It is extraordinary how swiftly having an efficient broadband service has become a key lifestyle requirement. As our homes acquire more and more smart devices and our work and leisure activities become increasingly internet dependant, a fast, data generous broadband service has become an essential component of modern life. Our reliance on broadband will only increase as more and more smart devices become available and yet, according to Ofcom, ‘One in seven homes could be paying more than they need to for broadband and could get faster services for the same or less money.’
How to Get a Good Broadband Deal for your Home
January 22nd, 2019 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Broadband, Property Market, Top Tips Comments Off on How to Get a Good Broadband Deal for your Home
Getting out of the Ground on Brownfield sites
February 21st, 2018 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Housing Policy, Legal, Property Developers Comments Off on Getting out of the Ground on Brownfield sites
Most people prefer to work with a fresh canvas. Imagine painting your masterpieces on someone else’s painting. This is probably why brownfield sites are not the most desirable land to start building projects on, commercial or residential. Greenfield sites are a clean slate, previously unbuilt upon and typically are cheaper and easier sites for construction, but as the countryside in the UK rapidly disappears and the population increases, it is time for developers to start re-considering brownfield land.
Electrical Contractors & Air Permeability tests – How to make the right choice
July 26th, 2017 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Electrical, Energy Saving, Housing Policy, Property Developers Comments Off on Electrical Contractors & Air Permeability tests – How to make the right choice
Are you in the preparatory stages of a new build? Maybe you’re ready to bring in an electrical contractor but are worried about how they’ll fare coming up against Part L of the Building Regs? In this article, I’ll be covering how to choose an electrical contractor for a new build that will be required to pass an air permeability test.
What is Part L
In 2006 the government passed Part L of the Building Regs setting the standards for air permeability in certain new builds and extensions in the UK. The Regulation is concerned with the conservation of fuel and power through limiting heat gains and losses via the building’s fabric. Split into 4 parts the documents lay out guidelines for both new and existing buildings.
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M&G Real Estate installs largest shopping centre solar panel system in UK
January 26th, 2017 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Energy Saving, News, Property Developers Comments Off on M&G Real Estate installs largest shopping centre solar panel system in UK
M&G Real Estate, one of the UK’s largest property investors, has announced that it will install the UK’s largest shopping centre solar panel system on the roof of The Galleries shopping centre in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
The system will comprise 1,317 individual photovoltaic panels, covering an area of 41,000 sq ft – equivalent to a professional football pitch – on an otherwise unused part of the centre. New technology to save 165 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually
Planning Applications for Home Improvements – What’s Hot and What’s Not
January 19th, 2017 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Home Improvements, Housing Policy, Property Market Comments Off on Planning Applications for Home Improvements – What’s Hot and What’s Not
In the latest house price index, it was revealed that property in the UK had seen an annual price increase of 6.7%, with the average property now valued at £217,928. Naturally, with a rise in house prices will come an increase in home improvements. Recently, home services marketplace, Plentific.com, ran a survey which found that 1 in 3 renovate their property with the aim of increasing its value. As such, whether buying a new property or updating their current one, many homeowners will plan to renovate to take advantage of the increasing value. Consequently, many areas will see an increased rate of householder development planning applications being submitted to the government. Through these statistics, we can see the latest trends of home improvements in different regions across the UK.
The Year That Was: PCL prices hold but transactions plummet
December 19th, 2016 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Buying Property, News, Selling Property Comments Off on The Year That Was: PCL prices hold but transactions plummet
2016 proved a challenging year for the Prime Central London (PCL) property market. The past 12 months not only witnessed a marked slowdown in sales activity as Stamp Duty changes dramatically affected sentiment, but uncertainty has been a recurring theme, both before and following the UK’s Brexit vote.
With the headwinds it has been encountering, this year has seen the PCL market fragment with different dynamics driving the performance of property at the lower end and the luxury end. This has created a watershed at £1m, above which tax is having the most significant effect on investor decisions.
U.K. letting agents save landlords nearly £2k every year
December 15th, 2016 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in News, Press Releases, Property Market Comments Off on U.K. letting agents save landlords nearly £2k every year
UK landlords surveyed who use a letting agent estimate that they save £1910 a year more than if they marketed directly to tenants, according to research by Endsleigh, one of the country’s leading specialist insurance providers for letting agents, landlords and young professionals.
The truth about remodeling with solar
June 3rd, 2016 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Energy Saving, Home Improvements, Property Market Comments Off on The truth about remodeling with solar
Previously, we talked about how to survive remodeling your home. We gave advice on what you should do during remodeling, what to expect when you decide to stay at home during the renovation period, and what to see in your kitchen in the early hours of the morning. Today, we’re also going to talk about remodeling but not the usual overhaul that most families undertake after living in the same house for several decades. This time, it’s about remodeling your house before installing solar panels.
Another nail in the coffin for social housing
January 5th, 2016 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Landlords, Property Developers, Property Market 1 Comment »
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s MP for Brighton Pavilion, will vote against the Housing and Planning Bill later today.
Lucas, who tabled a reasoned amendment to the Bill at Second Reading, has labelled the legislation as ‘another nail in the coffin for British social housing’. She will speak later today at a rally organised by Defend Council Housing.
House Prices – The Commuter Effect
October 14th, 2015 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Buying Property, Property Market, Selling Property Comments Off on House Prices – The Commuter Effect
As you know when it comes to whether a property sells fast or languishes for months on an estate agents list there are a lot of factors at play. One of those factors is transport links.
People, in the UK, are always on the move. They are some of the most mobile people in Europe. Brits go abroad more and they are more likely to work outside of their hometown or city than those who live in Southern Europe.
What it means when you serve an eviction notice
July 3rd, 2015 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Landlords, Rental Market Comments Off on What it means when you serve an eviction notice
The life of a landlord is not just collecting the rent at the end of every month with no problems. Sometimes you can run into difficulties with your tenants that are unresolvable and you are faced with having to serve them an eviction notice. There are many rules that you must follow as a landlord to avoid being accused of an illegal eviction or harassment. The last thing you want is to step out of line and have to deal with a legal battle. Let us help you reclaim your property within the rules of the law.