WILCON Homes has announced a significant increase in the number of apartments to be built this year. In 2002, 800 units of the company’s output are to be apartments.

According to the company, the the rise in demand in apartments is a consequence of a variety of demographic factors: individuals marrying later in life or remaining single for longer, higher divorce rates, couples remaining childless and an increase in elderly people as a result of longer life expectancy.

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MANN & Co is reminding people who are renting to consider jumping on the property bandwagon. According to the company, many lenders have increased their income multiples to reflect the current low mortgage rate environment.

Mann & Co has access to a range of high street lenders’ products through their associated company, Countrywide Assured Financial Services.

Iain Swatton, financial services director, said: “The Group’s buying power enables us to offer our customers very competitive mortgage rates. As an example, a £100,000 property with a £97,000 discounted mortgage, could be available for as little as £490.80 per month in the first year, an initial rate of 3.50 per cent (5.10 per cent APR subject to status).

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WARD & Partners’ annual average price rise figures show some surprising facts.

The biggest average price rise is in Ashford where, between January and December 2001 properties rose by, on average, 37 per cent.

Bill Dane, manager of Ward and Partners Ashford branch, said: “The town has come onto the map for a number of people because of the high speed rail link and the M20 which give good commuting facilities.”

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STRUTT & Parker has teamed up with The Field magazine to support its campaign designed to find owners for homeless working dogs.

The campaign is in support of The Dogs’ Home, Battersea and breed rescue groups such as The Labrador Rescue Trust, Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue, Wire Fix Terrier Rescue and Pointer Rescue. It aims to find homes for dogs and to highlight the work of rescue centres.

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THE Association of Residential Letting Agents has announced further successes in its drive for commitment and professionalism in the private rented sector.

According to ARLA, 113 candidates have gained the association’s new higher qualification introduced last year.

This Level two qualification in lettings is designed for partners, principles, senior managers and directors of ARLA member letting offices.

The training courses leading to this qualification cover the requirements of agents, landlords, tenants and buy to let investors and include a comprehensive advanced legal course.