Hampshire Property News

The latest research from Savills has suggested that, whatever the intentions of initiatives such as Help to Buy and Starter Homes, the reversal in the growth of demand within the private rented sector is unlikely to diminish.   

Furthermore, an analysis of homeownership age by the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows that 64% of households born in either 1960 or 1970 owned their own home by the age of 35; this falls to 44% for those born in 1980 and the prediction is that only 39% of those born in 1990 will own their home by the age of 35.  This coincides with the age at which many young adults are having families, thus increasing demand within the family house market.   

Tara Kelly, Head of Winchester Lettings, says: “Throughout the course of this year, we have seen highest demand for three and four bedroom family homes; on average around half our total applicant base looking to secure a home in the £2,000 to £3,000 price bracket. This also happens to be where we have seen stock levels at the lowest, with very little available new property coming to the market – a situation exacerbated by many taking the decision to renew their current leases. The sales market doesn’t offer tenants a comparable property without a considerable increase in costs from the move and the mortgage.

“We would advise anyone with a three or four bedroom family house who may be considering letting it, to contact us for a free market appraisal. Given that many applicants begin their search two to three months in advance, those considering letting in the spring need to talk to us now.”

For more information, contact the lettings team at Savills Winchester on 01962 841842.…

Occupying a fabulous position close to Winchester’s city centre and the train station, this spacious apartment sits within Hyde Street and forms part of a modern building set back from the road.

The accommodation is well arranged and accessed via a communal entrance hall and staircase to the first floor.

Ideal for occupation by a professional couple, the apartment has two bedrooms and a spacious living room.

Pearsons seeks a monthly rent of £850 and enquiries should be directed to the Winchester branch on 01962 853344.…

Situated on North Walls, this classic Victorian terraced house now benefits from a rear extension which is filled with natural light flooding in from the bi-folding doors to the garden and additional roof lights. This superb room has been designed so that it is open plan to the kitchen, thereby creating a highly desirable family living space with areas for dining, relaxing and homework; in fact, this is the principal part of the home, whatever the lifestyle and dynamics of the residents.

The house also has a separate sitting room at the front with an open fire, sash window and with a door from the lovely entrance hall which has stripped and polished floorboards. There is also a cloakroom with space for a washing machine.

Upstairs the landing is lit by way of a sun tunnel and on this floor are two double bedrooms, both with cast iron fireplaces, and a luxurious four piece bathroom.

The neat front garden has a traditional quarry tiled path with flowers and shrubs to the borders and espalier pear trees create an attractive screen through the summer.

The rear garden has been professionally designed to make the most of the space and includes a raised water feature and paved terrace adjacent to the rear of the house, a gravel path meandering through the lawn to the rear where there is a further seating area with a painted wood garden shed with power installed, and pretty flower and shrub borders.

Situated with easy access to the station and within a level walk to the High Street, this Victorian house has much to offer. Contact Belgarum Estate Agents on 01962 844460 for more details. A price guide of £475,000 is quoted.…

Right to Rent has been widely publicised as the need to check on a tenant’s immigration status with regard to occupying residential property in England.

But Zaza Oswald, partner in charge of residential lettings for Carter Jonas in Hampshire, is warning that in reality it is much more; status checks need to be completed on every adult occupier aged 18 or over for all English tenancies starting on or after 1 February 2016. This also applies to lodgers living with a family and also some holiday lettings.

“The effective date from which to begin checks is January 3, 2016, the start of the 28 day period leading up to February 1 because all checks must be completed in the 28 day period before the tenancy comes into effect,” said Zaza. “In fact we have checked passports and visas for the last 12 months as good practice.

“In the past, a landlord or letting agent might meet the lead tenant and only hear about the others who would be occupying the property. Under the new rules, the landlord or letting agent needs to see every adult occupant who will occupy the property even if they are not named on the tenancy agreement while simultaneously checking immigration status and documentation, which has to be copied and kept with other personal data for a year after the tenancy ends.

“These changes have come about through the Immigration Act 2014 but do not apply to existing occupiers who moved in before the start date. Holiday lets are also exempt except where the letting is for three months or more or where a fixed letting term is then extended.

“The Act makes it a civil offence carrying a penalty of up to £3,000 to let premises to someone (either the tenant or any adult occupying the property with them) who the landlord knows or has reasonable cause to believe does not have the Right to Rent. When the Immigration Bill 2015 passes into law, it creates a criminal offence for persistent failures and this could lead to imprisonment so these rules have serious consequences.

“Given the potential for discrimination, the Government’s code of practice advises that documents should be requested from all potential applicants while refusing a tenant because they have limited right to remain may amount to indirect discrimination.

“Property owners affected by the changes can find more information via the gov.uk website.”…

There’s so much that appeals about a property new on the market in Old Bedhampton that it’s a job to know where to start. With its many historic features The Old Rectory and its coach house gain two separate Grade II listings from Historic England.

“Georgian rectories were often the village meeting place, with the result they had space for both the rector’s working commitments and his often large family,” explains Colin Shairp, of Fine and Country Southern Hampshire.

“Rectors were frequently wealthy in their own right or through patronage so their grand homes were not out of place. With the impressive coach house to one side, the Rector obviously had good transport for the period – probably the equivalent of a modern vicar who manages to do his parish rounds in a Bentley!

“The grounds of about 0.76 of an acre lie behind a high wall rising to form a Gothic arch gateway opening onto the flagstone path at the end of which is the original front door set in a projecting porch with a portico front and a stone fan design over the semi-circular fanlight window. This sits well in the balanced front with its five window design set beneath a cornice and parapet which hides the pitched roof with three dormers for the second floor rooms.

“Altogether, the house offers eight bedrooms, all of them doubles and the master a truly impressive bed chamber. Five are on the first floor along with two bathrooms while the other three are on the second floor, where there is extensive storage in a separate loft room.

“The Old Rectory also has six distinct living areas across the ground floor and cellar with a further three rooms. High ceilings and sash windows add to the feeling of space.

“Over recent years, a programme of modernisation has taken place bringing the house into the 21st Century but naturally sensitive to the many features that make this such an outstanding property.

“Commuting from here is relatively straightforward, with good road and rail access. But, subject to gaining listed building consent, using the coach house as the base for an office conversion might also be feasible and is an option certainly worth exploring.”

Guide price is £1.65 million. For more information, contact Fine and Country Southern Hampshire on 023 93 277 277 or email drayton@fineandcountry.com…

Willowbrook is a delightful detached cottage in the village of Timsbury which has been extended in a sympathetic fashion to now present a spacious family home. The ground floor is particularly well suited to a bustling family lifestyle as well as to entertaining and the whole house is full of character with wood burning stoves, exposed floorboards and lovely views of and access to the garden from the living areas.

The entrance hall has been opened up to a former reception room and is a lovely welcoming space with a fireplace. The dual aspect sitting room lies to one side and has French doors to a pleasant south easterly aspect. The open plan kitchen lies at the heart of the home and not only has excellent fitted units but also plenty of space for dining and relaxing. There are also double doors through to a conservatory which provides additional sitting space with lovely views over the garden. A small study with a window to the front is a useful space and there is also a utility room and cloakroom.

On the first floor there are four bedrooms including a master with its own shower room, and a family bathroom.

Externally the property benefits from a private driveway with plenty of parking and leading to the attached oak framed garage. To the rear of the property is a lovely enclosed garden laid out to include a paved terrace and level area of lawn interspersed with shrubs.

Timsbury is a popular village situated between the market towns of Romsey and despite the semi-rural location, there is good access to the M27, M3 and A36 road network.

A guide price of £750,000 is quoted by Hamptons and enquiries should be directed to the Winchester office on 01962 842030.…