Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

User:PureInvestor

2019-11-22T17:12:50Z

HopwoodHouse:

[https://www.pureinvestor.co.uk/ Pure Investor] are passionate about property in the UK and internationally and specialise in [https://www.pureinvestor.co.uk/student-property student property investments], [https://www.pureinvestor.co.uk/buy-to-let-property-investment Buy to Let property investment], commercial property investments.

Pure Investor offer a full 360 service that includes buy-to-let mortgages, selling your property and investing into your next project.

The team at Pure Investor work hard to bring their clients the most accurate and up to date information on each project they offer, which includes aftersales and bringing you regular updates on the progress of your development.<br />

A brief guide to UK construction laws

2019-08-28T15:46:31Z

HopwoodHouse:

In the UK, construction is subject to a number of laws, both criminal and civil, which cover a diverse range of activities.

Here, Property Investment Company, [https://www.hopwoodhouse.com/ Hopwood House] provide a brief overview of the main areas of law (as it relates to construction) and the key points relating to them, with a particular emphasis on any laws which are likely to be updated in the near future (because of Brexit or for any other reason).

== Criminal law ==

There are many criminal laws which could, in theory, be applied to the construction industry, however in practical terms, the most likely way a construction company could fall foul of criminal law would be to fail in its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

== Health and safety ==

While the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 remains the single most important piece of legislation in this area, there are countless other regulations of which those involved in construction need to be aware.

At this point in time, a particular mention should be given to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, commonly referred to as ‘the CDM Regulations’.

These collectively transpose European directives on the implementation of minimum requirements at temporary and mobile work sites.

Although they will not be directly impacted by Brexit, it is entirely possible that politicians will see Brexit as an opportunity to update regulations which came about as a result of the EU, in which case, these regulations could be an obvious candidate for change.

== Licenses and consents ==

There are numerous licenses and consents a contractor might need to obtain depending on circumstances, so organizations will need to do their own research on a case-by-case basis.

It is, however, worth pointing out that major building works (both commercial and residential) generally need to comply with Building Regulations and it is anticipated that these will be significantly updated in the near future with an onus on improving safety, especially in residential developments.

== The environment and sustainability ==

The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 already requires there to be an environmental impact assessment before planning permission can be granted for any development which could feasibly have a significant effect on the environment.

Similarly the Building Regulations lay down sustainability criteria for the developments themselves (such as minimum energy requirements).

At this point in time, there seems to be a definite trend towards increasing the environmental and sustainability requirements of businesses in general and so it is at least very possible that the current requirements will be reviewed in the near future.

== Infrastructure and utilities ==

Many developments require there to be arrangements made with local authorities and utility suppliers in order to create appropriate infrastructure for new developments. At this point in time, there is nothing in this area of law which seems particularly likely to be updated any time soon.

== Obligatory requirements ==

This is a fairly broad area, but essentially relates to any terms and conditions imposed or implied by law or mandatory in contracts.

As it is so generic, it is hard to make any specific comments, but, again, there is nothing in this area which jumps out as an obvious candidate for a post-Brexit update.

--[[User:HopwoodHouse|HopwoodHouse]] 16:45, 28 Aug 2019 (BST)

[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Other_legislation]] [[Category:Policy]] [[Category:Regulations]]

A brief guide to UK construction laws

2019-08-28T15:45:24Z

HopwoodHouse:

In the UK, construction is subject to a number of laws, both criminal and civil, which cover a diverse range of activities.

Here is a brief overview of the main areas of law (as it relates to construction) and the key points relating to them, with a particular emphasis on any laws which are likely to be updated in the near future (because of Brexit or for any other reason).

== Criminal law ==

There are many criminal laws which could, in theory, be applied to the construction industry, however in practical terms, the most likely way a construction company could fall foul of criminal law would be to fail in its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

== Health and safety ==

While the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 remains the single most important piece of legislation in this area, there are countless other regulations of which those involved in construction need to be aware.

At this point in time, a particular mention should be given to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, commonly referred to as ‘the CDM Regulations’.

These collectively transpose European directives on the implementation of minimum requirements at temporary and mobile work sites.

Although they will not be directly impacted by Brexit, it is entirely possible that politicians will see Brexit as an opportunity to update regulations which came about as a result of the EU, in which case, these regulations could be an obvious candidate for change.

== Licenses and consents ==

There are numerous licenses and consents a contractor might need to obtain depending on circumstances, so organizations will need to do their own research on a case-by-case basis.

It is, however, worth pointing out that major building works (both commercial and residential) generally need to comply with Building Regulations and it is anticipated that these will be significantly updated in the near future with an onus on improving safety, especially in residential developments.

== The environment and sustainability ==

The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 already requires there to be an environmental impact assessment before planning permission can be granted for any development which could feasibly have a significant effect on the environment.

Similarly the Building Regulations lay down sustainability criteria for the developments themselves (such as minimum energy requirements).

At this point in time, there seems to be a definite trend towards increasing the environmental and sustainability requirements of businesses in general and so it is at least very possible that the current requirements will be reviewed in the near future.

== Infrastructure and utilities ==

Many developments require there to be arrangements made with local authorities and utility suppliers in order to create appropriate infrastructure for new developments. At this point in time, there is nothing in this area of law which seems particularly likely to be updated any time soon.

== Obligatory requirements ==

This is a fairly broad area, but essentially relates to any terms and conditions imposed or implied by law or mandatory in contracts.

As it is so generic, it is hard to make any specific comments, but, again, there is nothing in this area which jumps out as an obvious candidate for a post-Brexit update.

--[[User:HopwoodHouse|HopwoodHouse]] 16:45, 28 Aug 2019 (BST)

[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Other_legislation]] [[Category:Policy]] [[Category:Regulations]]

A brief guide to UK construction laws

2019-08-28T15:44:55Z

HopwoodHouse: Created page with "In the UK, construction is subject to a number of laws, both criminal and civil, which cover a diverse range of activities. Here is a brief overview of the main areas of law (as..."

In the UK, construction is subject to a number of laws, both criminal and civil, which cover a diverse range of activities.

Here is a brief overview of the main areas of law (as it relates to construction) and the key points relating to them, with a particular emphasis on any laws which are likely to be updated in the near future (because of Brexit or for any other reason).

== Criminal law ==

There are many criminal laws which could, in theory, be applied to the construction industry, however in practical terms, the most likely way a construction company could fall foul of criminal law would be to fail in its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

== Health and safety ==

While the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 remains the single most important piece of legislation in this area, there are countless other regulations of which those involved in construction need to be aware.

At this point in time, a particular mention should be given to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, commonly referred to as ‘the CDM Regulations’.

These collectively transpose European directives on the implementation of minimum requirements at temporary and mobile work sites.

Although they will not be directly impacted by Brexit, it is entirely possible that politicians will see Brexit as an opportunity to update regulations which came about as a result of the EU, in which case, these regulations could be an obvious candidate for change.

== Licenses and consents ==

There are numerous licenses and consents a contractor might need to obtain depending on circumstances, so organizations will need to do their own research on a case-by-case basis.

It is, however, worth pointing out that major building works (both commercial and residential) generally need to comply with Building Regulations and it is anticipated that these will be significantly updated in the near future with an onus on improving safety, especially in residential developments.

== The environment and sustainability ==

The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 already requires there to be an environmental impact assessment before planning permission can be granted for any development which could feasibly have a significant effect on the environment.

Similarly the Building Regulations lay down sustainability criteria for the developments themselves (such as minimum energy requirements).

At this point in time, there seems to be a definite trend towards increasing the environmental and sustainability requirements of businesses in general and so it is at least very possible that the current requirements will be reviewed in the near future.

== Infrastructure and utilities ==

Many developments require there to be arrangements made with local authorities and utility suppliers in order to create appropriate infrastructure for new developments. At this point in time, there is nothing in this area of law which seems particularly likely to be updated any time soon.

== Obligatory requirements ==

This is a fairly broad area, but essentially relates to any terms and conditions imposed or implied by law or mandatory in contracts.

As it is so generic, it is hard to make any specific comments, but, again, there is nothing in this area which jumps out as an obvious candidate for a post-Brexit update.

[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Other_legislation]] [[Category:Policy]] [[Category:Regulations]]

User:PureInvestor

2019-08-28T15:40:42Z

HopwoodHouse:

[https://www.hopwoodhouse.com/ Hopwood House] are property investment specialists are one of the UK's leading property investment companies. Hopwood House are passionate about property in the UK and internationally and specialise in student property investments and [https://www.hopwoodhouse.com/buy-to-let-property-investment buy-to-let property investment].<br />

Building Regulations for property investors and developers

2018-09-27T11:08:37Z

HopwoodHouse: Created page with "In the UK, construction is a highly-regulated industry and on the whole that is probably a positive, since it ensures good building standards and therefore safety not just for th..."

In the UK, construction is a highly-regulated industry and on the whole that is probably a positive, since it ensures good building standards and therefore safety not just for the occupants, but also for anyone in the vicinity of any building. It does, however, mean that those involved with construction, be they property investors or developers, do need to understand the legal framework in which the construction industry is legally obliged to operate, so here is a quick guide to what you need to know about building regulations.

Planning permission and building regulations are two sides of the same coin

Planning permission is really more about assessing the impact that the proposed construction will have on other people (and in some cases wildlife) than with the quality of the proposed building itself. Building regulations essentially look at whether or not a specific building is fit for purpose.

Building relations apply in any case of major work

Generally speaking, if you need planning permission, then you will need to follow the building regulations and there are some cases where building regulations will apply even when it is not necessary to receive planning permission. For example, it is not, usually, necessary to get planning permission to insulate a property but the building regulations will still apply.

Building regulations are set out in the “approved documents”

The approved documents are very wide-ranging in scope and can be very technical. The six areas they cover are:

* Definitions
* Good Design
* Design and Construction
* Quality Standards
* Conservation
* Good Practice

Basically you can think of the building regulations as the A to Z of building construction from the perspective of the UK government as enforced by local authorities through the use of Building Control Bodies.

NB: If a contractor is registered with a recognised competent person scheme, it may be possible for them to self-certify some of the building work. At current time, however, this approach tends to be the exception rather than the rule.

The building regulations approval process

There are two stages to the building regulations approval process. The first is the “pre-site approval process” which can take various forms depending on the nature of the work. Property developers will probably follow the “full-plans process”, which is pretty much what its name suggests. The developer will submit the full plans to the relevant authority for approval and will only be able to proceed once the approval is granted.

The second stage is the “on-site approval process”, which essentially involves your build being monitored by a building inspector. On all but the quickest and simplest of builds, you should expect an inspector to visit your site more than once as they will want to nip any problems in the bud and while the aim of this is to pick up on developers taking a liberal interpretation of the planning approval they were granted, it is also to the advantage of responsible developers as it ensures that any mistakes/misunderstandings will be picked up early, when they should be easiest to rectify.

--[[User:HopwoodHouse|HopwoodHouse]] 12:08, 27 Sep 2018 (BST)

[[Category:Regulations]]

A guide to investing in off-plan property in the UK

2018-05-31T11:42:18Z

HopwoodHouse:

The definition of buying a property off-plan is when you purchase the property before it has been built. Many people are often confused by this type of investment, viewing it as a risky move, yet it can be a very rewarding process, especially in today’s markets where property prices are increasing.

Buying off-plan can sometimes be more complex than first thought, but with more schemes being developed to help people to buy such properties, this form of property buying is becoming much more common across the UK.

== The Off-Plan Buying Process ==

The buying process for off-plan property can be slightly different to what some people may be used to, so it is important to understand the process before making a decision to purchase your own off-plan property. The process is as follows:

# Research into different developments and consult a mortgage advisor to discuss your own personal circumstances and how they may impact your investment.
# Pay a reservation fee to reserve your property.
# Arrange for the legal elements of your property purchase to be handled by a professional conveyancer.
# Get a mortgage put into place for your property (should you need one) by searching for the right product and discussing your circumstances with experts, in order to find the best solution for you.
# Complete all paperwork and signatures, exchange contracts with the seller and make payment of the deposit.
# Ensure that a snagging survey is conducted close to the completion date, so that you can be sure that there aren’t any issues to worry about.
# Be ready for when the project is officially completed. The short stop date would detail the expected date of completion, whilst the long stop date would detail the date which the project has to be completed by.

== Off-Plan Property VS Completed Residential Property ==

One of the biggest decisions that investors have make when looking for their next property investment is whether they want to purchase off-plan or an existing residential property. Both types of property possess their own pros and cons, and each property type may suit one investor more when compared to the next. The pros and cons for each property type are as follows:

=== Off-Plan Property Advantages ===

* A developer is likely to deal with the property transaction in-house, making the whole process less complex than some may imagine.
* Some developers ensure that a management company is in place before the transaction, meaning that the management and maintenance of the property, as well as the sourcing of tenants, may already be taken care of.
* The purchase price of your off-plan property is likely to be lower than similar existing properties on the market, due to the fact that the developer is the only other party involved in the process.
* It is likely that the value of your property will increase from when you initially purchase it, even by the time that you are able to have tenants living in it.
* Off-plan properties are brand new, meaning that no additional work would need to be done before renting the property out to paying tenants. Some developers even offer furniture packs, with this making the whole process even quicker.

=== Off-Plan Property Disadvantages ===

* As off-plan properties are purchased whilst in construction, it can often be the case that projects are delayed.
* It can sometimes be a difficult task to secure a mortgage for an off-plan property, and although you may be able to get one, it is likely that for off-plan properties you will need to have the cash in reserve.
* The biggest risk for off-plan properties, despite being very rare, is that the development company become bankrupt and are unable to complete the project. To minimise the risk of this, you should always be sure that you are working with a trusted company that has years of experience.

--[[User:HopwoodHouse|HopwoodHouse]] 12:41, 31 May 2018 (BST)

[[Category:Education]]

A guide to investing in off-plan property in the UK

2018-05-31T11:41:41Z

HopwoodHouse: Created page with "The definition of buying a property off-plan is when you purchase the property before it has been built. Many people are often confused by this type of investment, viewing it as ..."

The definition of buying a property off-plan is when you purchase the property before it has been built. Many people are often confused by this type of investment, viewing it as a risky move, yet it can be a very rewarding process, especially in today’s markets where property prices are increasing.

Buying off-plan can sometimes be more complex than first thought, but with more schemes being developed to help people to buy such properties, this form of property buying is becoming much more common across the UK.

The Off-Plan Buying Process

The buying process for off-plan property can be slightly different to what some people may be used to, so it is important to understand the process before making a decision to purchase your own off-plan property. The process is as follows:

# Research into different developments and consult a mortgage advisor to discuss your own personal circumstances and how they may impact your investment.
# Pay a reservation fee to reserve your property.
# Arrange for the legal elements of your property purchase to be handled by a professional conveyancer.
# Get a mortgage put into place for your property (should you need one) by searching for the right product and discussing your circumstances with experts, in order to find the best solution for you.
# Complete all paperwork and signatures, exchange contracts with the seller and make payment of the deposit.
# Ensure that a snagging survey is conducted close to the completion date, so that you can be sure that there aren’t any issues to worry about.
# Be ready for when the project is officially completed. The short stop date would detail the expected date of completion, whilst the long stop date would detail the date which the project has to be completed by.

Off-Plan Property VS Completed Residential Property

One of the biggest decisions that investors have make when looking for their next property investment is whether they want to purchase off-plan or an existing residential property. Both types of property possess their own pros and cons, and each property type may suit one investor more when compared to the next. The pros and cons for each property type are as follows:

Off-Plan Property Advantages

* A developer is likely to deal with the property transaction in-house, making the whole process less complex than some may imagine.
* Some developers ensure that a management company is in place before the transaction, meaning that the management and maintenance of the property, as well as the sourcing of tenants, may already be taken care of.
* The purchase price of your off-plan property is likely to be lower than similar existing properties on the market, due to the fact that the developer is the only other party involved in the process.
* It is likely that the value of your property will increase from when you initially purchase it, even by the time that you are able to have tenants living in it.
* Off-plan properties are brand new, meaning that no additional work would need to be done before renting the property out to paying tenants. Some developers even offer furniture packs, with this making the whole process even quicker.

Off-Plan Property Disadvantages

* As off-plan properties are purchased whilst in construction, it can often be the case that projects are delayed.
* It can sometimes be a difficult task to secure a mortgage for an off-plan property, and although you may be able to get one, it is likely that for off-plan properties you will need to have the cash in reserve.
* The biggest risk for off-plan properties, despite being very rare, is that the development company become bankrupt and are unable to complete the project. To minimise the risk of this, you should always be sure that you are working with a trusted company that has years of experience.

--[[User:HopwoodHouse|HopwoodHouse]] 12:41, 31 May 2018 (BST)

[[Category:Education]]

Reducing the risks of investing in off-plan property

2018-03-27T14:54:11Z

HopwoodHouse:

The property market has become a very competitive place recently, with more and more investors trying their hand at a variety of different property types, as they look to develop their portfolio as best they can. With investors pushing the demand for property and with the United Kingdom currently experiencing an under-supply in the property market, investors have been looking towards the prospect of buying off-plan.

Off Plan Property: Definition

Buying off-plan property involves purchasing a property that has not yet been built, typically a year before the completion date. Not only do developers reduce their own risk by agreeing to sell the property early on in the process, but investors can often get the property at a lower price than may be anticipated – creating a deal that suits both parties. The investor will pay a deposit for the property to secure their purchase, usually set at 10%, and then there will typically be instalments for the remaining balance.

Investing in Off Plan Property: The Risks

When investing in off-plan property, there are a number of risks that are often associated, and so it is important to do everything you can to help to reduce any risks to you. To help you with this, we have listed the potential risks that you may face and how you can combat them.

The Developer goes Bankrupt

Almost certainly the biggest risk associated with off-plan property purchasing, the potential for the developer to go bankrupt before the completion of your property is something that you need to think about. If the developer was to go bankrupt before the completion date, the investor would lose any money paid up to that point, unless there was certain insurance in place. A good way to mitigate this risk is to ensure that when buying off-plan, you only ever work with trusted, reputable developers that have a lot of experience and are an established business.

Getting a Mortgage for your Off-Plan Property

An investor can receive a mortgage in principle for their property, with the information passed from the investor to the mortgage broker to receive their mortgage upon the completion date of the property. Such mortgages in principle are typically not withdrawn, and as long as you are able to get the perfect mortgage product for you, there should be very minimal risk relating to your mortgage.

Property Value Decreases

A risk to your property is the potential for it to lose value, causing you to therefore lose money on it. Property prices always fluctuate, that is something that is accepted within the property market, but if it becomes a more long term issue then it may be a result of poor research on the investor’s side. To ensure that you do what you can to protect yourself from decreasing property values, you should look to invest in a development that is within a location known for being a strong investment location, with a good economy, good transport links and a certain level of regeneration.

Selling your Property before the Completion Date

You are able to sell your property before the completion date arrives, and this process is known as flipping your property. This process is well known for making a short term, quick profit and can only attract cash buyers to purchase your property in an off-plan scenario. For off-plan property, it is not advised to do the flipping process, as you will benefit much more from the rental income of the property, as well as any capital gains when the property is sold in a number of years time.

--[[User:HopwoodHouse|HopwoodHouse]] 15:54, 27 Mar 2018 (BST)

[[Category:Education]]

User:PureInvestor

2018-03-27T14:50:11Z

HopwoodHouse:

Hopwood House are one of the UK's fastest growing property investment specialists, based in Manchester. Our experienced team of consultants have been working with developers for a number of years to build an extensive portfolio of off-plan property investment opportunities for investors in the UK and overseas.

Reducing the risks of investing in off-plan property

2018-03-27T14:46:10Z

HopwoodHouse: Created page with "The property market has become a very competitive place recently, with more and more investors trying their hand at a variety of different property types, as they look to develop..."