Over recent years, the property-investment sector has become much more regulated. What’s more, it’s increasingly common for landlords to be required to prove that they have complied with rules rather than on enforcement agencies to prove that they haven’t. With that in mind, here is a quick guide to the current rules for buy-to-let landlords. […]
Is A Five-Year Fix Playing Too Safe?
The next few years look set to be interesting ones for the UK. On the plus side, COVID19 does seem to be abating. On the minus side, it’s leaving its financial (and social) toll behind. Then there’s Brexit. There’s also a general election in 2024. Against that backdrop, a five-year fixed-rate mortgage can provide welcome […]
Why You Should Pay Attention To Energy Efficiency
You’re probably already aware that the government has committed to making the UK net-zero by 2050. You may not, however, have realised that this could have significant implications for the whole housing market. Here are some key points on energy efficiency you need to know. Landlords need to meet energy efficiency standards Domestic rented properties […]
How To Plan For Interest-Rate Rises
Even if you’re not a homeowner, you’ve probably noticed that the Bank of England raised interest rates in both December and this February. Given the state of inflation, there may well be more rises on the cards and they may be sooner rather than later. With that in mind, here are some thoughts on how […]
Are You A New First Time Buyer?
Last year, saw 408,379 people collect the keys to their first home. It was the first year the number of first-time buyers had exceeded 400K since 2006. If you were one of those first-time buyers, you might be feeling somewhat nervous about the future. Here are some tips to guide you. Prepare for interest-rate rises […]
Top Decorating Trends for 2022
A new year means a new set of decorating trends. Like all trends, they’re best treated as a source of inspiration rather than as rules you need to follow. With that said, here’s a quick guide to what industry insiders expect to be popular in 2022. DIY/upcycling/sustainability Technically, those are three trends but they are […]