Q.  My agent has just contacted me with an offer on my rental flat but its from a company not an individual and they are making all sorts of demands…

This week I want to talk about the current sales market conditions. Obviously, we have been on a downturn for a couple of years now with house prices slowly declining…

Q.  My tenants have just moved out and left my property in a dreadful state, not only have they not cleaned the apartment, but they have also left behind various…

Q.  I am purchasing a brand new property off plan and although I don’t have a car myself I am wondering if it’s worth paying the extra fifty thousand pounds…

Q.  My property has been on the market for well over six months now and it’s still not sold. My agent keeps telling me it’s the price but I think…

Q.  I have just bought my first investment property which I am very excited about, but a few colleagues are saying I am going way over the top with the…

Q.  My friend’s flatmate wants to move out and I intend to move in and take his place. We have spoken to the agent managing the property and they have…

Q.  I am trying to rent a property and the reference agency that the estate agent is using seem to be taking forever to complete the process which has now…

Q.  Can I seek your opinion on whether it’s more sensible to buy a house or an apartment? I’m a first-time buyer and it seems when I ask around my…

Q.  My wife and I have been renting a property for the last couple of years but sadly our relationship has broken down and we are divorcing. I moved out…

Q.  I am carrying out renovations on my property, a Leasehold and have just been told by the building surveyor acting for the Landlords of the development that I will…

Q.  I have just completed on a leasehold property situated on a very nice residential development and have plans to completely gut the place and start again, to include the…

Landlords need to be aware that the government is launching new regulations for HMO’s (Houses of Multiple Occupation) from October 2018. With significant growth in the private rented sector and…

Q.  What do you think I can do to protect myself from dodgy tenants? I’m a first time Landlord and have become increasingly nervous about the thought of allowing someone…

Q.  I am buying an apartment and I have been told that it has a parking space which is paramount for me as a driver and particularly because I am…

Q.  I am really unhappy with the management company I have looking after my rental property, they seem to be charging extortionate fees to do little to nothing and they…

The decline in the property market over the last 12 months is now pretty obvious for most to observe, even those that have fiercely fought against it and refused to…

Q.  I am a first-time buyer and a little naïve as to the whole process of what happens now my offer has been accepted. Can you give me a general…

Q.  New tenants moved into my rental apartment twelve months ago and they have been happy so far with everything which has prompted them to renew the contract. However, following…

Q.  My grandmother has left me a large inheritance and I have decided to invest it in property. I want to buy somewhere close to work but I have only…

Q. I’m buying a property that I have had my eye on for a while and to be perfectly honest the seller has messed me around previously. My agent had…

Q.  Can you please help? I am a private Landlord with a few investments and have always been quite happy to Let and Manage the properties myself until now. However,…

Q.  I fell in love with a property to buy a couple of months back, made an offer and was just to the point of it being accepted when the…

Q.  I have just arrived from overseas and attempted to rent an apartment but given I am only on a short-term contract with my new employers for two months initially…

This week I want to focus on the topic of setting the price when you decide to bring your property to the market and this applies equally to both sales…

Q.  I have been marketing my home for sales for the past six months but have still not managed to have one acceptable offer come through. I have had lots…

Q.  I have just made an offer on a property that I am keen to purchase but the agent has asked for me to firstly provide proof of my deposit…

Q.  I recently heard that there is going to be some new government legislation surrounding EPC’s sometime soon which could affect Landlords like myself with respect to their rental portfolios.…

Q.  I have a property in the UK that I own 50% of as the co-owner and my father owns the other 50% and he now wants to pass his…

Q.  My tenant is vacating at the end of the month and his rent was due a week ago and he has still not paid. When I contacted him to…

Q.  My tenant has just reported that they have discovered a moth infestation in their apartment and are demanding that I call out pest control. This is very strange as…

Q.  I recently took six months out from work to do some travelling and I have just arrived back in London and need to find a place to rent and…

Q. I have just exchanged on a larger family home and was considering renting my current apartment. However, having crunched the numbers and considering the mortgage, service charges and any…

Q.  I have been renting my apartment for the last two years and I have just spoken to my agent to let them know that my boyfriend would like to…

Q.  Help! I have two offers on my property and I have no idea what to do. The first offer is from an acquaintance that I have known for some…

I often get asked by investors or home buyers for advice with respect to renovations within their investments and homes with regards to the most lucrative improvements? Should we make…

Q.  I am thinking of converting the loft in my house to add another bedroom but wondering how easy this is with respect to getting planning permission, and will it…

Q.  I’m currently refurbishing my one-bedroom apartment and have decided to remove the bath and replace it with a double shower instead. Given I intend to rent the property at…

Q.  I have just invested in my first Buy to Let venture and beginning to get the property ready for my first tenant. It’s a brand-new property so needs everything…

Q.  I am in the process of renting an apartment and am completely overwhelmed with how much personal information the Estate Agent is asking me to disclose. Apparently before they…

Q.  I am starting my first job in September and currently navigating finding a suitable rental. A few friends have recommended I also take out tenant’s insurance, is this really…

When purchasing a property and sourcing a solicitor I cannot even begin to share how important it is that you find one that is local to the area that you…

Q.  I have just heard that the government is changing the rules on the minimum allowance rating of an EPC from next year and that this could impact me as…

Q.  I am completing on the purchase of my first home on Friday and super excited. I understand I just need to drop into the estate agents on the day…

Q.  I have what I believe to be a really good solid investment property located within one of the prestigious developments in canary wharf which I have had for over…

Q.  I’m selling up and moving out of London as I now have to consider schools for my son. We have just had our offer accepted on a super Victorian…

Q.  I bought a new build property a few months ago but to my dismay I have had nothing but issues with it. It seems like one thing after the…

Q.  I’m moving to London soon to start a new job but I’m very anxious about finding somewhere to live. I am currently in Birmingham and working insane hours so…

Q.  I am buying a period conversion and it is in definite need of major refurbishment. However I have just had my home buyer’s survey back and the surveyor has…

Q.  I have just completed on my new apartment but really disappointed with the condition the sellers have left it in now that I have the keys. Although clean it…

Q.  I am a first time buyer and have found the perfect property and have just made an opening offer. However the agent has informed me that they received another…

Q.  I’ve just had an offer on my property but the buyer is in a chain, it’s taken a while to get any interest at all given the current market…

Q.  I am in the throes of buying my first property and really excited to have found something just perfect and although the purchase was actually agreed around six weeks…

Q.  I have some inheritance money that I would like to use to invest into property and I need some guidance. Do you think I should go for a really…

Q.  I am in the process of selling my apartment and we seem to have hit a brick wall. My solicitor tells me that we are waiting for some Section…

Q.  I made the rather silly decision of renting my property out privately rather than using an estate agent to do the job properly. Sadly I now find myself in…

I’ve had lots of would be purchasers recently asking me if it’s a good time to buy in the wharf at the moment, and my reply is simple, yes it…

Q.  I am currently based in Asia and looking to sell my investment that I bought some years ago in the UK. My solicitor has recommended a local agent and…

As a regulated member of ARLA Propertymark I am delighted to report that last week the government announced measures to make Client Money Protection (CMP) mandatory for all letting agents…

Q.  My tenants have just vacated and once again I have the ever present problem that the cleaning has not been carried out to a high enough standard forcing me…

Q.  I am in the process of buying a Leasehold property and my solicitor has just flagged up that the ground rent doubles every decade. I’m guessing in the short…

Q. Can you please tell me more about the ‘minimum level of energy efficiency’ Legislation that I hear is about to impact Landlords and the rental market imminently? A. Yes…

Q.  I recently inherited a lump sum and given the bank rates are still so low with little to no interest I believe that investing the money in property still…

Q.  I have recently had an offer accepted to purchase my first investment property which I am very excited about, but given I am buying cash I am in a…

As a regulated agent myself I am delighted to announce the launch of Propertymark. For over fifty years, ARLA (Association of residential lettings) and NAEA (Association of residential Sales) have…

Q.  I want to sell my investment property in the next year or so but the general consensus given its located on the Canary Wharf Estate seems to be to…

Landlords are gearing up for the new tax changes due to be implemented from April following the chancellor’s decision in the 2015 Summer Budget to cut mortgage interest tax relief.…

Q.  I’m buying a live work unit but want it purely for residential use. My solicitor has asked that the vendor agree to initiating the change of use at the…

Q.  I’ve just had an offer accepted on a property that I am super happy about. The purchase though is dependent on me selling my one bedroom apartment. The agent…

Q.  As the owner of a Freehold house I am seriously considering selling up and buying an apartment within one of those gated complexes with all the facilities like a…

Q. A friend and I are super keen to get on the property ladder but financially on our own it literally seems like an impossible task. We have not only…

Happy New Year and welcome to my first column of 2017.  After a year of political surprises and economic uncertainty I don’t believe there will be extensive house price inflation…

So that’s it then, the end of another year, a year that the majority enshrined in the property world will proclaim as difficult and unexpected. Early 2016 started off well…

A regular complaint by my client Landlords is that their new tenant that has just moved in is way too demanding. This complaint is generally more specific to new Landlords…

Q.  My Docklands apartment is reaching 80 years left on its lease, which I have been advised, presents mortgage problems for future buyers. In response the management company is offering…

Q.  I’m a Landlord of Multiple properties and I’m currently having huge problems with my managing agents that look after the properties for me. I really don’t think I can…

Q.  My partner and I have recently rented a room in a house and everything seems fine so far but I am a little concerned as a friend at work…

Q.  I want to sell my shared ownership (Part buy part rent) property and am in the privileged position of now owing the property outright. Firstly, can I just take…

Q.  I’m hearing a lot of rumbles on the street about online estate agents that can sell your property for a very competitive fee. Having never sold a property before…

As we head into relatively unknown waters with respect to the current market conditions following the aftermath of Brexit I want to firstly remind everyone that the market continually goes…

Landlords and Agents are being warned that an upgrade to the current Immigration Act is to come into force before the end of this year, with serious legal implications for…

Q.  I’ve just completed on a family home and have decided to keep my one bedroom flat for investment purposes. Having never rented anything out before I’m a little confused…

Q.  I put my property on the market post Brexit and it has still not sold. I understand there is still some concern as to how the market will pan…

Q.  I’m considering buying a leasehold live/work unit but many are advising that we could struggle to get a mortgage on this type of property, is this true and are…

This week I want to alert landlords that The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) intend to roll out the Selective Landlord Licensing Scheme already operating in surrounding boroughs in…

Q.  I am in the process of selling my rental investment and have tenants in occupation that can be served two months’ notice at any time, the tenants were also…

Q.  I’m about to become a landlord for the first time and I am filled with both excitement at the thought of owning my very first investment property but also…

Q.  I have a big decision to make and I am wondering if you can help? I am about to make an offer on my first ever property but I…

Q.  I pick up the keys to my new rental apartment next week but quite honestly I really don’t feel comfortable to live there without changing the locks. I know…

Q.  I have been renting my apartment for the last ten months and quite honestly I would love to renew for another year except I have noticed that rents in…

This week I want to talk about a current dangerous trend, reports indicate that home buyers are scrimping on surveys to keep down their property purchase costs but could end…

Q.  We are in the process of buying a Leasehold apartment and our solicitor has informed us that she has discovered the Freehold isn’t registered and is now concerned it…

Q.  Just wondering what your thoughts are on a Flying Freehold? I’ve seen a gorgeous house that I am seriously considering buying but everyone around me says I shouldn’t touch…

Q.  My partner and I were thinking of trying to buy this summer but given the fallout of Brexit we are a little unsure what we should do now? There…

Q.  My lease on my apartment is now what I consider to be low at 76 years. I have looked into having it extended and it is going to cost…

Q.  I’m thinking of going to live in Australia permanently just because the warmer climate and lifestyle really appeals to me and I know I can easily get a job…

Q.  I’m in the process of upscaling to a larger property and had my offer accepted about eight weeks ago so the sale is fairly advanced but I have still…

Q.  Is mildew around the window areas of my apartment really my fault? My agent on a recent routine visit flagged this up but surely it’s a building issue? I…

Q.  I have just vacated my rental property and left it in what I believe to be in pristine condition but the Inventory check-out report is riddled with multiple cleaning…

With Brexit looming on the horizon it seems there is an equal split in both camps in the should we stay or should we go quest. But how will the…

Q.  I’m upsizing to a larger two bedroom property and selling my one bedroom apartment at the same time.  We are now ready to exchange contracts except I am in…

Q.  I have been renting my apartment for the last two years and very happy there; I use it basically as a crash pad as my family is still based…

Q.  Following the end of the tenancy and my tenants vacating I am now trying to deal with the deposit release. Sadly there are a number of dilapidations noted on…

With the sales market fraught with both sellers and buyers often behaving unethically I was delighted to hear at last that the government are reportedly considering a crackdown on buyers…

One of the most reoccurring questions that I get asked is “if I carry out renovations in my home will it make a difference when it comes to selling”? In…

Buy-to-let has been one of the most successful investments of the past 20 years, but sadly over the last few months Buy-to-let landlords have dealt with the prospect of the…

Q.  I am considering buying a ‘New Build’ home off plan but do not have much experience in this field, previously I have only ever dabbled in the re-sale market,…

Q.  The tenancy is expiring next month on my rental contract and having not put the rent up for the last two years and taking into consideration the sudden surge…

Whilst investors braced themselves last week when the Budget 2016 changes were announced it seems the property market had little to be phased about with no major changes that we…

Q.  I have just had an offer accepted on a property which I am delighted about and the purchase is subject to me selling, however I now find myself in…

Q.  I am a landlord with several properties in my portfolio and am currently carrying out a refurb on a couple of them and I have a concern surrounding boiler…

The Big Debate Unless you have been living under a rock for the last twelve months you cannot help but notice the latest trend in online Estate Agencies.   Currently whipping…

Q.  I recently moved into a rental apartment with my boyfriend and sadly things have fallen apart between us after just 4 weeks which has resulted in me having to…

How will the new Stamp Duty Rules affect me? From 1st April 2016 the Government is proposing changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) that will affect property purchases across…

Q.  I am a private Landlord and look after my properties myself without any help from an agent. I am always keen to adhere to all the correct legislation surrounding…

Q.  I have just exchanged contracts on my apartment and really looking forward to moving in but having found out that the tenant’s that currently reside in the apartment are…

Q.  My parents have just offered to help me onto the property ladder with a handsome deposit thus I am in the process of looking at my options. I have…

Q.  We are a retired couple with a mortgage free property worth around £700,000 but no money in the bank and only our state pension to live on. Friends and…

Q.  I am buying in Canary Wharf but given the amount of new developments springing up everywhere I feel increasing concerned about buying something that will then have a high…

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2016. Notorious for fresh starts and renewed vivacity to start new projects and life changes I love the feeling of anticipation of greater…

As 2015 rolls out it’s always good to look back over the last twelve months to see how things have really faired here in the Canary Wharf property market. Overall…

Q.  I am a first time buyer and have just started to view my first selection of properties. Given I have never bought before I feel slightly nervous about the…

Q.  I have a few buy to let properties that until now I have managed myself. However I am planning to retire overseas within the next few months so have…

Q. I’ve recently sold my apartment to a cash buyer as I need to sell rather quickly as I am moving overseas with work. However four weeks into to the…

Q. I own a property within a secured leasehold development and due to the increase of leaks over the last year the management company  are now insisting that an annual plumbing…

I was terribly disappointed this week to hear that one of my investor clients was ‘knocked on exchange’ – this is when at the eleventh hour a seller decides they…

This week I am feeling very nostalgic as I wander through Canary Wharf and recognise just how far we have come. I am privileged to have worked the canary wharf…

I need to share an urgent reminder to Landlords that Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Regulations became law on the 1st of October 2015 meaning that all properties in England –…

Q. I am currently renting and have just had my offer accepted on a house to buy and wondering when I should hand my notice in? My solicitor says it…

New legislation will see landlords face fines if they rent homes to illegal immigrants without checking their ‘Right to Rent’. The new law will mean private landlords will have to…

Q. My tenants vacated at the end of the fixed term of the contract with no notice whatsoever despite there being a clause in the contract requiring that they should…

Q. I am buying a leasehold property and right at the eleventh hour just prior to exchange I have just had news from my solicitor that the roof on the…

This week I want to alert Private Landlords of the imminent legal changes about to be implemented into the lettings industry. Firstly, there are some notable changes with respect to…

Q. I am starting to explore the option of becoming a landlord, but feel a little daunted at all the factors I need to take into consideration just to get…

Q.  I recently moved out of my rental apartment and for the last few weeks I have been battling with my agent to get my deposit released. The problem is…

Q.  I have recently heard of homeowners using their property as a Location Home and was thinking this may be a good opportunity to make some extra cash. I am…

Q. Unexpectedly I need to sell my investment property but it’s currently tenanted and the tenancy doesn’t expire for another six months, with no opportunity to serve notice before then.…

Q. Being a property investor I have quite a large portfolio of properties and am beginning to feel concerned about the impact Inheritance Tax on my Estate may have on my…

What a great first six months of 2015 it’s been so far and if the facts and figures are to be believed looking ahead to the rest of the year…

Q. I’m selling my apartment but so far I have had three separate offers all from seemingly respectable buyers that have been vetted by my agent but each time they…

Q. I’m having trouble selling my Penthouse apartment; it’s been on the market for six months now and still no offers. The agent is telling me that it has everything…

Q. I am currently in the process of buying my first home a pretty little house in a gorgeous location. However having had a survey carried out last week I…

Q. I’m selling my period property which has been under offer for about four weeks now however I’ve hit a major road block as my buyer’s survey has flagged up…

Q. I am a first time seller and am completely unsure who I should instruct to sell my property for me. I have asked around amongst friends and colleagues but…

Q. One of the clauses in my tenancy agreement mentions that Stamp Duty Land Tax may be charged to the tenant? Isn’t Stamp Duty something that buyers purchasing a property…

Q. Can you tell me more about the Governments new Help to Buy ISA that recently announced in the budget? Apparently they will give you a bonus on your savings…

Q.  I have been renting for a couple of years and I love the place I am living in, which I have just been invited to extend for a further…

Q. I am a first time buyer and completely ‘green’ when it come to the property world. A few people have advised its far better to buy a Freehold property than…

This week I want to highlight how important it is for Landlords to furnish and maintain their properties to a high standard in order to obtain the best out of…

Q. I have just left home to rent my first apartment and am wondering if you have any tips to ensure I get my hard earned dilapidation deposit retuned in…

Q. I’ve heard that if I buy a second home and let my children live there rent free I can avoid CGT (Capital Gains Tax) is this true? A. Indeed…

Q. I’m about to put my house on the market for sale and just need a quick low down of a list of things I should do in preparation to…

To sell or not to sell, that is the question? I have had an influx of Landlords approaching me recently as their rental investments come up for renewal and asking…

Q. I am a Landlord and have heard that the government is planning to implement that homes in the private rental sector with either an ‘F’ or ‘G’ energy efficiency…

I’m on my soapbox this week folks with a subject that I need to really drive home. So if you happen to be a Landlord or in the market for…

Q. I am hearing about a new worrying threat to home owners known as ‘Property Fraud’ and wondered if you would kindly shed a little more light on this and…

Q. My Husband and I have both just retired and are now starting to seriously consider downsizing our property. With our children all gone we really no longer have need…

Happy New Year and welcome to 2015! So with 2014 now firmly behind us it’s time to look ahead and take stock of the expectations for the year ahead. Early…

So here we are, with only a few remaining days left of 2014 and wow what a year this has been. Definitely without hesitation the best year yet since 2007.…

Q. I am a first time buyer in the UK and although I have previously bought in my homeland I am a complete novice to the British property market. I…

Q. I have decided to give property development a spin after my grandparents left me some inheritance. Being a complete Amateur can you give me some tips on the ‘Do’s and…

Q. My residential developments freehold was recently sold and having met the new freeholder at our last residents meeting, there were suggestions that possibly they are thinking of synchronising everything…

Q. As the year’s race by I am wondering if putting my cash into property is the best way forward to ensure I have a secure pension plan in place…

Q. Given the sales market is so high right now I am thinking it may be time to sell my investment in Canary Wharf as I have seen some fairly…

Q. I am hearing about some new legislation that affects Landlords surrounding Legionnaires disease? Is this correct that I should be carrying out some kind of testing prior to renting…

Q. I am selling my house to a really nice couple that are in a chain but their sale is really advanced almost ready to exchange in fact. However although…

Dawn Sandoval Residential have been nominated for the People’s Choice Awards 2014 at The Wharf Newspaper’s Property Awards. There are just two days left to vote as the voting closes…

If you are looking for inspiration and want to make a statement in your home then look no further than one of these fabulous murals from DigitexHOME. With their vast…

We are delighted to announce that Dawn was last week announced Female Entrepreneur of the Year for the Docklands Business Club & East London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business…

Q. My tenants have been complaining for a while now that there is a foul smell coming from the bath plug hole. I immediately sent a contractor in to check…

Dawn Sandoval Residential Ltd have entered The Wharf ‘People’s Choice Award’ and ‘Female Estate Agent of the Year’. We would very much appreciate your vote in both categories. If you could…

Q. I am thinking of downsizing my property due to the fact that I have been on an interest only mortgage for way to long and as the years advance…

Q. I have literally fallen in love with a penthouse that I saw last week and was prepared to pay close to the asking price to make it mine. However…

Q. I have decided to quit wasting my money on renting and take the leap of faith and buy my first property. The problem I have now is I really…

Q. I am thinking of buying my first home but struggling to get the deposit together and have heard on the grapevine there is a new government scheme to help…

Q. I am going to work overseas for the next couple of years and have decided to keep my property and rent it out whist I’m gone. Having never done…

Q. I have been marketing my property for sales with a local agent and very happy with their service, in fact I have had a very good offer that I…

With only weeks to go now till the official opening of the Olympics’, speculation on how the property market with be affected once the excitement is all over if rife.…

Q. I’m in some financially difficulty and need to sell my property quickly, I have spoken to the Agent that sold the place to me and explained the situation and…

Q. I am planning on renting my home out for 12 months whilst I go travelling and was going to leave everything behind including my Television. My agent has advised…

One of the most exciting things about purchasing a property is the sheer delight of making it your home. Putting your stamp on it, finally you have an opportunity to…

Q. As a Landlord of three investment properties I have never bothered with Landlords insurance as all my properties are leasehold with buildings insurance included in the service charge so…

Q. I have just completed on a house and am devastated to find that the Vendor has taken all the white goods from the kitchen. When I was viewing the…

So as we hit the halfway mark of this landmark year how is the property market fairing so far? I’m delighted to report that sales are doing very well indeed;…

Q. I have recently been lucky enough to have been left a very large inheritance and am seriously considering investing in property as putting it in the bank whilst the…

Q. I am a tenant that has just vacated a property that I have been renting for the last year. I have kept everything in pristine condition and am really…

Q. I am close to exchange of contracts on my first property and have had a nasty shock from my solicitor, the service charge is actually £700.00 more per annum…

To read London Property Review – May 2012 click here.

Q. We have just bought our dream house and thinking about knocking the wall down between the kitchen and the reception to open it all up and make it open…

Q. I have been thinking about buying a property for ages now but it always comes down to the same thing – lack of funds. However a very good friend…

Q. I completed on my brand new house six months ago and I am devastated to find out that my next door neighbours have decided to build a two story…

Q: I have just agreed to buy a property and sat down with my financial advisor to get the mortgage arranged and he has asked me for money up front…

So with the first quarter of the 2012 already behind us how is the Canary Wharf property market shaping up? The excitement and the anticipation of the Olympics as well…

Q. I am a Landlord with property in the UK but I currently reside overseas. I decided to manage the property myself to save some cash, however I having left…

Q. I’m selling a property for the first time and the buyer had originally asked for a simultaneous exchange and completion. However their solicitor has just come back today saying…

It continues to sadden me that Landlords are still willing to hand over their valuable properties to unscrupulous Agents with no affiliation to any of the Professional bodies that are…

Changes to tenancy deposit protection from 6th April 2012 The government has recently warned Landlords to get their acts together on deposits following the Localism Act achieving Royal Assent in…

Q. I was curious to read your column regarding whose responsibility it is for fence and wall boundaries as I have a similar issue only mine concerns the neighbour’s hedge,…

Q. I have just completed on my new house and the fence on one side is old and falling down, so needs replacing. I am having conflicting views from friends…

Q. I am a first time tenant in London having moved here from the states and not sure how things work with regards to the and check in/out fees and dilapidation’s against…

Q. I want to update my property with a new kitchen and bathroom as well as some cosmetic stuff like new flooring and painting throughout. I plan to live here…

Q. I am about to complete on my first ‘Buy to Let’ property so will be a first time Landlord! What are the pitfalls that I should avoid and have…

Q. I have just exchanged on my property and the buyer has said that the completion date may be delayed by around five days due to funds being moved from…

Q. I am buying a period property and had a full structural survey carried out and the report has come back with ‘foundation failure’. What does this mean, and is…

Q. I am in the market for buying a property for investment for the first time and have found a property that seems to be ticking all my boxes but…

Q. I’m from the states and we always have to hire a buyer’s Agent if we want to purchase a property over there. However I have been told that that…

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2012! The outlook of the year looks set to be very optimistic with lots of exciting activity surrounding the Olympics in the summer.…

So as we approach the close of 2011 looking back how has this year really fared in the property market? The year begun cautious as had the year before, and certainly the…

Every year, unlicensed agents cause home buyers and seller’s unnecessary stress and hassle – and sometimes loss of money – by giving incorrect or misleading advice or offering poor standards of customer…

Q. I’m thinking about selling my property but wondering if I should put it on the market now so close to Christmas. I guess it’s kind of quiet this time…

A Housing Strategy for England The Government published a rather weighty housing strategy review on Tuesday 22nd of November 2011. One of the main points from the strategy is that…

Q. I really want to purchase a second property as an investment but have neither the time nor the inclination to go house hunting? I have heard about property ‘search…

This week I am on my soap box with an issue that comes up time and time again and I have already discussed in the past in my column but…

Q. I’m currently renting in Canary Wharf and have been happily living in the same property for the last three years. However, I have just had news from my agent…

Q. I recently heard about a new scheme to help buyers get on the property ladder, can you tell me more about it and who is eligible? A. The Government’s…

Q. I believe I have been grossly misled by my Estate Agent with regards to the property I am buying. A friend has mentioned that this is a serious offence…

Q. I have just secured a fabulous brand new home to buy but it won’t be ready to move into for another 6 months. I also have a property that…

Q. I’ve heard lots on the grapevine about renting out my property for the Olympics, but wondering first of all how to go about it and how safe it is…

Q. I’m due to exchange on the property I am selling in the next week or so and everything has progressed well so far with the conveyancing, but just when…

First-time buyers guide So you have decided to take the leap of faith and buy your first property, so what do you do first? It can seem like a minefield…

Q. I’m moving home for the first time in 25 years and am daunted by the idea of everything that I need to arrange to make it happen, have you…

Q. I have just completed on my brand new house a month ago and beginning to settle in, but to my dismay have received a planning application from my local…

Q. After careful consideration over who to instruct to sell my house I have just agreed terms with my chosen agent to place my property on the market for sale.…

Q. I have been due to exchange on my property for the past two weeks with the only thing holding things up being the searches, they wouldn’t accept a private…

Q. I viewed a house over the weekend that I have fallen in love with but have just found out today that they never got planning permission for the extension…

Q. I am buying my first property and due to exchange tomorrow so my solicitor advised that I go visit the property to make sure everything is in order before…

I’m compelled to share a case that I am currently working on this week as a cautionary example to prevent this type of thing happening again to anyone that is…

Being a Canary Wharf based Agent for over a decade whenever I sit down to discuss the criteria and wish list of any potential buyer I would be requested in…

Q. I left the country last winter for a year to go and work overseas and rented my apartment out through a company I had never heard of before but…

Q. I am looking to buy something within the next couple of months and have been out viewing lots of different properties in my desired location over the last couple…

Q. I have just sold my property to some investment buyers in Malaysia, and everything has been going great so far. They have their mortgage approval from the bank and…

Q. I am buying a high end brand new house from a small independent builder in Central London but am concerned as I have asked that we do a second…

Q. I am a property investor that owns a small portfolio of properties, and have just acquired a new property. I agreed to buy the property with the current tenant…

Q. I am a student from overseas who has just arrived in the UK ready to start university in September. I desperately need to find a flat to rent to…

Q. I have recently viewed the most perfect property and made what I think is a reasonable offer. However the agent tells me that there are two other interested parties…

Q. I am an owner of a leasehold property on a private development and have just had a notification from my managing agent regarding my gas boiler. Apparently from 1st…

Q. I am trying to negotiate an offer on a brand new property directly with the developer. I have made an offer but subject to him laying high quality solid…

                                           30th May 2011 Dawn Sandoval Residential is proud to have received its licence from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). A licensed estate agency branch means consumers are…

Q. My landlord has not protected our six week dilapidation deposit, despite us following advice and writing him several letters asking her to do so. My flat mate however does…

Q. I have recently relocated from Canary Wharf to West London to be closer to the school I want my daughter to attend. I sold up and moved into rented…

Q. I have been left some inheritance money from my grandparents and wondering if it’s still worth investing in property given the fact that money in the bank is pretty…

Q. My wife and I are moving to New York next month for the next two years and have decided to rent my Apartment out while we are gone. Having…

So with the Easter Break over and the first quarter of the year behind us, how is the property market fairing? Are things any better I hear you say, what…

Q. I have recently bought a house just outside London with a huge garden. Since moving in one of my neighbours has complained that one of my trees is blocking…

Q. I’m getting ready to sell my property and was going to instruct the Agent to sell it for me whom I bought through, they seemed pretty efficient considering some…

Q. I had sold my property and was due to exchange last week with a completion set for the following week. However I was devastated to receive a call from…

A little bit of good news came out of last week’s budget for the first time buyers market at least when the government announced their plan for a new shared…

Q. I am thinking of buying for investment but a wee bit green when it comes to actually knowing how the whole property investment world works, can you give me…

Q. I am a private landlord and my tenants have been renting my property for the last 4 years. Because they are such good tenants I have never increased the…

Q. As a home owner in Canary Wharf I am being constantly bombarded by companies wanting to offer me an opportunity to rent my home out during the Olympics for…

Q. I have been renting my apartment for 3 months now and my Landlord is constantly wanting access for one reason or another, surely I must have some rights not…

Q. My partner and I are extremely keen to purchase our first property but are having major difficulty trying to find a mortgage with a reasonable LVT (loan to value).…

Watching Channel 4’s Mary Portas Secret Shopper last week I cringed as she proved that most of the general public’s opinion about Estate Agents has unfortunately more than just an…

Q. Having just purchased my first home I’m super excited to renovate it and make loads of expensive home improvements. I’m wondering though which improvements are best in the long…

Q. I’ve just placed my property on the market for sale and in a bit of a quandary, I personally feel that I would be better to carry out the…

Q. I am becoming increasing frustrated with Estate Agents as none of them seem to take my inquires seriously, I rarely get a call back and when I do speak to someone…

It seems that 2011 has started well as reports around London reveal that the shortage of stock in central London means that agents are turning over sales within a week.…

Q. I’m looking to buy a brand new property and having always bought second hand re- sale property in the past I’m hoping you can give me some good solid…

According to research by buy to mortgage specialist The Paragon Group into landlords’ 2011 views and planned behaviour shows that 71% of landlords are optimistic about the prospects for their…

If you have been following my regular articles in The London Homes & Property you may have come across an article on the authetic French properties that luxurious developers Garrigae have to…

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!  I am so excited to finally have my website launched and be able to share it with you all.  2011 is going to be an exciting…

Q. I’m a Landlord with several investment properties and just heard about something called ‘The Green Deal’ that may affect me as a Landlord can you tell me more? A.…

So as we roll into the last couple of weeks of the year how is the market fairing out there is the key question on every ones lips. 2010 has…

Q. I’m really not happy with the Agent that is currently marketing my property at all. When he came to value the property he promised me a first class service…

Q. I’ve recently heard the Government are planning to bring out some kind of licensing for Estate Agents is this true? A. Yes correct, for some time now the NAEA has been…

Q. I usually rent my investment property via an agent and have it fully managed by them too. My circumstances have changed now and I find myself with more time…

Q. I’m finally starting to think about buying my first property and have booked some appointments to view property over the next few weekends. Obviously I’m looking for a property…

Q. I really want to buy a property in the next few months but have so little time to search. A colleague has a recommended using a property finder to…

Q. What is happening to house prices, it’s so confusing trying to read the market at the moment with so many conflicting opinions? A. I agree with so many differing…

Q. I have nightmare tenants that are constantly breaking things in my apartment and causing me great expense on a regular basis. Surely there must be a limit to what…

Q. I’m planning to take a year out and go travelling so have decided to rent my apartment out whilst I’m away. Having never done this before I feel completely…

Q. I’d love to get my foot on the property ladder and particularly interested in finding out more about shared ownership schemes as these seem like a more affordable way…

Q. I’m buying a Leasehold property and almost ready to exchange but my solicitor has just discovered that there seems to be no evidence of the parking space on the…

Q. I’ve just unexpectedly discovered the house I’m buying is in a conservation area how does this impact me as a buyer – I understand there will be various restrictions placed upon…

Q. I’m thinking about buying an investment property as a pension plan with a friend of mine, I have heard there are two ways of holding this legally, can you…

Q. I’m thinking about extending my house rather than selling and buying a larger property, have you any advice regarding this particularly with regards to seeking planning permission and whether…

Q. How is the property marketing fairing as we enter the final quarter of the year? A. Certainly most would agree that it has remained a very unpredictable market for…

Q. Can you tell me more about EPC’s (Energy Performance Certificates) I’m not sure when and why I would require one and is it just if I want to rent…

Q. I’m a new Landlord currently trying to agree a let on my property, the Agent has suggested that I should take out some kind of a rental Warranty to…

Q. I’m going to rent a flat for the first time and need to understand my rights and responsibilities as a tenant, can you help? A. Certainly, even before you…

Q. According to my Agent my tenancy has now run into ‘Periodic’ what does this mean and how does it impact me as a tenant? A. Once the fixed term…

Q. Who runs the tenancy deposit protection schemes? A. The government has awarded contracts to three companies to run tenancy deposit protection schemes; The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) The…

 Q. My property has been on the market for absolutely ages now, around 10 weeks and I have had hardly any viewings. I’m really frustrated as I need to move…

Q. I’m renting a house through a local agent and sharing with two others, problem is one of the sharers now wants to leave but both myself and the remaining…

Q. I’ve had some really great tenants a middle aged couple renting my property for over 2 years now who have been pretty much perfect in every respect, however I…

Q. A week ago, I was informed by the Estate Agents that are managing my flat that water was leaking from my flat into the occupiers below. The leak has…

Q. I’m fresh out of university and renting a property for the first time and feeling a tad daunted by the tenancy agreement, are you able to explain some of…

The personal search industry are up in arms and have hit back furiously at suggestions this week that official local authority searches should be made compulsory in all house sales.…

As you may have already heard, the Government announced last week that HIP’s (Home information Packs) have been suspended with immediate affect, pending primary legislation to abolish them. I for…

Q. I’m hoping to remortgage my property to release some equity. Only problem is I’m hearing there are quite a lot of down valuations going on at the moment, hence…

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) welcomed last week a major victory in Alistair Darling’s decision to raise the threshold of stamp duty land tax. The NAEA has long…

Q. Why should I let my agent organise my HIP when I can buy one that costs less on the internet? A. Good question, considering we are not able to…

Q. I have been told by my solicitor that the investment property that I am selling has an an absentee freeholder, what impact will this have on me selling?  …

Buy now . . . the time is right!  This time last year the property market in Canary Wharf virtually ground to a halt over night. One minute there was…

Q. I recently heard that ‘CORGI’ the gas safety recognition body has been replaced, if so what implications does this have on me as a landlord? A. Correct – the CORGI…

 Q. The house I’m buying is on a private road and the local authority searches have raised the point of a possible ‘road adoption’ by the local authority, can you…

Q. The property I’m buying has just been down valued by the surveyor, is there anything I can do? A. Unfortunately down valuations happen from time to time and are…

So as we enter the 2nd quarter of the year how are things fairing on the property scene? The last 3 weeks have seen increasing activity on the sales front.…

Important changes to HIPS from April 6 2009 As you may or may not be aware the rules are changing regarding Hips from the 6th April 2009, the main changes are:…

Q. Please can you advise me what the term ‘Bona Vacantia’ means? A.  The term “Bona Vacantia” literally means vacant goods and is the legal name for ownerless property, which…

Q. We have just read the HIP report on the house we have agreed to buy and discovered that the current vendors have built an extension over a public sewer,…

Q. Having rented for the last couple of years I am now starting to think about buying especially since the prices seem to have dropped so much over the last…

Q. I have been marketing my property for sales for several months now and have still not sold. My agent has said it’s the price so I agreed to bring…

Q. I need to sell my house and particularly in this time of uncertainty with us all looking at ways to tighten our belts, and with agents fees eating into…

Q. The tenants I currently have in occupation have been fairly reliable and stress free throughout the last year of their tenancy, that given I’m currently discussing a possible renewal…

Q. I am thinking of knocking a wall down in my house as well as making some other alterations. I’m sure I won’t need planning permission for all the changes…

Q. I have seen a beautiful cottage in the countryside which I am definitely considering buying but the agents details mention the property has a ‘flying freehold’. Firstly what is…

Q. So what impact if any has the reduction in interest rates by the Bank of England had on the current property market? A. Buyer enquiries are on the rise…

Q. I am refurbishing the house I have just bought and have rather a large amount of building waste I need to get rid of as I am replacing both…

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2009! So what do we have in store for us this year I hear you all asking? The final quarter of last year…

Q. My family and I holiday in Spain most years and are now thinking that due to market conditions it could be time to pick up a bargain holiday home…

Q. I am going to rent my property out in the New Year and have been speaking to various agents with regards to the necessary arrangements to get the property…

Q. Help, I am in despair, after agreeing a sale on my property £75,000 below the original asking price I am just about to exchange contracts and my buyers have…

Q. I am buying an apartment in canary wharf and my solicitor has just written to me concerning a Chancel check report that she has just received back and is…

Q. My property has been on the market for the last 4 months now and still no sign of an offer. I know the market conditions are not too good…

So last week saw the city in shock as news broke of the Base rates being reduced again and this time by 1.5% to 3% bringing them to their lowest…

Q. I would love to take advantage of the current sales market and buy my first buy to let property for investment since property is that much more affordable right…

If I could get my hands on a Crystal ball right now I would be a very happy lady! Why is that, I hear you all asking? Simply because this…

Q. I am currently based out in the Far East and have decided to sell my buy to let investment. Trouble is it’s difficult for me to get back to…

Q. I have just re-located back here from New York and my company, one of the larger banks in canary wharf have agreed to rent a flat for me as…

Q. Are you able to give me advice on making an offer on a property I am interested in? I am slightly confused given the current market conditions as to…

Q. Having just agreed to purchase a two bedroom apartment here in canary wharf and now arranging the legal formalities of the purchase, my solicitor has asked the agent for…

  Q. I have just completed on a house I bought for investment and have kept the existing tenants. Under the new TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) regulations I am aware…

October marks the roll out of energy certificates (EPC’s) to all buildings. The government has recently updated the energy performance of buildings regulations for energy performance certificates, responding to both…

Q. I am just about to exchange contracts on the apartment I am buying; however my solicitor says that although the lease plan is showing it has 2 parking spaces…

Q. I agreed to purchase the property I am buying with all the furniture included in the purchase price. However after receiving the fixtures and fittings list from my seller’s…

Watching the Olympics the other day really drove home the fact that that will be us in 4 years time. Seeing the camera’s pan around the outside of the stadium…

Q. Is there really any need to use an Estate Agent to get your property sold today? With the internet playing such a big part in most peoples lives surely…

Q. What is meant by ‘Registered Title’? A. Whenever ‘title’ or ownership to land or property is disposed of the transaction will need to be recorded at one of the…

Q. My current tenancy is just about to expire on my rental investment and my tenants have asked my agent if they can renew, I am happy for them to…

Q. Has there been much of an impact on the property market in general with the Bank of England announcing yet another interest rate increase last week? A. From the…