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The problem is that there is nobody certifying or approving non traditional construction techniques for life expectancy. The government should consider setting up a body (if the NHBC won't) to do this job. Its going to be important if we are ever to mass produce houses in factories in the UK.

In part. Our house is on a gentle slope and is split level. On the up hill side of each change of level we put a French drain under the house to route water out sideways to surface water drains.

That's what we have, just 90 degree bends with a short length of 110mm up to ground level. 80mm down pipe fits inside with the rubber boot covering the gap. Needed to use plumbers lube to get the rubbers in place on the down pipes but seems to work fine for us. Sorry I can't remember where we got the rubbers. We do have a filter that stops leaves getting into the rainwater tank but no silt trap. The tank is just for garden and car use so not an issue. Quite a lot of silt in the tank after 13 years.

Our rainwater down pipes are 80mm and the drains 110mm. We didn't want gullies and ended up using rubber adaptors that connect the two and stop stones entering. We have never needed access for rodding but could remove the lower section of 80mm down pipe if necessary.

I think this might be a job for a Planning Consultant that has handled similar cases. It looks like most councils handle applications for a dropped kerb differently to other planning applications (eg an extension). However it also looks like you can appeals to the Planning Inspectorate eg following a Planning Application where the "development" is a dropped kerb. Such an appeal would take the decision out of the hands of the council. The council could contest it but that costs them money so if they think they might loose they might not even fight it. Appeal Inspectors do put weight on formally ratified local plans but less weight on plans that have not been formally ratified. They are also required to take into account National Policies. These Appeals were refused.. https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?fileid=29689390 These Appeals were granted.. http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/councilmeetings/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=4648 http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/MVM.DMS/Planning Application/626000/626324/P_2015_00021 APPEAL DECISION.pdf More searching might turn up one involving loss of roadside parking.

He suggests they changed policy in 2019 and no longer allow dropped kerbs to result in the loss of on street parking. Perhaps ask if the policy change was put out to consultation (if not is it a valid planning policy?). When was it ratified by the council etc Perhaps you can find another policy that contradicts this one? How about finding out what their policy is on electric cars and C02 emissions? Then perhaps write to the chairman of the council and point out that this policy precludes you buying an electric car as you cannot run a cable across the kerb.

Think I used VP400 and it was exposed at least 6 months, much longer than recommended with no problems.

So the main thing to avoid is insulation blocking the ventilation at the eaves. There are products like this Roll Panel designed to prevent it.. https://www.google.com/search?q=eaves+ventilation+roll+panel&client=tablet-android-samsung-nf-rev1&prmd=sinv&sxsrf=ALeKk02fV26W0P4UCVa6FKBEdZmYUStI2Q:1598367385098&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj9-NXBzrbrAhUCQEEAHThkBGQQ_AUoAnoECAsQAg&biw=1280&bih=800&dpr=1.5

Depends where the roof insulation is. If it's on the floor of the loft you only need eaves ventilation and tunnels to keep it open. If its between the rafters you might need ridge ventilation if the membrane isn't vapour permeable (I think if the membrane is vapour permeable you dont need any ventilation).

Companies that specialise in removing ties claim a tie can reduce the value by 40% (I know they are trying to drum up business).

HMRC can't be that busy. They are chasing me for no reason I can identify. Basically they sent a letter saying they "may have evidence" but as far as I can tell its a fishing exercise and my accountant says many have received same letter.

Ownership and more.. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse Suggests you need to contact your "lead local flood authority" (which is usually your council) or "internal drainage board" (eg in the Fens).

This document may help but takes some reading.. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf As its more than 4 meters deep it will (at least) need to go through the neighbour consultation scheme. See "g)" on page 17.

If you think this is bad try registering a Lasting Power of attorney at the moment. Taken me 6 months so far. While you wait you may have to find £1500 a week for nursing home bills ?

We are a family or four. Wife and kids spend a lot of time on the Internet playing games and iPlayer/Netflix/Prime. I'm sure we occasionally max out our 46Mbit FTTC Internet connection but I doubt we hit the limit of my Netgear switch. I set up my network cameras and Synology NAS on a second switch so very little traffic on the one our computers are on. The cameras are also POE using Ubiquiti screened cable.

Perhaps he was referring to putting the land in trust. See my earlier post.

Indeed. I've said they need proper advice at least twice already.

We got a quote for an overhead connection but our builder said the engineers would probably be happy to hook up an underground cable if we ran one. So we didn't tell them we wanted an underground connection, we just laid our own cable from house to bottom of the pole and left a coil long enough to reach the top with several meters spare. We had some issues because tit turned out there weren't any spare wires on the pole. Once they fixed that they forgot to actually connect us. Took while to sort out but eventually they sent a cherry picker and the engineer connected the wire we had provided instead of running an overhead.

Got one of those strainer plugs. They fall apart after a few years. As for the list: Dishwashers - Quite like Bosch appliances but our Bosch Dishwasher has had issues. The heating element is printed onto the outside of a steel cylinder. If just a little scale builds up on the inside the element overheats and fails right where the scale is. Had two go like this and our water is hard but not very hard. Problem is you can't just buy the element, got to buy a whole new pump assembly as well. Now we run weekly descaling cycles with vinegar to try and prevent it happening. Pocket Door - We also have an Eclisse pocket door which is ok. However I would avoid pocket doors in general where you intend to open and close it regularly (eg on a bathroom or WC). They are far too slow. Shower Door - I see its a bifold door. I would go with a standard door as there is one less gap and fewer hinges to go wrong. Network switch - Why such an expensive switch? Yes Cisco are good but 5 or 6 times the price?

If the windows were new a few years ago then they won't (even) be covered by the Right To Light legislation. That requires 20 years to kick in. I would start by objecting on the grounds that "a two storey side extension would represent over development, be overbearing and have unacceptable impact on the amenity value of the adjoining property." The best I can come up with in relation to your child is an objection on the grounds that the National Planning Policy Framework requires planners to enact policies that ensure there are enough houses in the area suitable for people with disabilities and that as there aren't enough houses adapted for partially sighted people they should not allow development that reduces the number. Personally I doubt that will wash with the planners but you never know how a committee will react. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/810197/NPPF_Feb_2019_revised.pdf Keep an eye on the agenda for the planning committee and the status of the planning application online. If it goes to committee you (or your child?) might be allowed a few mins to speak against the application. You should write and ask the chairman of the planning in advance of the meeting.

No. They cannot use the farm purchase price as that would imply all of the value was in the plot and the rest was worthless at the time of purchase. An agent would estimate the value of the plot alone at the date when the farm was acquired. It would most likely be based on the value of agricultural the land (which was perhaps a few £thousand an acre back then) multiplied by the area of the plot. At best they might be able to increase its value to take into account any "development potential" that the plot had had at the time the farm was purchased. He might be a basic rate tax payer now but the rate depends how much gain you make.. https://www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/rates Its fortunate its in joint names... It could be the capital gain is say £100,000 - £10,000 = £90,000. £45,000 each, less their £12,300 allowance = £32,700. Plus their income from other sources = £? They would pay 28% on anything over £50,000. eg if one of them earns more than £17,300 in taxable income (eg £50,000-£32,700 = £17,300) the extra would be taxed at 28%.

CGT would paid on the increase in value of the plot. Your father will need to provide evidence of the plots value at time of purchase and transfer. Both can be estimated by an estate agent. There is likely to be a significant increase in value due to you getting Planning Permission if the plot it was originally agricultural land. Ideally you should have transferred the plot into your name before applying for planning permission. I believe the CGT rate is 28% on property and the current allowance is £12,300. It might be possible to double that if the land is in joint names with your mother. It might also be possible to use multiple years of allowance by transferring part shares in the land (either by spliting the plot or by shared ownership eg 50% this year and 50% next tax year). I would get it valued and work out the tax liability. Then get professional advice to see what can be done.

I don't know if this works but ask a tax advisor... Could he gift it to your mum. No CGT due as its a gift to spouse. Then in 6 months time she gifts it to you. Would CGT be payable on the gain over just 6 months or the whole time your father owned it? This seems like a loophole they may have closed.

PS I think only the farm house and its "garden" would come under the "it was your home" exemption, not a field.

+1 to seek professional advice. I believe special rules apply to gifts of land https://taxscouts.com/capital-gains-tax-on-gifted-property/#:~:text=If you gift someone a,them as a gift instead. "If you gift someone a property, you will usually have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if it increased in value since you bought it." "You don’t need to pay CGT if: You’ve lived there the entire time (it was your home) Or you give it to your spouse Or you put it into a trust for the benefit of your child. In this situation, it will be deferred until your child sells the property."