Andrew

Couldn't agree more with you Mark Alexander keep up the excellent work great article

When someone says they can't name people or won't name people contributing as DN is it smacks of an agenda

Let me pose a thought. DN was fired from his job at a top law firm. He is a big supporter of Labour. He is making a name for himself chasing lots of tax issues to lobby on. Might it be that his £1 entity Tax Policy is seeking a future significant contract from a Labour government as special advisers on areas to highlight where tax could be raised for a potential future government.

It would not be the first time a high profile individual is fired and sets up in competition to a former employer

Thoughts?... Read More

What a great description of the SIS process and compliance

What's more interesting is the response in DOTAS

Having been attacked by qualified people for sharing property118 articles on this topic I too shared the HMRC link to dotas and tax avoidance schemes and when I turned the question back to supposed experts which of the criterion were breached they could not answer.

I am a chartered accountant and wholeheartedly agree with what is being stated and agree with the facts put forward

Keep up the excellent work Mark Smith Cotswold Barristers Mark Alexander and team at Property118.com... Read More

Personally I agree with you.

I do have clients however who fall in love with beautiful buildings and are prepared to take the pain as the margins they work on are worth it.

My view yes ROI might work but ROT and ROE dont. Return on Time and Return on Effort... Read More

Great question and had a similar situation on a building we purchased.

First thing is evidence - your evidence is a toddler group. Council will see this building therefore as a community asset which is an F1 - this is a protected planning class and extremely difficult to get buildings changed - I can show you buildings which have been refused for over 20 years.

In my case the council had given planning for a training co, but they had moved out and had been run as a recruitment co for 5 years. My evidence of leases, affidavit, prior owner evidence formed our case to over turn the councils view it was a training use.

Doesnt matter what paperwork says its what the actual use is and proving that use with evidence and witness statements

You can only prove use as a toddler group therefore community asset therefore F1

Sadly I have a client who purchased a similar building which was church and he now has a massive headache as the council have refused at every turn a change of use.

There are easy properties - walk away from this one or be prepared for over 20 year wait... Read More

Firstly I would advise your friend to report any bungs and not to take any - this could land them not only the sack but a stay in a large HMO

Yes the BBC does some interesting reporting - some of it has to be taken with a pinch of salt as it can be factually wrong or biased - not saying this is or isnt but some housing stuff has been wide of the mark

London is a unique market with its own eco system and is not representative of the wider UK market - I guess thats why we have a levelling up program and devolved governments local mayors etc... Read More

Im not sure Id say that personally. I dont know anyone that bribes / lines the pockets of others, firstly its illegal, secondly its not a sustainable business model.

Converting defunct buildings is needed - it regenerates neglected or vacant buildings. Tearing up the green land is not sustainable nor environmental. Sadly consumers flock to fill new builds thus driving demand for this model.... Read More

If a developer has not learnt the rules inside out then they will not succeed as a business.

I agree it can be hard to object and tough given alot of planners I have spoken to know the basics of planning but make errors which enable a developer to overturn the ruling at appeal.

It is no different to going to court - it is not about right and wrong it is about who knows and complied with the rules better than the other party... Read More

Agreed - I think more effort should be made to work on brownfield sites and incentives given

New build is not good from an environmental point of view.

Objecting to plans most people get very wrong - you have to look at what the rules state and pick where the scheme does not meet planning rules... Read More

There was alot of good with the permitted developments he implemented, the planing reforms were radical and certainly marmite... Read More

Thats interesting research. I am sure they will have a conversation in his ear quietly to appeal to his funding retnetion... Read More

Do you develop yourself?

Are you a commercial building owner looking to repurpose or do you own a portfolio of your own?

Love your thinking clearly not a property newbie... Read More

Spot on a levelling up tax is a big one. Clearly either incorporporation or using an SPV co to develop levels up that playing field for you

The VAT is a big one versus new build developers

Grants to regenerate areas should be available too what do you think

This is becoming more of a business and less of an individuals pension as a result... Read More

I like your thinking.

What would you add to smaller developers or take away from big developers... Read More

Interesting Comments - not disagreeing but it isnt always the developer - they work to the rules. In the old days the rules let anything be built - nowadays tht is not possible.

The rules require adequate natural light - this is defined as a window atleast 16% the size of the floor area in every habitable room

National Space standards dictate a 1 bed 1 person Flat must be a minimum of 37 sqm - it is up to the developer how that is configured, however Often councils dictate that the bedroom must only cater for a single bed so as to comply with the 1 person 1 bed rule - a 2 person 1 bed flat requires a larger space.

Sometimes rules generate unintended consequences wouldnt you agree?... Read More

reading your response its about levelling up the playing field

Irony is that Michael Goves new departmet for Levelling Up Housing and Communities

Are you writing or predicting policy?... Read More

It is a disaster building a false building that is unoccupied

What changes would you suggest to change the planning system for the better

Giving councils more power for arguments sake could lead to inconsistent decisions across towns.. Being Devils advocate I guess... Read More

Sounds to me like a petition to Rishi for a change in the law... Read More

Really great point. Dont know any oligarchs myself, but same in rural devon and cornwall with second homes I guess... Read More

here here

New Build is unenvironmental build... Read More

agree cost is a factor - however new builds are bland, homogenous and like retail centres could be in any town as all identical

VAT should be flipped over to encourage a change from new build to repurposing... Read More