{"id":12541,"date":"2017-10-19T09:44:03","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T09:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/?p=12541"},"modified":"2018-02-13T06:44:51","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T06:44:51","slug":"this-weeks-hottest-property-news-20-10-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/this-weeks-hottest-property-news-20-10-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"This Week&#8217;s Hottest Property News &#8211; 20.10.2017"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- SEO Ultimate Plus (https:\/\/seoultimateplus.com) - Code Inserter module -->\n<script async>(function(s,u,m,o,j,v){j=u.createElement(m);v=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];j.async=1;j.src=o;j.dataset.sumoSiteId='b68b392479b5981b8acf46565e9fe32a0734fc21a1f7c1e60121eaa6ca1a1c64';v.parentNode.insertBefore(j,v)})(window,document,'script','\/\/load.sumo.com\/');<\/script>\n<!-- \/SEO Ultimate Plus -->\n\n<h1>Don&#8217;t let the energy efficiency standards leave you with &#8216;unrentable&#8217; properties &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landlordtoday.co.uk\/breaking-news\/2017\/10\/dont-let-the-energy-efficiency-standards-leave-you-with-unrentable-properties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LandlordToday.com<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12542\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12542\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards.jpg\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"400\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards-260x202.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards-100x78.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards-150x116.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards-200x155.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Energy-Efficiency-Standards-300x233.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12542\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.landlordtoday.co.uk\/breaking-news\/2017\/10\/dont-let-the-energy-efficiency-standards-leave-you-with-unrentable-properties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Landlords now is the time to make sure your <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Property\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/property\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/property;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.05wrt;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Property\" >properties<\/a> are compliant before the new MEES legislation is brought in. You have been warned!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are now only six months until the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are implemented \u2013 a sweeping change due in April 2018, that will rule out any new or renewed <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"leasing\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/lease\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/lease;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.03x_d3f;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Lease\" >leases<\/a> on commercial property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G.<\/p>\n<p>Time is running out and <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Landlord\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/landlord\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/landlord;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.02mx_6;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Landlord\" >landlords<\/a> with commercial portfolios would be well advised to prepare carefully, or risk losing out on potentially significant amounts of rental income.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some key tips to help protect you from inadvertently allowing your property to become \u2018unrentable\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.landlordtoday.co.uk\/breaking-news\/2017\/10\/dont-let-the-energy-efficiency-standards-leave-you-with-unrentable-properties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>Generation X spending THREE times what baby boomers did doing THIS to their homes &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/property\/867903\/Ikea-home-product-decoration-pinterest-small-house-ideas?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-property-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Property+Feed%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daily Express<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12544\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12544\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12544\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes.jpg\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"590\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes-260x154.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes-100x59.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes-150x89.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes-200x119.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Generation-X-Spending-on-Their-Homes-450x267.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12544\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/property\/867903\/Ikea-home-product-decoration-pinterest-small-house-ideas?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-property-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Property+Feed%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>While the Millennial generation below them are unable to save for a deposit, Generation X are splashing their cash to beautify their <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Home\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/home\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/home;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01l0mw;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Home\" >homes<\/a> and are smashing records in doing so.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s generation spends three times more money beautifying their homes than their parents did 30 years ago, Ikea has revealed.<\/p>\n<p>Britons are increasingly more enthusiastic about interior design and men in their thirties are now the most passionate about making their home look beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>The average Brit spent \u00a3886 last year redecorating their home, with those in their thirties typically splashing out a whopping \u00a31,364 on home-decor.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/property\/867903\/Ikea-home-product-decoration-pinterest-small-house-ideas?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-property-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Property+Feed%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>PROPERTY CLINIC: Is it worth converting my buy-to-let properties to short-term holiday lets? &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/property\/article-4974370\/Worth-converting-buy-let-properties-holiday-lets.html?ITO=1490&amp;ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daily Mail Online<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12547\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12547\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12547\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-260x173.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Turning-BTL-into-Holiday-Lets.jpg 634w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12547\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/property\/article-4974370\/Worth-converting-buy-let-properties-holiday-lets.html?ITO=1490&amp;ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><strong>Thinking of making the change from <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Buy to let\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/buy-to-let\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/buy_to_let;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.083ycg;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Buy_to_let\" >Buy-To-Let<\/a> to Holiday Let? To make it a smooth transition, find out mortgage brokers John Charcol&#8217;s top tips on pulling it off.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Turning it into a holiday let means you may be able to up the <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"rental\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/renting\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/renting;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01y857;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Renting\" >rent<\/a> you pull in and benefit from a more generous tax regime following the reduction of the tax relief on mortgage interest that landlords with longer term <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Leasehold estate\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/leasehold-estate\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/leasehold_estate;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.03jg1x;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Leasehold_estate\" >tenants<\/a> can claim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But be aware that the process might not be as simple as you think. For example, you need to make sure you are not breaching the <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Contractual term\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/contractual-term\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/contractual_term;http:\/\/yago-knowledge.org\/resource\/Contractual_term;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.02rfhkx;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Contractual_term\" >terms<\/a> of your <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Mortgage loan\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/mortgage-loan\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/mortgage_loan;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.0273t5w;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Mortgage_loan\" >mortgage<\/a> as you could face paying a fine or even end up risking a demand for repayment of the mortgage within a month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Follow these top tips from mortgage brokers John Charcol to help navigate your way through the options&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/property\/article-4974370\/Worth-converting-buy-let-properties-holiday-lets.html#ixzz4vwcFHrie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"content__headline\">Government plans crackdown on &#8216;overpriced&#8217; property service charges &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money\/2017\/oct\/18\/government-property-service-charges-leaseholders-tenants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Guardian<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12549\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12549\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12549\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-600x360.jpg\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-260x156.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-100x60.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-150x90.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-200x120.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges-450x270.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Plans-to-stop-overpriced-service-charges.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12549\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money\/2017\/oct\/18\/government-property-service-charges-leaseholders-tenants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Finally the government are discussing the <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"prices\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/price\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/price;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01d_1l;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Price\" >overpriced<\/a> service charge issue which has plagued UK homeowners and tenants\u00a0 for years, as we eagerly await a verdict in favour of fair and realistic costs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Proposals to crack down on \u201coverpriced\u201d service charges and \u201cunfair\u201d costs paid by renters and leaseholders in England have been unveiled by the government.<\/p>\n<p>Sajid Javid, the communities secretary, said ministers were considering changing the law to create a fairer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-management\" title=\"Property Management\">property management<\/a> system and make it easier to outlaw \u201crogue\u201d letting and management agents.<\/p>\n<p>The planned crackdown is the latest series of measures relating to tenants and leaseholders. In July the government proposed\u00a0<a class=\"u-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money\/2017\/jul\/25\/leaseholds-new-build-houses-england-banned-ground-rent-flats\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a complete ban<\/a>\u00a0on the sale of newly-built <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"House\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/house\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/house;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.03jm5;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/House\" >houses<\/a> as leasehold in England, alongside restrictions on ground rents that could limit them to as low as zero. And in late 2016 ministers announced proposals to\u00a0<a class=\"u-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2016\/nov\/22\/philip-hammond-letting-fees-ban-autumn-statement-affordable-housing\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">ban letting fees for tenants<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money\/2017\/oct\/18\/government-property-service-charges-leaseholders-tenants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>Grand Designs: You&#8217;ll NEVER believe what this house that took 16 YEARS to build looks like &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/property\/868124\/grand-designs-2017-kevin-mccloud-peak-district-earth-shelter?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-property-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Property+Feed%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Daily Express<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12546\" style=\"width: 595px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12546\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12546\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House.png\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"585\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House.png 585w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House-260x148.png 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House-100x57.png 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House-150x85.png 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House-200x114.png 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House-450x256.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12546\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/property\/868124\/grand-designs-2017-kevin-mccloud-peak-district-earth-shelter?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-property-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Property+Feed%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>This staggering Grand Designs house took an agonising 16 years to create, but the finished product is absolutely stunning and self-sufficient producing its own energy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GRAND DESIGNS headed to the Peak District this week to follow one couple\u2019s journey to build a dream home on a 30 degree slope. The final bill reached a staggering \u00a31million, and the time it took to build was years longer than expected.<\/p>\n<p>After 15 years of saving and planning, ecologist Fred and communications manager Saffron Baker began work on their new family home in a village in the Peak District.<\/p>\n<p>But their plans to transform a \u00a3100,000 former dairy into an \u201cearth shelter\u201d built into a limestone hill was quickly met with difficulties.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/property\/868124\/grand-designs-2017-kevin-mccloud-peak-district-earth-shelter?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-property-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Property+Feed%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>Government proposes new watchdog to police leasehold &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/property\/news\/government-proposes-new-watchdog-police-leasehold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Telegraph<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12550\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12550\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12550\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-600x375.jpeg\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-600x375.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-260x163.jpeg 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-100x63.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-150x94.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-200x125.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-300x188.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-450x281.jpeg 450w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister-900x563.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Housing-Minister.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12550\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/property\/news\/government-proposes-new-watchdog-police-leasehold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The government have been targeting the property industry in recent weeks, as another\u00a0<\/strong><strong>new proposal emerges regarding regulation for the leasehold side of the <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Market (economics)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/market-economics\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/market_economics;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Market_(economics)\" >market<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"m_first-letter m_first-letter--flagged\">A\u00a0<\/span>new independent watchdog may be established by the Government to better protect the interests of leaseholders and tenants.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Sajid Javid, the communities minister, published a document seeking views on how to protect people living in around four million leasehold homes across Britain.<\/p>\n<p>Services charges, levied by property management companies, have reached \u00a33.5bn a year, the Government said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/property\/news\/government-proposes-new-watchdog-police-leasehold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title sub-heading\">The most haunted houses that you can visit in England and Wales &#8211;\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.countrylife.co.uk\/architecture\/the-most-haunted-houses-in-england-and-wales-20498\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Country Life<\/a><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_12551\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12551\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12551\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-600x381.jpg\" alt=\"Image source\" width=\"600\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-600x381.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-260x165.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-100x63.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-150x95.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-200x127.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK-450x286.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Haunted-Houses-in-UK.jpg 630w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12551\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.countrylife.co.uk\/architecture\/the-most-haunted-houses-in-england-and-wales-20498\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>With Halloween just around the corner, Country Life magazine has shortlisted their top rated stately homes with things that go bump in the night. But are you brave enough to visit them?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Every self-respecting country house is in need of a ghost. Sceptic and believer are both in happy agreement on this point, and if owners and guides are to be believed, they are very rarely disappointed: the ghostless stately home or castle seems a great rarity.<\/p>\n<p>But if you fancy trying to spot a ghost yourself, bagging an invite to a haunted pile might not be all that easy \u2013 thankfully, there are plenty of (supposedly) ghost-ridden places open to the public \u2013 many through the National Trust.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s our pick of haunted places that you can visit, all of which have a fascinating story to tell \u2013 even if you\u2019re not lucky\/unlucky enough to run into an other-worldly apparition\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.countrylife.co.uk\/architecture\/the-most-haunted-houses-in-england-and-wales-20498#8zUKaL73dgkL2QUO.99\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Don&#8217;t let the energy efficiency standards leave you with &#8216;unrentable&#8217; properties &#8211; LandlordToday.com Landlords now is the time to make sure your properties are compliant before the new MEES legislation is brought in. You have been warned! There are now<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/this-weeks-hottest-property-news-20-10-2017\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":12546,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wl_entities_gutenberg":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"wl_entity_type":[602],"modified_by":null,"_wl_alt_label":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Grand-Designs-Slope-House.png","wl:entity_url":"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/post\/this_weeks_hottest_property_news_-_20-10-2017","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12541"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12541"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14040,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12541\/revisions\/14040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12541"},{"taxonomy":"wl_entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wl_entity_type?post=12541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}