INDEPENDENT ARTICLES, CLEAR INSIGHTS, STRAIGHTFORWARD ADVICE FOR INFORMED PROPERTY DECISIONS.

One of the most common reasons a property transaction fails in 2026 is the discovery of an unauthorised extension, loft conversion or internal structural alteration. At Howorth, we specialise in Licences for Alterations and Party Wall matters, meaning we have a “sixth...

When a neighbour dissents (or doesn’t respond) to a Party Wall Notice, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires surveyor involvement. At that point, there are usually two routes: An Agreed Surveyor (one surveyor acting impartially for both owners), or Two Surveyors (each...

Getting a Licence for Alterations approved is rarely about “arguing your case” — it’s about making it easy for the freeholder/managing agent to say yes by presenting a clear, low-risk proposal with the right paperwork. Most refusals and delays happen because the...

In the volatile property market of 2026, the terms “market price” and “true value” are often confused. A house is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but its value is a much deeper calculation. At Howorth, we bridge the gap between building pathology and...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can give a neighbour (the “building owner”) a statutory right to enter onto adjoining land, but that right is limited, controlled, and purpose-specific. It is designed to allow notifiable works to be carried out safely and properly—not to...

In 2026, a home’s thermal performance is no longer a “nice-to-have” feature; it is a core component of market value. With energy costs remaining volatile and government targets for Net Zero homes becoming stricter, buyers need to understand the physical reality of a...

Spotting property snags isn’t just about having a sharp eye for paint runs and scratched glass. Real snagging expertise is a mix of technical building knowledge, systematic inspection method, and an understanding of how defects develop over time—so you can catch...

Buying a new build should feel like the “easy” option—fresh finishes, modern standards, minimal repairs. In reality, new homes often come with a long list of small defects and incomplete items that are easy to miss during viewings, but frustrating (and sometimes...

Disputes with developers are rarely about one huge, dramatic defect. More often, they start with small issues that aren’t dealt with properly—unfinished seals, poor workmanship, missing items, repeated “we’ll come back to it” promises—and over time those issues become...