Latest blog posts

Of all taxes, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is one of the more debatable (and liked) as it significantly slows the pace at which the housing market can operate. It is particularly restrictive on first-time buyers who make a significant contribution to a functioning market. Less first time buyers, less second-time buyers to buy their next property, ... Read more >>

One of the most common reasons for leaseholders wanting to extend their leases is the need to sell. A property's value decreases along with the lease, with a 70-year lease worth around 90% of a 100-year lease, whilst a 60-year lease is more like 80%. The basic mathematics of the lease extension process means that the cost of extending, plus ... Read more >>

It has been 100 days since Boris Johnson announced in a televised address, that the UK was to go into lockdown. At the time, Peter Barry Surveyors were quick to act and implement working practices that protected our clients and our staff with the wider scope for desktop studies for lease extensions and freehold acquisitions being a perfect ... Read more >>

This is perhaps the most uncertain and unpredictable time since the Second World War. The scale of the impact of Covid-19 on global economies, financial markets and, as a result, housing markets is beyond the scope of anything the world’s population has experienced in living memory.  Stock markets have lurched lower worldwide. Even bond markets ... Read more >>

At Peter Barry, we undertake valuations for a range of purposes. Taxation, accounting and the more unfortunate probate or divorce. All of our procedures and reports must conform to the RICS Valuation - Global Standards or 'Red Book'.The current COVID situation has caused huge disruption to every industry including the surveying world. The ... Read more >>

As we all adjust to the new reality of home working everyone is having to adjust the way they do business. Residential surveying is founded on the need to visit and inspect people's homes and properties, but there are many types of work that with small adjustments can still function remotely. Desktop Reports A report for a lease extension can be ... Read more >>

Here at Peter Barry, we have been very aware of our obligations to our clients, staff and the Country given that our job involves visiting people's homes and properties.Our Managing Director Justin Burns outlined our procedures and introduced Risk Management Plans for all work types on 16th March.  By the end of that week, we were able to ... Read more >>