Property Blog
14th March 2017
The Ministry of Justice has recently confirmed how it would like to reform fees for the Grant of Probate. Currently there is a flat fee system of £215 where there is a personal application or £155 for those applying through a solicitor.
The Government is proposing to introduce a banded system. Estates below £50,000 will pay nothing. A minimum fee of £300 applies for estates worth between £50,000 and £300,000 rising to a whopping £20,000 fee for estates worth over £2.0 million. ... more
14th March 2017
The RICS/RAU rural land market survey has just been published for H2 2016 which points to a further softening in demand for farmland during that period. Demand fell across both mixed use and commercial farmland sectors during the second half of 2016 largely as a result of uncertainty over Brexit and future subsidies as well as low commodity prices. The bare land opinion based survey suggests that values at the end of 2016 were an average of £8,625 per acre for arable land and £7,... more
10th March 2017
Five Festival Chances for the Butler Sherborn sponsored Ben Pauling Racing
HighBridge – Supreme Novice Hurdle, 2 miles Tuesday.
He has won his three starts over hurdles this season and is going there in great form. He appears to have plenty of speed so should travel well through the race. He also stays well which is important as they go very quickly in this race, especially as it is the first race of the whole meeting and the jockeys are normally a little over excited!
A Hare Breath – Arkle Novice Chase, 2 miles Tuesday.
He has a very... more
3rd March 2017
The Hedgerow and Boundary grant is individually worth up to £5,000 and is designed to help farmers improve farmland boundaries.
The application window for the £5 million scheme is now open and closes on 28 April 2017.
Farmers can apply for a one-off grant towards the restoration of a range of traditional boundaries including hedgerows, dry stone walls, stone-faced banks and earth banks. Payment rates are fixed for each item. These include hedge-laying or coppicing,... more
2nd March 2017
Butler Sherborn’s expert property valuations move to a higher level, with evidence recently being given in the High Court, London.
Richard Greasby, who heads Butler Sherborn’s formal valuation work, undertakes a significant number of expert valuation cases, however most are settled without needing to go to Court. Many valuers therefore do not have any Court experience. "I have been fortunate to have previously gained experience by giving evidence in the County Court for... more
1st March 2017
Housing White Paper Aims to Deliver Growth
The government has launched last month its latest housing white paper;
'Fixing our Broken Housing Market'
The government believes that the lack of homes being built across the country has resulted in the sharp rise in house prices compared to average income.
Since the 1970’s, there has been an average of 160,000 homes built per year, with research suggesting the actual amount needed is in the region of 225,000 to 275,000 per year. Last year 190,000 new homes were... more
26th January 2017
Sensible pricing and being well prepared are key factors in ensuring a successful, smooth sale this year.
As we head into 2017, the property market is no different from any other sector. There is inevitable uncertainty surrounding Brexit and things are going to be difficult to call, politically and economically. But whatever happens, life goes on.
The availability of good quality properties for sale will remain restricted - although we did see this beginning to ease towards the end of 2016 and now into 2017, and people will remain disinclined to pay more stamp duty than... more
25th January 2017
It is that time of year again, when weather bulletins report ‘it’s the coldest…; it’s the wettest…; it’s the whitest…'
With dipping temperatures across the UK, households are once again preparing their winter woollens and de-icer for their cars. It is also important for home owners and tenants to efficiently heat their properties, to prevent damp, mould, cold draughts or other nasty issues. With this, for some, comes the worry of cost implications, with ever spiralling energy bills.
There are other ways to keep warm and your homes protected, whilst keeping the costs under control. Here... more
20th January 2017
1. I am an Executor in an estate. Will I need Probate to sell the Property?
All assets which were held in the deceased’s sole name will be ‘frozen’ after death, until a Grant of Probate has been obtained.
The word Probate means ‘proving’, as it involves proving that the Will in the Executor’s possession is the last Will of the deceased. Probate is an order of the Court officially granting the Executor the power to administer the estate. If the deceased did not leave... more
20th January 2017
The New Year marks the start of a new scheme year for Defra, the European Union and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
This means we start again with the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship, Cross Compliance, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) requirements – the list goes on.
With regulation changing annually and an ever increasing emphasis on ensuring claimants record and conform to all matters relating to cross compliance, now is the time to make sure everything is in order.
Butler Sherborn are offering a no obligation preliminary farm audit for claimants. This will further allow... more
5th December 2016
Butler Sherborn is pleased to announce that Jonathan Malings MRICS has joined the Rural Team based at their Cirencester Office.
Butler Sherborn is pleased to announce that Jonathan Malings MRICS has joined the Rural Team based at their Cirencester Office. He joins Butler Sherborn from a national firm being based in the West Midland and has excellent local knowledge having grown up in the Cotswolds together with practical farming experience. Richard Greasby, Head of the Rural Department, comments:
"This expansion of the Rural Team is a direct response to an exciting growth in turnover over the last year... more
29th November 2016
Whilst Butler Sherborn enjoyed a 30% increase in turnover in 2015 we have exceeded that by a further 50% during 2016.
ValuationGrowth has been across all sectors but with Expert Witness valuations and inheritance tax succession planning showing greatest growth. We undertake professional valuation for all sorts of reasons, but here’s how it breaks down for the year.
Bank Security 28% Capital Gains Tax 24% Inheritance Tax/Probate 24% Divorce and Litigation 12% Stock Taking 6% Other 6%This growth is founded on the time we take to understand what the client needs, working closely with their other... more
1st September 2016
The perfect chance to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of something delicious for a great cause - Macmillan Coffee Morning. Friday 30th September 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon. All welcome coffee, cakes and chatter!
Butler Sherborn are delighted to be hosting Macmillan Coffee Mornings in their Cirencester, Burford and Stow offices from 10.00-12 noon on Friday 30th September. Please do drop in and join us. Together we can make sure no one faces cancer alone.
1st September 2016
Additional 3% SDLT applies to “additional residential dwelling” purchased after 1st April 2016
This has caused concern and confusion and as a result some aspects of the rules have been further clarified as well as amendments to the Finance Bill having been made.
Three Areas that we think you should be aware of:
If an annexe or ancillary dwelling, within the grounds of a main dwelling being purchased, is capable of independent occupation but is “subsidiary to the main dwelling” then it will not qualify for the higher rate of SDLT. For this to work, the part of the price... more
24th August 2016
In its 25th Anniversary year, Butler Sherborn is delighted to announce its sponsorship of Ben Pauling Racing for the next 5 seasons, with immediate effect.
In its 25th Anniversary year, Butler Sherborn is delighted to announce its sponsorship of Ben Pauling Racing for the next 5 seasons, with immediate effect. With Offices, in Cirencester, Stow-on -the –Wold and Burford, in addition to Oxford, Wantage and London, the Cotswolds property specialists have extensive links with the equestrian world. Sam Butler is Chairman and Field Master of The Warwickshire Hunt and Ben Way, Head of Equestrian, is a member of the GB Nations Cup Eventing Team this... more
4th August 2016
We are delighted to sponsor the Moreton-in-Marsh show. Please do come and join us!
In our 25th Anniversary year, we are pleased to be sponsoring The Members’ Enclosure at Moreton Show. It remains one of the best Agricultural Society Shows in the country, with its emphasis firmly on farming and the rural community. The Grand Arena offers many exciting family attractions, together with the Hunt Relay and the 6 Bar show jumping competitions. The Livestock Area showcases some of the best quality animals of many traditional and modern breeds of sheep, cows, and goats.
... more
1st July 2016
Anyone who rents out a property should take out insurance cover in case something goes wrong. It sounds pessimistic, but it’s actually just common – and financial – sense.
What if there was a flood or fire at the property? Could you afford to repair the damage and find alternative accommodation for your tenant out of your ready resources? It’s never a problem before it’s a problem as they say!Most importantly make sure you have specialist landlords insurance. If you let a property taking out standard insurance in your own name, there’s every chance the insurance company will refuse to pay any claim and you will be out of pocket.
Although Butler... more
1st July 2016
Butler Sherborn sponsor the celebrations at Abbey Home Farm for Will and Hilary Chester Master winning the 2015 Silver Pintail Award
We were delighted to be asked to sponsor the celebrations at Abbey Home Farm for Will and Hilary Chester Master winning the 2015 Silver Pintail Award for outstanding sustainable farming practice.
The award is organised through Gloucestershire FWAG (Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group) and showcases the long term commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable farming shown by many farmers across the country. Will and Hilary Chester Master, along with their farm manager John Newman,... more
1st July 2016
Ben Way won Team Bronze in Virginia on his first appearance in the GB Nation’s Cup squad.
Ben Way won Team Bronze in Virginia on his first appearance in the GB Nation’s Cup squad. Willows Tipster, a 12 year old gelding owned by Mr and Mrs Tadzik Kopanski and Peter Finer, coped well with the heat and humidity to produce a swift and clear round cross country, with the team finishing in Bronze medal position.
The Team are grateful to all their sponsors, primarily Landrover for transport to the USA, and Ben Way to Butler Sherborn.
1st June 2016
Butler Sherborn Sponsors The Gloucestershire GWCT Clay Pigeon Shoot
By kind permission of Charles Baillie-Hamilton the Gloucestershire GWCT held a Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot at North Farm, Shipton on Wednesday 8th June. Thirty teams enjoyed the afternoon tackling four challenging flush stands in the hot afternoon sun.
A great deal of fun was had and an estimated sum of £10,000 was raised for the Trust.
