2023

It’s every landlord’s worst nightmare: you discover the people you thought were trusted tenants are actually crooks using your property for illegal activity. As a result, you face hefty repair bills, loss of income and a battle with your insurer. You may also find yourself at the centre of a police investigation. Now, this is a worst-case scenario; most tenants are law-abiding, so there’s...

If you’re feeling tired, grumpy and an overwhelming urge to hibernate as the autumn days get shorter and cooler, you’re not alone. Many people experience a dip in mood and energy at this time of year. But before you dive for cover under the duvet, here are some tips to help you deal with – and maybe even enjoy – the seasonal changes we face at this time of year. Embrace the...

This community interest article offers tips on curbing clutter with clever storage solutions. From Cluttered to Calm: Storage Tips to Make Your Life Easier Close your eyes and picture your dream home. What do you see? A home that’s light, spacious and orderly? Or one that’s chaotic and cluttered with objects piled high and shoes and clothes strewn on the floor (along with bits of Lego that...

In this week’s lettings article, we look at ways landlords can handle issues that arise with tenants.  As a landlord, as well as managing the finances, the property and any repairs or maintenance, you also have to remember to look after your tenants. Whilst nine times out of ten you’ll never have to deal with anything too difficult, sometimes relationships can be testing. So, what’s...

In this week’s sales article, we look at the key points to consider if you’re thinking about downsizing. The number of downsizers active in the housing market has skyrocketed in recent months*, and is it any wonder? With steep hikes in energy bills, interest rates and inflation, many people feeling the squeeze are rethinking how – and where – they want to live. Downsizers are often...

This week’s lettings article looks at the true cost of self-managing a rental property. Not since 2008, when Katy Perry stormed the music charts and Gavin and Stacey ruled the small screen, have interest rates been as high as they are today. As a result, many mortgage holders are looking for ways to trim their outgoings to ease the financial burden. Homeowners are putting DIY projects on the...

In this sales article, we look at the issues around buyers relying on the Bank of Mum and Dad. Every year, the Bank of Mum and Dad comes to the rescue by helping tens of thousands of first-time buyers get on the housing ladder. Last year alone, 46% of first-time buyers received financial help from their parents to purchase a property, with £8.8 billion changing hands (source: Savills). But for...

This week’s community interest article looks at how to incorporate the latest interiors trend into the décor of your home. Forget Scandi style or minimalist chic, the interior trend of the moment is wabi-sabi – an approach to design that’s gentler on the environment and the bank balance. So, what is this concept with the weird rhyming name all about, and could it work for you? Wabi-sabi...

This week’s lettings article looks at how to recognise a good letting agent. How can you spot a top letting agent from a master of mediocrity? Read on to find out. Landlords use letting agents for all sorts of reasons. Some need help navigating red tape and lettings legislation, while others want a third party to deal with inspections, inventories and disputes. And some just want peace of...

In this week’s sales article, we take a brief look at the first-time buyer’s journey and what they can expect. If you’re thinking about buying your first home, congratulations! You’re about to experience a huge life moment and finally have somewhere to call your own. The first-time buyer journey is exciting, scary, overwhelming… it’s basically all the emotions. So, what can you...