Latest blog posts

In recent months we have, on more than one occasion, been asked to undertake reviews of valuations undertaken by other valuers following concerns raised by the clients as to their accuracy. In these circumstances it’s not unusual to find that the valuation under scrutiny leaves something to be desired. It is also not unusual to find that the ... Read more >>

Registered charities must obtain an RICS Red Book valuation from a suitably qualified Chartered Surveyor before entering into a transaction for disposal. This includes selling, letting and also the granting of new rights.  Sections 117 to 121 of the Charities Act 2011 outline the procedure that ensures the disposal is on the best terms reasonably ... Read more >>

Licenses covering access over adjoining owners' properties, whether they be for a scaffold, hoarding or crane over sail will include a number of common clauses relating to the principle of access with further clauses specific to the purpose of the access. A typical Licence should contain clauses relating to the following: The duration of ... Read more >>

Where access requires the express consent of an adjoining owner, such as to erect scaffolding and a hoarding as part of a demolition programme, there are no statutory timescales but there are many benefits to an early approach. In some cases, the scheme is simply not viable without access so if there’s an adjoining owner who will not allow it ... Read more >>

One of the most well known and widely used surveying standards are technically named “Red Book” Valuations or RICS valuations. You may be asked to arrange for a Chartered Surveyor to undertake a Red book valuation by your solicitor for a range of purposes - Taxation, Probate, Matrimonial, Shared Ownership, Court Proceedings or even ... Read more >>

What exactly is it? Asbestos is a natural, fibrous mineral that was generally used as a building material in the UK between the 1950s and 1980s. It was mined in the far-east, Africa and South America before the fibres were woven into fabrics or mixed into cement. Asbestos was used because it is strong, sound absorbent and fireproof, thus ... Read more >>

Being legal documents, party wall notices must be ‘served’ and the acceptable methods of service are set out is section 15 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Service by Hand Sometimes our clients prefer to hand deliver their party wall notices as it gives them an opportunity to add a personal touch to the legal process. However, the Act ... Read more >>