theRatandMouse 2012-05-16T18:09:48Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2012, Ben Official London 2012 Protestors announced… tickets available in the summer 2012-05-16T18:09:48Z 2012-05-16T18:09:47Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6274 2012-05-16T18:09:47Z They've a website, a logo, t-shirts, and a Top Ten of reasons why they think we should all be protesting the London Olympics, including: THE OLYMPICS WILL CREATE MORE HOUSING.  Yes, if you can afford them! The rest of... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk _Other 20120516olympics

They've a website, a logo, t-shirts, and a Top Ten of reasons why they think we should all be protesting the London Olympics, including:

THE OLYMPICS WILL CREATE MORE HOUSING. 

Yes, if you can afford them! The rest of the site is being given over to homes is being developed by the Mayoral Development Company, Olympic Park Legacy Company. They promise 11,000 new homes, and 35% of them will be affordable. Only 675 of them will be social housing though, so if you’re on the list in Newham get ready to wait. The average wait is around 10 years.

Behind the campaign... a group calling themselves The Space Hijackers, a an anarchist group dedicated to protecting public spaces from the encroachment of private institutions.

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]]> How to negotiate with an HMO landlady… it almost worked 2012-05-16T09:22:34Z 2012-05-16T09:20:34Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6273 2012-05-16T09:20:34Z James: “Hi.  Just look last place, your house is definately the best. Can only see 1 problem!” Me: “Call me and I’ll address the problem – is it the parking permit?” James: “Possible problem could be finding your landlady very attractive.... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk

James: “Hi.  Just look last place, your house is definately the best. Can only see 1 problem!”

Me: “Call me and I’ll address the problem – is it the parking permit?”

James: “Possible problem could be finding your landlady very attractive. x”

Me: “James, I am far too old and stroppy for you.  Do you want the room or just to flirt?”

James: “They say age is justa number dont they?  What if I said just to flirt?”

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]]> Stacks is hiring... 2012-05-15T17:56:09Z 2012-05-15T17:54:19Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6272 2012-05-15T17:54:19Z Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk About The Rat and Mouse's more eagle-eyed readers might have spotted we have a new advertiser… 👆 and 👉. We're very grateful to Stacks Property Search & Acquisition, for helping support the blog.

Stacks - founded in 1984 - is the country's oldest and most experienced independent search agency. Their independence means you can be 100% sure they're working in your, the buyer's, best interests; and their knowledge of the locality, from any one of 18 offices, means you're benefiting from both experience and a working familiarity with the local market. 

Not only that, if you're a property professional with an interest in joining this leading agency, Stacks is recruiting. Click one of the banners for more information. 

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]]> Market report - prices stay steady, activity plunges 2012-05-15T17:17:00Z 2012-05-15T17:15:12Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6271 2012-05-15T17:15:12Z It's all to do with the end of the first-time buyer stamp duty holiday, according to LSL Property Services and Acadametrics, who have published their latest report. Transactions were down 18% in April after a 32% rise in March, but... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk House prices It's all to do with the end of the first-time buyer stamp duty holiday, according to LSL Property Services and Acadametrics, who have published their latest report. Transactions were down 18% in April after a 32% rise in March, but property prices fell by just 0.2%. But prices are up 0.4% since December, and 1.4% since June. More here.

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]]> Tuesday morning linkage - the sex aid index 2012-05-15T08:45:23Z 2012-05-15T08:43:28Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6270 2012-05-15T08:43:28Z Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk Linkage 20120515sexaid 1

Global property prices on the turn [Spear's]
On the eighth floor of One Hyde Park [Daily Mail]
Hammersmith & Fulham Council announces controversial new social housing proposals [Daily Telegraph]
In Battersea: chimneys in danger [Reuters]
London: rated by sex aid sales [Big Smoke]

The Rat and Mouse - London's property blog, since 2005 

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]]> Is bad news for the Eurozone good news for London property? 2012-05-14T17:46:45Z 2012-05-14T17:44:48Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6269 2012-05-14T17:44:48Z According to Savills, Greek and Spanish money led the European flight towards London's safe-haven property last month, with Greek searches increasing 39%. Sixty-five year old Cypriot, Dinos Joannou, speaking to Reuters, puts the issue succinctly: "Greece is screwed, there are... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk _Other According to Savills, Greek and Spanish money led the European flight towards London's safe-haven property last month, with Greek searches increasing 39%. Sixty-five year old Cypriot, Dinos Joannou, speaking to Reuters, puts the issue succinctly:

"Greece is screwed, there are no jobs and it has been run by crooks."

Okay. Knight Frank's Liam Bailey concurs with Savills data, with some extraordinary boosts coming from Europe (searches from Portugal up 153% on the same time last year, from Italy up 46%).

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]]> Monday morning linkage - north south arrears gap 2012-05-14T09:20:06Z 2012-05-14T09:18:03Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6268 2012-05-14T09:18:03Z The north-south arrears gap [Bloomberg]London avoids global prime property losses [City AM]Beyonce, Jay-Z plan move to London [STV]Thierry wins in Hampstead demolition battle [Mail on Sunday] The Rat and Mouse - London's property blog  Technorati Tags: property, real estate... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk Linkage The north-south arrears gap [Bloomberg]
London avoids global prime property losses [City AM]
Beyonce, Jay-Z plan move to London [STV]
Thierry wins in Hampstead demolition battle [Mail on Sunday]

The Rat and Mouse - London's property blog 

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]]> Best? Roommate? Ever?… (Definitely NSFW) 2012-05-11T17:39:12Z 2012-05-11T17:37:24Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6267 2012-05-11T17:37:24Z The Best of Craigslist Vol. 4: Best. Roommate. Ever. - watch more funny videos   This is a dramatisation of what was - we are assured - a genuine Craigslist ad (see it here). We've no idea whether he... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk _Other

The Best of Craigslist Vol. 4: Best. Roommate. Ever. - watch more funny videos
 

This is a dramatisation of what was - we are assured - a genuine Craigslist ad (see it here). We've no idea whether he found a house share. 

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]]> Stellar Street: Tom Conti to Thierry Henri…"move" 2012-05-11T17:31:21Z 2012-05-11T17:29:19Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6266 2012-05-11T17:29:19Z The story is the Henri wants to demolish his Hampstead home and build a new one. Conti, who lives at the bottom of his garden, isn't impressed. If someone wants a larger house, why not just buy one somewhere else?... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk Celebrity homes The story is the Henri wants to demolish his Hampstead home and build a new one. Conti, who lives at the bottom of his garden, isn't impressed.

If someone wants a larger house, why not just buy one somewhere else?

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]]> Friday morning linkage - repo-data 2012-05-11T10:36:16Z 2012-05-11T10:34:24Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6265 2012-05-11T10:34:24Z Base rates stay put, borrowers pay more [Daily Mail]Still banging on about land tax [Liberal Democrat Voice]Repo-data: not good, but stable [Independent]Fall in buy-to-let lending [Daily Telegraph] The Rat and Mouse - London's property blog, since 2005  Technorati Tags: property, real estate... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk Linkage Base rates stay put, borrowers pay more [Daily Mail]
Still banging on about land tax [Liberal Democrat Voice]
Repo-data: not good, but stable [Independent]
Fall in buy-to-let lending [Daily Telegraph]

The Rat and Mouse - London's property blog, since 2005 

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]]> Wealthy French flee socialists, buy in London 2012-05-10T17:29:41Z 2012-05-10T17:27:52Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6264 2012-05-10T17:27:52Z According to the Standard, they're coming, and they're looking for London property to escape the punitive taxes promised by François Hollande.  Maître Saab, a notary in Paris, said that over the past two months she has helped a flood of... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk SW7 According to the Standard, they're coming, and they're looking for London property to escape the punitive taxes promised by François Hollande. 

Maître Saab, a notary in Paris, said that over the past two months she has helped a flood of French people make gifts of money and real estate to their children, “enabling them to move to London or elsewhere without having to pay so much tax”.

Knight Frank has already reported a 19% surge in online activity from France, with South Kensington, Wandsworth Common and Battersea Park apparently in the target zone (and we've already discussed Kentish Town). Douglas & Gordon have apparently responded with a French-speaking office (South Ken). 

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]]> £350 a month to live in a shed 2012-05-10T09:28:29Z 2012-05-10T09:26:30Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6263 2012-05-10T09:26:30Z Converted sheds have become an increasingly mainstream – if illegal – part of the London property market. It's a logical development, given the explosion of property prices throughout the capital, and the huge shortage of supply. As central London becomes more... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk E3

Converted sheds have become an increasingly mainstream – if illegal – part of the London property market. It's a logical development, given the explosion of property prices throughout the capital, and the huge shortage of supply. As central London becomes more expensive, people are pushed further out and rental prices even in Newham, which is the second most deprived borough in England and Wales, are rising fast.

Specifically, the story of a healthcare assistant's £350 month shed - no hot water, a garden used as a toilet. 

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]]> FindaProperty: cost of renting apartments at historic high 2012-05-09T16:37:23Z 2012-05-09T16:35:33Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6262 2012-05-09T16:35:33Z The first quarter of 2012 has, according to FindaProperty stats, seen a pick up in rent rises, leaving rents in general up 1% on the year, and studio flat rents up 7% to £718 a month and a new record.... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk Letting The first quarter of 2012 has, according to FindaProperty stats, seen a pick up in rent rises, leaving rents in general up 1% on the year, and studio flat rents up 7% to £718 a month and a new record. More here.

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]]> A tax on foreign buyers? 2012-05-09T10:40:59Z 2012-05-09T10:39:07Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6261 2012-05-09T10:39:07Z The Institute for Public Policy Research has suggested - among a number of proposals - a "piggy bank tax" on foreign property investors buying in London as a way to fund extra homes. The 2% tax - an annual mansion... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk _Other The Institute for Public Policy Research has suggested - among a number of proposals - a "piggy bank tax" on foreign property investors buying in London as a way to fund extra homes. The 2% tax - an annual mansion tax - would apply to properties worth more than £2m and in the ownership of non-nationals. The report also calls for greater powers for the mayor on housing issues, since national housing policy just doesn't fit the reality of London's unique market characteristics. More here.

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]]> Follow us on Twitter 2012-05-08T17:17:06Z 2012-05-08T17:15:19Z tag:www.theratandmouse.co.uk,2012:/weblog//1.6260 2012-05-08T17:15:19Z We're here. And follow our new advertisers, Stacks, here. Technorati Tags: property, real estate... Ben tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk About We're here.

And follow our new advertisers, Stacks, here.

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