News
Property news roundup - Green leases for non-dom buildings
Green leases for non-domestic buildings
The All Party Urban Development Group is planning a new strategy to reduce the carbon footprints of existing non-domestic buildings. The introduction of ‘green leases’ could prove to be the most efficient starting point.
Government carbon neutral targets on new non-domestic buildings may not be met due to a slow down in construction, so there is a pressing need to increase the green credentials of those buildings already standing and occupied.
Non-domestic buildings account for around 20 per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, with existing buildings producing the majority of this.
Green Leases are a topic of much uncertainty within the building industry, with many parties split as to how they should be implemented, whether they bring greater benefit to tenants or landlords and whether or not they provide the solution to the challenge of making our buildings sustainable, such as through the reduction of carbon emissions and better waste management.
A green lease incorporates an agreement between the landlord and tenant as to how a building is to be occupied, managed and developed in a sustainable way. It includes a schedule detailing specific provisions for monitoring and improving energy performance, meeting efficiency targets and reducing the environmental impacts of the building.
Mathew Lown, partner in charge of sustainability at building consultancy TFT, said: “For a Green Lease to work it needs to have support and commitment from both the tenant and the landlord.
“The terms of the lease should be agreed on common ground that marries the green credentials of both parties and engages everyone in the delivery process,” Mr Lown went on to say.
Scheme recognises quality new homes
Homeowners are to benefit from a brand new recognition scheme acknowledging developers producing high standards of building work.
Inspector Home, the independent new home snagging service, is to launch its accreditation scheme this week. At present the volume of defects in new homes ranges between 0 and 405 and buyers have no way of knowing in advance how the quality of their new home will measure up. The scheme is expected to give assurance to house purchasers and off-plan buyers.
Inspector Home says its accreditation scheme will acknowledge developers “producing high standards of finish and workmanship and excellent standards of customer service.”
The Inspector Home scheme is open to all UK developers and will enable them to provide assurance to both current purchasers and future off plan buyers. Units inspected on behalf of homebuyers may also be included in the scheme and homeowners may also nominate their developer if they have been very satisfied with their new home.
Vanessa Ambler, director of Inspector Home said: “This is the first time developers have had the opportunity to provide independent verification of their quality.
“Our clients are very excited that they are now able to demonstrate confidence in their product. It’s a bit like having a kite mark for your new home,” Ms Ambler added.
To achieve accreditation, sites must achieve very low minor defect levels of no more than ten per cent of the national average.
Stephen Nancarrow, Inspector Home director, said: “It is unrealistic to expect new homes to be defect-free, but there are many developers out there achieving great results and we believe they should be recognised.”
Every site to receive accreditation will have the opportunity to be listed on the Inspector Home web site and receive a certificate to display. Developers that achieve recommended status will have the opportunity to display the accreditation logo on their promotional material.
Developers and homebuyers wishing to participate in the scheme should contact Joanne Savill at Inspector Home on 0845 408 4979.
VAT reduction on repairs
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed the conclusion in the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee report on the supply of rented housing calling for a reduction in VAT on repairs and maintenance.
The report states the high rate of VAT makes it too expensive for many landlords to maintain or refurbish their properties and encourages neglect leading to demolition and new build.
Moreover, the financial disincentive to repair and maintenance work caused by the high rates of VAT is often the root cause that allows homes to fall into disrepair in the first place.
The resulting vacancy and dereliction blights whole neighbourhoods, depresses property values and attracts crime, putting unnecessary demands on the police and fire services. Conversely, the regenerative effect on the street and the wider neighbourhood of reusing empty property can be striking.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said, “According to the government's own figures, there are seven million homes classed as ‘non-decent’ in England alone.
This means they are substandard in terms of their state of repair, kitchen and bathroom facilities, heating and insulation, a disproportionate number of these homes are in the private rented sector.
“The current high rate of VAT on building repair work acts as a disincentive for private landlords to maintain their properties. In many instances, this results in tenants living in misery because their landlords will not carry out basic repairs on their properties.
“What makes this worse is that these tenants tend to be the most vulnerable people in our society, with the elderly particularly at risk."
"A reduced rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent to five per cent has the potential to make a positive impact in areas that need regenerating as well as supporting environmentally sustainable improvements to properties that reduce carbon emissions,” Mr Berry went on to say.
Chelsea Flower Show to be recycled
For the first time in its history the Chelsea Flower Show, which was held on the 20 to 24 May, is set to be recycled. Volunteers from CSV's Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) will help oversee redistribution of parts of the show gardens and exhibits to good causes.
After each show the vast majority of the tons of earth, sand, turf, hard landscaping, pond liners, containers and flowerpots are thrown away.
This year, volunteers will oversee the donation of the remnants of the 600 exhibits, including 22 show gardens to schools, community groups, city farms, charities and allotment associations.
Minister for Climate Change, Waste, Recycling and Biodiversity, Joan Ruddock, will be officially opening the recycling site on 26 May, and it will remain open until 2 June.
The recycling is backed by the Royal Horticultural Society. As well as volunteers from RSVP, help will come from Enviroworks Lewisham and the National Community Wood Recycling Project.
Denise Murphy, director of RSVP, said: “Our volunteers love giving their time to help promote green issues and supporting a national treasure like the Chelsea Flower Show.
“It is also wonderful that thanks to their efforts so many other good causes will be able to benefit,” Ms Murphy added.
The donated garden remnants will be presented in a potluck fashion and available first come first served basis. All collectors need to register in advance.
To book a slot to collect the remains of the flower show contact Hilary Blume or Alex Hayes at the Charities Advisory Trust on 020 7794 9835 or people@thecharitiesadvisorytrust.org.uk
Britain's best home
“Britain's Best Home” was revealed last week on a television programme.
Channel Five scoured the country to find the owner of the UK’s best home.
Carr Hall, an extravagant £3.7 million castle near Halifax was voted as the winner. It is owned by entrepreneur Terry George and his partner Michael Rothwell.
Young interior designer Ben Huckerby, aged 27, recently brought The19th century Victorian folly to life. Mr Huckerby has already made his mark designing for Rick Savage from Def Leopard, along with a number of bars and clubs across the country.
Carr Hall has a ten-acre deer park, battlements, towers with arrow slits and arch head windows.
“When I first saw Carr Hall, there were tapestries all over the place and it looked like an old museum, said Mr Huckerby.
“Unbelievably, lots of original features were still there but they’d been covered up. I recommended taking the walls back to the original brickwork and creating an opulent look with deep colours, dark wood and highly textured fabrics,” Mr Huckerby added.
For more information see www.benhuckerbydesign.co.uk.
Post a Comment on this News Article.
