EXPERT PROPERTY SURVEYING SERVICES THAT SPECIFICALLY CATER TO NORTH WEST LONDON AND HARROW

A client recently instructed us to provide a probate valuation for a three-bedroom leasehold flat located in West Hampstead, NW6. The property was situated within a conservation area. Our senior surveyor, Steve Hobbs, attended the property to assess its current condition, which he noted to be fair for its age and type. As part of the valuation process, Steve measured the internal floor area, reviewed the layout, and examined the property’s features.

Back at his desk, Steve identified comparable sales in the surrounding area and made considered adjustments to reflect differences in size, condition, and location, ensuring that the final valuation figure was accurate and well supported. The completed report set out the comparables and clearly presented the reasoning, offering transparency for use in probate and tax purposes.

The client later left a review praising the service as “superb,” describing the report as “succinct and easy to understand.”

A client approached us in October 2023 for a lease extension valuation on their property in Hampstead NW6 as that property had fallen below the 80 year mark within the last year. At this lease length marriage value is payable but the client had no particular urgency to sell the property and wanted to know how the proposed leasehold reforms could affect the price paid for an extension.

Matthew Price MRICS undertook the evaluation, and provided the client with a figure under the current legislation and another on the basis that the reforms are enacted. Given that the average time to formally extend a lease is 9 months to a year, notice can be served and negotiations will unfold across 2024 at the same time the reform legislation works its way through Parliament.

The client stated: “I was very happy with the service provided by Matthew and the team for a recent property valuation required for a lease extension.”

Our surveyor, Callum Escott, was appointed by an adjoining owner in Edgware, HA8, to act on his behalf in resolving a party wall dispute. The building owner was proposing rear extension and loft works. The adjoining owner raised concerns about his own existing extension, stating that it was experiencing subsidence and that he was worried that the building owner’s excavation works could worsen the issue. Callum recognised that it was therefore important for the party wall award to take this matter into careful consideration to prevent any further damage.

Upon reviewing the notice served to the adjoining owner, Callum identified that the architectural drawings provided were incorrect. He alerted the building owner’s surveyor, and as a result, the award could not be finalised until accurate drawings were received. While awaiting the corrected plans, the building owner began works on the party wall without the award in place. Callum, through effective communication with the building owner’s surveyor, ensured that any works notifiable under the Act were stopped, allowing only non-notifiable works to proceed.

In a review, the adjoining owner praised the resolution process and said he would “highly recommend” our services.

We were instructed by a returning client to carry out a Red Book Valuation report for a modern two-bedroom flat located in Hendon, NW9, which the client was preparing to sell. The property formed part of a recently built estate, approximately less than five years old, which made the valuation slightly challenging due to a limited number of comparable sales in the area. Despite this, our surveyor, Matthew Price, used relevant sources along with his professional expertise and judgement to produce a well-reasoned and reliable valuation.

The initial valuation was carried out in October 2024, but as the property did not sell within the standard three-month validity period, the client returned to us for updated valuations. On completion of the reports, Matthew supplied the client with a copy and also submitted it directly to Homes England on her behalf, ensuring a seamless process.

With clear communication throughout the process the client felt supported from start to finish. In her review, the client described the service she received as “outstanding” and commended Matthew’s professionalism.