Hampshire Property News

We have distinguished ourselves over the past three decades as a traditional but progressive firm looking to deliver fresh ideas and initiatives.  Our unique network of boutique local offices is supported by our Mayfair office in London and our regional Country Lettings offices. All of these combine to provide high profile visibility in our niche market as specialists in the sale and letting of character and country homes. Lisa Evans, Sales Director, is delighted to introduce Penyards ninth Hampshire based office in the lovely market town of Fordingbridge. To meet Lisa and her team call 01425 654963.…

This superb country residence lies conveniently close to Alresford and Winchester yet enjoys a wonderful rural setting with its own gardens and paddocks extending to about nine acres on the western edge of the Candover Valley. In addition to the principal house, which dates back to the early 18th century, there are substantial barns and outbuildings set around a courtyard and two separate cottages.

Northington Down has undergone significant refurbishment and remodelling in recent times to provide extensive, elegant family accommodation with lovely period features. The living space radiates from a magnificent galleried reception hall with a central staircase. A total of eight bedrooms are arranged over the top two floors with an additional sitting room opening from the first floor landing by way of double doors, creating a light and airy space.

The period barns provide 7,000 square feet of storage and the two cottages each has its own small garden. There is also a studio or office close to the house.

The gardens and grounds to Northington Down are a significant feature of the property, complementing the surrounding countryside and providing a peaceful and pretty setting for this fine country house. The gardens lie predominantly on the southern side of the house where a large terrace is adjacent to the drawing room and dining room. The terrace has steps that lead up through attractive, beautifully maintained flower and shrub beds leading on to the lawned gardens and in turn leading onto a grove on the southern boundary and a feature water garden which provides an idyllic setting in dappled shade.

On the western side is a further terrace surrounded by an attractive rose garden and adjacent to the kitchen. On the eastern side there is a further terraced area with gates opening to the driveway. Beyond the drive, to the north is the upper garden with an informal feel, being partly wooded and overlooking open countryside. It is a perfect environment for the excellent hard tennis court, being close to the house but not in sight.

Savills, with joint agents Knight Frank, quote a price of £3,500,000 and further information is available from the Winchester office on 01962 841842.…

Savills in Winchester is urging those considering selling in 2016 to bring their property to market sooner rather than later, to ensure a sale is completed before 1 April 2016. This is the anticipated deadline after which purchasers will be liable for an increased level of stamp duty on ‘additional properties’ including buy to let investments.

The additional rate will be three percentage points above the current rate of stamp duty and will apply to purchases of such residential properties costing more than £40,000 when the acquisition completes on or after 1 April 2016.

Steven Moore, head of residential at Savills Winchester, said: “What is meant by an ‘additional property’ is not just what we would usually consider a buy to let property or a second home. If an individual owns a property as a main residence, at home or even abroad, and then buys a new home before selling their old one, they will be liable to pay the increased stamp duty at the time of that purchase completing. A refund will be available if the original main residence is then sold, but only if this transaction completes within 18 months.

“We anticipate this rise in stamp duty having a noticeable impact on the prime market in Winchester. Since 2013, a large number of our buyers have purchased properties as a second home or for investment, both of which would now be liable under the new regime. In addition we see a number of people relocating to the city from outside the area before having sold their previous residence.

“In our view, the pending 30 March 2016 sale completion deadline will create an initial rush of demand from those seeking to avoid the additional tax with a quieter period thereafter. 

“So we are urging would-be vendors to act now to bring their property to market, if they want to capture these motivated buyers. And let’s not forget that the demand for properties in the Winchester area also remains very strong for those who are simply looking for a family home.”

For further information and for a free market appraisal, contact Savills in Winchester on 01962 841842…

Finished in 2012 to a high standard, this character home is full of cottage charm with structural wooden posts and beams, exposed brickwork and timber floors. Jinnys Cottage enjoys a village location in Swanmore, sitting within an enclosed garden and is within walking distance of highly regarded primary and senior schools, making this very much a home to appeal to families.

An open hallway leads to the sitting room which has a brick fireplace and wood burning stove; and to the modern kitchen with a full range of appliances and is open plan to the dining area. The utility room is a useful space, together with a guest cloakroom. There is also a lovely triple aspect garden room with French doors to a south westerly aspect, and a study.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has a smart shower room and walk-in wardrobes. A second double bedroom has built in wardrobes and shares the family bathroom with two further bedrooms.

Outside, the garden is mainly laid to lawn with a patio area and a decked area is located at the rear of the property leading to the detached garage which has loft storage space. The driveway offers ample parking and has the benefit of being gated on approach.

Harringtons Property Services will be happy to provide further details and to arrange a personal inspection of this fine Swanmore home. A monthly rent of £2,450 is quoted. Contact the office on 01329 834835…

From 1 February, all private landlords in England will have to check new tenants and lodgers have the right to be in the UK before letting their property – or risk being fined up to £3,000 per illegal tenant.

Under right to rent, landlords should check identity documents for all new tenants and take copies within 28 days before the start of a new tenancy. These checks must be made to ensure that anyone aged 18 or over living in the property, whether they are named on the tenancy agreement or not, is legally able to be in the property.

Acceptable forms of identification include passport and biometric residence permits. The documents need to be original, belong to the tenant and be in date. Landlords will need to ensure copies are kept for the duration of the tenancy and for up to one year afterwards. 

A further check may be necessary if the time your tenant is able to stay in the UK is limited. Failure to do so can result in a civil penalty fine.

What to do if your tenant doesn’t pass a further check:

If you find out your tenant can no longer legally rent property in England, you must notify the Home Office immediately.

Tara Kelly, Head of Savills Winchester Lettings, says: “At Savills, we undertake these checks as part of the service we offer our landlords. This legislation is further evidence of the increasingly litigious nature of the industry as a whole and the need for landlords to use a reputable, ARLA registered lettings agent to handle the letting of their property.”…

Yes, this detached family house undoubtedly has stunning views of the surrounding countryside from its elevated position on the fringes of Winchester, but this house is about so much more. With impressive accommodation over two floors including five excellent bedrooms, this is a fine home and is set within around a third of an acre of beautiful grounds.

Attractively framed by mature trees and shrubs, there is plenty of driveway parking and a double garage. The house has pleasing architecture and the front door opens to reveal an interesting layout with a smart kitchen open on one corner to a very spacious breakfast and family room with direct access to the garden and to the utility room. There is a dining room for formal occasions with a square bay window to the rear and a comfortable sitting room, linking through to a conservatory with doors to the garden.

The master bedroom has its own luxurious bathroom with a bath, separate shower and twin basins, with the family bathroom also having a bath and a shower. An additional shower room on the ground floor ensures stress-free mornings even when all five bedrooms are occupied.

The rear garden is delightful with potential for watching the sun rise and there is a raised south facing terrace, vegetable plot and an orchard.

From the location on the southern boundary of the city there is easy access into Winchester and also to the motorway network, with excellent schools within walking distance.

Charters says the house is available on an unfurnished basis and a monthly rent of £3,000 is sought. Contact the agent on 01962 830880 to make an appointment to take a look at the house and the view.…