Remember, if you’re looking for a property in Slough and the surrounding area, make sure you give the leading estate agents in Colnbrook a call on 01753 683000 or email us and we’ll help you find your next home.

What should you do if you might miss a payment?

Get in touch with your lender. Most lenders are keen to work with their customers in financial difficulty, you will have more options if you contact your lender before you miss a payment than if you leave it until afterwards. As soon as you think there might be an issue, contact your lender straight away.

Lenders often have a special hotline for those in difficulty as well as a number of other channels through which you can speak to them. Don’t leave it until the last minute, get in front of the problem.

The worst-case scenario for homeowners is that they will lose their home. However, this is an absolute last resort for lenders. Lenders are ready to help people in financial difficulty and will work with you to explore ways to make your mortgage more affordable.

Simply contact your lender with your mortgage details, and speak to them about your options. It is also advisable to put together a budget document so you can see your incomings vs outgoings, this will help with planning as you move forward.

What are your options?

Extending your mortgage term – this is the total amount of time your load is taken and can be up to 35 years, depending on your situation. Spreading the debt over a longer period can decrease your monthly payments. This means you can continue to pay off your mortgage, although over the full term you will be paying more interest.

Change to interest-only – this will greatly impact the size of your monthly payments. However, unlike a repayment mortgage, you will only be paying the interest on your loan each month. This is a cheaper option in the short term and could be a good way to get through this difficult time.

Defer your mortgage – you can defer your mortgage and interest payments for a couple of months if that’s all you need to get back on your feet again. However, these payments are then added to your monthly payments and spread across the next one or two years,

Mortgage Holiday – check with your lender to see if you are able to take a mortgage holiday. This will give you two or three months of breathing space and the payments you don’t pay will be added to the overall amount you owe – including the interest.  During the Covid-19 pandemic the mortgage holiday benefitted many people whose finances were impacted by the lockdowns. Some lenders have continued the scheme to help people during their recovery.

While these are generally some of the options your lender might offer, this isn’t true of all lenders. Make sure you speak to them to find out which options might be best for you; taking a mortgage holiday can impact your credit score so make sure you take that into consideration.

Get in Touch

If you are looking for a rental property or are a landlord looking to buy in Slough and the surrounding areas, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

The cost-of-living crisis is likely to impact us all, if you’re a homeowner, our friends at the HOA have put together a list of things you’ll need to get sorted sooner rather than later this year.

If you’re looking for a property in Slough and the surrounding area, make sure you give the leading estate agents in Colnbrook a call on 01753 683000 or email us and we’ll help you find your next home.

Check your mortgage

It sounds simple but most peoples’ biggest financial commitment is their mortgage payment. Remortgaging could help you save a significant amount on your monthly outgoings; especially if you are one of the UK’s 1.1 million households who are on their lender’s standard variable rate. Remortgaging to a fixed rate will not only secure you a preferable interest rate but also help you to budget as you will know exactly how much your main bill is every month for a fixed term.

If your fixed deal ends in the next six months, you can start looking for a new deal now. Most lenders’ offers will last for six months so locking one in now, could protect you from further rate increases towards the end of the year.

Energy price hike

At the beginning of this month (April 2022), we saw a 54% rise in energy bills when the Ofgem energy price cap ended. The average energy bill in the UK went up by nearly £700 a year.

This means that now is the time to start saving on your energy usage. In previous years people would advise you to find a fixed-rate deal, however, prices are high at the moment and so, you might be better served to adapt your lifestyle.

You can make small adjustments to your lifestyle and your home; a combination of a few adjustments could help soften the blow when it comes to your energy bill increase. First, check to see if you are entitled to help, you might be eligible for free insulation or a boiler grant, speak with your energy supplier to see if they can help make your property more efficient.

If you aren’t eligible for help, do it yourself. A small investment in insulation will help you to keep the heat in during the winter months; even wrapping your hot water cylinder in an insulating jacket can save you £20 a year, not to mention draught-proofing your home to stop heat escaping.

Where you can, be vigilant about how much energy you use. Don’t light empty rooms, and make sure that you replace halogen lightbulbs with LED bulbs, which last longer and are more efficient. Small things in combination, can help you to save.

Having shorter showers, turning your thermostat down by one degree, and only washing full machine loads at lower temperatures – you’ll be surprised at just what you can save.

Council Tax Rise

Last year, it was announced that council tax would rise across the country in order to cover costs and pay for social care. Many authorities decided against raising the tax by the full amount for 2021 and have deferred it for 2022. This could lead to a 6% rise, seeing the average Band D council tax bill soar by more than £100 in a year.

Payment of council tax is usually spread over ten monthly installments; however, you can choose to pay over 12 installments to help manage your monthly outgoings.

The amount of council tax you pay is dependent on your property band. Make sure you check which band you are in and that it is correct, research carefully as you may accidentally end up in a higher band paying more council tax.

If your circumstances have recently changed i.e. you now live on your own, you may be able to get a discount on your tax. If you’re on a low income or claiming benefits you may qualify for a council tax reduction of up to 100%. Contact your local council to check if you are eligible.

Working from home

If you worked from home during the pandemic, you may be able to apply for a tax rebate. This is designed to cover extra costs you may have had when working from home. Check with HMRC to see if you are eligible for the rebate, you may be eligible for up to £250 tax relief.

There are two ways to get the tax relief:

• Your employer can cover your expenses and pay them into your salary tax-free, or
• You can claim tax relief directly from HMRC

If you claim yourself, the amount you’ll get depends on the rate of income tax you pay:

• Basic-rate taxpayers will receive £1.20 a week (tax relief of 20% on £6) which is £62 per year
• Higher-rate taxpayers will get £2.40 a week (tax relief of 40% on £6) which totals £125 per year

Alternatively, you can claim tax relief on the exact amount of extra costs you’ve incurred above the weekly amount. However, you’ll need evidence such as receipts, bills, or contracts.

Get in Touch

If you are looking to move to Slough and the surrounding areas, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Some people actually prefer to rent, and even if it’s not your ideal situation there are a few ways in which you can make your rented property feel like your home.

If you’re looking for a property in Slough and the surrounding area, make sure you give the leading estate agents in Colnbrook a call on 01753 683000 or email us and we’ll help you find your next home.

Show Some Love

Nothing says home sweet home quite like having your personal belongings on show. Surrounding yourself with the things that you love and tell your story can really personalise your space. Whether it’s trinkets from trips or photographs of your loved ones, displaying these personal items will turn any emotionless space into a warm and welcoming home.

Art and Mirrors

When you move into a rental property you may think that the décor isn’t to your tastes. This is often done deliberately; it is easier to accessorise with a neutral colour than something too bright and stylised. However, blank walls can feel cold and depressing so make sure that you hang artwork to your tastes and mirrors to brighten up the space. Make sure you check with your landlord if you can make holes in the wall for hanging.

Colours

You can disguise and distract from the existing décor by adding bright and complementing colours around the property which better suit your tastes. Brightly coloured and patterned rugs can disguise a questionable floor, cushions and a decorative throw can spruce up a tired sofa giving it a new lease of life. Curtains and bedding can transform a neutral space into something of which you can be proud.

Nature

House plants are the perfect, low-cost way to make your property feel more homely. You don’t even need to be an avid gardener, succulents and other low-maintenance plants add a flash of green to your room and help purify the air. If you’re really not keen on any kind of living plant, you can always invest in some artificial flowers, the effect is the same.

Landlord Relationship

One of the best routes to making your rental property feel like your own home is to establish a good relationship with your landlord. Many landlords will welcome long-term tenants and so, if you can build a relationship of trust with them, they are more likely to allow minor modifications to be undertaken at your own cost. It demonstrates that you will look after the property and while you may have to return it to its original state before finishing your tenancy, at least you will have enjoyed the space.

Get in Touch

If you are looking for a rental property or are a landlord looking to buy in Slough and the surrounding areas, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Buying and selling a property can be an extremely stressful life event, in fact its right up there with death and divorce! So, we’ve put together a guide on how to keep the process from being too stressful and of course, if you’re selling your home through SJ Homes, we’ll hold your hand all the way through.

If you’re looking for a property in Slough and the surrounding area, make sure you give the leading estate agents in Colnbrook a call on 01753 683000 or email us and we’ll help you find your next home.

The Maths

Step one of any large financial decision should always be to do your sums. This starts with gathering information, so make sure you get your property valued by trusted local estate agents. We recommend that you do some of your own research looking at comparable properties which have sold in your local area. Once you have a ballpark figure in mind, get a couple of agents in to give you a valuation, we recommend one independent agent and a larger chain.

You will need to work out all of the costs associated with moving home. Things like conveyancing fees, agent percentages, stamp duty, local searches, and property surveying will add to your total expenditure; make sure you know what the costs are before committing to anything.

It sounds obvious, but make sure you have a good handle on your finances. Knowing where you stand in terms of income and outgoings will help you get a better understanding of what you can afford. Check your savings and the equity you have in your home; this will help decrease the amount of money you have to borrow for your new home.

Speak to your mortgage or financial adviser to make sure that you aren’t missing anything, if you would like us to introduce you to one, then please email us.

The Preparation

One of the most common bottlenecks when it comes to getting properties bought and sold is the locating of paperwork. When preparing your property for sale make sure that you have your title deeds, ID, energy performance certificate, and any certificates you have to prove that work has been done to your home; this includes FENSA certificates for windows and doors, gas safety certificates, boiler service documents, and Electrical Installation Certificate. We recommend keeping both paper and digital copies so that you can email them to the relevant parties quickly and efficiently.

Next, get your home looking spik and span. In our blog about preparing your home for sale, we listed some things to consider on a room-by-room basis. Get your home looking its best for those potential buyers.

You’ll need to instruct an agent to market your property who will come round and take photographs of your home, they may have a preferred conveyancing company who will undertake the legal process and it’s worth engaging with them as soon as possible to help the rest of the transaction progress smoothly. There is a lot that can be done before your property even hits the market.

The Transaction

Once you hit the market it shouldn’t be too before you secure an offer on your home. Now is the time for you to find your next property; having an offer on your home puts you in a good position to move forward; you now have a more accurate idea of your budget and can target homes you can afford. Once you get find your new home and have your offer accepted you need to kick off the conveyancing.

The conveyancers can start drafting contracts and getting the local searches and surveys carried out. They will also firm up any mortgage arrangement and resolve any issues – this is when the transaction seems to be slowing down, but behind the scenes, all the cogs are turning and your job is simply to be patient while the ducks align. You can help the process by making sure that you reply to any queries quickly and on occasion chase for progress reports.

The End

Once the legal processes are done, the searches are complete and any issues are resolved, you can set exchange and completion dates. The exchange date is the date on which contracts are signed and exchanged which makes the transaction legally binding. This is the penultimate major milestone in the entire process.

Once the exchange is made you can start to negotiate on the completion date. This is the date on which you will move out/in and hand over the keys and everything is official. This date is usually one that is convenient to the entire chain, not just you and the links on either side of you. It can take a while to organise but again, patience is a virtue in this instance.

Get in Touch

If you are in a position to move and are looking to buy, sell or rent a property in Slough and the surrounding areas, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

We’ve put together some great tips that will help you to attract the right tenants at the best price for your property; and remember, we are the leading letting agents in Colnbrook so, if you are looking for a property to add to your portfolio, make sure you give us a call on 01753 683000 or email us.

So, what makes a property attractive to prospective tenants.

Kerb Appeal

The outside of your property is the first thing someone will see when arriving for a viewing. Make sure that your external areas are well kept and neat. Not only will this make the property look its best, but it’ll also show that the property has been looked after and sets an expectation of pride in the home.

Communal Areas

When dealing with apartments and flats with communal areas, they may not be directly a landlord’s responsibility, but it will impact the impression prospective tenants take away with them. Get ahead of it, either speak to the management company to have it fixed/spruced up or take it upon yourself to do it.

Clutter

Even if you’re letting your property fully furnished, tenants will bring many of their own possessions; so, make sure that when you present the property for viewing it’s not overwhelmed with unwanted clutter. Most people will need to be able to envisage themselves living in the property in order to feel comfortable making an offer – leave some room for imagination.

Looking Fresh

Between lettings, while your property is empty it’s a good idea to give the place a lick of paint and fix any damage. Again, this will show that the property is well looked after and set the expectation, most people want to take care of the home in which they live. Regular maintenance will help landlords stay on top of the wear and tear in their property and keep up with the competition.

Aging Appliances

There’s nothing wrong with older appliances, as long as they’re clean and reliable. A leaking washing machine and a limescale encrusted kettle, will not impress prospective tenants. Broken or unreliable appliances are a feud waiting to happen and will deter a tenant from your property. Landlords should check all appliances thoroughly between tenants and before showing anyone around the property.

Cleanliness is next to…

Make sure the property is thoroughly cleaned between tenancies. Even if the previous tenant may have had it cleaned, be sure to inspect carefully and if needed give it another clean to refresh the property. Perhaps use air fresheners or reed diffusers to make the property smell fragrant – empty homes can sometimes smell a little musty and can be off-putting for viewers. This is especially applicable to kitchens and bathrooms.

Unfinished Tasks

Sometimes a small repair can be much more complicated than you first figured. If you have tried to fix something and not finished it, make sure you do so before showing people around. A property in which there are still walls requiring paint and evidence of half-finished maintenance is a red flag to anyone looking to rent a property.

Ultimately prospective tenants will have reasonable expectations when it comes to a rental home. Some may even wish to give the property a fresh paint job with the landlord’s permission, but in such a competitive market it will behove you, as a landlord to present your property at its best in order to secure the right tenant.

Contact Us

If you are looking for your next property in Slough or the surrounding areas, we are the leading independent letting agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Interest rates always make the headlines, for many people they represent an increase in their cost of living and can cause often misplaced panic among the population. We’re going to take a look at what the interest rate increase really means for normal people.

And remember, If you’re looking for a property in Slough and the surrounding area, make sure you give the leading estate agents in Colnbrook a call on 01753 683000 or email us and we’ll help you find your next home.

The Latest Interest Rate Rise

The rise suggests that 2022 could be a tough year for borrowers, with lending becoming more and more expensive. According to financial industry experts, this could be the beginning of a year choc-full of rises, with the potential of interest rates being somewhere near five times the current rate by Christmas 2022.

This latest swathe of bad news, combined with the shock increase in energy prices has left a bad taste in much of the public’s mouth. We will have to wait and see how this increase in the cost of living is going to impact the wider housing market, but it is sure to impact those people who have standard variable rates or tracker mortgages first. Those on fixed-rate mortgages will only see the impact when their term has ended and they look to find their next mortgage product.

The Reality

While any rise in interest rate is generally not positive news, we think that the bigger issue to consider is the hike in energy prices. We believe that it’ll be this sudden jump in energy costs which will harm the housing market. Let’s explain why.

Since 2014, lenders have been introducing more affordability criteria to protect themselves (and the wider industry) from bad debt. This stress test is designed to ensure that homeowners can afford their mortgages at a rate of 6-7%; showing that while a small rate rise might be uncomfortable, but not unmanageable.

The increase in mortgage payments for most people affected by this rate rise is unlikely to be more than £30 per month; while the energy price increase is likely to be closer to double that at an estimated £60 per month for the average property and usage in the UK.

So, yes, the rate has doubled, but in isolation, it really isn’t anything to panic about. Many people will remember in 1979, back when politicians controlled the base rate, the incoming Thatcher government raised the base rate up to 17% and it remained above 10% for many years.

Who will it affect?

Did you know, almost half of all homes in the UK are owned outright, with no finance against them? Of the rest, nearly 75% of homeowners have fixed-rate mortgages which means they won’t be affected until their deals expire.

The rate rise will affect those two million homeowners who are on tracker mortgages or standard variable rates almost immediately as their monthly repayments increase in line with the base rate. We mustn’t dismiss the impact the rise will have across the country – even a rise of a fraction of a percent can heavily affect those individuals and families already struggling.

In isolation a rise in interest rates doesn’t seem like a big deal; but when you add to the mix a country struggling in the wake of Brexit, increasing motoring, shopping, and energy bills; an increase in interest rates is the last thing people need.

Contact Us

If you are in a position to move and are looking to buy, sell or rent a property in Slough and the surrounding areas, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

As the leading letting agent in Colnbrook and the surrounding area, our portfolio of rental properties ranges from studio apartments to large detached family homes and all of them need to be maintained.

So, for our landlords, we have put together a list of things that you should keep on top of as the temperatures start to drop.

If you are looking at becoming a landlord or indeed if you are looking to buy, sell or rent a home in the Colnbrook area, give us a call on 01753 683000 or email us.

The Market

The rental market is fiercely competitive at the moment, especially when it comes to renting a property in Slough and the surrounding areas. As a landlord, your property needs to be in tip-top condition to get the best tenants in for the best price.

A draughty, cold home with a dank exterior is a tough sell at any time, but during this current period you could be left with an empty property and that is not an enviable situation in which to be during this time of economic uncertainty.

According to research conducted by our colleagues at Propertymark, the average void tenancy time continues to decrease, while the average tenancy time continues to increase, so with more tenants staying in their properties for longer, creating an attractive prospect has never been more important.

So, what can you do, as a landlord?

Keeping Cosy

As the temperature plummets, it’s important for homes to be able to produce and retain heat. No one likes huge utility bills and a warm home tends to be a happy one. As a landlord, you obviously want to keep your costs down, but sometimes the smallest things can make a difference.

Bleeding the radiators can make them perform more efficiently, bleeding them is a simple and effective way that is often forgotten. Also, on the heating front; ensuring your boiler is serviced regularly is cheaper in the long run than having to replace or urgently repair it.

Draught proofing is a quick and easy way to keep your tenants warm and save money. Use a candle or tea light to check for draughts around the edges of window frames, doors, and letterboxes.

Hot air rises, so properly insulating your loft can make a big difference in retaining heat in the property. If your property is older, it may be worth checking government schemes to help you get your property up to standard. Freezing pipes in the winter can also cause you huge issues. If pipes are not insulated, they can freeze overnight; wrapping them in lagging will keep pipes free from frost and help you to avoid pipe bursts.

If a property is empty and ready and waiting for a new tenant, landlords should consider flicking on the heating and making sure it’s warm and cosy for viewings.

Go Outside

Your property’s kerb appeal is its opportunity to make a good first impression, but it’s not just aesthetic. Keeping the outside of your house in good order demonstrates that you are an attentive landlord and look after your property; also, it can prevent potentially expensive damage during the winter months.

Check and clean your gutters; if they get blocked, they can cause water damage which can be costly to repair. Make sure your garden is in good order and trees aren’t encroaching on the property; mend broken garden fences, windows and anything else you can. It’s also worth checking your roof for loose, damaged or missing tiles; storms can cause damage which can escalate quickly if not nipped in the bud.

If your property is empty the garden may have gotten a little out of control; you can make some small upgrades to the outdoor spaces which can make a huge difference to the kerb appeal of the property. A well-maintained garden can give a property the burst of colour and tidiness it needs.

Get in Touch

If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a property in and around the Colnbrook area, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

We wanted to take this opportunity to look back on some of the challenges and highlights we have reported on this year through our popular property blog.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Colnbrook, make sure you call us on 01753 683000 or email us.

Recovery

The year started with the news we would be heading into our third lockdown and the stresses of homeschooling continued for many people throughout the UK. We looked at how buying and selling a home in 2021 would be affected by the lockdown and how the demand for rental properties was soaring at the time.

Much of the news this year centred around the government’s plans to help the economy recover. One of the key factors in this recovery was the stimulation of the property market; schemes such as the stamp duty holiday and its subsequent extension helped to get money moving around the country and back to some sort of normality.

Other schemes to help people with their housing situation included the eviction ban in England and the new 95% mortgage guarantee which would help buyers and homeowners gain access to mortgage products without the need for large deposits.

Property Advice

We also offered up a range of property advice for our vendors, buyers, and landlords. Helping people to choose their investment property and offering hints and tips on how to prepare your home for sale during the pandemic.

For a few years now, landlords have been subjected to a great deal of new legislation so we made sure that our landlords were informed about new tax rules and everything else they need to know in 2021.

We are always here to help you with your property issues; whether you are concerned with how to secure your home or what you should look for in your next home, we are on hand to advise. We brought you news of the help to buy scheme and we finally demystified what a conveyancer actually does.

Get in touch

So, if you are looking to buy or sell a property in and around the Colnbrook area in the new year, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. Make sure you contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and here’s to a prosperous new year!

This year has been a record year for sales; the government stimulating the property market with a combination of help to buy, stamp duty holiday and new mortgage guarantee schemes have led to more than 1.5 million transactions across the UK.

If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a home in Colnbrook, make sure you call us on 01753 683000 or email us.

A record year

According to the House Price Index, the end of the stamp duty holiday failed to dampen demand from potential buyers, which is up 30% on the five-year average. Thanks to the tapering off of the tax holiday, the dreaded ‘cliff edge’ never happened and people were able to get their transactions across the line in time to make savings. Those who didn’t complete in time knew they wouldn’t ahead of the end of the tax and so, disappointment was minimised. We expect this pandemic-induced boom to continue into the new year.

A major contributing factor to the boom has been the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. We spent the best part of a year being confined to our homes and this gave people the opportunity to reassess their living situations and their priorities.

By the end of 2021, homes collectively worth £473 billion will have been sold; while we think the market will remain buoyant until the end of the year, the level of activity is expected to slow next year as the market faces the challenge of fully recovering from the pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty.

First-time buyers

First-time buyers continue to come to market. Government schemes encouraging this segment of buyers to the market has meant that demand from potential buyers is well above the five-year average and looks to remain into 2022.

Mortgage availability has assisted the rise in demand; however, this demand has not been met with adequate supply as the number of homes coming to market and listed for sale is 38% lower than the aforementioned five-year average. This gulf in supply and demand is likely to continue to push house prices up into the new year.

The housing market in 2022

Without doubt, next year will be tumultuous in the property sector. The demand for more space will continue and the exodus from cities out to the commuter belt will continue to drive prices up in areas with good travel connections. As companies change to a more remote way of working, proximity to the office is lower on the priority list for many city workers – this should fuel house price growth well into 2022.

While it may seem like 2022 is looking fairly positive on the whole, there are some challenges that are on the horizon. The cost of living is rising, combine this with a potential mortgage rate increase and rise in tax rates, and issues with affordability may come to the fore. So it is important that you plan any property decisions carefully.

What could this mean for you?

If you are a first-time buyer, the market looks like it’ll remain buoyant well into 2022. This means you may need to move fast when you see somewhere you like – competition for properties will still be high in the new year. We recommend that you have a mortgage offer agreed in principle before you start house hunting.

The demand for properties is high, so if you’re thinking of moving, now is a great time to put your home on the market. Unfortunately, the selling part is easy, the same supply and demand issue that benefits you as a vendor will impact you as a buyer. Do some research; if the area you are hoping to move to is fast-moving, you may want to have accepted an offer on your home before house hunting – that way you can react quickly.

Get in touch

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in and around the Colnbrook area, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Remember, if you are looking to buy or sell a home in Colnbrook, make sure you call us on 01753 683000 or email us.

Check your roof

It’s time to get your roof checked for damage and have any repairs done before winter comes.

The cold weather can take a toll on homes, especially those surfaces which are exposed to the elements. With winter comes RAIN (ok, in the UK that could equally be the summer) and with plummeting temperatures comes ice. Water can seep into gaps in the roof and freeze, causing costly damage to your home. Make sure you check up on those tiles before they break and you have water dripping into the house from damaged surfaces.

Get smart with gas and heating

The energy crisis has made us all think more about our gas and heating needs. Servicing your boiler regularly will help keep it running efficiently, conserving heat in the process! You can also save money by catching any faults early; so, make sure you speak to a qualified professional about your options. The world of gas boilers is highly nuanced, so make sure that you speak to a qualified professional about any work you need doing in your home.

Insulate

Your roof/loft is one of the cheapest, most effective ways to keep your home warm in winter. Ensuring that your roof is in good condition and well-insulated can save you a significant amount on your energy bills for the year. Make sure also that you know what kind of insulation you have in your walls. Many homes now have insulation in the cavity of the wall and if not, you may be eligible for a grant from your local council to have this work completed.

If you have a hot water tank, make sure it is properly lagged – or insulated. This will keep the water warmer for longer and reduce your heating costs. If used correctly, insulating an uninsulated water heater could save you around £150 per year – but even just upgrading your tank’s old jacket can help cut down on expenses.

Furniture

How many of us have our sofa in front of our living room radiator? We’d wager, quite a few. When your radiator is on, the back of the sofa will be absorbing all the heat and very little will be able to ‘radiate’ around the room. Moving your sofa away by a few inches will enable the hot air to circulate freely. Many UK residents use their radiators to dry clothes, try standing an air dryer next to the radiator so that that heat is circulating into the dryer as well as throughout the room.

Curtains

Save money and time by making the most of free heat from sunlight. Open your curtains during daylight hours to take advantage of this free resource, but be sure they stay shut at night so you don’t lose any warmth! Make sure there aren’t any leaks or gaps in order for air movement around insulation layers to help maintain a comfortable temperature inside all year round.

Exclude draughts

Sometimes the simplest of things are the most effective. Ensuring that your home is draught-free could save you £25 per year on your energy bills. Self-adhesive draught excluders are inexpensive and will make sure that your cosy evenings aren’t ruined by gusts of icy air around your feet. They are cheap and easy to install and available from all good DIY stores.

Get in touch

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in and around the Colnbrook area, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Instagram.