The Government announced the new temporary changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax, but what does this mean for homebuyers? With immediate effect the new Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) threshold of £500,000 will apply and will run until 31 March 2021. This means any buyer purchasing a primary residential property between 8 July 2020 and 31 March 2021, up to the value of £500,000, will be exempt of paying Stamp...

We can use thermal imaging cameras to diagnose a variety of problems by scanning the floors, walls and ceilings when walking from room to room during an inspection. The camera we use (FLIR One Pro) attaches to any device  (tablet or mobile phone) to create a very powerful, thermal imaging camera. It produces an image on the screen with colours corresponding to different temperatures on the visible...

What is the Residential Management Company for?A Residential Management Company (RMC) protects the rights of Leaseholders. Its aims are to manage and administer the common parts for the benefit of all owners. Common parts may include the road, landscaped areas (not in private ownership), bin stores, internal communal areas and structures of any building which contains leasehold property within the...

A huge thank you to Michael Kelly our Chartered Surveyor in South Yorkshire for this great feature: Here are a few pictures of a traditional, stone built, Weaver's Cottage that is close to where I live in Penistone, South Yorkshire. It is typical of the many stone built cottages dotted along the Pennines, which thankfully I sometimes get to inspect when I'm out and about.  I tend to come across these in...

You may not have even considered this... A Remote Valuation (otherwise known as a Desktop Valuation) is an inspection that does not require our Registered Valuer to physically attend your property at any stage. Instead the valuation is conducted using information accessible online using Government funded and commercial websites e.g. Land Registry. If you find yourself in one of the following situations,...

Ideas to help sell your home... If you’re currently selling your house and keen to arrange viewings now that the market has reopened, we’re offering some advice and tips on how to stage your home, equally relevant whether you’re carrying out virtual viewing, filming a video tour or allowing potential buyers visit in person, subject to social distancing rules etc. We now live in a world driven by...

We support the Mental Health Foundation and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek 2020, taking place between 18 - 24 May. Since the first Mental Health Awareness Week in 2001, they have raised awareness on topics like anxiety, depression, stress and relationships. The campaign reaches millions of people every year. This year, with our support, they can reach more people than ever. This year's theme is...

Operating since 1890, Watsons are specialist managing agents and understand the commitment required to maintain the blocks and estates that we manage. How do we differ from other managing agents? We’re a Local, Independent Firm We take great pride in our customer care, working with property owners to ensure that sites are managed in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Proactive We work together...

What is HM Land Registry? Within England and Wales, HM Land Registry’s responsibilities are to provide: a reliable record of information about ownership of and interests affecting both land and property. owners with a land title, guaranteed by the government. a title plan that indicates general boundaries. You MUST register all land or property with HM Land Registry if you’ve: bought it...

Watsons are still in operation! We can still carry out surveys on empty properties or those where the occupants are out of the property during the time of the inspection. We follow the latest Government guidance (26 March 2020) which states that work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Current...