Advice to help in your property journey!

With Christmas fast approaching we give you all the hints and tips you need to get your home ready for the festive period. If you have been thinking of making your next move its currently a great time to sell with plenty of potential buyers ready and waiting for their next property purchase. Get started with an instant online valuation on our website.

Further into our newsletter we answer all your stamp duty and mortgage holiday questions before guiding you on EPC rules and what they mean for both tenants and landlords. We finally take a look back on 2020 at how demand has reached a new high, and what this may mean going forward into 2021.

With the property market still booming and this expected to continue into 2021, we've shared with you some of our latest properties on the market to buy or rent.

We hope you enjoy this months edition!

Christmas tips to get your home ready for the festive period

 

With Christmas on its way, our homes will soon become the hub of the season.

 

When starting your preparations, it can be easy to quickly feel overburdened with a never-ending to do list of jobs around the home and supplies to buy.

 

Before the pressure mounts, we've provided a few simple steps to help you take each item step-by-step.

 

Decorating

 

Already in November, reports revealed that many households were decking their homes even earlier this year, in an effort to move 2020 along!

 

Putting up Christmas decorations is the official sign that the holidays are on their way.

 

Whether you're transforming your home into a winter wonderland, investing in a festive wreath or keeping it simple this December, it's important to include the whole family when dressing your house.

 

So grab the Baileys and start untangling the Christmas lights for the moment when everyone gathers around the tree!

 

One of the most effective decorations you can bring into your home is a scented candle, as a cost-effective and subtle way to add to your festive ambience.

 

Many people overlook the importance of getting the scent of your home right, especially when it comes to staging a property for viewings, such as using a mulled wine or winter berries smell in December.

 

 

Preparing the kitchen

With Christmas dinner one of the most highly anticipated events of the year for Brits, it's key to be as organised as possible!

 

That way, you can avoid spending the entire day tucked away finalising kitchen preparations and clean-ups.

 

Give yourself as much space as possible by clearing surfaces in the weeks running up to Christmas. With plenty of seasonal recipes to choose from, it's also worth considering doing as much of the work as you can before the big day arrives.

 

With the promise of leniency on the number of households able to meet, you may also need to stock up on alcohol and desserts to reduce the amount of shop runs needed, with enough glasses and cutlery to serve everyone.

 

On Christmas day, the kitchen can be a natural place for family members to gather. By setting up a drinks table away from where you are preparing food, they can celebrate with you whilst keeping out of the way.

 

Outdoor decorations

Fairy lights are often the most common type of outside decoration and can be placed along your gutting, windows or plants – making your house light up at night.

 

Other effective decorations can also include light-up wreaths for your front door, adding a festive look during the day and night.

 

 

If you're thinking of bringing your property onto the market in the new year, book a consultation with our agents to find out how we can help.

 

 

EPC rules for tenants and landlords

 

Introduced earlier this year, revisions to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) on rental properties have meant that landlords are unable to let a flat or house with an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating below an E.

 

In the years to come, we may even see further changes to this requirement, with plans to raise the bar to band C by 2025.

 

The aim behind this EPC regulation is to reduce bills for lower income households, provide more environmentally-friendly homes for tenants, and improve the quality of landlords' investments.

 

What does this mean for tenants?

Energy-efficient homes can be a lot more appealing to tenants, as they come hand-in-hand with the promise of lower energy bills and better insulation.

 

These properties are likely to boast a range of energy-efficient features, including: LED lightbulbs, heating controls, energy-saving appliances, high-performance windows and insulation.

 

As a landlord, how can I pay for energy efficiency improvements?

 

Whilst the financial cost of these improvements would normally be the landlord's responsibility, certain grants can provide additional funds and support.

 

The extension of the Green Homes Grant for another year – for example – offers a really brilliant opportunity for you to make drastic changes to your properties.

 

Learn more at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-homes-grant-extended-for-

extra-year 

 

 

What happens if landlords break the rules?

Failure to abide by the regulations could see fines of up to £5,000 for landlords.

 

With the government's long-term proposal for band C ratings outlining a potential fine of £30,000 in the near future.

 

Can tenants request energy efficiency improvements?

Yes, tenants have the right to request consent from their landlords to carry out energy efficiency improvements to privately rented properties.

 

Landlords can only refuse consent if there are compelling reasons to do so, and they should be willing to contribute to bringing their homes up to scratch or improve their ratings on the EPC scale.

 

How long does an EPC last for rental properties?

EPCs on properties are valid for ten years.

 

If you are not sure as a landlord when your EPC needs to be renewed, then you can check on the EPC register provided by the government.

The EPC register can also be a good way for tenants to check how energy efficient a property is before thinking about renting it.

If you are a tenant or landlord and want any further information surrounding EPC rules and regulations, please get in contact with us as we will be happy to help.

 

 

Demand reaches new high in 2020

 

Since the start of the year, house prices have soared 7.5%, adding – on average – up to £18,000 to a property's value.

 

This latest analysis from Halifax is welcome news to homeowners looking to sell, as it provides many with an incredible incentive to reap the benefits this winter.

 

After initial concerns around the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the housing market, we're now seeing the average house price rise to a record-high of £250,457 outside London.

 

What is behind this price jump?

 

Over the country's first lockdown, pent-up demand reached new heights, meaning that when the market reopened in May, buyers and sellers were quick to react.

 

Paired with the introduction of the stamp duty holiday, this has caused a tremendous surge in the amount of people hoping to buy or sell this year.

Looking back on the second lockdown, it's clear to see activity hasn't been dampened by the reintroduction of tougher measures – especially considering that the market remained open and active this time around.

In the following weeks and months, the stamp duty holiday will prompt buyers to tie up deals before the deadline at the end of March 2021, with savings of up to £15,000 on offer.

 

Whilst it's unclear how the government will respond next to the pandemic, many property experts remain convinced that the property market will only grow.

 

With prices soaring and the stamp duty holiday enticing buyers to commit, this is truly a great time to sell.

 

To get your house valued by our professional experts, visit our website.

 

 

 

Your stamp duty questions answered

 

As we emerge from the country's second lockdown and pick back up with the tier restrictions, we're seeing yet more reports of possible job cuts and unemployment concerns up and down the country.

 

If you have questions about your mortgage, we'd like to help guide you.

 

Earlier this year, the introduction of the government's three-month mortgage scheme saw a huge uptake, with lenders granting as many as 2.5 million payment holidays.*

 

Now that they've extended it, with a deadline for deferral applications at the end of January 2021, it's possible once again for homeowners and landlords to obtain financial support.

 

If I apply for a mortgage holiday, will it impact my credit?

 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have publicly confirmed that requesting a six-month mortgage holiday or extension will not negatively impact your credit.

 

If, however, it comes to the end of the six months and a customer is still in an unstable financial situation, they are advised by the FCA to seek support from their lender.

 

At this point, a tailored support plan will need to be arranged, which could show up on your credit file.

 

Although this is a viable lifeline, it is in the borrower's best interests to only use this scheme if absolutely necessary, as you will accrue interest without making any payments for the duration of the mortgage holiday.

 

 

What's next for the property market?

 

With the stamp duty deadline looming, there has been a crying demand for the government to commit to an extension beyond March 31st 2021.

 

Thousands of property sales are currently moving through the various homebuying stages, with sellers, buyers and property investors keen to make the cut.

 

As we're seeing such high demand, there have been inevitable delays from conveyancers, lenders and other industry professionals depended on to reach completion.

 

It's imperative at this time to remain level-headed, to prepare any necessary paperwork to expediate the process, and to keep in regular contact with your agent.

 

 

 

If in doubt about your mortgage options, you should consult your lender directly, as they will provide further clarification on what is right for your personal situation.

 

To speak with our agents, contact us from our website this December.

 

 

*Source: Homes & Property