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The Help to Buy scheme is a government-backed equity loan opportunity. It is also referred to as ‘shared equity’. The scheme is currently only available on new build properties. The loan from the government is up to 20% of the purchase price (40% in Greater London). This means that you only need to raise a…
When you’re a busy landlord juggling a multitude of responsibilities, it’s easy to let a crucial part of managing a property – regular inspections – slide. Landlords usually carry out inspections with clockwork regularity at the start of a tenancy, but things can get a little lax over time. Perhaps the tenant presents as a…
The month-long football festival AKA the Euros 2021 kicks off today. And the home nations of England, Scotland, and Wales are all competing to win the crown of the best national side in Europe. A win for England would be priceless, and we thought it might be a bit of fun to look at how…
The UK’s biggest annual get-together of neighbours – The Big Lunch – takes place this weekend and it’s a great excuse to connect or reconnect with people who live in your street. The Eden Project started The Big Lunch in 2009 to celebrate the power of communities. Since then, hundreds of Big Lunch events have…
Whether it’s bog swimmers in mankinis or Vikings brandishing burning fence posts, Britain can lay claim to some of the world’s weirdest and most wonderful events. And while each is unique, they all have one thing in common: they’re rooted in the community. In an increasingly globalised, homogenous world, local festivals and traditions feel even…
As if selling your home, packing your belongings, and remembering to take the dog isn’t stressful enough, unfortunately, you can’t escape the paperwork palaver that comes with moving. Notifying companies and authorities of your change of address can be monotonous, but (for some things), it’s mandatory. (Not to mention the risk of being deleted from…
If you rent out a property and receive a rental income from that, you must declare it. You have to pay tax on any profit. It doesn’t change your employment status to ‘self-employed’ though, as it’s considered an investment. Of course, HMRC can be more complicated than a day at Hogwarts. The best advice will…
We’ve all heard the renovation horror stories. The builder who does a runner halfway through a job, leaving a homeowner out of pocket and living in a construction site. The messy contractual dispute that winds up in court and ends in tears. Or the new roof that leaks at the first drop of rain. The…
For an elderly relative, moving on to the next chapter of their lives can be an emotional experience. The need to move home might stem from financial needs, bereavement, health reasons, or the wish to be nearer loved ones. But whatever the catalyst, time, diplomacy, and tact are the order of the day. Don’t rush…
The past year has been challenging for kids, so let’s make them feel special on National Children’s Day (NCD) on Sunday 16 May. The lockdowns of the last year hit children particularly hard. While little ones often say they want to skip school, the reality is many find its structure reassuring. (Sadly, some also feel…
Unless your name is Elon Musk, selling your home will probably be the biggest transaction you make in your lifetime. So, who will you entrust to get you the best deal? Option 1: You go for the agent with the lowest fee. This agent is a doppelgänger for Del Boy, but you love the idea of…
Having a rental property can be a great way to earn some extra income. Like anything, there are a variety of things that can go wrong. We break down fiveof the most common ones. The wrong property Being a landlord means running a business. You’re not buying a property for you to live in. Tenants…