PORTALS Rightmove’s New Homes service
Rightmove has launched Development Microsites, a new service to assist estate agents who market new build developments. The new site feature is based on Rightmove’s revamped New Homes section for property developers, and gives agents significantly better exposure for their new build homes and developments on the Rightmove site. Rightmove Director Miles
TECHNOLOGY
WA Ellis goes for QR codes
Prime Central London agency WA Ellis is now using ‘Quick Response Squares’ on its
advertising and ‘For Sale’ boards. QR Squares allow smartphone users to quickly and easily access information on a particular subject, simply by scanning a barcode-like square with their phone’s camera. Lucy Morton, Managing Partner
at W A Ellis, comments, “People are increasingly relying on their phones to source data. Our new QR Squares are another way for smartphones to make people’s lives easier; they allow people to instantly access a wealth of knowledge on a property without even having to make a call.” “We are proud to adopt QR Squares and keep up with technological advances to provide our customers with the best and most convenient service possible. QR Squares enable users to source information on the move – ideal for our fast paced society and for those who deem spare time as a valuable commodity.”
Shipside comments, “Many of Rightmove’s member agents handle new build developments and this new service offers them a great way to market their developers’ sites.” Development Microsites
provide a space for agents to provide detailed information about each development they are marketing, as well as the properties themselves, including:
• Local area amenities
• Development specification • Lifestyle information
An Advanced Development
• Development opening times • Alternative plots available
Microsite is also available with added features including the ability to add unlimited development imagery, the development’s industry affiliations and offer and incentive stickers. Rightmove’s Head of New Homes, Alex Solomon adds, “The redesign of our New Homes section creates a new way for estate agents to promote their new build developments on Rightmove.”
LETTINGS
Accelerated possessions rise
The number of court cases brought by private landlords increased last year by seven per cent,
DEVELOPMENT £97m of property devalued by
Train noise is set to blight 4,700 homes and £97million could be wiped off property
values as a result. Homeowners are unwittingly buying property that may be blighted by HS2, the proposed national high-speed rail network, according to property search experts Searchflow. Existing Local Authority
search “Con29” only has to identify whether homes are within 200 metres of HS2, placing conveyancers at risk of fury from buyers unwittingly purchasing blighted homes. But if buyers are to avoid getting a nasty shock when work begins, they will need to know if their property is in the vicinity of HS2 – even if it isn’t within the 200-metre radius. The Government has already admitted that the construction and operation of HS2 will cause significant disruption from noise, dust and vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, and
artificial lighting. Of the 22 Local Authorities,
the route runs through, currently only one has said it will be providing any information above and beyond the 200 metres mark offered in Con29. David Kempster, Director of
Searchflow said, “Homebuyers face uncertainty for the next decade and a half. Only small sections of the route will utilise existing railway lines. This is clearly a huge project that will lead to disruption on a corresponding scale. The majority of the route will require new lines and associated works such as tunnels, viaducts, and bridges. HS2’s ‘rail corridor’ could be 200 feet wide in places. It will cost £32 billion to construct. Hundreds of properties will need to be demolished and thousands will be blighted by their proximity to it during the construction process and from disturbance when the line is built – it’s enough to devalue your home significantly.”
but more dramatically, the number of cases for accelerated possession has increased by 37 per cent and is back to levels before the recession. The greatest increases have been in Taunton (56 per cent), and Sevenoaks (52 per cent). Unemployment is 7.7 per cent, growth in the PRS has declined from 2.3 to 1.9 per cent and landlords are taking action to get their properties back. Michael Portman at Let
Insurance Services says, “If your tenant pays the rent late or not at all try to maintain a dialogue to understand their situation, explain that legal action will follow if the arrears are not met. Serve the necessary notices to gain possession as soon as possible whilst maintaining dialogue. If the tenant subsequently pays, the notices can be withdrawn.” The balancing act between the
Landlord and Tenant can be a stressful time for letting agents. If handled correctly it can resolve a potential nightmare without expensive court action. “If your landlord does not have rent and legal expenses insurance, obtaining a court order for possession under section 8 and obtaining a money judgement is expensive and takes 3 or 4 months,“ says Michael. “An alternative would be to try for accelerated possession instead and pursue a money judgement once possession is obtained.”
PROPERTYdrum JUNE 2011 7
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