5 tips for first time buyers

Matthew Parkinson Surveyors are well-known in Lancaster and the surrounding areas of Cumbria, South Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales for providing survey and valuation reports for those looking to purchase or sell residential properties.

Whilst encompassing a significant proportion of our workload, our services for residential clients actually extend far beyond this.

Here we look at some of our other areas of expertise in relation to residential properties.

Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) / property portfolio management

Matthew Parkinson Surveyors are able to undertake survey inspections on behalf of individual landlords and companies with a portfolio of residential properties. Our reports provide a detailed description of the condition of the properties, along with the identification of any repairs or works required. We will provide a schedule with recommendations, so that issues can be addressed in order of need and to optimise cost-effectiveness.

This creates a planned maintenance strategy to ensure that property assets are well looked after and maintained, whilst aiming to optimise commercial viability. By taking a proactive approach to property maintenance, landlords can enhance the value of their property portfolios over time, also avoiding unexpected and costly reactive repair works.

Heritage and Listed properties

Buildings that are protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 require permission to be sought in advance of any works being undertaken. Failure to do so can be a prosecutable offence.

Obtaining the required planning consent can be a long and arduous process. As such, we are able to advise property owners in relation to undertaking renovation work, completing the necessary applications if desired.

Using our specialist knowledge and experience in this area, our team’s advice reduces the likelihood of an application being rejected and the need to then appeal or revise and re-submit the application.

Project Management

Matthew Parkinson Surveyors are able to provide full project management services for developments, including significant extensions, conversions and refurbishments to existing properties, along with single or multiple dwelling new-build schemes.  The scope of a project manager can vary, depending on the requirements of the client and the scale of the project. Typically, our project management services include regular site visits to oversee construction standards, monitoring timescales and budgets and providing regular progress reports to the client.

Where we are involved from an early stage, we are also able to provide a wider range of services, including the initial preparation of drawings, preparing detailed specification documents and Measured Building Surveys, managing procurement and selecting suppliers, and providing advice on planning applications and building regulations.

Land Consultancy

As well as representing clients in transactions involving property, our team are also able to provide specialist advice in relation to the sale and acquisition of land. In particular, our team have a great deal of experience in representing landowners in the sale of land to housing developers. We can guide clients through the process, which can involve several stages and a potential minefield of paperwork. Our advice helps clients to opt for the best strategy to suit their circumstances and ultimately optimise the eventual sale price they are able to achieve.

To discuss any of our services in relation to residential properties, please get in touch with us.

Matthew Parkinson - Chartered Building Surveyor
c/o Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors,
White Cross Business Park,
South Road,
Lancaster,
Lancashire
LA1 4XQ
Telephone: 01524 899850
Matthew Parkinson is a Chartered Surveyor at Lea Hough & Co LLP, which is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales under partnership number OC306054.
Registered Office: White Cross Business Park, South Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 4X0