Plain-English answers on buying, selling, letting, and the regulations that affect homeowners and landlords.
At September 2026 average rates, a five-year fix costs only about £10 a month more than a two-year fix on a £324,000 loan, so the headline rate is not the real decision. The bigger risks are rolling onto a 7.13% standard variable rate and remortgaging at a worse loan-to-value in areas like LU7, where median sold prices fell 3.9% in the year to July 2026.
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The Renters Reform Bill is scrapping section 21 no-fault evictions and reshaping the private rental sector. A plain-English summary of what is changing for landlords and tenants and when.
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From 1 October 2022 the rules on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes changed. A practical breakdown of what landlords must do, how often to test, and the penalties for non-compliance.
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Five things that consistently make the difference between a property selling at asking price and one that lingers — pricing, presentation, photography, agent selection, and timing.
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A practical room-by-room checklist for getting a home in shape before it goes on the market — focused on quick, free or low-cost changes that visibly lift buyer interest.
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A landlord checklist for the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020 — what an EICR must cover, who can carry one out, how often, and what tenants need to be told.
Read guidePractical ways to cut a home energy bill without major works — from simple draft proofing to thermostatic radiator valves, smart heating controls, and grants currently available.
Read guideFrom 1 April 2020 every private rental in England must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). What the regulations cover and the timeline for compliance.
Read guideMoving home is stressful enough for the humans. A practical guide to keeping cats, dogs and small animals calm before, during, and after moving day.
Read guideStamp Duty Land Tax can add thousands to a property purchase. A clear explanation of the current bands, the first-time buyer discount, and the surcharge for additional properties.
Read guideThe often-overlooked questions worth asking every estate agent before you put in an offer — covering chains, time on market, neighbours, schools, broadband, and onward purchase plans.
Read guideYou can personalise a rental without breaching the tenancy agreement. Renter-friendly decoration ideas, removable upgrades, and how to ask a landlord for changes the right way.
Read guideLandlords carry a legal duty of care for the people living in their property. The headline gas, electrical, fire, water, asbestos and PAT checks every landlord should be making.
Read guideFinding a rental that accepts pets has got easier under the new Model Tenancy Agreement. How to position your pet, what landlords look for, and what the Tenant Fees Act allows.
Read guideThe Tenant Fees Act came into force on 1 June 2019. What landlords and letting agents can and cannot charge for, plus deposit caps and the penalties for breach.
Read guideA plain-English glossary of the lettings industry terms that confuse first-time renters — from ASTs and DPS to guarantors, Section 21, and the difference between rent and a holding deposit.
Read guideA first-time buy-to-let investors playbook — researching yield by area, choosing between high-yield/low-growth and low-yield/high-growth, and the practical steps from search to completion.
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Spring is statistically the highest-volume buying season in the UK. Quick, seasonal changes that lift a homes appeal — kerb appeal, light, fragrance, and outdoor-space presentation.
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How to add a How to Wow Factor on a budget. Small staging changes that consistently lift property photography, viewing impressions, and ultimately offers.
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A first-time buyer roadmap — how much deposit you really need, decision-ready mortgage prep, the questions to ask at viewings, and the timeline from offer to completion.
Read guideA pragmatic landlord toolkit — pricing the rent, tenant referencing, deposit handling, gas/electrical certificates, and the ongoing checks that prevent the small problems that become expensive ones.
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What to bring, what to ask, and what to look for the second a viewing starts — the practical questions and physical checks that separate informed buyers from impulse ones.
Read guideProperty fraud is on the rise — particularly for empty homes, rentals, and absent landlords. The warning signs and the free Land Registry Property Alert service that detects suspicious activity.
Read guideEight seconds — thats how long buyers take to form a first impression of a property. Free and low-cost changes to the exterior that turn passing interest into a viewing booking.
Read guideOverpriced properties consistently sell for less than well-priced ones. Five practical checks before you accept any valuation — and the warning signs of an inflated listing.
Read guideWinter is when small property faults turn into expensive damage. Quick checks for heating, pipes, gutters, roofing, and ventilation that prevent the most common cold-weather claims.
Read guideOur team is here to help with all your property questions. Get in touch today.