• Parkside living commands price premium, with prices almost double national average (eMoov)
• Home buyers looking for proximity to green space and entertaining potential this spring (Bellis Homes)
• Stunning Four5Two development makes most of premium Hampstead Heath location

Goodbye grey skies, hello sunshine! It’s that time of year when London springs to life with renewed energy once more, as residents smile in the spring sun as they go about their daily lives. For many, spring brings with it a new sense of purpose and this spring, Londoners are looking to pick up the perfect property for enjoying the warmth, according to family-run housebuilder Bellis Homes.

 “Despite properties being in use year-round, buyers definitely view them with a seasonal focus in mind. In the winter months, it’s all about grand fireplaces and cosy living spaces. As we move into spring, buyers are looking more closely at entertaining spaces, as they plan ahead for the summer months.”

Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes

Homes near premium green spaces such as Hampstead Heath are therefore hot property at this time of year. Indeed, an eMoov study from 2017 found that properties near parks command a price premium of almost double the average home price (£393,000 versus £206,000 at the time the study was carried out).

Hampstead is alive with greenery at this time of year. As well enjoying 320 acres of ancient heathland, Hampstead Village is also home to a scheme to ‘green’ its high street, with Bill Oddie celebrating the centenary of the Heath and Hampstead Society by planting trees for shoppers to enjoy. Hampstead Heath itself is a stunning public space packed with ponds, playgrounds, a lido and a training track, as hilly woodlands that are perfect for exploring in the spring air. It’s one of the key attractions in the area.

Homes such as those at Bellis Homes’ new Four5Two development offer Hampstead residents the full benefits from living by the Heath. The scents of spring can be enjoyed from the spacious balconies, while all the fun of the park is on the doorstep. They are the ideal homes for those looking to throw open the windows and embrace spring life in earnest. With contemporary, luxurious interiors, the apartments at Four5Two provide an idyllic setting for those looking to entertain, as well as for daily family life.

“At Four5Two we’ve sought to provide Londoners with the perfect combination of city life and park-side living. The development is conveniently located for life in Hampstead, as well as for access to central London. It also offers all of the health benefits – both mental and physical – that come with access to such an abundance of green space. We’ve also provided a 24/7 concierge service to take care of details like booking taxis, theatre tickets and dry cleaning, so that residents can have more time to enjoy their homes and the local area.”

Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes

Four5Two has been designed with residents’ every comfort in mind. Lifts run to all floors, while secure parking spaces and building security provide peace of mind, particularly when homeowners are travelling on holiday or business. The 13 apartments range in price from £1.1 million to £2.2 million. The luxurious properties are perfect for those seeking to make the most of spring by enjoying the outdoors life in London!

To purchase an apartment off plan or for all other enquiries please contact Bellis Homes on 01279 424 733 or via www.bellishomes.co.uk or their sole agents Glentree on 0208 731 9500.

• 46% of 25-34 years old now live in the private rented sector (English Housing Survey)
• More than half of tenants are happy living in a rented house (KFH)
• Partnership between Be and Habitat offers durable furniture to residents in Hayes (UB3) & East India (E14)

According to the English Housing Survey, 46% of 25-34 years old now live in private accommodation and not under duress as new research from estate agency Kinleigh Folkard and Hayward (KFH) reveales that 71% of tenants are happy living in a rented home.

For a generation which doesn’t always feel the need to own anything, renting does have its perks.

Furnishing a home is no small expense. Research by Santander has revealed that the average first-time buyer spends £3,872 on furnishing their property, while the average first-time buyer in London has to fork out an eye-watering £5,495.

Those moving into rented accommodation have the opportunity to avoid these costs by opting for homes that are already furnished. However, many landlords put low cost ahead of style and quality when it comes to furnishing the apartments they rent out, leaving tenants with poor quality, cheap furniture that they would never choose themselves.

Be Living’s new be:here Hayes development offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments and be:here East India offers studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, all furnished by Habitat UK.

“Part of the be:here ethos is to offer our residents superb homes that provide them with style and comfort, as well as an excellent location. Renting – particularly in London – has become synonymous with cheap, low quality furniture. We’re turning that on its head by working with Habitat to give renters wonderfully stylish, high quality apartments that really feel like home”

Hayley Wills, Area Manager, be:here Hayes

The partnership between Be and Habitat sees each development and each apartment type reviewed in order to determine the best possible furniture for the space. Longevity is the starting point as furniture should last for life and not for just a few months.

“There’s definitely a sense that people are bored of low quality “white-flat-pack” fit outs of some furnished rental properties that turn out to be identical to their neighbours,” comments Hollie Clarke of Habitat Interior Services. ”We’re seeing an emerging market that instead want home furnishings with real personality – with interesting design details, clever construction, exciting use of colour – and will make a rental property more individual and, as a result, more enjoyable to live in. These new apartments achieve that with considered layouts and contemporary, well-built designs that renters can be proud of.”

Each apartment includes contemporary designs from Habitat’s latest collection including statement dining tables, hand-made upholstery and sleek modern storage solutions that offers plentiful space for inhabitants to grow into the accommodation.

The be:here Hayes development has a friendly on-site team, 30 ft private gardens, generous balcony space and a communal roof terrace. The multi award-winning stylish development, just 300 yards from Hayes & Harlington station, soon to be served by Crossrail, also offers pet friendly homes specially designed for renting. Apartments are priced from £1,195 pcm with no agency, admin or referencing fees.

For the latest availability and any questions, please contact the be:here team directly on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/

Property investment specialist Surrenden Invest’s Business Development Director, John Parker shares his views on the UK buy-to-let market in 2018:

John, a year since the government’s tax and mortgage relief changes came into effect, what impact have they had on UK landlords who placed leverage on their property investments?

The tax changes are still relatively new so we’re still to see exactly what effect it will have on UK landlords and the buy-to-let market in the mid to long term. Key dynamics such as undersupply and rising rental returns across many part of the country remain very strong any added tax expense becomes less of a factor with a long-term strategy. We’re yet to see any fall out of real merit from the more traditional investor who may have one or two properties beside their own residential home and think the brunt of the changes will be felt more keenly by the portfolio investor who has 4 or more properties.

In practice, what exactly changed a year ago?

Well, firstly the tax changes; buy-to-let investors began losing the ability to offset mortgage interest from their profits before calculating their tax liability.  In 2017, landlords could offset only 75% of their mortgage interest against their profits, falling to 50% this year, 25% in 2019 and eventually to zero in 2020.

This was followed with a stamp duty surcharge of 3% which was introduced on any second property for domestic and overseas buyers. Buying a second home for £200,000 previously cost £1,500 in Stamp Duty, now this is £7,500.

Then, the ‘wear and tear allowance’ came to an end so we can’t offset as much against our tax bills

Finally investors owning four or more properties became classed as portfolio investors, meaning they needed to provide their mortgage lender with much more detailed information as lenders began to look at total income against borrowing across all properties to ensure affordability of loans. New stress tests on buy-to-let mortgages were also introduced where monthly income typically needed to cover 125% of mortgage repayments based on interest rates hitting 5.5%.

How does the UK buy-to-let landscape look to landlords today, are there still opportunities?

There is still a very healthy demand for buy-to-let properties and in many cases demand continues to increase due to a severe lack of supply and because of people’s changing requirements, for example, the ageing population in city centres.

The supply of rental properties fell by 8% from December 2017 to January 2018, while demand grew according to statistics from ARLA.

What about the impact of the stamp duty hike?

As has been widely reported, the changes to stamp duty have been more keenly felt in prime central London and the affluent suburbs. Buyers are now paying a standard 5% duty for anything above £250,000 (up to £925,000) which equates to an eye popping 8% when including any additional 3% surcharge for a second home or buy-to-let property.

On the flipside the stamp duty threshold has been increased to £300,000 for first time home owners, which has helped the low to mid-end of the London property market counter the harsh market conditions.

The stamp duty changes have not been felt outside of London as badly as typically property prices are lower and the 3% surcharge for a second property is an easier pill to swallow. Added to that significantly stronger rental demand and yields help compensate for any added closing costs. Indeed, in some ways the changes have had a positive effect in secondary cities such as Manchester & Birmingham as money continues to leave London in search of better value & lower costs

 Can landlords do anything to offset the higher stamp duty costs?

The stamp duty surcharge of 3% can often be used as a negotiating tool when dealing with developers and vendors, especially in the short term. However, taking a healthy long term view with your investment is the best way to position the added expense as everything is relative and over 5-10 years these added costs become somewhat obsolete when filtered into the rental & capital returns on the property

Any tips on how potential buy-to-let landlords can ensure they’re making a good investment?

If investors buy in the right areas where rental yields are on the increase year-on-year, this will help mitigate negative tax changes on buy-to-lets.  For example, recent research by UK Finance / Savills put Liverpool at the top of the UKs when it came to average rental yields (April 2018).

With a stagnant prime central London market coupled together with weakening yields across the capital and indeed south-east region as a whole, we at Surrenden Invest are seeing a huge influx of both private and institutional money into key UK secondary markets such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and interestingly this year, Newcastle to find value.

What should new investors consider when launching their portfolio?

 The key difference is that buy-to-let investors need to factor in higher deposits as the mortgage products are not as flexible, creative or highly geared as they once were. This should account for a better-balanced portfolio moving forward and ensuring greater resilience in the face of any potential downturn.

For more advice about property investment contact Surrenden Invest
London office: 0203 3726 499
Liverpool office: 0151 3477 459
www.surrendeninvest.com

When it comes to special agents, they don’t come more emphatically British than James Bond. After 24 films and seven actors, Bond continues to live on as one of the UK’s most instantly recognisable fictional characters.

Now, 007’s legacy continues to evolve – by serving as the inspiration behind an outstanding new penthouse in London dressed by Alexander James Interior Design.

Recognised as one of the World’s Top 100 Interior Designers by the Andrew Martin Design Awards 2016 and 2017, Alexander James Interior Design has dressed a range of iconic London residences in recent years, from The Chapel in Mill Hill to the former Pathé Films building in Soho. Now, The Townhouse at Westminster Bridge has become the latest London pad to enjoy the team’s attention.

Presented by award-winning property developer The Door, The Townhouse saw the conversion of an existing period building into four luxury apartments, including the addition of two floors in order to house the split-level, two-bedroom/two-bathroom terrace penthouse. It is this penthouse that has benefitted from the work of Alexander James Interior Design.

“The Townhouse has a beautiful Georgian façade, which was retained during the development work. The Door wanted an impressive interior that would really showcase the penthouse, so we opted for achingly contemporary furniture in order to create a living space that meets the demands of London life. The contrast with the Georgian exterior is delightful. Inside, we took inspiration from 1970s era James Bond in order to create a story throughout the property. The result is a truly magnificent London home.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

The glamour and panache associated with the 1970s Bond is apparent the moment you enter the luxurious penthouse. White and gold touches create an air of elegance, while retro-inspired furniture such as the Julian Chichester Deneuve Cabinet offer plenty of places to mix the perfect martini. Natural tones and crimson tinges complete the look, with the 1970s feel apparent in everything from the feature mirror in the living room to the metallic, padded easy chairs. Every element has been carefully chosen to complement the overall theme.

“The Townhouse is at once quirky and understated – we took a minimalistic approach and worked with our art consultant to provide a gallery feel. The result is an interior scheme that showcases the beauty of the apartment while provide a soulful warmth throughout. Achieving that look was all about balance. In the guest bedroom, for example, the exposed brick is softened by the use of stone-washed linen drapes and bronze poles. In the master bedroom, we’ve used layer upon layer of pinstripe textures, using the soft furnishings to create a really androgynous, tailored effect.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

The result is a superb, boutique feel to this SE1 home. The influence of the 70s is subtle yet pervasive, adding plentiful character to this contemporary residence. Vintage touches, such as the bedside units, pair beautifully with modern, designer feature lighting, creating a home that is perfect for trend-conscious modern Londoners who only settle for the very best. Much as Mr Bond himself was famed for doing.

The penthouse at The Townhouse is priced at £1,295,000 and available through Jackson-Stops.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.  

With the winter weather (hopefully) soon to give way to spring, it’s time for many home owners to focus their energies on selling up.

A clean, tidy and uncluttered home is key to making a good first impression, so a deep spring clean is an essential starting point. After that, all it takes is some subtle changes and your lived-in looking family home can be transformed into a contemporary, desirable residence that will have buyers queuing up.

“Spring is an excellent time of the year to sell, with research from Zillow finding that homes can sell faster and for more money during the spring (most notably, at the start of May), when compared with figures for the rest of the year. As such, it’s also a competitive time for the housing market. Keeping up with the latest interior design trends is one way to give a home an edge over its rivals. It’s a quick and easy way for owners to maximise their profits.”

Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design

A little investment in interior design can reap big rewards when it comes to the look and feel of a home. It has the potential to increase the speed of the sale and even the price agreed for the purchase.

2018 has already seen some strong trends emerge, with the renowned Maison&Objet show paving the way. The team from Alexander James Interior Design – recognised as one of the World’s Top 100 Interior Designers by the Andrew Martin Design Awards 2016 and 2017 – are already reflecting those trends in the homes that they design and dress.

“We’re seeing a definite, strong trend of monochrome this year, with matt black furniture beautifully offset by greens and yellows, which are everywhere this spring. From textiles and wall coverings to upholstery, lighting and accessories, there’s no excuse not to use a splash of colour!

“Plants and leaf patterns go hand in hand with this colour trend, so home owners looking to redecorate a room or two before selling can enjoy choosing from a fabulous range of nature-inspired wallpaper. For those who are dressing their home rather than redectorating, bold prints and textiles with leaf patterns will look terrific.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Other notable 2018 interior design trends include the use of orange and coral, while there’s a distinct African tribal influence when it comes to accessories and the use of wicker/cane on indoor furniture.

Meanwhile, beetles have taken over from pineapples and llamas to emerge as 2018’s feature object of choice. From accessories to art, it’s all about the creepy crawlies this year!

The animal trend has also seen larger objects coming into fashion, from monkey ceiling lights and ostrich floor lamps to cuddly toy armchairs. The 2018 Maison&Objet show even featured a fabulous donkey desk!

“One of the great things about dressing a house for sale is that you can really have fun with the process. Create a mood board to try out different colours, textures and items that catch your eye, then bring your ideas to life within the home. Subtlety is key here – bold touches can be reserved for accessories and artwork so that they bring the underlying colour scheme to life and allow viewers to imagine themselves happily living there.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

One example of the effective use of interior design to sell a home this spring is at Millgate’s new KIngswood development in Ascot, Berkshire. The Alexander James team has created character and personality to create a superb family home environment.

Strong accents of yellow provide vibrancy and optimism, with monochrome used for balance. The contemporary scheme has brought the property to life, with yellow tulips in the living room adding to the impact by providing a fresh, spring-like appeal. The property is an outstanding example of how the right interior design can transform a house into a stunningly contemporary home.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.  

• UK hosts more higher education students from China than any other country (UKCISA)
• 6% of students are from EU; 14% are from elsewhere in world (UKCISA)
• Chinese New Year events across the UK serve to build cultural bonds between students (Fusion Students)

International students now account for 20% of those studying in higher education the UK. For the 2015/16 academic year, 6% of students hailed from the European Union, while 14% came from further afield, according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs. At postgraduate level, the figure rises to 46% of students coming from outside the EU.

The only country to send significantly more students to the UK for the 2015/16 academic year was China. Learners from the People’s Republic numbered 91,215, making Chinese students by far the biggest group of international learners at UK universities.

In honour of this, leading student accommodation and lifestyle provider Fusion Students recently hosted Chinese New Year parties across all of its UK sites.

The largest of these – at Eclipse in Cardiff – had over 450 students on the guest list. Run in partnership with innovative managing agent Collegiate, Eclipse has heralded a new era for student living in Wales.

With its own nightclub, themed private dining room, private cinema, gym/fitness suite and 24-hour concierge, the prestigious student development has raised the bar for student living not just in Wales, but across the UK. With such a reputation to live up to, the spectacular Chinese New Year celebration was suitably extravagant!

“At Fusion Students we run a range of events to ensure that our international students feel at home in the UK and can mark important cultural events alongside their fellow residents. Chinese New Year is such an important celebration around the world that we were delighted to host parties at all of our properties.”

 Warren Rosenberg, CEO, Fusion Students

The Eclipse Chinese New Year 2018 celebration included a drinks reception, DJ, traditional beverages and hot food, fireworks, games and an after party at Tiger Tiger – all delivered completely free for residents.

Fusion’s event also featured a range of competitions, with luxury prizes including Beats wireless headphones, coffee machines, a foot massager and more. Students were invited to dress in red as part of the celebrations.

“We strive to offer an exceptionally inclusive student lifestyle experience and we were thrilled at the huge turnout for the Fusion Students Chinese New Year events. Residents enjoyed an extended evening of celebrating together and were delighted by the traditional fare and fireworks that are such an essential part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Sharing cultural customs is a powerful way to build bridges and understanding, which is certainly something that the world could use more of!”

 Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

For more information about Fusion Students please call 0117 405 7852 or visit https://www.fusionstudents.co.uk/. To book accommodation in university towns and cities across the UK and Europe, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.