How often do you test your smoke alarm? If you're like most Brits, the answer is probably not regularly enough. House fires can be devastating, destroying property and in some cases even causing loss of life. However, many people fail to follow even the most basic precautions to prevent serious blazes. Take smoke alarms. They're a critical fire safety tool, but, according to a new study, the...
Unattractive or poorly maintained neighbouring properties can slash the selling price of a home by an average of £42,880, according to Churchill Home Insurance. The biggest value losers are rubbish in the front garden (a possible 30% loss), too many garden ornaments or statues (28%) and broken/boarded up windows (27%). Losses range from almost £89,000 in expensive places like London to £25,000...
It’s still not too late to book a summer holiday. And if you try these three tips, it needn’t break the bank either. Swerve the school holidays Everybody knows prices plummet if you can travel outside peak school holiday times. But here’s a clever idea: Compare the school holiday dates both in the place you’re travelling to as well as the place you’re travelling...
Less than half (46%) of tenants have contents insurance, according to a new report*. Which begs the question: Is your rental property properly insured? Here’s what landlords need to know. Who’s responsible for insurance in a buy-to-let? In a buy-to-let, the responsibility for insurance is split between the landlord and the tenant. Insurance is based on the principle of...
Survive the summer holidays and the challenge of keeping children entertained with these fun activities that don’t cost the earth. I’m bored! Two words you’re bound to hear over the next few weeks if you have school-aged children. So how can cash-conscious parents keep boredom and mischief at bay for the duration of the summer break? It’s not easy, as popular activities like going to...
While some people only move a few times in their lives, for others it’s a very different story. When it comes to moving home, how typical are you? Are you the restless type who ups sticks every few years? Or have you been settled in the same property for decades and have no intention of moving again, ever? To find out how you compare with the rest of the country, take a look at the results of...
This month is Plastic Free July all around the world. The aim is to encourage ordinary people to cut their use of plastic to help the environment. Here are some easy ways you can join in Plastic Free July. Avoid single-use plastics Avoiding single-use plastics is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic use. Single-use coffee cups, plastic bags, food wrap and,...
New housing market data indicates that buyer interest is increasing, while prices remain resilient. Industry analysts had plenty of numbers to crunch last month, with the Bank of England and property portal Zoopla releasing insights on the state of the economy and housing market. Let’s look at what the figures mean for buyers and sellers. Mortgage approvals Perhaps the best news came from the...
Owning a buy-to-let can be a challenge, especially in the current market. If you're looking for a letting agent to help you let or manage your property successfully, here's how to find the very best one. Firstly, do they work in your area? Are they the local experts? It may seem obvious, but there's no point in using a letting agent who doesn't specialise in the area where your...
Protect your home and possessions by stepping up security before you go on holiday. Whether you plan to spend your summer holiday lying on a beach or strolling around a sophisticated city, there’s one thing you don’t want to be thinking about. And that’s home security. Because while you may be taking a break this summer, burglars certainly won’t be (burglary rates in the UK spike in July...
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