Some landlords won’t allow tenants to make any permanent changes to their property, but when it comes to semi-permanent changes (I.e., painting), they may be more lenient to the idea, and it is always worth the ask. However, making any changes without consent of the landlord is a bad idea and can really hinder your good relationship you have with them. Most of the time, landlords will be accepting of any changes if it is returned to its original state from when you entered the property.  The issue you have with repainting, is that when the landlord wants it returned back to its original colour, they will probably want you to get this professionally done as the majority of landlords would have had it painted professionally in the first place. This can be quite costly, as you are probably already paying for painters and supplies to redecorate, and then again in the long run – so always make sure you think about the long-term costs within your budget.  CHECK WHAT IT STATES IN YOUR CONTRACT  Your contract can differ between different properties. With working in a letting agency, I have seen a lot of landlords having their own agreements or custom clauses with their tenants. I have also seen a lot of tenants saying that they didn’t realise that this was mentioned in their agreement. You need to read your agreement carefully, especially before signing, as this could affect your plans on making your rental into a home.   There will be terms in their about making changes and needing written permission from your landlord. Any changes that are not reversed when you choose to vacate, the landlord may be able to make deductions on your deposit.   CONTACTING YOUR LANDLORD OR AGENT  It can be quite difficult to contact your landlord directly, even though a lot of tenants wish this would be easier. Landlords instruct agents to act on their behalf so speaking with the agent may be your quickest and easiest option. Also, agents should act as a middle ground so it can be quite helpful for you, especially when your landlord is hearing your side from a professional.   Always ensure that you have your landlord's consent in writing, this will help you in the future and keep you protected.  OPT FOR MODULAR FURNITURE  This can help with your long-term costs. Having modular furniture helps adapting to different rentals and rooms. It basically means that your furniture can be altered and split so that it can fit in varying shapes and sizes of rooms. For example, with a modular sofa, you might be able to split the sofa into a chair and a sofa, or from an L shape to a U shape. This is a useful comparison to other sofas where they will only come in one piece and cannot be changed.   I found an article by ‘House & Garden’ which reviews 5 companies that sell sofas in a box – ideal for moving. I have attached the link here. Also, I think the best place to find modular furniture is IKEA. They have a huge range of modular sofas of all different colours.   LOOK INTO VINYL AND TILE STICKERS  Sometimes you might find that the home you have rented is perfect, but the tiles and kitchen just might not be the colour you would have gone for. Changing tiles or renovating the kitchen will most likely be off the cards as these are very permanent changes. B&Q have a wide range of Vinyl wrap that you could use along the kitchen tops. I have tried this myself, and it is very tricky especially round the hob and sink. I would recommend buying a few wraps in case you make any mistakes and watch a lot of YouTube! They also have a huge range of tile stickers that can be cut to size.   As this is just stickers, it is very easy to reverse but just make sure your landlord gets a heads up.   INVEST IN STATEMENT PIECES  Investing in your bedding is a great way to start. Having luxury bedding or something that stands out in the room can really make your bedroom turn from simple to opulent. Going for bold and pretty colours can make the room brighter and feel like summer all year round.   Again, Home & Gardens wrote a helpful article on statement pieces within your home. I have put the link here, but take into consideration your contract when readings this.   LEAN, DON’T HANG  If you landlord does not give consent to putting up pictures using nails, as it can damage walls, then you could just lean. This will give your home a relaxed and informal feel. Examples are free standing mirrors, long mirrors leaning against the wall, or even pictures on top of a chest of drawers or on the kitchen top.   This will not need any permission from the landlord as it does not make any changes to the structure of the property, and if you ever fancy a change then it will be easier to move things around.   COVER UPS  Changing your flooring in a rented home is most probably not going to be possible or acceptable with your landlord. It is very permanent work and expensive to reverse. To overcome this, try covering up your floor with an oversized rug, or draw the attention to a statement rug. This can also help with if you have any historic stains on your carpet.   Also, when it comes to cracks or marks on your walls, you could consider large wall hanging decorations. This is a quick fix, and very easy to put back to original condition as all you will need to do is fill a hole.   Looking at the Welsh Government’s model written statement, you can find the information on redecorating in Clause 22, ‘Making changes to the dwelling or utilities’. Bearing in mind that this is a model, and you should still always read your agreement. I just wanted to show you an idea of what to look out for and how it might be worded.

The government guidelines, schemes and announcements are constantly being updated, especially in the property industry. Keeping up to date on all things property is one of our top priorities – we feel this needs to be relayed to everyone in the sector simply and effectively (a reason why we started this blog).   The budget includes a few measures that may affect you. The first takeaway being energy prices. This is something that has been causing financial stress for the majority of households. Hunt has now extended the government grant by 3 months, therefore ending in June 2023. If you are paying via direct debit, then you will see this show up on your energy bills. However, if you are paying via a prepayment meter, you will be receiving a letter with a voucher in it every month. On top of this lovely news, it has also been announced that energy prices are expected to drop from July 2023. We’re hoping this means that over summer the low energy bills will be making up for those extortionate bills we all had over winter. This next action goes out to all you Mums and Dads! The government have now lowered the age of the 30 hours of free childcare a week from 3 to 4 year olds to 9 months old. This really is incredible, and I am sure that all you parents reading this will find that this will increase your flexibility and decrease the stress. ALSO, through universal credit, the government has agreed to cover childcare costs of up to £951 for a single child and £1,630 for two children. This is a huge increase which will boost the budget for all the tenants that have kids and aid them in paying their rent on time and in full, or even helping towards saving for buying a house!  On a more unfortunate note, ahead of this budget, it was released that there were plans for reinstating corporation tax relief on mortgage interest payments and reducing stamp duty – this didn’t make the cut in the Spring Budget 2023. In fact, corporation tax is going to increase by April 2023. This may have negative impact on all the property portfolio owners that make a profit of more than £250,000. These people will be expecting an increase from 19% to 25%.  Now back to the good stuff! It was mentioned that the government are going to be raising the amount that can be added to your pension without paying extra tax, from £40,000 to £60,000. This takes a significant amount of consideration into the long term (and we love forward thinking).   So, what’s next? What more is the government going to do? Will there be a next budget? What's going to happen in the housing market? SO MANY QUESTIONS!  One prediction that was made by the Chancellor was that the UK is supposedly going to be avoiding a “technical recession” this year. This is a term used to describe the economy shrinking over two consecutive quarters. The housing market isn't all that bad in recessions; lower deposits and less borrowing! This is a huge advantage for first time buyers and a great time to get yourself on the property ladder. Although, the current situation (as of February), house prices have increased and there is a lot of confidence in the market, especially with sellers.  There is so much more we could talk about within the Spring Budget 2023, but I wouldn’t want to bore you with this for too long as I am sure you will hear all about it in the news. If you do have any questions, I would be open to answering anything as well as I can. Or even if you just want to discuss your side and express your feelings about this – I am all ears! You can find our contact form on this webpage.

As one of our first blog posts, we wanted to dig deep into the history of Aberystwyth University – a notable asset of this beautiful coastal town. And, it just seemed right to start our blogging journey from the very beginning…  Aberystwyth University was established in 1872, but nothing like how we know it today. It was originally called University College Wales and was the first university to be born in Wales, only comprising of 26 students and a couple teachers.  Fun fact: University College Wales was one of the first institutions to admit women. Get to know the first female students through this link here.  After the second world war, there was significant expansion in the research and departments, giving it the authority to win awards – which was a pretty big deal back then! All of their awards and rankings can be found on their website – I have linked this here.  Further into the journey, the University has many plans in place for the future including a new lease of life for the Old College based on Aberystwyth coast. This historic building is going to be transformed into a new and unique facility for students and even the public to have use of. I found a great YouTube video where it goes into more dept of the plans, and it is really is exciting. The link for the video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiNd3bi6xfk – this is a must watch!  Aberystwyth University has come a long way over the past 150 years, now having over 8,000 students. From its humble beginnings, it has carried the Welsh culture and language high-and-mighty, making all of us Aber natives proud. I know you may be thinking – what has this got to do with property? The students have had a huge impact on the HMO property investment in Aberystwyth. Many investors have seen the University as an opportunity to grow their portfolio, and the number of students just keeps on growing! There are many HMO’s on the market for sale currently, but we can go into more detail on this topic soon… So there you have it, a brief history of Aberystwyth University, the Welsh culture it brings, and the impact it has had on the property market. 

When moving to a new area, one of the most exciting things is finding new places to eat. Even the moving part of it can be so stressful and tiring that you just want to eat out to make life easier! Not only do these places supply delicious food, but they also supply a sense of community in the new surroundings – a great way to get to know the area you have moved to.  Even choosing where you want to live can be dependent on the local dining scene. Imagine being able to walk to your favourite local restaurant or pub for some locally sourced grub!  So if you’ve moved to Aber recently, or thinking of moving soon, then don’t stop reading here!  First up, we have “Baravin”, a charming restaurant found on the seafront of Aberystwyth. The menu has a wide variety of dishes ranging from fish dishes to pasta and pizza – this is a family favourite as it can cater for all! The staff are incredible – so lovely, attentive and an enjoy to bed around.  Next on the list is “Little Italy”, a must visit spots for all the Italian cuisine lovers! I am a pasta lover, so this is always the place for me. It is authentically Italian with its food and venue, making it seem like you have stepped into a little Italy. I would highly recommend to everyone!   If you are looking for somewhere more casual and cosier, “The Glengower” is the perfect spot for you. This is a truly Welsh pub serving hearty food throughout the day. Offering outdoor seating on the seafront during the summer sun, as well as log burners inside to warm up in the icy weather. This pub is a great choice over the winter on a Sunday with the fire crackling whilst you pig out on a roast dinner.  Last but not least, we have “Medina”, a delightful lunch spot, it serves fresh food cooked perfect and uniquely. It has a lunch menu with so many options; pick your main, and any 2 sides to go with it. This customed menu makes this restaurant an easy choice for all to pick from – I actually find myself indecisive on the number of options they have! They also have a bakery and small food market in their main restaurant area which anyone is welcome to pop by when they like. This is not one to miss. So there you have it! Whether you would like to take a break from the hassle of moving or want to get to know your local businesses and community – these are the places to go.   Bon Appétit!

HMO stands for House of Multiple Occupancy, meaning a house whereby there are 3 or more tenants living there but they are all from different households – this is very common in University cities and towns, like Aberystwyth. Most student properties are classed as HMO’s and need extra management, certificates and licenses in order to become a HMO. When starting your HMO journey, you will need to gain an HMO License. In Aberystwyth, this is done through Ceredigion County Council. An application form will need to be filled out as well as providing the following mandatory details and documents:  The appropriate fee Passport sized photo Photo ID & proof of address Gas safety certificate Electrical installation report (EICR) Energy performance certificate (EPC) Floor plans (these can be a sketch) The relevance of this blog today, relates to the increase in HMO fees for Ceredigion. This was in action only a couple days ago on Tuesday 4th April 2023. The fees now stand at £285 per habitable room for a new application, and then renewals would be £239. Renewals are needed every 5 years and are a lot less complicated to acquire as only a smaller renewal application form is required. This increase is extremely significant as only one year ago they were at £245 for a full application and £205 for a renewal. One question that gets asked a lot is ‘what is a habitable room?’ – well, I actually had a very recent conversation with a helpful Housing Officer at Ceredigion County Council only last week. He clearly stated that ‘a habitable room is a bedroom or a living room’. However, this does need to meet the criteria – I have attached a link here which has a document within that clearly states ALL CRITERIA. There always seems to be so many guidelines within so many guidelines, making the whole process so difficult to understand. Why do we even need an HMO License? Ceredigion is classed as an Article 4 area which is a legal term used whereby the local council will require licensing and planning permission when converting residential homes in HMO’s. The idea behind this legislation is to closely monitor and control the property market to prevent an over-flooding of HMOs in the community. I found a super useful read on understanding Article 4 linked here. On a much lighter note, I wanted to mention a few HMO listings that I have noticed on the market currently which seems to me that they would all be very successful and a great beginning of someone’s HMO property portfolio… Contact the agent today and you can find out more on the current rental achieved and success rate when letting. I have linked the listings below: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/62608946/?search_identifier=d62a7c35329bcfcf6e479395ae4590ba https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/64078679/?search_identifier=396bd849306a0a6041fd288352f21043 https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/62843113/?search_identifier=e8f1b39be3567426dfb9c63f4f94beef In a couple weeks, I plan on going through some of the Aberystwyth HMO listings in more detail, looking into the rental yields, success rates and potential. To apply for a HMO License online today – please follow the link here. Or, if you would prefer a paper-form, let me know and I can forward this over to anyone. I know all this information may seem quite overwhelming for someone looking to invest in the HMO market, but that is exactly why I am here! I completely understand how lengthy the process can be, so sometimes it is nice to just have that one person to ask a quick question to. Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding ANY questions or discussions relating to HMO’s. Or even, contact an agency; Padarn Property are always in to chat about any queries and help you with starting your HMO journey. The contact details for their Aberystwyth office are 01970 627350 or info@padarnproperty.co.uk – better yet, just pop in! Leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts!

 As I love cleaning, I also love finding home hacks on cleaning, organising and general DIY. I have found that social media and TikTok has been very influential on how I clean now, as well as programs like 'Sort Your Life Out' and 'Get Organized with The Home Edit'. With working in a property management agency, there are so many tips and tricks that I have given out to tenants throughout their renting journey that has helped them with keeping on top of maintaining their home. Writing down all my ideas and hacks down to share with everyone is one of the main reasons I wanted to write this blog. Here's a few a few cleaning hacks that have come in handy with me and others I have shared with:  Getting rid of mould on the bathroom/kitchen silicone seal: This is a TOP tip in my books - I had mentioned this to a landlord in the past and he had sent me to his houses to clean up! All you need is cotton balls and thick bleach; pour some bleach in a bowl, dip the cotton balls in the bleach, then place them all along the seal. Leave the cotton balls there over night, and when you wipe them away in the morning, the seal will be clear of mould and looking white as ever! Eliminating toilet odours: Living with boys can be quite messy around the toilet bowl... to get rid of the odour, leave some shaving foam on the floor around the bottom of the toilet bowl. After only 10 minutes, wipe away and any odours and stickiness will have disappeared. Since living with boys, I have found this to be super helpful cleaning hack. Quickly deep cleaning oven: The best way of cleaning your oven is to get hot water, then dip a dishwasher tablet in it. Using the dishwasher tablet as the scrub, this will break down all the grime and dirt that builds up. Cleaning up red wine off furnishings and carpet: When renting, it can be quite scary when having any friends over for a couple drinks - especially red wine! To clear up any red wine spillage, get some white wine out and pour over the red - make sure you DAB the mess, and do not scrub or wipe otherwise it will smudge in. Keeping your bins smelling fresh: This hack is super quick and easy, it will take 30 minutes out of your day! All you need is sticky foam pads and Zoflora (or any concentrated disinfectant, but Zoflora is a personal favourite). Drizzle some Zoflora on the foam side of then pad, then with the sticky side, stick it on the inside of your bins. Getting rid of remnants of glue or stickers: Grab your mayo and lather on any stickers that are difficult to scratch off or glue remaining from sticky pads. Leave the mayo over the sticky part for a couple hours then when you come back to it, it should wipe away easily! I feel like home hacks are really helpful for people who are renting as it helps with keeping on top of maintaining a home which can be stressful when it is also someone else valued property. If you have any more home hacks or cleaning tips, please let me know! Thanks again for reading!!! I plan to write about the current rental market in Aberystwyth next week - subscribe now.

Lengthy applications are being asked before seeing the place in person – all because agencies do not have the capacity or time to do 50+ viewings for just one property.    So why is there so much demand and so little supply of rentals?  My observation and take on this, is that with all the new Welsh housing regulations in place, it has caused some landlords to sell as they just can’t do it anymore. Rent Smart Wales have actually released that there are now just as many landlord deregistering as there is registering. The legislation introduced is the biggest change in rental regulations ever and aims to protect the tenant. It has either become too costly for them that it isn't worth it anymore, or too much hassle and effort. This is also a suggestive reason as to why rents have increased across the country (which I will go into more detail about shortly).   Find out how the new regulations might affect you here.  I have also noticed many landlords reacting to this change of legislation by converting their residential let to a holiday home. I see a lot of controversary surrounding this – but I do see the reasoning... there is little legislation with holiday lets, and significantly less regulations than renting.   To get a better idea of the increase in rents, I found this useful source, Homelet. It is clear that there has been a huge increase in rental prices – within one year, there was a rise of 11% in rents! However, it is still notably lower than the average price for the UK. There is a misconception I read about often that landlords are wealthy and don’t need the money – but this does not apply to the majority of landlords. I work with many landlords and there is so much that they need to pay to be a landlord and help in the community; certificates, licenses, mortgages, bills, insurance, and so on. Their rental may even be their business and main income, or it could even be their pension.   The growing needs of tenants has been a priority of the Welsh Government which is excellent – but what about the landlord? What is protecting them?  To conclude – the rental market is crazy. Each day I wish there was a property out there for everyone, as seeing the amount of people that are looking is astonishing yet concerning. I have my fingers crossed for everyone in this strange time – and also hope that the day I start looking to move, there will be a place that I love and available.

With living and working in a seaside town in Wales, over summer, Easter, or any sunny weekend, it is booming with tourists. On the downside, it causes so much traffic, and it is near enough impossible to find any parking. However, it really helps with all the local businesses including the shops, pubs and restaurants. You’ll find that some businesses even rely on the holidaymakers for the majority of their income!  I find with working in property, we get a lot of eager landlords looking to expand their market into holiday lets. The questions that I always get asked is whether there are any restrictions on holiday lets and what you need to get started.  There aren't many regulations to holiday letting – or not as many as there are with renting! You don’t need a license like Rent Smart Wales or HMO. However, you do still need all your safety certificates i.e., gas safety, PAT test, and electrical installation report. New regulations in Wales requires self-catering accommodation to be available for holiday letting for at least 252 days per year, where as it used to be only 140. These were altered just last month in April 2023. Also, to qualify for business rates (instead of council tax), you will now need to have your holiday home filled for a minimum of 182 days per year, up from 70.   In 2022, Airbnb had 21,718 holiday listings, a massive increase from only 13,800 in 2018. Wales have been cracking down on the rise of holiday lets through adjustments in council tax premiums. Across most of Wales, the premium is 50% extra council tax, however in Ceredigion it is only 25%. With new regulations, councils within the Wales are able to increase their premiums to 300%. Although there is controversy in holiday letting in Aberystwyth, we have to look at the advantages. Holiday lets help small businesses in the area as it brings in many people across the nation who are willing to spend their money whilst they are on their holidays. It can also help with the locals that choose to host holiday homes as it can be some people’s main income or pension. It is a super profitable industry – if done correctly and managed well! One useful site and helpful service is holidaycottages.co.uk, I have linked them here. I recently used holidaycottages.co.uk to book a weekend away and it was so smooth, easy and the property was stunning! They cover most of the UK, do all types of management and open to talking with anyone about any query.   The increase in holiday letting and short term rentals has had a major impact on the housing industry. I found an interesting article by Propertymark that looks into this further, this is linked here. They found that it has negatively affected the rental market as there is now less supply to meet the demand, causing rents to significantly rise. Although, it was also told that this trend has not had much of an effect on the property sales industry.   These affects mentioned do not mention the other reasons that rental prices have increased, and supply has decreased. It does not consider the other causes of this like the stricter regulations on renting and the rises in mortgages. There are so many things to consider when looking to start holiday letting – it is a new subject for myself but something I wish to get into as I do believe that it is an investment. With the right knowledge, you can become extremely successful in this industry – as well as the property industry.  If you enjoyed this read and would like to delve deeper into the holiday letting world, please comment your thoughts. 

When reading sites like Rent Smart Wales, gov.uk, Welsh Government, etc, it can be overwhelming and difficult to understand as everyone explains it too technical and complex. I did a lot of research myself, as well as seeking legal advice from our trusted property solicitors, and I feel I have come to a clearer understanding. Especially with working in the letting’s industry, it has enabled me to apply it in the real world and on-the-job. However, it also means that we get asked a lot of questions and see the difficulty in comprehending for both landlords and tenants.   In my opinion, the Welsh Government site has been the simplest and easiest read for understanding the Renting Homes Act 2022. I have linked it here. They have broken some of it down into questions – and these questions are the ones that are getting asked every day in agencies. I thought I would use these questions (as well as my own) and answer them myself in a way that is less formal and complex, but more practical and thorough.   “Who is affected by the new law?”   We get this question a lot – landlords ringing to ask if this will affect them in any way. This act is going to affect both tenants and landlords. Tenants will see differences in their home so that it meets the needs of habitation (i.e., alarms being installed, certificates being completed), as well as updates in their current contracts. Landlords will see differences in what is expected of rentals in Wales mainly focusing on the smoke alarms and CO detectors as well as the electrical installation reports.   “What differences are there with the tenancy agreements?”  One main difference is that it will not be called a tenancy agreement, it is now called an occupational contract. There are other definitions within the contract that are now different too, i.e., tenants are now known as contract-holders. Standard contracts are the ones you will see the most of as they are used in the private rented sector, and then secure contracts are used by local authorities. All current tenancies that are set up prior to 1st December 2022 will automatically update to occupational contracts so there is nothing for landlords or agencies to do here. However, for all new tenancies set up on or after 1st December 2022, they will need to be issued occupational contracts.   “Do I need to make any changes to my house?”  All rentals will need to be fit for human habitation (FFHH). I have found that with most of our houses we rent, they are all FFHH already. To be FFHH, smoke alarms need to be mains interlinked with one located on each storey in the hallways, as well as CO detectors will need to be installed above any solid fuel appliance (i.e., log burner or gas stove) and boiler – these can be battery operated. Also, electrical installation reports will need to be completed – you would need to ask your electrician to do this. If the property is not FFHH, then tenants will not be liable to pay rent, although if tenants do not inform landlords of their concerns, then they will still be liable to pay.  “What are the changes in notice periods?”   The leading factor for these regulation changes is to provide greater security for tenants/contract-holders. Due to this, they have increased the notice period for a Section 21 (now known as a Section 173 notice) which is a ‘no-fault’ notice. This has increased from 2 months to 6 months. However, for any tenancies that are set up before 1st December 2022, the 2 months' notice period will still apply. A section 173 cannot be issued until 6 months after the tenant has started their contract, and if the landlord does not act on this notice by gaining possession of the property, then they will not be able to issue another one for a further 6 months!  Also, I wanted to add about the section 173 notice that you cannot serve this if a tenant has been complaining about the state of the property.   There are also a couple other points that are generally forgotten or not asked.  Abandonment: Landlords are now able to repossess their property without having to go through court (a 4-week warning notice is still required)  Joint contracts: A joint-contract holder can withdraw from the contract at any time (even within a fixed term) without completely ending the contract, and vice-versa; new joint contract-holders can be added into a contract without having to start a new one  Succession rights: If a contract-holder dies, their successor is able to take on the occupation contract  In this difficult and changing time, I am more than happy to help with anyone that is struggling to understand these regulations. Or even if anyone was wondering if their house was FFHH, let me know and I'd be happy to help!

This week, I wanted to put together a list of things people could do to add value to their home without spending all your money but still making a massive difference. Front door: This is the buyers first impression when visiting your home. Give it a glow up by freshening up the paint, polishing the doorknob, and jet washing the doorstep. Even add a seasonal wreath or potted plants either side of your door to really stand out from the neighbours! To get the creative ideas, look on Pinterest.    Fix the small problems: People will pick up on peeling paint or mouldy bathroom sealant, so make sure to have everything fresh, repainted and clean. Any little issue will decrease the value of your home and put the offer at risk of being lower than the asking price... Do NOT give people a reason to lower their price, because they will (even due to a slightly dripping tap).    Driveway: Clear your driveway so that viewers can park on there - it will make the house feel welcoming and homely for them. Make sure there is enough off-street parking for them because this can be major factor for someone buying a property. I know that having enough room to park is a deal-breaker for my family!     Kitchen: Nowadays, people are looking for the perfect kitchen to enjoy with family and friends. To create this image for buyers, make sure all the lights are on to brighten up the place. The lighter in colour, the bigger the room will look. And please de-clutter your work surfaces!!! Have a clean and clutter-free work top can make a hell of a difference.    Smart home: When people are coming to view your home, have some music on in each room – if you have a multi-room sound system... even better! Or make sure your broadband is on display so that it is clear that you have Super Fibre connection. Just advertising these techy features can encourage buyers and make a difference to the value of your home.     Heating: Make sure your home is warm! Stepping into a cold house when on a viewing can be very unsettling and uncomfortable. Especially when living in Wales, the weather can be dreadful, so allowing the heating on can help with buyers to feel cosy and warm when coming from the cold outside.     Lighting: It is essential to have good lighting on viewings. Having a bright home can make a difference in the buyers first impressions of your house. This can make a surprising difference on those grey days, or even the viewings that happen to take place past sunset. Switch on all your lamps, or even purchase some strip lights to hide behind your TV or along the kickboards of your kitchen.     Garden: Have your garden (particularly front garden) freshly cut, stimmed and weeded. Maybe even add some potted plants and freshen up your flowerbeds. Your front garden will be the first thing sellers see when they pull up to your house. Make it colourful, bright and endearing.  This is just a guide, and obviously every home is different so some may not apply to you. But there are always other ways to add value! If you would like to have any advice on how to add value to your home whether it be a flat, land or a house, feel free to contact me. Or better yet, do some mood boarding on Pinterest then just apply your creative vision.   There are more costly ways to increase the value of your home, like garage or loft conversions which adds an extra bedroom or reception room. Although, if this is too costly, it might be a good idea to obtain planning permission from your local council now so that it gives potential buyers the opportunity to be able to do this in the future without the initial hassle.  Do NOT devalue your home! If you have ever made conversions or extensions in the past, make sure you have all the relevant documents including planning permission and building regulations to prove this is all confirmed and won’t come back and bite you. Also, making sure you have an up-to-date EPC report will help. Things like Japanese Knotweed and Asbestos can endanger the sale of your house so act on this quick. Feel free to comment some advice you would give on how you added value to your home!

1 April 2022:   I think everyone will remember this sad day – the energy price cap increased and was the start of our current cost of living crisis. The cap rose by 54% overnight and affected the vast majority of households across the UK. However, there was an advancement in the accounting world with the making of tax digital.    28 April 2022:  Building Safety Bill obtained royal assent (meaning it will be in the final stage of becoming law through parliament). This will mainly include changes to fire safety regulations for HMO’s. I have linked the gov.uk article with more information on this here.    10 May 2022:  The Queen’s Speech: This particular speech touched a lot on the economy and plans to grow this, as well as tackling the cost of living crisis. These speeches are ones to write in the diary as there can be a lot of legislative changes that can affect the property market.  31 May 2022:  Letting agents and landlords are now required by law to include additional material and information when advertising a property. This will include council tax bands, rent price and deposit amount.   1 October 2022:  New regulations come into force on carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and smoke alarms. It will be expected for CO detectors to be placed in every room where there is a solid fuel appliance, and for smoke alarms to be mains interlinked. I have found a useful guide on this through Goodlord and linked it here.  1 December 2022:  This date is significant in Wales. I have recently spoken about this in a previous blog which can be found here. The Renting Homes Act came into effect, drastically changing the way we rent in Wales through major differences in the tenancies and notices.   1 April 2023: Rules in holidays lettings changed as the minimum number of days the property was available to rent went up to 140 days per year, and anyone that did not do this would not be able to benefit from business rate relief and end up having to pay council tax instead as well as the second home premium. This was also spoken about in my previous blog post, ‘Holiday Letting in the Property Industry’.  6 April 2023:  On this day, changes in capital gains meant that the exempt amount decreased from £12,300 to £6,000. A massive difference which will negatively affect many vendors’ profits when selling.   1 June 2023:  Now we are in the present day and looking at what lies ahead... the first key date of 1st June 2023 being the deadline to deliver all written statements to any tenancies set up prior to the Renting Homes Act in December 2022. In December, they automatically converted from ASTs to occupation contracts, but there was 6 months given to get the written statements out in writing.  30 June 2023: This will be the last day that all households will receive the help of the Energy Price Guarantee – a sad day for all, but it has been a massive help for many.  6 April 2026:  Tax will made digital for all income tax self-assessments, also needing to be submitted 4 times annually. However, this only applies to those that have an income of over £50,000 on their business or property. Anyone that has an income between £30,000 and £50,000 will have until April 2027.  There are also some key dates that are still to be confirmed. Increasing the minimum rating on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for private rented properties to a minimum of C, compared to the current requirement of E or above. This is expected to happen in April 2025 – but who knows! Many of the legislations that were spoken about in this blog post were meant to be in force a lot earlier than they actually were...   HMRC are also looking at making tax digital for corporation tax also. There was a consultation regarding this over 2 years ago now, in March 2021.   That sums up our current timeline of events in the lettings industry... however anything can happen between now and then. But one main reason we have this blog is to update everyone on any news, announcements and open discussions on anything property! To keep up to date on all property news, subscribe to us TODAY. 

That's why we started this blog - to share our love of property with fellow enthusiasts like you. Our goal is to provide you with practical advice, insider tips, and plenty of inspiration to help you achieve your goals (whatever they may be). A little bit about us: we're a team of property professionals who are passionate about what we do. We've experienced so much in such a short amount of time, and we've helped plenty of clients find their dream homes and invest in properties that set them up for long-term success. Starting as a small business run on the coast of Wales, we have the mentality and capability to grow – which is exactly what we are doing. In this blog, you'll find all sorts of juicy content, including: + Property listings and market updates: We'll be sharing the latest property listings, market trends, and updates to help you stay ahead of the game when it comes to buying or selling a property. + Insider tips on buying, selling, and investing in property: Our team has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to real estate transactions, and we'll be sharing our tips and insights on everything from negotiating a purchase price to staging your home for a successful sale. + DIY home décor and renovation ideas: Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking to spruce up your space, we'll be sharing our favourite home design and renovation tips to help you make the most of your property. + Neighbourhood spotlights and local event guides: We love our community, and we'll be sharing our favourite local events, attractions, and neighbourhoods to help you get the most out of living in the area. We want this blog to feel like a conversation between friends. So, if you've got questions or ideas for future blog posts, don't hesitate to reach out! We'd love to hear from you. Send through any dilemmas for us to advise and entertain.  Thanks for joining us on this journey, and we can't wait to share our property obsession with you!