UK Property News

Landlords need to pay meticulous attention to detail to keep pace with legal changes that have followed deregulation.

That’s the advice of Zaza Oswald, partner in charge of lettings for Carter Jonas in Hampshire, who explains that under the latest changes to lettings law a variety of problems with maintenance, serving statutory documentation, and fitting safety alarms is now faced by landlords in the residential lettings sector.

“It is imperative that landlords stay on top of their legal obligations for maintenance and that they liaise closely with their managing agents,” explains Zaza.

“October 1 became a key date for landlords, bringing about the introduction of new regulations on the fitting of both smoke alarms and CO detectors that have already been widely publicised.

“But the rules with regard to Section 21 notices for possession of properties also saw important changes with the Government determining that a proscribed form of notice must now be used. The wording on this underwent last minute changes and landlords need to be aware of which form to use if they are to successfully seek repossession.

“At the same time, laws governing so-called retaliatory evictions were introduced under section 33 of the Deregulation Act 2015 with the result that landlords must follow the correct procedures with regard to property maintenance and dealing with issues raised by tenants.

“Private landlords have protection – for instance if the tenant can be shown as the cause of the poor condition of their home, either from positively damaging the property or omission – but the burden of proof is on the landlord. If it can be genuinely shown the property is on the market for sale there is also an exemption

“The law also now stipulates that at the start of the tenancy, the landlord or letting agent must give the tenant details of where and how the deposit is held and copies of both the EPC and, where applicable, the gas safety certificate and the Government’s eight page booklet ‘How to Rent: the checklist for renting in England’ which is only available electronically and has to be printed at the landlord’s expense to be handed over each time. It is important to keep evidence of the serving of this paperwork.

“Landlords should attend to maintenance, essential to safeguard their investment, and ensure that they keep records. Paperwork is where most people fall down rather than property condition. With so much on which to focus, particularly now that immigration checks on tenants will be required from 1 February 2016, employing a competent letting and managing agent has probably never been more important if landlords want to keep control of their property.”…

This spacious detached Georgian house abounds with period features and is constructed of brick and flint banded elevations with a rendered and colour washed façade. Sitting within good size gardens in Weyhill near Andover there are good local amenities with excellent connections to commuter routes.

The Cottage does not carry a listing which will appeal to those who might wish to make alterations to further enhance the accommodation. The layout conforms to a classic design with elegant reception rooms flanking the impressive reception hall at the front which has exposed timber framing and a beautiful black and white marble tiled floor which extends into the dining room. In fact there are three well proportioned reception rooms, all with fireplaces and the sitting and drawing rooms with oak floors.

The kitchen/breakfast room has a more modern feel with stylish maple units and polished granite work surfaces with plenty of space for relaxed dining. Exposed floorboards and French doors to the garden add to the appeal. Also accessed from the rear hall is the utility room, which links with the kitchen, a cloakroom, a door and stairs to the oval, brick lined wine cellar, and a door to the garden.

A fine staircase rises to the split level first floor landing where a sash window to the front elevation lights a spacious study or reading area with a part vaulted ceiling and exposed timbers. This bonus area has doors to two double bedrooms both with double wardrobes.

The master bedroom is approached from the rear landing and is double aspect with plenty of storage including a walk-in closet. This bedroom has its own bathroom with the other three bedrooms sharing the family bathroom.

Approached at the front via a service lane there is off road parking with the remainder of the front garden enclosed with planted borders around a paved area. At the rear a paved terrace has steps with rose borders to further paving around a heated swimming pool with a lavender border to one side. This leads onto a large level lawn with deep, well stocked borders and mature trees. At the far end an established box hedge conceals an area which is ideal as a vegetable garden with fruit trees, a timber shed and a compost area.

Evans & Partridge invites offers in the region of £550,000 and enquiries should be directed to the Stockbridge office on 01264 810702.…

Five new detached houses at Wistaria in Medstead is the latest example of Hazeley Development’s niche projects in Hampshire. Their designs optimise space, exploit natural light and wholeheartedly embrace sustainability in materials and construction methods, resulting in highly desirable homes that are a joy to live in.

Each house is different both on the external style and on internal layouts but essentially provide excellent ground floor living space with four good bedrooms on the first floor accompanied by smart bath and shower rooms with sleek tiling and quality fittings. Kitchens include a full range of integrated appliances and all extend into a conservatory style space ideal for dining or relaxing and with glazed doors to the east facing gardens.

Beautifully paved terraces lead onto lawns with hedges to the boundaries at the rear. There is plenty of space between the houses and each house has at least one garage with additional parking, with the houses at each end of the row having detached double garages, one with an external staircase to a useful storeroom above.

Jonathan Humphrey of Hazeley Developments says: “We are very pleased with the progress of this project and the first homes are on schedule to be completed in November. The houses are set back off the road and once the paraphernalia of construction has been cleared, the landscaping at the front will provide a lovely setting and all five homes have lovely open aspects over countryside at the rear.

“The layouts work really well with the open plan glazed areas of the kitchens creating a distinctive feature in each house and providing wonderfully light living space suitable for a variety of uses depending on the lifestyle of the residents. It is easy to imagine bustling family mealtimes as well as quieter times of day when there may be time for a cup of coffee and a flick through the newspaper.”

The village of Medstead, has a church, public house, primary school, local shops and a number of clubs and societies, all contributing to a sense of community. Four Marks, Alresford and Alton are all within an easy drive.

The houses are well priced in the market ranging from £775,000 to £850,000 and appointments to view can be made by calling Charters in Alton on 01420 87666.…

Sutton Scotney is a popular village with good local amenities and, best of all, has an easy run into Winchester. Surrounded by pretty villages with a network of footpaths between fields, through countryside and alongside streams and rivers, this is an idyllic location to bring up a family and to enjoy a country lifestyle without being too far from civilisation.

This detached newly built cottage is well designed with a spacious sitting room, complete with wood burning stove, and bi folding doors to a lovely decked area on the western side; and an open plan kitchen/dining room on the other side of the entrance hall with glazed doors on the easterly aspect to the garden.

A third room on the ground floor is ideal as a study or additional bedroom and there is also an adjacent shower room.

Upstairs are two double bedrooms and the main bathroom.

Outside there is off road parking and an enclosed garden with a raised deck looking across the garden with trees as a backdrop.

This is a wonderfully light house and although is complete and ready to move in to, it is also a blank canvas and so represents an opportunity for the purchasers to make their own mark. The garden is particularly appealing with east and west facing aspects which could be enclosed by hedging to create private spaces and with additional planting for interest. This could be a fascinating project and one to highly personalise the outside space at this new cottage.

The cottage falls within catchment for South Wonston Primary School, just the next village along, and Henry Beaufort Secondary School on the edge of Winchester.

Charters quotes a guide price of £429,950 and enquiries should be directed to the Winchester office on 01962 830880,…

Beautifully presented internally with muted, chalky tones, contrasted by wooden floors and open fireplaces, this lovely home in Egbert Road is also superbly situated for access to the train station and the wealth of shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, cinema, theatres and other leisure amenities which await discovery in Winchester.

The two original reception rooms have been opened up to provide one long living space but still with separate areas for sitting and dining, each with an open fireplace and with a wooden floor flowing throughout. The fabulous kitchen has been extended to include a breakfast area with glazed doors to the garden and there is a full range of appliances incorporated into the cream units.

The large bedroom across the front of the house is a lovely room lit by three sash windows which catch the morning sun and there is a second good size bedroom on this floor together with a stunning family bathroom with twin basins, bath and separate shower. A third double bedroom has been created from the loft space accessed via a staircase from the landing.

The garden at the rear enjoys the midday and afternoon sunshine and is simply laid out for ease of maintenance with a lawn and shrub borders.

Available on an unfurnished basis from the middle of November at a monthly rent of £2,500, Charters will be happy to provide further details and to arrange a personal inspection of this beautifully presented home. Call the office on 01962 830880.…

15 lets and 4 sales exchanged in the last four weeks with more in the pipeline is a record for The Country House Company.

Kate Morton, Head of Lettings said:

“This has certainly been a most exciting four week period for lettings. Traditionally we get a rush of tenancies agreed during September as the holidays end and families make their arrangements for the new school year. We are delighted to see that level of activity has continued through to the end of September and beginning of October. Some of the houses have received more than one offer and with applicants still registering and market appraisals booked we could be heading for a record autumn!!”

Patrick Glynn-Jones, Head of Sales is equally delighted with his team and commented:

“The investment we have made in the sales division here at The Country House Company is beginning to deliver some really good results for our clients. The increasing profile that we have achieved in Hampshire and West Sussex over the last few months, with our Downsizer event and other carefully considered campaigns that address the specific conditions of the market, are allowing us to reach more prospective clients and demonstrate how we work as specialists in a crowded industry. Not all agents are the same.”

The Country House Company, established across Hampshire and West Sussex for over twenty years, specialises in the sale, letting and management of quality houses.

Patrick concludes: “Many of our client relationships begin some years before a move but others are more spontaneous when hearing about our current successes. If you would like a free, no obligation, market appraisal for sales or lettings please contact either myself or Kate on 023 9263 2275 or email patrick@countryhousecompany.co.uk or kate@countryhousecompany.co.uk .”…