When it comes to building and construction, there is a lot more that goes in than what most people know. In some cases, people choose to ignore some processes to help save some cash. However, ignoring things such as acquiring planning permission can be quite detrimental.

In other cases, people do not know what processes are required when doing a construction project. In this guide, we will explain in detail what planning permission is. The article will also highlight the processes involved when applying for planning permission.

What is a Planning Permission?

Planning permission is a document that highlights everything about the structure you’re about to construct. It contains the architectural designs, site survey, and the impact the project will have on infrastructure. The document will highlight if your project will tamper with public resources such as roads and sewage lines.

The document is a legal requirement before you break ground for your project. Failure to apply for planning permission can lead to fines, or in extreme cases, the building could be brought down. As such, it is always advisable to contact a construction consultant before you start your project.

Applying for a Planning Permission

When you’re applying for planning permission, several factors will come into play. Most of it will be determined by the type of project you’re undertaking. However, the steps that are followed when applying for planning permission are almost the same.

The first step is a site survey and design meeting. After that, the construction consultant will review the planning permission drawings and the supporting design and policy documents. Once all the documents are in place, the consultants will submit them for review by the relevant authorities. The consultant will also make a follow-up to ensure that the permission is approved in time.

Hiring Construction Consultants

Getting your planning permission accepted is always a crucial part of your construction project. As such, if you submit incomplete documents, your application may be turned down. This will mean pushing back the project timeline and may cost you more money.

It is always a good idea to hire a construction consultancy team. There you will meet and work with a team of experienced individuals who will guide you throughout the process. The consultants will also follow up on your planning permission application until it is approved.

Always hire a construction firm that is within your area. They will have a great understanding of the local construction laws. They also have a decent idea of how the application process goes and what type of documents will be required during that time.

Bottom Line

Planning permission is a vital document when it comes to building and construction. The type of building will determine whether you require planning permission or not. However, make sure you consult before assuming. Failure to apply for planning permission can lead to a court case. In extreme cases, you might receive a hefty fine from the local authorities or have your building demolished.

Your home is one of the most valuable investments you will ever make, and you probably have a sentimental attachment to it. However, you may still need to sell it to buy a new, more spacious one to accommodate your bigger family or you may need to relocate to a new area due to work or other reasons. Unfortunately, selling a home is not a walk in the park because it often takes lots of time and effort. You may also have to hire a real estate agent and pay them a commission as well as spend a significant time preparing the home for sale.

Fortunately, you can avoid the traditional method of selling your house and by looking for companies that buy houses quickly because this offers some benefits. Here are some of the reasons you should consider selling your property to companies that purchase houses quickly:

The companies pay you with cash

One significant advantage of selling your house this way is that they will pay you cash. They have the funds and do not need to rely on sourcing credit or other financial support to purchase your home. Once they come and view your home, they make you an offer.  If you accept it, they start processing the paperwork and pay you cash in a few days, this could even be within a week. Therefore, if you urgently need money to pay debts, foot medical bills, or other uses, these buyers are the best.

They buy your house as-is

Do you want to avoid the hassle of repairing, cleaning, staging, and preparing your home for sale? Then sell it to companies that buy houses quickly because they purchase properties without any need for improvements. You can visit Home Flippers, which is one of such companies, and sell them your home if you do not want to incur costs on improvements, hiring agents, and spending time selling it the traditional way. In addition, you can quickly sell inherited properties that you do not need or homes that have necessary repairs that may cost you too much.

They close the deal quickly

When you want to sell your house fast, for example, to use the proceeds to pay a medical bill, buy another home or settle a divorce case, companies that buy houses quickly are the best option. They take care of the documents, which slows down the sale, and have ready funds. This is because they don’t rely on getting loans, so you can be sure that the deal is as good as done when they make you an offer and you accept it. You are also assured that the sale won’t fall through as it may happen with selling the conventional way. With a traditional sale, buyers often pull out due to issues like the bank not funding the deal, finding other better houses, or simply changing their minds.

The bottom line

Selling your home to companies that buy houses quickly may not fetch you the best price because they buy at less than the market value, but you get your money fast, avoid many sale costs and hassles and get paid cash, enabling you to meet whatever needs you had.

Jonathan Clough Williams Ellis owns several properties, including Parc Glasfryn, which is located outside Pwllheli in North Wales. With assets worth £2.5 million, the 62-year-old is considered a tourism leader and recognised as one of the prominent landlords in the UK. 

Things may change for Ellis soon, though, as a court found that he failed to address damp and other disrepair issues in a tenant’s home. The court ordered Ellis to pay a fine and spend £8,690 after it was determined that there were serious issues in one of his properties.

Ellis defended himself by saying his tenants entered into an agricultural tenancy, so it was their responsibility to take care of the issues inside the property. His obligations, according to him, were limited to the roof and outer walls.

However, the Caernarfon Magistrates learned last month that the landlord ignored his responsibilities and did not follow an improvement notice set for compliance between June 20^th, 2020 and February 10^th, 2021. This led them to hand out a guilty ruling against Ellis.

In a hearing on October 21st, the defendant was asked to give details about his assets and finances, which is essential for handing out a proper sentence. The prosecution was reluctant and doubted if Ellis provided complete and transparent details about his cash assets. 

According to the prosecutor, the landlord is “asset-rich,” enumerating several companies that are linked to Ellis, including Attractions of Snowdonia, Glasfryn Farm, and Green Hire Ltd.  The prosecutor also counted administration expenses and wages for Parc Glasfryn, which totalled to over £260,000. The defendant’s claim of an annual income of £25,000 is way below the £2.5 million worth of assets that the prosecutor revealed and is misleading.

Ellis’ lawyer, however, argued that assets and income are two separate things and Ellis can be asset-rich, but cash-poor. Some of the landlord’s properties are not-for-profit organisations while others have not been earning well for years.

Despite his lawyer’s insistence that he was “of previous good character” and was negligent but not reckless, Ellis was still fined and ordered to pay costs worth £6,250 in addition to a victim surcharge of £190. 

Asked about the court ruling, a spokesman for the Gwynedd County Council said they were satisfied and hoped that the Ellis case will serve as a warning and discourage other landlords from neglecting their obligations. 

Rogue landlords

The issue of rogue landlords is a longstanding problem in the UK. 

Rogue landlords are property owners who rent out substandard and unsafe homes to tenants. Ellis’ indifference to the issues in his tenant’s home is one distinct characteristic of a rogue landlord. There are other signs that one should be aware of. These are:

• Landlords are required by law to keep tenants’ deposits safe using any of the government-approved deposit protection schemes. This is an essential factor in ensuring the deposit is safe from the landlord and will not be used for personal purposes. Keeping tenant deposits in deposit protection schemes ensures both the landlord and tenant that the money will be returned to the tenants when the tenancy ends. A landlord who avoids talk or questions about protecting and returning tenant deposits are considered rogue.

• Gas safety certificates are required of landlords. They should provide tenants with a copy of the certificate as a guarantee that the property is safe from boiler issues. Rogue landlords would not care to show tenants such safety certificates.

• Landlords are also obligated to present tenants with a copy of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate or EPC. Furthermore, the certificate should reflect a level of an “E” at the least. If the landlord does not have an EPC or is not willing to get one, they are to be considered as rogue landlords.

• Rogue landlords ignore the safety and maintenance of their properties, so they do not keep smoke alarms in working condition. They also do not care to refurbish the property; repainting was done years ago and there has never been a follow-up.

• Landlords can visit their tenants, but they have to inform their renters about their plan 24 hours or more before the schedule. Rogue landlords just pop up whenever they want to, without respect for their tenants.

• Rogue landlords, like Ellis, often ignore their tenants’ requests.

Protecting yourself and your deposit

Rogue landlords are the main reason for most tenant issues – disrepair, safety and protection, and ignored requests are only some of them. Problems like these make it even more important for tenants like you to ensure your deposit is protected from rogue landlords. If your deposit is protected, these law-breaking landlords cannot use it for their personal gain and you are guaranteed to get your money back at the end of your tenancy.

If your landlord has not protected your deposit, you can file a claim for tenancy protection compensation. Find a team of experienced solicitors who can help you through every step of the process. A dedicated team such as the one at Tenancy Deposit Claims will protect you against rogue landlords and ensure you’ll get back your tenancy deposit.