Following on from the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, Nathan Humphreys, Head of Residential Management at Watsons gives his opinion on fire safety in flats and maisonettes. While the emphasis for industry and the government following the Grenfell Tower fire has been associated with tall buildings, any block of flats or maisonettes need to ensure they are adequately protected against fire...

Watsons are Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors, so I read with interest the recent BBC news reporting a significant rise in homes being valued at less than the price that buyers had agreed to pay.  Down valuations, on the estate agency side of our business, do happen from time to time, but to-date we have seen not seen anywhere near the levels being reported of ‘I in 5 sales’ as suggested by Emoov...

To support the continued growth of our surveying business, we have recently expanded to provide mineral surveying and land agency services across the UK. We can advise on a large range of property issues pertaining to minerals and waste, together with associated industrial properties. These include valuations, negotiations for option agreements for leases, the acquisition and disposal of property,...

A baby GoGoHare (leveret) named Hareratio is now residing with us at Watsons in Bank Plain. Decorated by pupils at Notre Dame High School in Norwich, this beautiful hare is decorated with iconic images of Norwich and Norfolk. Hareratio is part of the GoGoHares leveret trail, which runs from Monday 2nd July until Sunday September 2nd in Norwich. Why not spent a summer’s day following the trail,...

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is the rich variety of property I get to see.  Reflecting over the last 10 days, it has included everything from a 1970’s two bedroom detached bungalow in Weybourne, a stunning apartment on the North Norfolk coast, to a significant Georgian cliff-top house.  Likewise, condition varies from stunning to full-modernisation and agent's favourite word...

Watsons are pleased to announce an alliance with TGA Services (UK) Ltd. The alliance will be providing maintenance services to our clients - offering more efficient and cost effective minor repairs, maintenance and remedial works in Watsons' managed properties across our blocks, estates and lettings portfolios throughout East Anglia. The decision to strike up a collaboration with TGA Services (UK) Ltd also...

With his strong communication skills and gift at building relationships, Ciaron Bailey has joined Watsons as our latest recruit. As an Apprentice Trainee Negotiator, Ciaron Bailey is the newest member of our Residential Sales team at our Cromer branch. He will be working to gain his Level 2 - City & Guilds Certificate in Property (Residential Letting and Management). Fresh from college, Ciaron has...

From 1 April 2018 households now need to pay if they need to take any DIY waste to their local tip. Previously households were permitted to take small amounts of DIY waste to any of the tips in Norfolk free of charge. This amounted to one large item or up to 80 litres of waste per household. However, Norfolk County Council is now looking to reduce costs, and by introducing this charge will make a saving...

"A relatively new problem has begun to crop up when selling homes that have a septic tank" says Anthony Burn, Branch Manager of Watsons Holt. "Recent property sales have been delayed so that drainage systems can be assessed by a competent drainage contractor who then applies through the environment agency for a “consent to discharge” if the system is draining to a ditch or stream etc. This has led in...

2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). To celebrate this milestone, RICS have launched two initiatives that highlight the achievements of the surveying profession and demonstrate its importance to society, both in the past and in the future. The RICS Pride in the Profession initiative showcases the significant and positive impact surveyors have made to...