1 If you’re looking for colour inspiration in the garden, think about the colours you already enjoy in the house before heading to the garden centre.
2 To help the garden look good all year round, plant plenty of evergreens and supplement these with perennials that will come back year after year.
3 Maintenance doesn’t need to be a chore. Weed-suppressant membranes put down in borders, which you can cut and plant through, will keep them tidy all year round with zero maintenance.
4 Don’t be afraid of artificial lawns. If your lifestyle does not give the time to spare to mow, there are some remarkably good artificial options on the market.
5 Nourish gardens and containers with time-release fertilisers that continue feeding plants for long periods.
6 Freshening up your outdoor space by washing down old and weary-looking garden furniture and giving it a fresh coat of paint can help transform a garden.
7 Add fresh mulch to your borders every year to keep weeds down and help the soil retain water, so you can water less.
8 Don’t let the decisions you made last year restrict you now: you can always move things around and replant and repaint if you have changed your mind.
9 If you can get out in the garden after a heavy shower, the weeds will put up much less resistance. Even deep-rooted dandelions pull up easily from wet soil.
10 Wait to prune evergreens, such as boxwood, until they’ve produced most of their new growth. That way you won’t have to tackle them again until next year.
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Spring Clean!
April signals the beginning of spring and is the perfect time of year for both landlords and tenants to check the general condition of their property. Here's how to ensure everything is in tip-top shape and ready for summer.
Spring cleaning tips for landlords
If the property or any outbuilding is timber clad, have a look at the exterior woodwork and take the opportunity to get any damaged areas repaired, then treated or repainted.
As the weather gets warmer, there is a greater risk of infestations. To prevent pests coming into a property, it is advisable to check the roof for any slipped tiles, rips or tears. Also make sure there isn’t any crumbling brickwork or holes in the exterior walls, in particular check airbricks and ventilation covers along with historic gaps/holes from old plumbing systems.
The boiler and heating system may have been working overtime during the colder months, so to help mitigate future issues consider undertaking a timely service of the system.
If the property has the benefit of air-conditioning, get the units checked now so they are fully operational when the temperatures rise.
Gutters and downpipes should be cleared of leaves and debris, and check that drains and soak-aways are clear and free-running. If not, check your agreement with your tenant as it is likely that they will share some responsibility for having them cleared.
If you have opted for a management service, your agent is likely to undertake these checks on your behalf. Check with your agent.
Spring cleaning tips for tenants
Unless gardening services are included in your rent, now's the time to start thinking about maintenance. Particularly, clear the lawns and borders of obvious weeds before they take hold. If you have patio or garden furniture, it is likely to need cleaning and, if made of wood, re-oiled to make it look smart in time for outdoor entertaining.
If you have an outdoor pool, now is the time to open it up, top it, clear any debris and make sure the chemicals are level, so it is in full working order by the summer.
As a tenant, you should always keep an eye on the property and report maintenance issues to your landlord or agent in a timely manner. If in the course of your spring clean you happen to notice anything untoward, make sure you report it in writing so that action can be taken.
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Top Tips When Moving Into Your First Home
Let’s start with the important things you shouldn’t forget!
The DVLA need to know you’re moving so you can update your driving licence and remember to change your address on the V5C vehicle registration certificate – these are both legal requirements.
Redirect your post, this can easily be done online from the Post Office. It’s a good safety net, it’s hard to remember everyone who has your address.
Tell your bank! The last thing anyone needs is a drama of a lost card and the ‘proof of address’ being different to your current address.
Update your address on all online shopping accounts! Else next time you go to tea at your mums she’ll be rocking your new scarf!
Things to do now to make things easier later
One of the first things you will need to set up is your Gas, Electric & Water. Shop around to get the best deal, it’s a very competitive market!
Arrange internet connection at your new property. If you leave it too late you will risk not being connected for weeks!
If you’re getting a nice new sofa, fridge freezer or any other house appliance, it’s worth arranging delivery straight to the new address at a time that is suitable. Maybe not the same day your entire family and Mum’s neighbour Mary shows up to see ‘how you’re getting on’.
Pack the Kettle and some tea bags last, it will make it easier to find when you get to your new home so you can make a brew for you and your hard working removers.
How to pick a removal company
When you know the date you’re moving you should be thinking about transporting your possessions, so start looking for an accredited removal company such as a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR).
Choosing a BAR accredited remover can protect you against damages and are the industries mark of quality.
Preparing to move – first steps
1. Firstly, get the biggest job out of the way and decide how you are going to move everything from your old home to your new home. If you’re thinking about a professional mover, try getting 3 – 4 quotes.
2. Communication is key. Keep in touch with your Conveyancing Solicitor and Estate Agent, ensure they are all prepared for completion day, after all, they are working for you. Inform your Conveyancing Solicitor of anything that could be an issue, no matter how small, they can judge if they need to do anything to ensure a smooth transaction.
3. Change of address. Start working through the key contacts checklist to let everyone know you are planning to move home. Most contracts require a minimum of a month’s notice so the sooner the better. Don’t forget the DVLA, TV License, Store Cards, Broadband.
4. Spring clean and remove old items. Your local council maybe able to arrange the removal of large items you no longer want. This service sometimes has a small charge. Start packing the items that you do not use frequently such as things from the spare room.
5. Arrange for child and pet care. Not only can children and pets be a distraction but it can also be an unsafe environment. If possible arrange for someone to help look after them on the day, this will allow to concentrate on getting moved as quickly and efficiently as possible. If the children are old enough to help, find age appropriate tasks for them so they can feel part of the move and help with workload for everyone else.
The week before the move
1. Confirm the dates and times of moving day with all parties, including the removals company.
2. Get your new services and utilities in place. Arrange for Gas, electric, water and most importantly you’re broadband so you have something good to watch when you crash out at the end of the moving day!
3. Finish packing the rest of the house up and make a special essentials box that will be transported with yourselves. Essentials box to include; kettle, tea and coffee, milk, toilet roll, snacks, phone charger, small radio, sellotape, pens, scissors, takeaway menus for the new house and a vase (for potential house-warming flowers!).
4. Pack an overnight bag as if you’re going away for the weekend. It saves trying to find clothes and toiletries that are packed away for the first night and day once you arrive in your new home. Sounds obvious but this could save you tearing your hair out trying to find your toothbrush and slippers by rummaging through all your nicely packed boxes!
5. Prepare a note for the new owners explaining how things work and where they can find useful items such as the boiler switches, aerial sockets and alarm codes. A few kind thoughts will go a long way when it comes to mail redirection and injects some humanity into the whole process. Also include details of who currently provides the utilities at your property as it is not always obvious.
Moving day
1. Meter Readings. Before you leave, get a final meter reading of all your metered services and call the relevant suppliers to inform them of the numbers so you can settle up the final balance and close the account ready for moving. If you don’t do this you could end up in disputes with the new owners and it’s just added stress when you could be relaxing in your new home. Remember to also take all the appropriate meter readings at your new property.
2. First thing to unpack. Make up your new beds in the new house first. So when you’re tired later and you can’t face anymore work, you can hop straight into a comfy bed and get a good night’s sleep. This way you will feel revived and ready to crack on again in the morning!
3. Have some cash ready for when you order food in. It happens to us all, you will rope family and friends in to help and they’ll need to be fed!
4. Home insurance. It may be the last thing on your mind, but ensure your policy has started and everything is covered for your new home. It would be awful if you were putting boxes in the loft and your foot goes through the ceiling, just to find out your home insurance policy has not started and that you’re not covered.
5. Introduce yourselves to the neighbours. Making friends with the neighbors can make a world of difference to your enjoyment whilst at home. Having good neighbors can be a great benefit, they can help keep an eye on the place while you’re on holiday, collect packages when you’re not at home and they might invite you to their parties so you’re not left being.
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Top Five Tips...
FOR CREATING THE PERFECT OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM
1. Lighting
There are plenty of options to choose from, both practical and on trend. Possibilities include citronella candles which can help to keep those bugs at bay but for something super stylish, why not hang festoon lights or oversized lanterns from trees and bushes to create a magical effect.
2. Seating and furniture
If you’re planning on making the most of your outdoor space and socialising with friends into the evening, then comfort is king. Make sure you buy appropriate furniture for lounging as well as dining. A pagoda or gazebo is always a good idea to provide much needed shade or rain protection. Children love the freedom of the garden so throw down some blankets and cushions for them so they can eat and play as they wish and keep the big comfy seating for the grown-ups.
3. Home grown
Make the most of the summer harvest by using as much as you can from the garden. Lavender can make a lovely table centrepiece and utilising home grown fresh fruit and veg in your salads and pudding can only serve to impress your guests and show off (or pretend) how green fingered you are.
4. Fire pits
Choose the one that’s right for your garden space. Large ones may offer more in terms of heat and lighting but there are more compact gel fuel alternatives that provide a decorative option and can even fit on a suitable table, ideal for smaller patio areas. Some garden tables even come with a small fire pit built in.
5. Dressing your space
You’d choose a colour scheme for the inside of your house, so do the same for your outside space. For ease, you can opt for a similar style to your interior design scheme and give some of your colourful cushions an outside airing to add interest to plain furniture. Colourful furniture is available to buy but for longevity it may be better to plump for funky accessories.
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5 Tips For A Perfect Viewing
Viewings are one of the most important parts of the buying process, it allows a prospective buyer to find out more about the property and the area and ultimately it will help them decide if it’s really the place for them to call home.
As the seller, you want your property to give off the very best impression and ultimately find someone who thinks it feels like home to them. The process can be long and stressful, so these 5 tips might just help you along the way to preparing for, and hosting the perfect viewing.
First impressions really do count!
Viewings are always arrange for a mutually appropriate time, so if you then are unable to make it at the last minute or are browsing the aisles of your local supermarket whilst someone waits on your doorstep, you might as well rule that viewing out. Make sure you’ve spent some time cleaning and making a fresh and welcoming environment, whilst you want the property to be respectable, remember it isn’t a show home and showing it’s lived in can help to make people a little more comfortable. Some bright seasonal flowers and lots of nice natural light always make a property seem more welcoming.
Kerb Appeal
Whilst, it’s important to have the inside of the property looking spot on, how does your property look from the road? If you’ve got an overgrown front garden trim it back and make it presentable so that when the potential buyers pull up outside, they can see a nice clear view of the property. If it looks like it’s poorly maintained, you could get off on the wrong foot and they may enter the property with a negative impression.
Make it feel like home
It’s your home and the prospective buyers will be quite aware of this – you know it best so showing off the best features of the property and even telling little quirky anecdotes of the time your kids turned the under-stairs cupboard into their den will help them to picture their family calling it home.
Don’t be pushy
You’re not there to push someone in to buying your home, you’re there to show them around the property and learn how fantastic it is. Sometimes it takes a buyer a little bit of time to decide if a property is right for them, making good impressions and answering any questions that they may have will always help them to make a decision of their own.
Keep the best for last
Make like a magician and have something up your sleeve that the buyers aren’t expecting. Whilst you should start with a nice feature like your fantastic new kitchen, when you’re coming to the end of the viewing slip in another feature that will really impress, show off your mature, landscaped garden or the stunning views from your loft-room – adding these in last will make your home stick in their mind and will add a talking point when they begin to shortlist further.
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Top 10 Tips & Tricks...
FOR MAKING A MOVE SIMPLE
5 hacks for dressing your house to sell1) Define your rooms
Rooms are more appealing to buyers if they have a specific purpose. Make sure each room is set for its designated purpose – if it’s a three-bedroom house make sure it is just that, as bedrooms add more value to properties than studies or store rooms.
2) De-clutter and clean
Clutter can make your home seem small and disorganised, so de-cluttering will help buyers to visualise how the house will look when they’ve moved in. Minimise lotions and potions in the bathroom, put excess clothes away, thin out books on the bookcase and clear surfaces in the kitchen. Then it’s time to give everything a thorough clean and light some scented candles to make your home even more inviting.
3) Natural colours
Most buyers prefer natural colours to bold tones as they can make a room feel brighter and more spacious. Splashes of colour can be added with accessories and the right lighting can also help to enhance the space.
4) Make an impression
First impressions really do count. You can maximise your home’s kerb appeal by making sure there is no litter in the front garden, pathways are clear and the front door is painted. Plant pots can add a splash of colour and you can always take them with you when you go. The hallway is equally important – a mirror can make it look bigger and create that wow-factor as people cross the threshold.
5) Do those DIY jobs
If there are DIY jobs that you’ve been putting off for ages, start working your way through them. Dripping taps, broken blinds, peeling paint and squeaky hinges are all off-putting to buyers and can be fixed quickly and easily.
Five hacks for packing and moving1) Separate the essentials
Pack an overnight bag for each family member and use a clear plastic box to keep your daily essentials together (kettle, mugs, teabags etc) so you can access them easily during and after the move.
2) Label Label Label
Buy a pack of parcel labels in different sizes, colour coded if you’re really serious, and label every box with the room and main contents. You can also use labels on chargers and cables to remember what goes with which device, as well as labelling items that are to be donated to charity, binned or sold.
3) Invest in good boxes
Decent boxes can be used time and time again, folded down or used to keep your loft tidy. So buying good quality boxes is always a solid investment. You may even be able to source these for free from shops but make sure they’re strong and not too large otherwise you won’t be able to move them once they’re full.
4) Save bags of time when packing clothes
Save time when packing your wardrobe contents by keeping all of your clothes on their hangers and placing a tie top bin bag over the bottom. You can then tie the tops around the hangers and your clothes are ready to be hung up as soon as they are in the new house.
5) Ask your friends and family for help and offer a ‘reward’
While moving can be stressful, having friends and family to help can actually make it fun. And if you sweeten the deal, perhaps with the offer of a takeaway at the end of it, you may find you have even more willing volunteers.
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5 Decorating Tips for Renters!
Here are our top five ways to make your rental property feel more like home, where the only limitations are your imagination!
1. Removable wallpaper
Who knew removable wallpaper was a thing!
Easy to apply, remove, reposition, and reuse without leaving damage or residue, contact paper is a top tool for any renter wanting to jazz up their home. Available in a never-ending selection of colours, styles and patterns. Either use it to cover entire walls, or get creative and use it to add simple accents.
If you’re fed up of your housemates conveniently forgetting whose turn it is to do the washing up this week, chalkboard versions are also available!
2. Washi tape
This little Japanese gem is a must-have tool for every creative renter out there.
Super cheap and available in all the colours of the rainbow, it’s easy to remove and re-apply without leaving adhesive residue or destroying the surface it has been applied to.
3. Wall Stickers/Decals
Add movement with a tree, or show off your playful side with a wall decal. Unlike some of the other rental-friendly decorating ideas out there, these are a great option if creativity isn’t your strong point as all you need to do is figure out where you want to position your sticker.
4. Fabric
If you’re fond of texture, you could also try using fabric as an alternative wall covering that will also be super hard wearing. There are endless step-by-step tutorials out there explaining how you can create this look yourself, otherwise you can also purchase pre-adhesed version as well.
5. Command hooks
Last but by no means least, Command hooks are an item every renter should have at hand.
Easy to put up and take down, use these nifty hooks to hang your towels, bathrobes, coats and bags without the need for nails or screws. Genius!
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Should you do removals yourself?
Removals isn’t rocket science and many people opt to do it themselves rather than hire a professional removals firm to move furniture and other household items to a new home or self-storage. The question is, is it worth doing it yourself?
Which option you go for is likely to be determined by the amount of belongings you have to move and how far you have to move them.
If you have the contents of a whole house to move, it’s likely you’ll go for option 1. If you have a smaller property or flat, or are in furnished rented property you may prefer option 2 or 3. Whichever option you are taking, if you have enough notice about moving there is one thing you can do that could save you time and money – have a good sort out! There is no point in paying for space in a removal van (or self storage unit if having to store short term between moves) only to get to your new property and immediately throw things away. Clear that garage, loft and garden shed before you get your quotations. Now a couple of important questions to ask yourself if you’re still not sure about which removals route to go down.
Q1 – Can I fit everything in the one van?
The answer will of course depend on the size of the van, but to be sure about what fits, you need to be clear about how much stuff you have and also have an idea about how to pack it. A 12ft x 12ft room full of furniture and belongings does not require transport or storage of the same proportions. Things can be boxed or stacked. If using a removal company the number of rooms you have will help them estimate the size and number of vehicles required.
Q2 – How far do I have to travel?
Can the removals be completed in one journey? If you’re travelling a long distance and you’re moving yourself it’s not likely to be cost effective if you have to make multiple journeys, but may be achievable if you’re only moving a few streets away. For removal companies, the distance you are moving will factor in any quotation given.
Q3 – Have I got anyone to help me?
This may be relevant if using a removal company and will depend on the service option you have taken. But if moving yourself it’s quite important. What if things don’t quite fit? Is it worth the cost of another van or trip, or can friends or family members take the overflow? In terms of time, a few friends helping could be the difference between the ability to move yourself or not and could save time and money.
Q4 – Is insurance included?
When using a removal company there should be a level of insurance cover for your belongings included but check the small print. Exactly what is covered? Does it matter where (if any) the damage occurs; in transit or while being unloaded etc. If you have valuables, is the level of insurance cover provided enough? If moving yourself or using a man with a van, is there any insurance at all? Will your existing house contents insurance cover your move?
Q5 – Will I need storage?
This may seem an odd question as we’re talking about removals but with more people self building there is often a need to store some house contents. People take some of their belongings to a rented property while storing the rest until the new property is completed. In addition, we are finding that more people are not willing to risk losing the sale of their existing property if they can’t find their dream home. More and more people move into smaller rented accommodation while continuing their search.
Once you’ve decided on which removals option you are going to take, make sure you avoid damage by packing and transporting your belongings safely!
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The best times to move house
When looking to move house here are a few tips you might need!
The best days of the week to move are during the middle week — from Monday to Thursday — most people plan their moves for the weekend. When they are not working. This is especially true with do-it-yourself movers who rent their own vans.
Try to avoid moving on a weekend (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). The reason being most people tend to move on weekends when they are not working. That means movers already have plenty of reservations on those days, so you’ll have a difficult time reserving a haulage company. Even if you make the reservation ahead of time you’ll be paying more than you would on other less popular days.
The best day of the month to move is mid month (on or around the 15th). There are typically no major holidays during that time. Fewer people moving means better prices and more services & supplies available to you when you need them most.
The worst day of the month to move is on the 1st of the month. This is typically when everyone else will want to move. Most people try to make the most of their money by living out their lease until the last day.vHowever, if you move a week early, you will save money by getting a better deal on your moving supplies and a haulage van.
If you can move during the winter, when few people are moving, you will save the most money and have the most resources available to you. However, the choice is all yours.
Be different and go against the grain, it will work in your favour!
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