650

Location – Peckham

  • House share with three people.
  • 1-mile walk to zone 2 tube station.
  • Bills included.
  • The bed is within a cupboard.

 

Bristol

One-bedroom flat – £675

Location – City centre

  • 25 miles from city centre and Harbourside bars and restaurants.
  • Furnished living room and bedroom.
  • Communal laundry room.

House share – £340

Location – St Andrews

  • Three other housemates.
  • Bathroom plus extra toilet.
  • Close to Montpelier train station.

 

Cardiff

Two-bedroom flat – £675

Location – Cardiff Bay

  • Two double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and one en suite.
  • Fully furnished.
  • Integrated kitchen appliances including dishwasher.
  • 2 miles from Cardiff Bay train station and 0.6 miles from Cardiff Central station.
  • Secure parking.

 

House share – £350

Location – C11

  • Sharing with four housemates.
  • Double bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and memory foam mattress.
  • Walking distance from city centre and Cardiff Bay.
  • Bills included.

 

Birmingham

Two-bedroom flat – £700

Location – Edgbaston

  • Exclusive development with private gardens.
  • Two double bedrooms.
  • Bathroom plus extra toilet.
  • Short distance from city centre and Edgbaston’s cricket ground.
  • Off-road parking.
  • Utility room with washing machine.

 

One-bedroom flat – £455

Location – Northfield

  • Spacious double-bedroom and living room.
  • Separate hallway.
  • Fitted kitchen with washer-dryer.
  • 6 miles from Northfield train station (18 minutes to city centre).

 

Liverpool

Three-bedroom house – £700

Location – Aigburth

  • Two double bedrooms and one single bedroom.
  • Feature fireplace and bay window in living room.
  • High ceilings.
  • Integrated kitchen appliances.
  • Enclosed back yard.
  • 3 miles to city centre.

 

Two-bedroom flat – £415

Location – City centre

  • Sharing with one other person.
  • Main bedroom has en suite.
  • Spacious kitchen with appliances.

Manchester

One-bedroom apartment – £700

Location – Salford Quays

  • 14th floor flat in the MediaCityUK development, home to BBC and ITV.
  • Fully furnished.
  • Private balcony.
  • 2 miles from Broadway tram stop.

 

One-bedroom flat – £550

Location – Chorlton

  • Spacious double bedroom.
  • Fitted kitchen with appliances.
  • Short walk to shops and cafes on Beech Street.
  • Short walk to large park.
  • 6 miles from Chorlton train station and 0.7 miles from Stretford tram stop.

 

Leeds

Three-bedroom house – £675

Location – Bramley

  • Two double bedrooms and one single bedroom.
  • Extra downstairs toilet.
  • 8 miles from Headingley train station.
  • Close to popular food market in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey.

 

House share – £350

Location – Headingley

  • Sharing with three housemates.
  • Room has its own TV and Virgin TiVo box.
  • Room has a sofa and house has a living room with TV and Sky package.

 

Newcastle

One-bedroom apartment – £675

Location – City Road

  • Brand new flat in riverside High Quay development.
  • Walking distance from city centre.
  • Double bedroom.
  • Secure gated parking.
  • 5 miles from Manors Metro station.

 

Two-bedroom flat – £425

Location – Fenham

  • Two double bedrooms.
  • Separate living room.
  • Shared garden.

Glasgow

One-bedroom flat – £650

Location – Broomhill, West End

  • Large rooms.
  • Period fireplace.
  • Appliances in kitchen.
  • Short distance from bars and restaurants on Byres Road and Ashton Lane.
  • 3 miles from Hyndland train station.

 

One-bedroom flat – £550

Location – Shawlands

  • Double bedroom.
  • Top floor flat.
  • Short walk to Queens Park.
  • High ceilings and bay window.
  • 3 miles from Crossmyloof train station.

 

Plymouth

One-bedroom flat – £695

Location – New Millbay Pier

  • Double bedroom.
  • Bright, spacious rooms with large kitchen.
  • Private roof terrace.
  • Part-furnished.
  • Short walk to West Hoe Park.
  • 1 miles from Plymouth train station.

One-bedroom flat – £450

Location – Central Plymouth

  • Double bedroom.
  • Brand new shower room and kitchen.
  • Part-furnished.
  • Basement flat.
  • 1 mile to Plymouth train station.

 

Architect Firm Gains Permission for Lewisham Micro Homes

Published On: August 1, 2015 at 4:46 pm

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An architect practice has gained planning permission for an affordable housing scheme for micro-housing specialist developer, Pocket Living.

RCKa’s £4m plans are for a conversion and extension to an existing 1920s industrial warehouse in Lewisham, South East London. The project will create 44 new compact one-bedroom apartments.

The 2,788m² development will include a two-storey rooftop extension and a new circulation and entrance core.

The building’s façade design includes “wave-profiled” polycarbonate cladding, which “identifies the building’s new lease of life as a place to live.”1

Design Director at Pocket Living, Russ Edwards, says: “RCKa’s design proposal for Arklow Road, SE14 in Lewisham is an important project within our growing portfolio.

“Not only does it regenerate a handsome piece of historic urban fabric, repurposing it for starter homes that will serve Lewisham’s first time buyer market, but it also provides an important catalyst for the broader regeneration of this part of New Cross.

“RCKa’s design strategies seek to exploit the inherent qualities that exist within the historic building – generous floor-to-ceiling heights and openings, robust materiality and great aspect – whilst establishing an unapologetically contemporary architectural expression, through the careful placement of new elements and layers.”1 

Work is due to start on the project later this year and is expected to be completed in early 2017.

1 http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/rcka-wins-planning-for-lewisham-pocket-homes-conversion/8686790.article?referrer=RSS&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

The Problems with London’s Luxury Property Boom

Published On: July 31, 2015 at 4:49 pm

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Along the Thames in central London is what can only be described as a building site. The many luxury properties being built in the capital are said to bring money into the city, which trickles down to the general public, not just to the super rich.

In fact, this luxury property boom could have damaging effects on the rest of the country. A Global Witness investigation discovered that around one in ten properties in the City of Westminster (9.3%) and 7.3% of properties in Kensington and Chelsea are owned by investors registered in offshore firms.

The Problems with London's Luxury Property Boom

The Problems with London’s Luxury Property Boom

It is easier to invest stolen money in property than try to hide lumps of cash. The London property market is increasingly attractive to tax dodgers, secret overseas investors and criminal gangs.

As the housing crisis has continued, and continued, politicians have insisted that housing shortages, soaring house prices, eradication of social housing and the messy private rental sector are normal. Politicians have taken no blame for the state of the housing market, but expect the public to manage.

This is no surprise, as they are not the ones struggling. Families are being moved out of London and over half of the people hit by the benefit cap will find the whole of the South of England unaffordable to them.

However, the coalition government pushed through a change to planning rules that mean many developers do not have to build or pay for social housing when constructing large residential developments.

Luxury property developments will not solve the housing crisis. Public housing is where investment is needed.

Some argue that rent controls and regulation of private landlords will avoid more housing stock being sold off to the buy-to-let sector.

While politicians suggest that the problems will end, the situation for those struggling to keep a roof over their heads seems to be increasingly challenging.

Housing as a concept has moved from shelter to asset. When Labour proposed a mansion tax, critics focused on those that have supposedly earned their capital gains, rather than entered the market at a convenient time, leaving many now without a viable option.

The current problem of a lack of supply and growing demand is deep-rooted in a housing system that has simply not been building enough homes.

Housing is now considered a profitable pursuit and central London showcases exactly that. It is no longer a liveable space for many people.

Luxury developments are not solving the problems that those in unstable situations, or even homelessness, are facing.

Budget changes lead to BTL product rise

Published On: July 31, 2015 at 4:28 pm

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According to the latest Buy-to-Let Mortgage Costs Index from Mortgages for Business, there are already 122 buy-to-let products for limited companies.

This figure comes shortly after the Chancellor announced in his summer Budget that buy-to-let interest relief for private landlords was to be abolished. However, landlords can still claim full interest relief by taking out a buy-to-let mortgage as a limited company. Interest payments would then qualify as a business expense and would therefore qualify for tax relief.

Premium

Landlords that opt to mortgage through a limited company however must bear in mind that they will have to pay a premium in comparison to the market average. The typical cost of a mortgage product for a limited company was 5.4% per annum at the beginning of July but the average yearly rate for the buy-to-let market as a whole was 4.6%.[1]

‘The mortgage market was certainly well prepared for the Chancellor’s grab on landlord’s tax relief,’ said David Whittaker, managing director of Mortgages for Business. ‘Mortgages which allow limited companies to be borrowers comprise 13% of all products on the buy to let market.’[1]

Budget changes lead to BTL product rise

Budget changes lead to BTL product rise

Outfox

Continuing, Whittaker said, ‘It means that a good number of landlords and investors will have the opportunity to outfox the Summer Budget by taking advantage of the tax benefits associated with registering as a limited company. However, limited company mortgage products may not be for everyone. Registering as a limited company takes time, money and can be quite complex. The average interest rate for limited company mortgages is also greater than the average rates available in the wider market.’[1] 

‘That said, even if the mortgage costs for limited companies are above the rest of the market, this could come down as demand grows and lending to companies becomes more competitive. And, for once, prospective tax changes will work in favour of investors as the rate of Corporation Tax is due to fall from 20% to 19% from April 2017 and to 18% from April 2020 – which, if profits are to be retained within the company, would represent a significant tax saving for a higher rate tax payer,’ he concluded.[1]

 

 

 

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/budget-clampdown-prompts-rise-in-btl-products-for-limited-companies.html

 

 

 

 

Grand Designs Homes Not So Grand

Published On: July 31, 2015 at 3:55 pm

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An eco homes development by Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud, has been found to have multiple building errors.

The 78-property Applewood estate was designed to be “super-insulated”.

However, a year later, residents have complained of damp, draughty windows, uncapped chimneys and central heating that does not comply with gas regulations.

Clare Honeyfield, 51, had to move out of her £125,000 flat for around two weeks.

She says: “You could make a whole Grand Designs episode about the issues the neighbours here are going through.”1

The estate in Stroud, Gloucestershire, was developed by McCloud’s property firm HAB – Happiness Architecture Beauty – and built by GreenSquare.

Head of sales at HAB, Simon McWhirter, comments: “GreenSquare Group was responsible for the delivery of the scheme. We’re sorry the experience has not been as good as it should have been.”1

GreenSquare states that it is “working to deal with snagging issues” and the gas regulation breaches were “not considered to be dangerous.”1

McCloud’s management, KBJ, said he would not comment.

1 Corcoran, L. (2015) ‘Grand Design homes ‘are damp with dodgy heating’, Metro, 31 July, p.7