The latest news from Bill Tandy

Eco Friendly Homes Playing an Important Role

 

Climate change has received immense attention recently with urgent calls to reduce the contributing factors to carbon emissions, rising sea levels, and rising temperatures. The UK has committed to reduce its CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050; and this commitment cascades to all markets, including property. This commitment is a great achievement for the UK, with it being the first first-world country to pass law to such a commitment. 

Sadly, the amount of greenhouse gasses produced from heating properties has increased since 2014. Heating our homes accounts to a staggering one seventh of overall UK emissions. Our increased use of fuel can be resultant from heat escaping from properties through walls, windows and ceilings during winter. Luckily, the Government have called an end to the rise in fuel consumption and are devising a plan to battle the emissions producing more energy efficient homes. They are behind an initiative called Future Homes Standard, which is planned to be in full operation by 2025. 

Having more energy efficient homes is a great ambition for all. It will lead to lower carbon emissions, reduced energy bills, and upgraded housing. In 2025, all new build homes will have to abide by the initiative to have clean technology to heat homes instead of the current fossil fuel burned for gas boilers. The construction sector and developers are at the heart of this revolution with their designs crucial to meeting this goal. 

 
The Housing Minister, Esther McVey, said that “industry has told us some homes built using modern methods can have 80% fewer defects and heating bills up to 70% lower. Homes built using modern methods can be of higher quality, greener and built to last. I want to see a housing green revolution.” 2020 is set for an environmental transformation, with the property market a strong contributor to this.

Easter Eggstaraganza 

Saturday 4th April 

 

Follow the Woodland Trail to find the Easter Bunny who's giving everyone free chocolate.

Click here to read Easter Eggstaraganza .

 

Buyers and sellers need to act now to move in time for Christmas

 

 

Homeowners up and down the country are preparing for the pre-Christmas rush, and with the demand-supply imbalance still providing sellers with optimal market conditions, it's likely we'll see a lot more sales to come before the end of 2021.

 

Every year, buyers and sellers are swept up in a flurry of market activity across autumn, with October standing out as a busy period for selling activity.

 

Will you be in your new home by Christmas? Here's where you should start:

 

 

Ensure the property is sale ready

 

Your estate agent will be able to tell you if there are any features of your home that might put off potential buyers.

 

If anything is flagged up, try to get it fixed before your property goes on the market, as doing this will mean you’re more likely to get a speedy sale.

 

Paperwork at the ready

 

Ultimately, the quicker that your paperwork is processed by the solicitors, the quicker you can get going.

 

Hassling with paperwork can slow down the moving process significantly, so pre-empt any requests for certificates or documentation by having it all in one place and ready when called upon.

 

Likewise, calling ahead to organise van hire or a removals company will ensure there are no issues on the big day itself.

 

Declutter thoroughly 

 

With December not far off, it would be a good idea to start sifting through your belongings now to work out what will be going with you and what is no longer wanted or needed.

 

A clearer space will also make your property pictures more visually appealing and make it that much easier to unpack and set up your new place to feel like home.

 

 

If you are looking to sell your home, book your free market appraisal today.

 

 

Optimal selling conditions following the end of the stamp duty holiday

 

Autumn is traditionally one of the best times to sell your home, and with demand levels remaining high despite the end of the stamp duty holiday, we're on track for one of the busiest years for sales yet.

 

Is now a good time to sell?

 

Annual house price growth was at 10% in September, so when combined with a shortage of available properties, homeowners looking to sell are in a promising position to achieve or exceed their asking price.*

 

Here are the top five ways to get your home sold this autumn:

 

Having neat furniture and fresh décor 

 

Keeping your house viewer-ready is paramount to securing a quick sale.

 

First impressions count, so make sure your home is looking its best before any marketing materials or photos are taken, as well as for the actual viewings themselves.

 

Add some colour to your garden 

 

Gardens can begin to look drab and unloved in autumn, however, there are simple changes you can make to ensure you get the full value from your sale.

 

Even if you have limited outdoor space, a tub or plant pot can easily brighten up your garden and make it look much more attractive.

 

Take advantage of natural light 

 

Post-lockdown, bright open space is in demand.

 

Let as much natural light in as possible before having photographs taken, such as by cleaning windows and keeping rooms well lit.

 

It may also be worth illuminating any dark corners with lamps to give the impression of natural light.

 

Be available for daytime viewings 

 

With limited light available in autumn evenings, it’s important to be available in the daytime. Any effective agent should be willing to do viewings when you are unable.

 

If you’re looking for the right agent, look no further and contact us to see how we could help you today...

 

Keep your home well ventilated 

 

The last thing you want is your house to be stuffy while you’re having a viewing. Having fresh air circulating is a great way to make your house feel airy and comfortable.

 

It’s a good idea to open all the windows for an hour or two before the viewing.

 

With the last rush of sales before the winter months, get your house on the market this autumn. Contact us today.

 

*Nationwide

 

Home ownership with the Affordable Housing Programme

 

The UK government have shown that they are committed to helping the younger generation get onto the property ladder, allocating £8.6bn to build approximately 119,000 affordable homes.

 

- 57,000 homes will be available to buy

 

- 29,600 properties will be delivered for social rent

 

- 6,250 will be rural homes

  

The introduction of the Affordable Housing Programme is due, in part, to the shortage of homes being built over the course of the pandemic and aims to make house buying more realistic for families.

 

Lockdown and Brexit have taken a toll on house building in the UK over the last 18 months, as shutting down construction sites has delayed projects and led to disruption along the supply chain for materials, whilst there have been fewer workers available to complete work.

 

There has been a fall in completions of new build homes by 11% since last year, whilst the supply-demand imbalance has made homeownership more difficult for first-time buyers, in particular.*

 

What does this mean for you?

 

If you’re struggling to get onto the property ladder, this may be the perfect scheme to take advantage of.

 

Need help or want to know if you’re eligible? 

 

Visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/86-billion-for-affordable-homes-to-give-boost-onto-housing-ladder

 

Or, to discuss your house buying options, talk to our local team today.

 

 

*Zoopla

 

 

What's changed with tenancy evictions?

 

Over the last 18 months, a number of measures were put in place to protect tenants who were unable to keep up with their rent payments.

 

This put a strain on landlords and the lettings market as a whole, with the government easing these rules back gradually to help all parties involved recover from the effects of the pandemic.

  

A notice period can be anywhere up to six months before an eviction can take place. In addition to this, a tenant can only be asked to leave during the contract's fixed term, if:

 

- The tenant is behind on rent payments

 

- The property has been used for illegal activity

 

- The property has suffered damage during the tenancy

 

Notice periods have been extended since the pandemic, which gives tenants some breathing space if their employment status has changed.

 

Once the tenant has been issued with a written notice of wanting the property back, the tenant is given:

 

- Two months to vacate if they gave notice prior to the 26th of March 2020

 

- Three months, if it was between 26th March and 28 August 2020

 

- Six months, if it was after 29th August 2020

 

- Four months, if it was after June 21 2021

 

Despite these dates, according to the government, if a tenant is evicted with a section 8 notice, the tenant may have to leave much sooner.

  

A tenant should pay rent until the end of their agreed term in accordance with the contract they would have signed. Despite this, it is normal to still liaise with the landlord to see whether there is a break clause in the contract.

 

Landlords may also allow a tenant to leave a fixed-term contract early if the tenant has a direct agreement with them, such as finding a replacement.

 

Do you need help as a landlord or tenant? Talk to our team today. 

 

 

 

Mad Hatter's Tea

Thursday 9th April 

 

Enjoy an afternoon tea in the school holiday's with fun, craziness, singing and dancing.

Click here to read Mad Hatter's Tea.

Wedding Open Day

Sunday 19th April 

 

If you are planning a wedding for 2020 or 2021 this wedding day is a perfect chance to see dressed rooms.

Click here to read Wedding Open Day.