Half a million people in UK live in flats with unsafe cladding – report

Pressure growing on ministers to launch £2bn bailout ahead of rally by debt-stricken leaseholders

More than half a million people are living in unsafe private apartments wrapped in combustible cladding, according to a survey by property agents, as pressure grows on ministers to launch a bailout that could cost over £2bn.

The estimated scale of the post-Grenfell cladding crisis is far higher than previous government figures have suggested and comes ahead of a rally in Westminster on Tuesday, when leaseholders from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Southampton and Ipswich facing unaffordable bills of up to £100,000 each will demand action from ministers.

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Does being married stop me being classed as a first-time buyer?

I’ve never owned a property, but we’re living in a house my wife bought several years ago

Q My wife and I live in a house my wife bought several years ago before we were married. I have never owned a property. If I were to secure a mortgage solely in my name to buy a new property would I get any stamp duty reduction for being a first-time buyer? The plan would be to sell the house we are currently living in as soon as we’ve moved in to a new property.
RK

A Contrary to what some solicitors and conveyancers have told other readers asking similar questions to yours, being married does not stop you from being defined as a first-time buyer and so qualifying for stamp duty land tax (SDLT) relief. Provided your spouse doesn’t already own property and you are buying in your name only, you can get relief on the first £300,000 of the purchase price of a property costing up to £500,000 (there’s no relief if it’s more than that).

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Estate agents Countrywide and LSL in talks over £470m merger

Tie-up between owners of Hamptons International and Your Move could result in job losses

Two of Britain’s biggest estate agency groups are in talks over a possible £470m merger that will bring together well-known brands such as Hamptons International and Your Move and could also mean job losses.

In a brief statement to the stock market, Countrywide said that “it is in discussions with LSL Property Services regarding a possible all-share combination”. LSL issued a similar statement, and added: “LSL reserves the right to introduce other forms of consideration and/or vary the mix or composition of consideration of any offer.”

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Top tips for buying a renovation property Nottingham Estate Agents

If you’ve ever been tempted by the prospect of a property that needs work – a lot of work – you’ll know that rush of excitement. And that feeling of trepidation. But the rewards can be great. We have thought of some property renovation tips for when buying a renovation property. ‘You’ve got to have […]

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Break the garlic rules for a big surprise | James Wong

Garden lore dictates you must plant garlic in the cold months. Here’s why that doesn’t always apply

“In gardening there are no mistakes, only experiments.” This quote by gardener Janet Kilburn Phillips has to be my favourite horticultural saying ever, for the simple truth it tells.

As someone with a lifelong fixation with plants, I can’t help but feel that the rigid rules that underpin much of our traditional gardening wisdom are often a huge – and entirely unnecessary – barrier to timid first timers starting out on their own gardening adventure.

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Break the garlic rules for a big surprise | James Wong

Garden lore dictates you must plant garlic in the cold months. Here’s why that doesn’t always apply

“In gardening there are no mistakes, only experiments.” This quote by gardener Janet Kilburn Phillips has to be my favourite horticultural saying ever, for the simple truth it tells.

As someone with a lifelong fixation with plants, I can’t help but feel that the rigid rules that underpin much of our traditional gardening wisdom are often a huge – and entirely unnecessary – barrier to timid first timers starting out on their own gardening adventure.

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A return to Plot 29 | Allan Jenkins

It’s dirty work, but the manure – and granddaughter – gives spring a helping hand

I rushed the rehab. Regretting it now. It was the enforced helplessness I was fighting. Snowdrops are out. Crocuses, too. Jeffrey’s daylilies are a half a foot tall. His daffodils are in flower. Spring’s call is insistent. My exile is over.

Baby steps were needed. The first couple of times I just sat and stood at the plot, soaking it all up. The third, I took out the hoe. A little light strimming of the bittercress and tufted grass. Fifteen minutes or so, resting in between. The next day I lifted the tired chard. It felt healing to connect with the land in a more intimate way. To be more useful.

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