Three tips for tackling tricky tenants
When you’re renting your property to tenants, it’s important to put in place a tenancy agreement setting out the terms. This is a good way to make sure that the rental conditions between you and your tenant are clear. This is particularly important if your tenant becomes difficult. With more than a decade in the […]
A castle for every Englishman
The proverb “an Englishman’s home is his castle” is a British expression of personal privacy and security. The phrase has long been used to define a home as a place of refuge, and since at least the 17th century, it has been a legal precept that no one may enter your home without a clear […]
As safe as houses
According to Office for National Statistics, there were 27.2 million households in the UK in 2017. The Government’s English Housing Survey reports that, in 2016-17, there were around 671,000 first-time buyers in England (first purchase in the last three years and no property previously owned). Approximately 70% of properties are owner-occupied, the remaining 30% comprising […]
Book now to avoid disappointment!
A well-maintained rental property is essential if you want to stay compliant with rental regulations, and if you want your tenants to be happy. Have you booked your boiler service yet? With temperatures forecast as low as -6C this winter, boiler maintenance must be a priority for every landlord. Ideally, you will have had your […]
Making your mark, without making your landlord mad
If you’re renting a property, then your contract with your landlord may well include limitations on what you can do to it, to make it yours. Generally, permanent changes are out, but some landlords will be happy to allow some minor changes, providing you agree to returning the property to its original state when you […]
Beauty is not only skin deep
When you’re looking for a new home, it can be hard to look beyond the surface dressing of any property. Everyone has different tastes, and a terrible carpet or old-fashioned bathroom suite can be quite a turn off, and you could come away focussed entirely on that, and not recognise the potential of the property. […]
Well, come on in
Whether you’re greeting friends at your door, or inviting potential new owners in to your property, a warm welcome is the very best of beginnings. An attractive approach to your home is a good place to start, and we’ve got everything you need to know about achieving kerb appeal here. But you don’t buy a […]
Wish lists and compromises
If you had to describe your dream home, you would probably have a list of wishes that include aspirations like a south-facing garden, a separate dining room and a downstairs loo. You may already know you want a ready-to-move-in property, or perhaps you’re specifically looking for a fixer-upper to make your own mark on. It’s […]
Fabulously easy fresh looks that don’t cost a fortune
It’s strange how marketing your property makes you look at it differently. It’s not an easy thing to do either, to look dispassionately at something you’ve invested time, effort and love in. Objectivity inevitably brings new awareness: perhaps it’s only now you realise that your carpet is slightly discoloured along the trails your family follow; […]
10 things to do before you leave the house
It’s tough, keeping your house looking at its best when it’s home to a busy family. Here are 10 things to do before you leave the house you’re marketing, to make sure it’s ready for whomever walks through the door. You never know, it could be the next person to live there! And even if […]
