Property market still buoyant in west York

According to the Mouseprice web site ( Facebook and Twitter) prices are still buoyant in west York.

Examples include.

Property for sale

Stirrup Close
£299,995
4 bed Detached
Tedder Road
£200,000
3 bed Semi-D
Tedder Road
£245,000
3 bed
St Josephs Court
£195,000
3 bed Terrace

Property for rent

House in Galdstoen Street can be rented for £695 pm

House in Gladstone Street can be rented for £695 pm

The list below shows properties for rent near you – select any property for more information. View more results in your area.

Gladstone Street
£780
3 bed Terrace
Gladstone Street
£695
2 bed Terrace
Aldersyde Court
£750
2 bed Flat
Melander Close
£1,295
4 bed Detached

Chain-free sales
Below are properties nearby that are available ‘chain free’. These include properties where the seller is not buying a new home or has already moved out and could also include repossessions.

St. Josephs Court Tedder Road, York, YO2…
£195,000
3 bed Terrace
Huntsmans Walk, York, YO24
£250,000
2 bed
St. Stephens Road, York, YO24
£129,950
2 bed Flat
Dringfield Close, York, YO24
£84,950
0 bed Flat

Discounted sales 

Flat in Dringfield Close listed for sale at £84,950

Flat in Dringfield Close listed for sale at £84,950

Are you interested in snapping up a bargain? Below are properties for sale where the asking prices have been reduced – simply click on any property to find out more.

Thoresby Road
£190,000 -5%
3 bed Semi-D
Chalfonts
£280,000 -7%
4 bed Semi-D
Jute Road
£199,500 -5%
3 bed Semi-D
Nunnery Lane
£275,000 -7%
3 bed Terrace

 

York Council housing at risk

The York Council has decided to spend £200,000 surveying views on whether to ditch its Council house management  responsibilities.

council-housing-at-risk

Some Councillors want to transfer management of the homes to an independent company as was done in Leeds.

We think that they are wrong.

When polled 15 years ago on a similar proposal tenants voted overwhelmingly to retain the York Council as a landlord.

More recently, when asked whether they were satisfied with the Council as a landlord 89% said that they were.

The housing account currently shows a surplus although government policies could change this in the medium term. Central government sets rent levels (which they are reducing as a way of controlling benefit claims).

They also plan to sell off some Council houses, when they become vacant, to the highest bidder as a way of balancing their books. The Liberal Democrats have started a petition opposing this “sell off”. Click here

They also intend to charge “commercial rents” to tenants that they regard as “wealthy”. This plan, at least, wasn’t taken into account in a gloomy and selective officer report which prompted the outsourcing plot.

The plan was opposed by Andrew Waller and a Green Party Councillor when debated by the Council’s Executive but slipped through anyway.

The resulting turmoil and indecision will be exacerbated by the resignation of the Head of Housing Services. His post will be filled on a temporary basis via an internal appointment.

All in all, we think that the Council has more pressing issues to address.

They should abandon this plan which is a waste of time and money

 

A third of letting agents in York failing to comply with law

Nearly a third of letting and property agents are failing to comply with legislation despite being advised of new laws and action is being taken, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Housing was told at a Decision Session yesterday (17th October).

The report was accepted and the update given based on officers checking agents to ensure that they clearly display their fees in their offices and on their websites and that they deal fairly with any complaints by landlords or tenants, as part of a drive to further improve the private rented sector.

Last year, all agents in the city were found to be compliant following advice being shared by the council.

Lettings feesThe Decision Session was told that agents which let out homes on behalf of others were checked by officers by visiting their offices and checking their websites. Of the 47 which fall into this category:

  • 15 were found to be non- compliant (32 per cent)

Of those 15 non-compliant agents:

  • Seven were failing to display their fees in the office
  • Four were failing to display their fees on their website
  • Five were failing to display fees either in their office or on their website.

In line with government guidance, all 15 have been served a notice which allows 28 days to appeal or risk a maximum fine of up to £5,000. To date following the notice of intention stage, we have served final notices to two agents, one at the maximum level and other at a reduced level.

To find out more about the laws visit the council’s website https://www.york.gov.uk/info/20097/private_landlords_and_tenants or ring the Housing Standards and Adaptation team on 01904 552300 or email housing.standards@york.gov.uk

Tories plan to scrap current housing waiting list allocation system

No choice to be offered to those in housing need

Choice based lettingsOn 17 October the York Council is likely to authorise changes to the current housing registrations service.

City of York Council operates a choice based lettings (CBL) system for applicants to bid for affordable rented homes across North Yorkshire and York. The system was introduced by the LibDem administration in 2011.

The Council says that “a recent review of it has identified changes that would streamline processes for applicants and officers. The detailed consultation and review included involving staff from multiple council services as well as visits to other local authorities that use other application or bidding systems. The council also conducted two consultations with customers on the current system.

A number of changes have already taken place including streamlining administration, interviewing new applicants and updating housing advice.

The Executive Member will be asked to give officers authority to work with the North Yorkshire Home Choice partnership to discuss changing from a choice based lettings (advertising and bidding) system to an officer allocation system based on customer preference, and also to start discussions about future changes to the allocations and letting policy.

Improving the private rented sector

On 17 October, a York Council committee will be updated on laws introduced last year which aim to better regulate the private rented sector in York.

dealing-with-bad-renters-and-landlords-390The new laws include two aimed at ensuring letting and property agents deal fairly with any complaints by landlords or tenants, and that all fees are clearly displayed in agents’ offices and on their websites.

Last year the council wrote to all the agents operating in the city advising them of the new laws and asking them to confirm in writing that they were complying with them. Nine who did not initially respond were visited by officers after which, it was established that all known agents were compliant.

In June this year, a random sample survey of six agents (10 per cent) was undertaken to ensure that the agents were still complying with the law. Two found to be non compliant, and penalty notices were issued in both cases. Officers are currently visiting the other city agents’ premises and a verbal update will be given at the meeting.

The third piece of legislation covers privately rented accommodation and requires landlords to have smoke alarms and, where necessary, carbon monoxide alarms in all accommodation that is rented privately.

The council worked with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue to publicise the law to landlords and tenants and more than 260 free smoke alarms were provided for landlords to support compliance. Three tenant complaints have been investigated since the introduction.

The Executive Member will also be asked to consider the implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to confirm that the fines will remain at the maximum level of £5,000.

To find out more about the laws visit the council’s website https://www.york.gov.uk/info/20097/private_landlords_and_tenants or ring the Housing Standards and Adaptation team on 01904 552300 or email housing.standards@york.gov.uk

£200,000 for consultant’s report on a York Council housing stock transfer is “premature”

With the York Council showing little inclination or ability to bring several major change projects to a conclusion (Guildhall, York Central, Community Stadium, ring road improvements etc.), you would think that the last thing they would want to do is add another project to a growing list.Facts 4

It seems not, as the “Executive” is set on reopening the debate about whether to hive off its Council Housing activities. It is little more than a decade since tenants rejected the idea of having their tenancies transferred to either a Housing Association or quasi-independent “arm’s length company”.

It’s not as though the Council’s decision to outsource activities like econ
omic Facts 2development/tourism/markets has been an outstanding success. The bodies are largely self-serving and unaccountable (while still sucking in large amounts of public money).

It seems that Tories in the city want to rid themselves of Council housing responsibilities in the wake of the central government decision to reduce rent levels by 1% a year until 2019 (an attempt to reduce the cost of rent rebates). This could eat into the £3 million+ a year surplus that the York housing account currently makes.

Facts 1Confusion also surrounds the government’s plan to force Council’s to sell vacant “higher value” Council houses on the open market, to help to subsidise the sale of housing association properties to their tenants.

The effects of both these policies are far from clear. It is at least possible that social housing sales to sitting tenants will be very low even with the substantial discounts.

Council house management in York is far from perfect. We have often criticised the maintenance regime on communal areas and garage blocks. But that requires a change in management attitudes. It does not suggest a change in ownership and with it a loss of democratic accountability.Facts 3

 Spending £200,000 on employing consultants to engineer change is both profligate and premature.  It won’t produce a single extra affordable rent property in the City.

The effects of government policy will be clearer in a couple of years’ time.  The Council should concentrate its limited resources on other more pressing issues in the meantime.

Report extarct

Bungalows scheme for Newbury Avenue gets “go ahead”

York Council Executive ducks car parking issue

Newbury Avenue garagesThe construction of 8 bungalows on a garage site at Newbury Avenue was approved by the York Council last night  It replaces a scheme for 9 apartments hatched by Labour Councillors when they held office.

The bungalows, which would attract “downsizing” older people, have been criticised by Labour last night as making “inefficient” use of the land.

Unfortunately the Council has so far ducked out of dealing with the knock on effects of developing the garage site.

More cars will now be parked on an estate where road side parking space is already at a premium.

The extra homes – added to the still to be occupied Hob Stones development – will also generate more traffic on the only access route (Kingsway West between Danesfort Avenue and Ascot Way).

No attempt has been made by the Council to address these issues. They are likely to be the major objections to the scheme when it is put before the Planning Committee later in the year.

NB. Although last nights Executive  committee meeting can in theory be viewed “on line” (click) part of the section on Newbury Ave has been muted by officials. So residents may never know what was actually said about the plans!

Property still selling well in west York

According to the Mouseprice index there have been a lot of house sales in west York recently.

These include:

14, Tedder Road, YO24 3JB £174,000 15 Jun 2016 3 bed semi-D
50, Tedder Road, YO24 3JB £220,000 15 Apr 2016 4 bed terraced
218, Thoresby Road, YO24 3ER £146,500 11 Mar 2016 3 bed semi-D
102, Cornlands Road, YO24 3EA £163,000 24 Jun 2016 3 bed terraced
115, Askham Lane, YO24 3HH £375,000 27 May 2016 4 bed detached
54, Lowick, YO24 2RF £159,500 23 May 2016 2 bed terraced
20, Lowick, YO24 2RF £163,500 23 May 2016 2 bed terraced
20, Askham Grove, YO24 3HE £215,000 24 Feb 2016 2 bed detached
11, Chantry Close, YO24 2SJ £180,000 16 Jun 2016 2 bed semi-D
87, Wains Road, YO24 2UB £199,000 20 May 2016 3 bed semi-D
2 bedroomed flat in Aldersyde House on Tadcaster Road can be bought for £329,995

2 bedroomed flat in Aldersyde House on Tadcaster Road can be bought for £329,995

Larger properties on the market range from a 3 bed terrace in St Josephs Court  at £200,000 to a 4 bed detached in Beagle Ridge Drive which is being marketed at £299,950

On the rental market is a 1 bed flat in College Court for £400 pcm a 2 bed flat in Aldersyde Court at £775 and a 3 bed semi in Beech Grove at £1000.

Properties without a chain and available for immediate occupation include a 1 bed flat in Vyner House on Front Street at £105,000  and a £300,000 4 bed property in Orrin Close.

Record number of new homes built in York last year

Student units account for 52% of 1121 total

Housing compl,etions 2006 to 2016

2015/16 saw the largest number of new homes provided in York since 2006.  1121 units were provided of which 908 were new build, 218 a “change of use” with one conversion. Six homes were demolished.

 579 dwellings for students were provide mainly on sites in Lawrence Street and Walmgate.

Figures released by the York Council suggest that a significant part of the surge in provision (over 100 units) resulted from a legal relaxation which makes it easier to convert offices into residential accommodation. The change, allowing for the office to residential conversions (together with certain retail, financial services and existing agricultural buildings) without the need to apply for full planning permission, has now become permanent.

 Significant numbers of new homes were provided at:

  • Derwenthorpe, Osbaldwick (Phases II, III & IV) provided a total of 100 completions,
  • Sessions Former Print Works (18)
  • the Former Civic Amenity Site Beckfield Lane (18),
  • Burnholme Social Club (22)
  • Fox and Hounds 39 Top Lane Copmanthorpe (28) and
  • the first homes at the Windy Ridge/Brecks Lane Huntington Site (24)

The figures will strengthen the case for including a significant allowance for homes provided on windfall sites in any Local Plan calculations. Of the completions last year, over 100 (20% of non-student developments) were built on small sites that could not be separately identified in a Local Plan.  Housing planning consents 2006 to 2016

Planning permission for 680 additional homes was granted during the year.  

Of these 166 were for off campus student accommodation. Many of the others were for office to residential consents, the largest (58) being on the Land Registry site on James Street

The average annual number of planning consents over the last decade is 785.

This is broadly in line with the assumptions being made in the latest version of the Local Plan.

Gentoo Tolent win £2.1m contract to improve homes in York

North East based contractor Gentoo Tolent has won a £2.1m framework with City of York Council to improve around 500 homes in the next two years.

The works will see whole house improvements to the local authority’s housing stock which includes new bathrooms, kitchens, electrical work and general property repairs.

The contract win follows a successful four year framework with the council, where Gentoo Tolent delivered similar home improvements to over 350 homes across the city, including two sheltered schemes, worth around £2.8m
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