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ROCHESTER ROW POLICE STATION SOLD TO FAIRPOINT PROPERTIES The Metropolitan Police Authority, advised by DTZ Residential, has sold the former Rochester Row Police Station, SW1 to specialist residential developer Fairpoint Properties Ltd, a joint venture between FairBriar PLC and CPL (UK) Ltd. The former Rochester Row Police Station, Magistrates Court and associated buildings in Vincent Square, London, SW1, are to be converted into luxury residential properties. The development will provide about 70 one, t

By Des Taylor An interesting case found its way to the Court of Appeal earlier this summer which perhaps contains a few lessons for the unwary. The Appellant was an entrepreneur involved in property development who bought a building and converted it into 13 self contained flats. The building had an existing central oil-fired boiler but the Appellant did not think that was feasible in the context of 13 individually owned flats and he wanted a boiler in each flat. He rejected 13 separate oil tanks for eac

CDC2020’s new collection of 14, two-bedroom apartments in Lovelace Road, one of Surbiton’s most established tree-lined avenues, is bringing real style to modern suburbia. With the official opening of the show apartment on 25th October and with only ten properties remaining, it is time to take a closer look behind the doors of Albany House. Esther Thompson, interior designer for Vogue Interiors who designed the show apartment says: “The main theme of the scheme focuses on a modern, fresh colour pallet, the

They say wherever you are in the UK, you are never more than 9 metres away from a rat. It was only when speaking with a pest control officer that the extent of the problem became clear - rats have inhabited every part of the capital. Rats have proliferated at an alarming rate in the last five years with the rat population increasing by 53 per cent. Global warming and this summer’s heat wave have caused rat problems to explode nationwide but especially in London. Experts estimate that there are now 60 mi

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