When considering the purchase of a property, it is important to be aware of the multiple costs that are associated with buying process – aside from the cost of the property itself.  Communication with the professionals can put you in good stead to know exactly what process you are about to embark on, and whether you have purchased the property through an internet estate agents or a high street branch, they can help you with information and services.  In any case, here are some hidden costs to be aware of.

Mortgage Arrangement Fee:

When searching through the endless list of mortgage deals, you can easily overlook the fact that they will charge an arrangement fee.  These fees can range from £100 to £1000 and vary with each lender so it is important to budget for this charge.  It is worthwhile checking when you have to pay the arrangement fees as some lenders automatically add it onto the mortgage, which means you will be paying interest on it rather than charging you when you make your application.  Also watch out for lenders offering 0% arrangement fees as although the deal may look attractive it may actually cost you more in the long run.

Stamp Duty:

Stamp duty is a tax applied to the sale of property and land and ranges from 1% to 5% depending on the value of the property.  Currently, first time buyers do not have to pay stamp duty on a property valued up to £250,000, however things can always change!

If you are not a first time buyer, or a buying a property over £250,000 then stamp duty bands are as follows;

-          1% for properties between £125,000 – £250,000

-          3% for properties between £250,000 – £500,000

-          4% for properties up to £1million

-          5% for properties over £1million

Valuation and Survey:

When you purchase a property a valuation is necessary, which is generally carried out by the mortgage lender.  The purpose of the valuation is to make sure the property is worth what you are paying for it and can cost around £250 depending on the lender.

Surveys are essential when taking on a new property to uncover damage and faults, and a basic survey can cost just a couple of hundred pounds.  These types of surveys only pick up visible issues and damage to the property, whereas a full structural survey can cost at least £600 but can report more serious faults or structural damage, and although it may seem like a big pay out it can actually save you thousands in the long run and can put you in a good position to negotiate the buying price of the property.

Conveyancing:

Conveyancing is the term given to a legal member who can guide you through the legal side of the purchase and can cost from £400 upwards depending on the property.  Finding a good conveyancer is certainly worthwhile, either through personal recommendation or word of mouth, if not then the online estate agency can point you in the right direction.

Land Registry and Searches:

The land registry registers all properties in England and when house ownership changes there is an administration fee to pay, and this charge depends on the property price.

Searches are a set of standard enquiries raised with a particular authority, for example the local search is raised with the local council, the drainage and water search is raised with the water authority etc.  Your conveyancer or solicitor is responsible for raising these queries and they can alert you to the charges involved.

All this aside, it is also important to budget for those little extras you have not perhaps thought of yet, like;

-          Moving costs

-          Decoration or renovation costs

-          Disconnection and reconnection of services

-          Mail redirection

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Posted by admin on January 2nd, 2012 :: Filed under Uncategorized

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Hearing a flood siren can send you into a panic (even when it’s only a drill). But when it’s not a test, it’s crucial that you stay calm. The old idiom expressing the merits of the “Five Ps” springs to mind: perfect preparation prevents poor performance. Advice issued by the government outlines eight steps to take, to properly plan ahead if you think you are at risk from an oncoming flood.  Landlords this is as big an issue for you, as it is the general public, which is why the need for up to date flood insurance is required, to help you in the event of the flooding damaging your property.  However, there are a number of precautions and items that you can be prepared with to help increase the chances of reducing damage.

The first step is to check to see if you are at risk. This information is available from the Environment Agency’s (EA) website, where you can enter your post code for a rough idea of how at risk you are. Another option is to call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

The second step proposed is for you to sign up to the Environment Agency’s Flood Warnings Direct service. Information on how to subscribe to this is available on the EA’s website as well as on Floodline. Other good sources for flood warnings and local updates can be obtained through local media, as well as through local sirens and loud hailers which warn when a flood is imminent.

The third step to take, as advised by the government, is to check your home insurance cover. You need to make sure your policy provides adequate flooding insurance for your property and your possessions, but you also need to make sure you take adequate precautions to protect them yourself as well. If your property is at moderate or high risk of flooding, you might find it difficult to find cover, but it is imperative that you persevere and find a willing insurer.

The fourth step is to familiarise yourself with shut-down procedures for gas electricity and water. Ask your supplier if you need advice, and make a note of which taps or switches you need to turn off.

The fifth step involves the preparation of an emergency kit, which should contain all the essential items that you may need in the event of flooding. The kit should contain: copies of your home insurance documents; a reliable torch (preferably one you can mount on your head to leave your hands free for moving belongings) with plenty of spare batteries; a radio that does not depend on the mains electricity; warm waterproof clothing and blankets; a first aid kit including any prescribed medications required; plenty of bottled water and food that will not expire (such as tins or dried); any items needed to look after your young children.

The sixth step entails keeping in touch. It is advisable to have a contact outside the flood area that you and the rest of your family can all check in with.

The seventh step directs you to move your valuable items to safety before the flood hits. Electrical items and vulnerable furniture should be moved to higher floors where possible. Valuable and irreplaceable items should be stored in a safe place. Pets and cars are best left in the care of someone outside of the flood risk area.

The eighth step is to obtain and fit specialist flood protection products. These products are designed to stop or slow the rate at which water enters your property, they can help to reduce damage and aid in ultimate clean-up. Floodboards can be fixed to frames of doors and windows to keep out water (and are reusable), while airbrick covers can prevent water from entering through your walls. Sandbags can afford useful protection.

No flood protection can be guaranteed to be 100% effective, so do not depend on your protection alone. In addition to this, there is a point when flood waters immersing your home can cause more damage than if you were to let it in. Flood heights in excess of one metre can put pressure on the exterior structure of your house, which can be more costly to repair in the long run. If water is likely to rise above one metre, you should seek advice from your local Building Control Officer.

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Posted by admin on March 11th, 2011 :: Filed under Uncategorized

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It is always sensible whenever having a brand new floor fitted (whether it be laminate flooring, solid wood, or engineered wood flooring) to purchase a sufficient amount to cover the specified space with some extra parts left over.

Research the wood that you plan on buying and check to see what the best products and techniques are for when accidents happen on the wood flooring. If you don’t keep a stock of extra products, you may find it tough to replace a damaged piece later on. Even the biggest manufacturers won’t produce exactly the same products for ever, and in the amount of time when you bought your floor (which is likely to have been many years) they could have modified the colour of the finish or pattern. If you are unlucky enough for this to be the case, there are still actions you can take prior to hurrying directly out to purchase a new floor.

In case you don’t know the brand of your boards you will most likely need to check the underneath for the company stamp. If your floor boards don’t seem to be signed, you might want to take it along with you to a expert dealer who will be able to determine a decent match for you. Because almost all flooring is sold in boxed groups, you could have to buy approximately 20sq.ft of it (another good factor to keep spares!), but at least you’ll be well prepared if you need to make any further repairs in the future. This is a result of the fact that many traders sell their boards in boxed sets. In case the worst happens and you’re unable to get a match, you may be able to take into consideration sanding down and refinishing your entire floor. Before you decide to undertake this course, you must check with a professional, as sanding is only suitable for particular sorts of wood flooring like lacquered or oiled solid wood. As a result of re-oiling or re-lacquering, a mended area will blend beautifully together with the surrounding boards. Some examples of floors where sanding is not at all viable include engineered wood (which consists of layers), and laminate (which should certainly be clear).

People with spares ought to find far fewer issues that will prevent them performing repairs. You could possibly discover a small difference between the colour of the spares and laid flooring, especially if you have had your floor for a long time. If a floor is dye-stained it could lighten under sunlight over time, while, conversely, several finishes have a tendency to darken (along with the actual wood for people with American Cherry boards). If this is the case, it is recommended to carry out repairs regardless, and allow time take care of blending the colours. If you want to  achieve an invisible repair and avoid leaving your floor looking patchy, and you only have very little carpentry experience, then you ought to seek out assistance from somebody that does. DIY might sound like the most cost effective choice, but can ultimately end up being more expensive over time  and also the last thing you want  to happen is transform a minor flaw in to a gaping disaster!

As usual, prevention is preferable to cure, therefore the very best thing to do should always be mindful of your floor. Ensure that it always stays clean and address any spillages as soon as they take place. If you’re considering a new floor, you might wish to look at the huge selection of easy to fit alternatives to solid wood, or perhaps the simple to maintain oiled and lacquered ranges.

Laminate flooring has become the  most preferred choices in the present day market. This is a result of  a number of manufacturers developing the boards in a way that they simply click together with each other when layed. An additional point is the fact that laminate is incredibly tough and durable. These kinds of kits include almost everything you need to repair your floor, as well as the pigment you may require to conceal it. Lacquered wood floors may, along with the sanding approach outlined previously, be repaired with the application of wood-coloured putty in the event of small defects.

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Posted by admin on March 11th, 2011 :: Filed under Uncategorized

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Landlords: do you want to make more out of your property? Perhaps you wish to install en-suites to entice new tenants or increase your property’s value? Or maybe you intend to erect new partition walls to maximise the earning potential of your space? Either way, you will need to start weighing up your building options and materials, such as utilising envirowall, before you begin constructing your new walls.

Building regulations stipulate that all bedrooms must have at least one window that opens out to the property’s exterior, so if a second window is not already present you need to make sure that you can fit one. You should probably seek advice from your local building control office before you undertake any work.

Something else you might want to consider, before beginning an extensive remodel, is how you  might reduce your property’s carbon footprint. Going green is not only a good way to market your property to the modern environmentally-conscious consumer, but will also appeal to the growing number of people who are anxious to save money on ever-increasing utility bills.

Basic things might include making sure that windows are in good condition and that the house is properly insulated, but if you are planning to plumb-in new en suite facilities it may be worth going further. Something as simple as fitting a programmable thermostat might make all the difference to a potential tenant at the higher end of the market.

If you really want to go all the way though, perhaps because you are considerate of the environment yourself or maybe because you really want to push the environmentally-friendly sales angle, you have to source green and ethical materials to decorate and refit with. When building your partition walls, you should consider using something like envirowall, which is a completely recycled alternative to plasterboard or mdf.

When repainting, you should choose to use paints that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If refurnishing, you should look to buy second-hand (which is just good business sense really, but can be seen as “recycling”), or look for new items that are made from FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certificated or reclaimed wood. FSC standards should also be sought for the timber you use while constructing internal walls, as well as for any wood-flooring you might decide to install.

A great deal of the renting public in the UK is being kept in fuel poverty, which essentially means that they are spending more than 10% of their income on energy costs. Landlords have the opportunity to reduce the staggering estimated number of 1.2 million fuel-poor households, just by making a few basic modifications to their properties. Doing so would both dramatically increase the value and desirability of your property, as well as delivering a positive environmental impact, with products such as envirowall.

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Posted by admin on February 24th, 2011 :: Filed under Home
Tags :: Building Regulations

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As a landlord, at times it may seem as if you have more repair jobs to complete in your house or flat share than you have time for.  It can also be intimidating to look at the repairs you have to make since each repair will cost a substantial amount of money if you choose to hire an expert.  However, if you have DIY tools that allow you to take care of the task on your own you can greatly reduce the cost of the job and find a great way to occupy your time.

In order to complete your own home repairs, there are a few DIY tools that you will need to have within your toolbox.  One great tool in particular that should be located in every home or garage is a utility knife, often known as a Stanley Knife.  While you may not think of a knife as a tool, the truth is that they are one of the most used DIY tools given that many projects require you to use a blade and a utility knife offers a functional, heavy duty, versatile blade that can be used on a wide variety of projects.

While building up your arsenal of DIY tools, you will also want to make sure that your purchase at least one dependable hammer.  This is due to the fact that many projects will require you to use nails as a fastener, which in turn require a hammer in order to be put in place, and they are just plain useful for a million little jobs around the home.

Finally, one more range of items that need to be purchased when building up your DIY tools are measuring tapes.  Without an accurate measurement of the task you are working on, you are likely to spend more money, use more materials, and waste your time attempting repairs that are not viable.  Thus, take the time to measure up for each repair as you prepare it and save yourself a great deal of hassle and money.

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Posted by admin on August 20th, 2010 :: Filed under Home

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When people are considering ways to boost the value or appeal of their home they often look towards wooden flooring to do the job.  Something as simple as changing the floor in your home can make a massive change in the impression you leave potential buyers or tenants.  In fact 58% of estate agents agree that homes with wooden floors are more profitable than ones without. Wood flooring is a stylish, eco-friendly option and its aesthetic appeal is attractive to many homeowners and landlords alike.  Known for its durability and individual characteristics, it offers a modern and traditional look all in one.

Wooden flooring, particularly real wood flooring, is an eco-friendly, natural and sustainable resource which is very durable.  If maintained correctly, a hard wood floor could last a lifetime making it an economical option in the long term. The longevity of a wooden floor depends on how well it is looked after, how heavily it is walked upon and not forgetting the all important factors of whether you have children or pets.  But even with all the factors considered, wooden flooring is a lot more hardwearing and forgiving than carpet can ever claim to be.  With the added benefits of stain resistance and scratch resistance, any signs of an accident or spillage can easily be removed with little effort.

Wood is also a hygienic choice compared to carpet which can host up to 100,000 dust mites per square metre.  For those with allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma, wooden flooring offers a hygienic and easy to clean surface which can easily be vacuumed or brushed to remove most if not all signs of dust around.

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Posted by admin on July 29th, 2010 :: Filed under Home

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If you are a new landlord to the flat – houseshare industry there are many services available to you in order to ensure that everything is done correctly, none more so than a chartered surveyor who can take you right through from aiding you in buying the property to renting it out, via advice on renovations.

From the outset, a chartered surveyor is capable of appraising the cost and condition of the house or flat that a new landlord may wish to buy and typically they work within a specific area, so they are up to speed on local issues that may affect the price of the property.  A chartered surveyor can also put into action the paperwork required to obtain planning permission and any renovations that the property may require after purchase, such as turning a three bedroomed house into a five bedroomed house in order to maximise profits when renting the rooms out.  There are different types of chartered surveyors in Essex for example, but they should all be registered with The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) which is their expert body.

Employing a chartered surveyor can at times be expensive, however this is subset because they are able to provide a qualified judgement on any important issues and in the long run can save a landlord thousands of pounds as well as being able to access products and details which no one else would be able to obtain easily.

As mentioned previously, there are a number of chartered surveyors around and many of them are online.  Therefore finding one is as straightforward as searching for Chartered Surveyors Essex or the town or county nearest to the indivial looking for one, alternatively any estate agent should be able to suggest a regional surveyor or the RICS‘ website also offers a lookup function to find qualified surveyors in a specific location.

Once the building is in shape a surveyors work doesn’t neccessarily have to end there.  Many of them can also offer legal advice on maximise profits from the property and even advise on tenancy law which can be extremely useful for any new landlord.

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Posted by admin on June 30th, 2010 :: Filed under Uncategorized

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If you’ve made the decision to move into a new house or flatshare it can be a stressful time. There are many things to consider such as organising and packing your belongings, finding helpers for the big move, booking time off of work and changing the address on your car insurance, bank accounts, registering with a doctor and so on. But with prior planning these needn’t become a stress.

If you are moving out of a flatshare then one of the things to do is contact your existing landlord and tell them of your plans to move. This should be top of the priority list as undoubtedly you will have a minimum notice that you will have to give them. As soon as a moving date has been arranged it would be advisable to take a few days off of work either side to avoid having to do everything in a rush. Even if you don’t have a lot of items to move, you’ll be surprised how heavy boxes can get, so it’s worth enlisting a few friends to help on moving day.

Once you have done this it’s time to start organising for the move. One thing that you will require is packaging supplies such as cardboard boxes and bubble wrap to protect your possessions and avoid any damages or breakages. If you are on a budget you could try getting some boxes from local supermarkets, although their durability may be questionable and ask your friends to save all their newspapers as this can be a cheap way of wrapping your things up to protect them. Once you have your cardboard boxes and other packing supplies, then you may wish to start packing your things up early as undoubtedly you will find things that you no longer require and want to throw out, sell on eBay or drop off to a charity shop.

Before moving its worth compiling a list of the companies that have your personal details that you will have to inform of your change of address. A quick list to get you started includes your bank including any loans and credit cards that you may have, car insurance, store cards, DVLA for your driving license, mobile phone contract and gym memberships.

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Posted by admin on June 17th, 2010 :: Filed under Uncategorized
Tags :: Bubble Wrap, Flatshare, Houseshare, Moving, Packaging Supplies

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Are you or your house or flatmates desperate to make some extra money for the summer so that you can pay your rent whilst making the most of the sunshine at festivals, down the pub and on holiday? Here’s our quick guide to some interesting jobs that you may wish to consider:

Bar Work
Good old fashioned bar work down your local pub. It can be antagonising seeing everyone out having a good time, but there are two bonuses, one you are working and so you are not spending any money and two you aren’t the one making a fool of yourself because you’ve had one or two too many.

Telemarketing Services Company
If you’re confident on the telephone and are forever being told that you could sell snow to the Eskimos, then perhaps this could become a lot more than a summer job. There are regular office hours and for the duration of the day all you have to do is phone up potential customers and do a bit of lead generation …although it probably harder than I make it out to be.

Glitter Christmas Cards
Don’t laugh. There is serious money to be made from this if it hasn’t been moved abroad because of cheaper workforces. For the day you have to stand at the end of a machine either filling it up with blank cards that require glittering or stand at the other end ensuring the glitter has been baked on correctly and put it into a box.

Agency Work
In your nearest town or city there are probably an abundance of job agencies with summer jobs available for you. Why not take a walk down there with your latest CV and see what they can do for you?

These are just some ideas for you to make money so that you can make the most of the time that you have off. Give it a go, who knows you may find your next career out of it!

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Posted by admin on April 26th, 2010 :: Filed under Uncategorized
Tags :: Bar Work, Flatmates, House mates, Making Money, Telemarketing Services Company

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Christmas and New Year now seem a thing of the past, but that can only mean one thing… Summer’s coming!  Maybe a little optimistic, with such bleak weather outside, but it’s something for you and your house mates to look forward to – festivals, relaxing in beer gardens and the odd summer barbecue in your back garden.

So what’s the recipe for the ideal summer barbecue?  Plenty of food, plenty of drink and plenty of friends, all true.  But one addition that often gets over looked is a gazebo.  These are ideal for when you and your house mates want to duck out of the summer sun and get some shade during the day, keep the food dry should there be a sudden down pour and somewhere for you and your house mates to chill out as the sun begins to descend.  The good thing about them is that with the pop up gazebo, is that they are easy to assemble as well as being compact when folded away so they can be stored away until you decide to throw another barbecue.  If you are planning to host a number of barbecues of have a lot of guests, you might wish to consider a commercial gazebo, the reason being that these are slightly more heavy duty and robust.

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Posted by admin on February 18th, 2010 :: Filed under Home
Tags :: Commercial Gazebo, Gazebo, House mates, Summer

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