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With the present housing market in a stagnate state, sellers and buyers of property are more prepared to negotiate hard to secure that elusive sale or dream purchase. First time buyers, finding it more difficult than ever before to tiptoe onto the property ladder, are being offered cheap mortgage financing as an inducement to taking the plunge. By contrast, at the top of the ladder, sellers of high value properties are dropping their prices (sometimes by as much as £250,000) in order to generate interest

Following the launch of St James’ latest Docklands' development, 'The Light House', over 40% of the apartments have been sold off plan. The scheme has attracted a diverse range of purchasers and has proved particularly popular with investors, who anticipate capital growth. The completion of 'The Light House' in 2005 coincides with the opening of Barclays' new offices in Churchill Place, adjacent to Canada Square. 'The Light House' is a collection of 85 one, two and three bedroom apartments, including pent

I have been following Cornel Chin's excellent series of exercises in the 'No gym workout' section of your magazine. Although I have found his exercises to be very effective in building tone and strength to my body, what can Cornel suggest for helping me to improve my overall stamina without going to a gym. At present, I do some skipping and jogging on the spot for about 15 minutes, but have recently received complaints about the noise I make from my neighbour below. His suggestions would be most welcome.P

With at least six pieces of landlord and tenant legislation, a sixty page code of practice and all the complex covenants contained in a lease, the management of long leasehold blocks of flats is not an easy task, and is now set to become even more challenging as the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 is gradually introduced by the government. Recognising this changing and challenging world of block management, the 8th Annual Conference run by the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)

Suppose the flat above you is occupied by leaseholders who make a lot of noise, stamp around on the ceiling late at night, play loud music and generally make life unpleasant. Or, suppose the next door flat is notorious for having lots of visitors often into the early hours of the morning that can be disturbing with doors opening and shutting. Perhaps these are the reasons why you wish to sell. You then get from your Solicitor what is called a ‘Seller’s Property Information Form’ (SPIF). It will ask you ab

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 received the Royal Assent on 1st May 2002. One of the new provisions that will shortly be in force is the ability of leaseholders to take over the management of their own buildings. There is now a statutory Right to Manage for long leaseholders. Most managing agents do their job reasonably well and most landlords have a sense of responsibility and do their best to look after their buildings – after all they have a lot to lose otherwise. However, complaints ha

I put my flat on the market through a local agent whom I instructed as a sole agent. It appears they told a sub agent about my flat and one of their clients approached me and we agreed a selling price. Now the agents I instructed first want me to pay them a commission but I don't think they did anything to help the sale. Am I liable?Shelly Knight, W5 Regrettably it looks as if you are liable because the information the sub agent received originated from your instructed agent without which a sale would not

If outdoor space is a prerequisite when looking for a home in the capital the magnificent three- bedroom, three-bathroom luxury penthouse at Kensington Westside offers over 750 sqft of terrace space. Perfect for dining al-fresco on balmy summer evenings, the extensive lower balcony, reached via double height glazed doors from all of the three bedrooms, provides stunning views of the London skylines. The second terrace, located on the floor above can be reached via the open plan living/dining room. If the

The Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 allows Tenants of qualifying flats to collectively purchase the freehold of their block. This Act has now been amended by the Commonhold and Reform Act 2002 and this provides that not less than 50% of the qualifying Lessees must participate in the acquisition. A qualifying Lessee is a Lessee who has owned the Lease of a self contained flat within the block, the Lease being for not less than 21 years from the date of grant. In addition each qualif

Art Deco style, contemporary design with unusual features as standard, characterise Guys Court, in Gibson Drive, West Malling, Kent. Guys Court, developed by specialist developer John Walker Developments and Sunley holdings, offers 14 apartments and two penthouses arranged over four storeys in a central location at Kings Hill villages on the former West Mlling airfield. Gibson Drive was formally the main entrance road to the airfield, named by the RAF after Wing Commander Guy Gibson, leader of the ‘Dambus

I have recently moved into a new block and think that there is a man on the same floor as me who seems to leave his flat at the same time as me so that he takes the elevator with me. He then tries to chat me up and I am just not interested. It’s quite a worry because I am a young woman living on my own. What can I do?Name and address witheld Be sure that this gentleman is really timing his departures to coincide with yours. If you are worried that he may have an unwanted attraction to you, you should try

By Arti Lukha Livingstone is one of the great political survivors. Cast adrift when Margaret Thatcher axed the Greater London Council he had led for five years, Red Ken swam against the tide in New Labour, his hopes of holding prominent office sinking fast. Then came an unlikely lifeline in the London Mayoral race. He stood against his own party and won with 58 per cent of the popular vote. Naturally he has made enemies along the way, has failed to regain admittance to the Labour party and lost his court