I hope you all survived the wet and windy Bank Holiday weekend (brace yourselves because there’s another one coming!) At least it felt like the traditionally awful weather was part of our collective return to normality! Especially with yet another big step out of lockdown recently taking place, here’s some tips from the BBC on how to reduce the risk of catching the virus as we ease back to the new normal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57087517.

There’s no doubt that market activity increased noticeably across the board following the previous key date in the loosening of restrictions, with far more people out and about – many shivering outside pubs and restaurants! In the property world, things have been moving even faster with the market best described as ‘frenetic’. The majority of that activity was in the sales sector with the stamp duty holiday providing a substantial boost. Lettings activity picked up markedly in May and we expect this to increase more now that lockdown has eased further. In fact the latest report from Nationwide suggests that 40% of tenants are currently thinking of moving home! That’s 8% more than the number of homeowners who want to do the same (32%). We’ll have to see how that translates into real-world activity but it certainly sounds promising.

Any sellers should be aware that the end of the Stamp Duty holiday is not as far away as they might think. In fact the initial stage comes to an end in around six weeks’ time (at the end of June). After that the tax-free rate will drop to the first £250,000 of any purchase rather than £500,000 and this revised rate will continue until the end of September. The good news is that most commentators believe demand is not just being driven by the Stamp Duty holiday period and our experience is the same. There are a lot of buyers who have been tentatively in the market for three years or more initially waiting for the outcome of Brexit and now waiting for COVID-19 to run its course. We are so confident in fact that we are expanding our sales team to deal with the increasing demand.

Looking for a family home with space? This substantial semi-detached 5 double bedroom Victorian house on Girdlers Road extends to over 3400 sq ft with 2 floors of fantastic living/entertaining space and 2 floors of bedrooms, available at £3.575m. Click here for more information. 

What’s not such good news is that there is yet more legislation landlords need to be aware of. Although the evictions ban is due to come to an end on 31st May, from the 4th of this month the government’s new ‘Breathing Space’ scheme came into operation. Essentially, it gives debtors a 60 day period to get their act together if they find themselves in financial difficulty. During that time it will not be possible to proceed with, nor begin an eviction. And from now on, eviction paperwork must include information about the scheme. The intentions behind it are good but, as usual, it’s landlords that are likely to bear the brunt of the costs.

The following two links are to the Government guidance on the scheme: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-scheme-to-give-people-in-problem-debt-breathing-space-launched.

Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space) guidance for creditors:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance-for-creditors.

We currently have available to rent this truly amazing 5 double bedroom property with both excellent and flexible living/entertaining space on all three floors, a fabulous south westerly garden and office/garden room. This extra wide property with high ceilings on all three floors has been extended and refurbished to exacting contemporary standards, is flooded with light and a must see! Click here to have a look.

Our International team have been busy finalising a collaboration with Costa del Sol property experts Crystal Shore Properties. Founded in 2005, Crystal Shore Properties offers one of the largest property portfolios on the Costa Del Sol – located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, between Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona.

The partnership will see Finlay Brewer International offer its clientele access to an extensive shared database of properties across the Costa Del Sol. The new sector includes a wide range of holiday apartments, spectacular multi-million pound villas and some of the most sought after developments on the sunshine coast.

Finlay Brewer International are already positioned to assist clients with buying, selling and sourcing properties on the French Riviera, Monaco and Montenegro and welcome the expansion into this popular region of Spain. If you have property wants or needs in any of these locations, get in touch with Rista or Cheryl at info@finlaybrewerinternational.com, who will be delighted to assist. Click here for a taster of one of the impressive listings available on the Costa del Sol.

Well that’s about it for this month but if you need any help or advice please feel free to give us a call.

Teresa