The east of England sees high numbers of successful planning applications

The east of England is one of the areas of the UK currently seeing some of the highest levels of successful planning applications each month. Research has shown that across the UK, almost 24,500 planning applications are received on average each month at the moment, with just over 20,500 (84 per cent) of those successful. […]

Bright, bold and ready to face the year ahead

Pantone has announced its new colour of the year and anyone thinking about redecorating or refurbishing a room in 2023 may be interested in considering it. Viva Magenta (18-1750) is a gorgeous red that could be ideal in a cushion, throw or even small accents, such as mugs, vases and coasters. For those seeking to […]

Help for landlords as tax deadline draws nearer

Consumer champion Which? has published an e-guide and video for landlords offering advice on filing self-assessment tax returns. As the deadline of January 31 draws closer, the organisation has come up with tips and suggestions that are particularly relevant to buy-to-let landlords. These include examples of the kinds of costs and expenses that can be […]

Extra support for upgrading homes

The government has announced plans for a new scheme to help householders reduce their energy bills through loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as smart heating controls.  The move is part of wider action this across energy policy to help the UK meet its ambition of becoming energy independent. The new ECO+ scheme will […]

Build-to-rent homes can be a good option for some tenants

The largest ever analysis of build-to-rent (BTR) homes in England shows the sector has a broad and evolving customer base similar to the wider private rented sector (PRS). In its third year, the Who Lives in Build-to-Rent? report from the British Property Federation (BPF), Dataloft, BusinessLDN, and the UK Apartment Association (UKAA) analysed 122 schemes in England totalling over […]

How to save energy when you use household appliances

Households can reduce their utility bills by over £500 a year by making small changes to the way they use their household appliances, according to the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) Its Know Watt’s What campaign highlights that by simply always using the eco-cycle on washing machines and dishwashers, consumers can save an […]

UK build-to-rent homes to increase five-fold in the next decade

Build to Rent (BTR) homes could increase five-fold, with the sector worth £170 billion, according to recent research. A study by the British Property Federation (BPF) and Savills projects the number of BTR homes completed could reach 380,000 by 2032. The projection, undertaken in partnership with Get Living, one of the UK pioneers of BTR, […]

Bring a little warmth to the home this autumn – top tips

The weather has certainly turned and many of us are playing the “should we” or “shouldn’t we” game of whether or not to put the central heating on. And with energy costs soaring, we are all certainly keen to hold off as long as possible. So what steps can we take to keep our homes […]

More older people are now renting

The number of middle-age and later life tenants living in privately rented homes has accelerated faster than those under the age of 35 over the past decade. Analysis carried out by Paragon Bank analysis suggests between 2011 and 2021, there was a 110 per cent increase in the number of households privately renting in England […]

Top tips to checking your finances before renting

With the cost of living increasing and budgets are becoming even tighter here are our top tips for looking at your finances before embarking on renting a property. Your rent is likely to be your biggest outgoing. When deciding how much you can afford, draw up a detailed budget of all your other likely outgoings […]