If you’re desperate for more space at home, could a room in the garden be the solution? Here’s what you need to consider first. With children increasingly living with their parents well into their twenties and thirties, many homeowners are yearning for more living space. The obvious answer to this quandary is to build an extension. But when this isn’t feasible (due to limited finances or...
Even good landlords with good tenants sometimes receive complaints. Here are some top tips for handling any complaints you might receive quickly and easily. What do tenants complain about most? According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)*, most complaints aren’t actually about major disasters. They’re about small everyday issues. (Things that are pretty...
Here are some home truths about property overvaluations that you must read if you're thinking about listing your property. If it's too good to be true…well, you know how the rest of the saying goes. In fact, you've probably used it when a friend or family member has asked you for financial or business advice. But even if you're usually the first to spot when something's not quite right, that...
To avoid a last-ditch panic, it’s worth making back-to-school preparations sooner rather than later. All good things must come to an end, even the summer holidays. While this may not be something you want to contemplate just yet, it pays to think ahead and avoid leaving everything to the last minute. The return to drop-offs, pick-ups and homework can be a shock to the system, for the whole...
The Government has recently announced a new mortgage guarantee scheme. Here we’ll explain how it works and what it might mean for the property market. What is the new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme? The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is an official scheme where the government backs mortgages that are larger than a bank or building society may be willing to offer. In practical terms,...
A new survey pours cold water on the claim that landlords are abandoning the private rental sector in droves. The press loves a dramatic headline, don’t they? Back in December, one national newspaper ran this thundering warning: ‘The devastating landlord exodus about to hit Britain.’ Other mainstream and specialist property news outlets followed suit, claiming that the private rental sector...
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...
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