As the festive season unfolds in our charming village, we recognise the importance of celebrating without stretching the budget. Here, we’ve collated a selection of cost-effective yet delightful activities that will infuse the holiday spirit into your celebrations without burdening your finances.

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

Here’s our top cost-effective festive activity ideas from the team at S John Homes

Pop out to the local Christmas markets & events

Check out local Christmas markets or school fairs happening in Colnbrook. These events often showcase handmade crafts, local products, and festive treats. It’s a great way to enjoy the holiday spirit without breaking the bank all while supporting your community.

Indulge in a little carol singing

Look for community or church-organised carol singing events. Participating in or attending these gatherings can be a wonderful way to enjoy the season’s music and connect with others in the community.

Get crafty with a DIY decorations workshop

Host a do-it-yourself (DIY) Christmas decorations workshop with friends or neighbours. You can pool resources and create decorations together, sharing materials and ideas. It’s a cost-effective and enjoyable way to make your surroundings festive. 

Host a festive movie night at home

Instead of heading to the cinema, organise a cosy festive movie night at home. You can watch classic Christmas films, make some popcorn, get cuddled up and enjoy the comfort of your own surroundings.

Layer up and head out for a winter nature walk

Take advantage of Colnbrook’s natural surroundings with a winter nature walk. Bundle up, explore our local parks, and appreciate the beauty of the season. It’s a low-cost and healthy way to embrace the festive atmosphere.

Suggest a Secret Santa gift exchange

Organise a ‘Secret Santa’ gift exchange with friends, family, or colleagues. Set a budget for the gifts to keep it cost-effective and focus on thoughtful, personalised presents. It adds a touch of excitement and generosity to the festive season without straining your wallet, and everyone gets a little something.

Throw a Christmas potluck dinner party

Host a potluck-style Christmas dinner with friends or neighbours. Each guest can contribute a dish, making it a shared and cost-effective celebration. It also takes the pressure off the host to prepare an entire meal and if you haven’t got to know your neighbours well yet, it might be the perfect excuse to get together – you might just find new friends for the new year!

Remember, the essence of the festive season lies in the joy of sharing and spending time with loved ones. These activities should provide a delightful and budget-friendly way to celebrate Christmas this year in Colnbrook.

May your celebrations be filled with the genuine warmth of our community, the delight of local discoveries, and the magic that defines Colnbrook. From the team at S John Homes, here’s to a season of joy, togetherness, and unforgettable moments and remember, if you’re looking to move in the new year our team are here and happy to assist you in your search throughout December.

Contact Us

If you would like to speak to someone about your property, or if you are considering buying a property, for yourself or to let or you’re in need of finding rental property, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

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

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at key aspects that you should consider to ensure your home is winter-ready and how to show it in its best light if you’re thinking of selling this winter. 

Banishing the bane of condensation

Condensation is a persistent issue that plagues many homes during the winter months. It results in moisture build-up on windows, walls, and ceilings, which not only affects your living environment but can also lead to more significant problems such as mould and mildew.

Here’s how you can effectively combat condensation:

Ventilation: Proper ventilation is your first line of defence. Opening windows at regular intervals allows fresh air to circulate and prevents excess moisture from accumulating. In areas where humidity is a particular concern, such as bathrooms and kitchens, be sure to make use of extractor fans.

Wiping windows: Condensation often forms on windows. Keeping a cloth or absorbent material handy to wipe down windows when moisture appears can help mitigate the issue. You can also slightly open windows on a secure latch to maintain a controlled flow of fresh air.

Seek professional guidance: If condensation remains a persistent issue, reach out to a professional for advice and assistance. They may offer solutions and recommendations to improve your home’s ventilation and insulation.

Efficient heating systems for cost-effective warmth

Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home during winter is essential, but it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank on heating bills.

Here’s how you can maximise your heating efficiency while reducing costs:

Set the timer: Instead of keeping your heating system on full blast round the clock, use a timer to maintain a comfortable temperature during specific hours. This approach not only saves on energy costs but also ensures that your home remains warm when needed most.

Safe hot water temperature: Reduce the temperature of your hot water to a safe level. This prevents scalding and conserves energy by reducing the need for additional cold water to regulate its temperature.

Proper ventilation and maintenance

Effective ventilation and regular cleaning are essential for maintaining indoor air quality and preventing the build-up of mould and grime.

Here’s how to ensure your home remains fresh and clean during the winter:

Utilise extractor fans: If your home is equipped with extractor fans, make sure to use them in smaller rooms, particularly the bathroom and kitchen. These fans efficiently remove excess moisture and unpleasant odours. However, it’s crucial to keep the fan clean from dirt and dust to ensure optimal functionality.

Post-shower clean-up: After a shower, make it a routine to wipe down the walls, mirrors, and shower screen. This simple yet effective step can prevent mould growth and grout discolouration, keeping your bathroom fresh and clean.

Preparing your home for sale this Winter

Selling your home during the winter months can be a unique challenge, but with strategic preparation, you can make your property stand out in the market.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, as potential buyers should feel comfortable and cosy when they step inside. Consider utilising soft, neutral colours, plush throws, and decorative accents like festive winter wreaths to make your home inviting.

Ensure your home is well-lit, as natural light can be scarce during the winter. Open curtains and blinds to maximise the available light, and strategically place lamps and lighting fixtures to brighten darker areas. Don’t forget to keep walkways and driveways clear of ice and any snow to make the property safe and accessible.

Lastly, emphasise the unique advantages of your home in the winter season, such as its insulation or energy-efficient features, to attract potential buyers looking for a warm and welcoming home during the colder months.

By following these steps and being proactive in your winter preparations, you’ll not only create a more comfortable living space but also reduce your energy bills and ensure that your home remains in good condition throughout the colder months.

The effort you invest now will pay off in the form of a cosy and well-prepared home that will keep you warm and content throughout the winter season, while also making it more appealing if you decide to sell your home during these chilly months.

Contact Us

If you would like to speak to someone about your property, or if you are considering buying a property, for yourself or to let or you’re in need of finding rental property, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

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

A positive development for buyers and sellers?

The IMF predicts that banks and building societies will have to look to cut the costs of fixed-rate mortgages in the short- to medium-term as inflation is expected to fall sharply in the coming months.

“Recent increases in real interest rates are likely to be temporary. When inflation is brought back under control, advanced economies’ central banks are likely to ease monetary policy and bring real interest rates back towards pre-pandemic levels,” the IMF economists have said.

The so-called “natural” rates of interest, which anchor monetary policy and neither stimulate nor discourage economic activity, “will remain low in advanced economies or decline further in emerging markets,” the report concluded.

These quotes from the IMF suggest that the return of ultra-low interest rates could be just around the corner, which is good news for those looking to buy a property. If you’re looking to buy or sell now, it could be the best time to do so. If you’re looking for a property to buy in Slough and the surrounding area, make sure you give the leading estate and lettings agents in Colnbrook a call on 01753 683000or email us and we’ll be happy to help.

Spring to summer is traditionally a good time to move anyway, as the weather is nicer and the days are longer, making it easier to view properties and pack up and move. Additionally, now with the possibility of the return of ultra-low interest rates, there may be a window of opportunity to secure a fixed-rate mortgage at a lower cost than has been available in recent months, making buying a property more affordable and accessible for those who have been priced out of the market by the constantly rising costs.

The housing market has been buoyant over the recent years, as we have all experienced, with low interest rates, a stamp duty holiday and changing work patterns leading to increased demand for property. The return of ultra-low interest rates could provide further stimulus to the market, leading to even more activity and growth than originally anticipated for this year. If you’re looking to sell, this could be a great time to take advantage of increased demand and potentially secure a higher price for your property.

For potential buyers, the prospect of lower mortgage costs is certainly a reason for optimism. However, it’s important to remain vigilant and stay informed about any changes to interest rates or the wider economic environment that could impact the housing market. Working with an experienced estate agent, such as ourselves, we can help you navigate the current market conditions and find the right property for your needs.

Contact Us

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

As a landlord, the quality of your rental property is crucial to attracting and retaining desirable tenants and maximising on your income potential. In today’s market, it is not enough to simply have a space available for rent; if you’re looking for a good, reliable and respectful, tenant you need to make sure that it’s also a desirable place to live.

13 million people in the UK rent from a private landlord – that equates to 1 in every 5 of us. Here are some relatively easy ways to improve your rental property condition and ensure that you stand out to the more desirable tenant.

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

6 ways to upgrade your rental property and attract desirable tenants…

Clean, repair and replace

Make sure that the property is clean and free from any clutter or debris. Repair any damage to the walls, floors, or ceilings, and fix any broken appliances or fixtures. A well-maintained, clean and tidy, property will be more attractive to tenants. A decent quality carpet should last for about 10 years with normal wear and tear, landlords are responsible for replacing worn out flooring so it may be time to review and refresh the carpets if they have been down for a long time. Check out the clearance section of DIY or carpet stores – sometimes an off-cut or a few packs of an end-of-line range of wood/laminate flooring may be just what you need to spruce up a space.

Add a fresh coat of paint

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the look and feel of a rental property. If the walls are looking dull or dated, consider repainting them in a neutral colour to give the space a fresh, modern feel. Many neutral coloured paints come in trade discount sizes, enabling you to cover most of the property at a bargain price. This can help attract a wider range of tenants who are looking to put their own stamp on the home with their own furniture and soft furnishings. Having a blank canvas can make your property more appealing for those who are keen to find a space that they can adapt to call their home.

Update the kitchen and bathroom

The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most important rooms in any rental property, a kitchen and bathroom typically lasts 10-15 years. If these rooms are outdated or in need of repair, it can be a major turn-off for potential tenants. Consider updating the cabinets, countertops, and appliances in the kitchen, and replacing any old or damaged fixtures in the bathroom. Check for mould around the shower heads and limescale around the taps, these are fairly reasonable to replace and a glimpse into the bathroom will not put a potential tenant off if your facilities look and feel clean.

Increase storage space

This could be as simple as installing some shelves, adding built-in wardrobes or even adding a small storage unit to the bathroom. By providing more storage options, you can make your property more appealing to tenants who need extra room for their belongings without having to think about moving heavy furniture, such as wardrobes, in and out of your property.

Install energy-efficient features and aim to increase your EPC rating

In today’s eco-conscious world, many renters are looking for properties that are energy-efficient. Consider installing energy-efficient appliances, double-glazed windows, and low-energy-use lighting fixtures. Not only will this make your property more attractive to renters, but it can also save money on energy costs in the long run and increase the energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of your property. Having a more energy efficient home on offer can drive a higher rental ask price, as people are looking to save on the cost of their monthly energy bills by renting a more comfortable home.

Also, as a landlord, be aware of the changes to the EPC rating requirements potentially coming in 2025/28, it is in talks now that all let homes will need to have an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above. Now is a good time to start looking at the EPC rating of your rental property and put plans in place to bring it up to the required rating ahead of the deadline. There is a financial penalty if a rental doesn’t meet the current required rating of ‘E’, this is currently £5,000 per property and may even go up to £30,000 when the new regulations come in. The current requirement is an ‘E’ rating, if you haven’t got a valid EPC you must get one now if you are planning to, or if you are already, letting your property or plan to sell a home.

Create an outdoor space

And finally, if your rental property has access to its own outdoor space, such as a patio or balcony, consider creating a comfortable and inviting outdoor living area. This could include adding some outdoor furniture, planting some plants or flowers, or adding artificial grass. You could go the extra mile and add some solar lighting to create a cosy ambiance. This can help attract tenants who value spending time outdoors by giving them their own little space to enjoy.

By making some simple and affordable upgrades to your rental property, you can make it more attractive to potential tenants and increase its rental value. By investing in your rental property, in return you can attract high-quality tenants who will take care of your property and provide you with a steady stream of rental income.

Contact Us

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

The latest House Price Index report shows that average asking prices for homes across the nation has remained steady so far this year, while only reporting an increase of £14 (+0.0%) from January to February, and the smallest increase on record for a January to February period, an increase is a sign of a more positive housing market for the year ahead.

With this news in mind, we are the leading estate agents in Colnbrook so if you are looking to buy or sell in the area, or you are a landlord or looking to rent in the area and have any questions, make sure to give us a call on 01753 683000 or email us.

What can we take from the latest Rightmove HPI report?

There is more choice for buyers

After two and a half years of a fast-paced housing market, with multiple bidders and cash buyers lining up to buy every home for sale, we’re now heading into a more settled market. There’s still a shortage of available homes for sale, but with 48% more homes on the market than there was a year ago the good news is that there’s more choice for buyers.

More buyers ready to move

Many buyers are ready to get on with their move, it is spring now after all! The number of potential buyers making enquiries to estate agents had risen 11% in the last two weeks of February, compared to the same period in 2019, which is the last time any of us saw a ‘normal’ housing market. Buyers have returned with more confidence and more choice, although with revised budgets to accommodate mortgage rates, they are back and looking seriously for their next move.

Realistic asking prices for sellers is key to finding the right buyer

As we enter a slower market, setting a realistic asking price when first listing a property is key to finding the right buyer, contact us today if you would like your home valued with an honest opinion and expert knowledge of the local market. 

Lower mortgage rates and packages are coming back

The latest data shows that average mortgage rates have fallen after the uncertainty in the months following the mini-budget. Someone looking to take out a five-year fixed mortgage with a 15% deposit would be looking at an average rate of 4.82%, compared with 5.90% in October 2022, lower rates than originally predicted for now. This is great news for buyers, as lower mortgage rates mean the potential to now afford a higher-priced home than anticipated or have more disposable income to help combat the cost of living crisis.

First-time buyers are returning to the market

More sales are being processed and agreed now than at the start of this year. First-time buyers were hit hardest by the rapid increase in mortgage rates, and with many packages being removed from the market, caused havoc for many property chains. First-time buyers returning to the market with the confidence to make a purchase is a positive sign for all, allowing sellers to continue to chase their next dream home, ultimately keeping chains moving nicely.

If you’re looking to get onto the property ladder in Slough, or buy and sell in Colnbrook, contact us today. We’re ready and waiting to assist you, we have homes waiting for you to view and buyers waiting to view homes like yours.

Contact Us

If you 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.

However, we know it can be difficult to get into the mood with the mental overload at this time of year, so with a week left, we thought we’d help you to get into a festive mood by bringing you our top 7 ways to get a bounce in your step, the tinsel up, and in a proper cheery mood ahead of the big day.

If you’re thinking of moving in the new year, take some time now to browse homes in the area. We are still open right up to Christmas Eve and we are the leading estate agents in Colnbrook so if you are looking to buy or sell in the area, or you are a landlord or looking to rent in the area and have any questions, make sure to give us a call on 01753 683000 or email us.

HERE ARE 7 WAYS TO GET YOURSELF IN THE FESTIVE MOOD…

Pop the TV on and cosy up –  Maybe an obvious and easy one with the current temperatures outside. Grab an Oodie, fluffy socks and pop on Home Alone. Still not ready? Go for The Grinch or A Christmas Carol, that might just do the trick.

Head on down to a panto – Pantomimes are everywhere, book one in and head on down for a bit of “oh no he didn’t, oh yes he did!”. Audience participation is encouraged, and a real cheery mood created. You’ll be bouncing out of there feeling ready to tackle the tree, last minute presents and the food shop!

Light some festive scented candles – From mulled wine, cinnamon, pine, orange to clove, gingerbread, rosemary and thyme. Fill your home with the scents of Christmas and have all the best memories floating back in.

Get out and about – Soak in the festive atmosphere at a local pub or restaurant, take a stroll through a park, get your nose all red and head home for a movie, as mentioned above!

Shop local – We totally get that Christmas shopping can be an awful experience. But it doesn’t have to be! Take it easy, shop local and support your town, it may just help put a meal on their table.

Bake a treat at home – There is nothing more satisfying than when others enjoy your baked goods. You don’t have to go wild. Fill your home with the scent of Cookies or Gingerbread, and soak it all in.

Sight see, go in search of Christmas lights – Facebook is great for finding out about the best local attractions and the streets to visit for free, or venture out a bit further to Christmas light extravaganzas, they’ll have you feeling all bright and merry.

So there it is, when you’re not busy browsing for a new home, 7 ways to get you in the festive mood and ready for Christmas next week.

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, we have homes suitable for many budgets ready to view. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

If you’re looking for a property to rent or buy in Slough and the surrounding area now, 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.

Many of our clients have come to us in the same position, it has been a difficult decision for them but they want to find something that better suits them. However, once they find their dream property it is clear that they made the right decision to pack up the boxes. We have put together some of the top reason people decide to move, if any are relatable it may mean it’s time for you and your family to consider making a move.

Here are the top 7 reasons many give when deciding it’s time to move;

The commute to work  

The cost of fuel is increasing and with concerns for the environment being a hot topic many have reassessed the commute to work. Many consider moving themselves closer to their workplace or closer to public transport networks to cut down on the commute.

No longer needing to commute

Many people have now transitioned into work-from-home roles so they are looking for a change at home to accommodate space for this. Others are realising a more desirable home location is the priority. Covid-19 created a real need to take care of mental health and drove an interest in being around more green space for walking and reconnecting with nature.

The house feels too small

Many first homes are purchased alone or in a couple, however; as life progresses, and kids, pets or even elders need to move in, the house that was once spacious and cosy is now cramped and uncomfortable. Covid-19 forced many to spend more time at home, with a real shift to home working and at-home hobbies extra space for things such as a home office or garden are top of the search lists.

The house feels too big 

On the other hand, many are finding that their homes are just too big for them. Times change, the kids move out, visitors are less, bills are increasing, time and energy for pets, cleaning or maintaining a home becomes limited. While there can be an emotional connection involved with a long-standing family home, many take the decision to move whilst it is still in their control to do so.

School catchment areas

Sometimes the home does not sit within the catchment area for the school that is desired and therefore to get a place within the school a move is key. Properties within just a few meters of each other can have a different value based on which catchment area that they are in.

Having a better network or more space to themselves

Many found Covid-19 lockdowns difficult to be away from family & friends so they are now considering moving closer to loved ones in case it was to happen again. Others realise a quiet place to enjoy their surrounding with less hustle and bustle or bumping into crowds of people is better for their health overall.

Just in need of a change

Some people just wake up and know they just aren’t happy and they need to change something. That could be internal or external to their home. Some find that their home is ageing but they don’t have the skills or time for DIY so they look for a new build with all the shiny additions. Or others are bored of the same plain walls and have more time on their hands and budget constraints means buying that bigger but older ‘fixer-upper’ home is more achievable. It could just be that they want to walk outside to something different.

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, we have homes suitable for many budgets ready to view. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

If you’re looking for a property to rent or buy in Slough and the surrounding area now, 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 proposal shared by Boris Johnson’s Government stated that landlords of rental properties should no longer be able to ban new or existing tenants from having pets, as part of the Renters Reform Bill designed to give tenants more power and promising the biggest reforms to the private rented sector in decades. It also says that landlords will only be able to refuse the addition of pets if there is a clear supported reason to do so, such as the property is simply too small to accommodate the requested pet.

We’ve covered some questions below where pets in rental properties are concerned, however; if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call our expert team on 01753 683000 or email us.

Will tenants need permission to have pets?

Tenants will still need to inform their landlord if they are intending to get a new pet. Even if the proposal becomes written law and landlords won’t legally be able to just refuse a pet, it will still be necessary to get their written permission (the same as it is to make changes to most things in a rental property).

It would still be necessary information to disclose to a potential landlord when looking for a new home, whilst they cannot say no pets they still have a right to know who and what is residing in the property.

Can a landlord say no to pets?

If a tenant is currently renting a property and has requested in writing to their landlord that they intend to get a pet, the landlord must object in writing within 28 days and must provide a reasonable explanation if they are refusing the request.

It’s not clear at the moment what the legal path would be for a tenant whose landlord refuses the request and they feel it was unreasonable for them to refuse. According to the proposal, the government will “legislate to ensure landlords do not unreasonably withhold their consent” to allow pets.

‘The choice of wording ‘unreasonably’ leaves a lot of scope for interpretation, and doesn’t guarantee that owning a pet in the property will always be allowed. It is not clear what would count as a reasonable refusal, details are still to be clarified by the government however some reasons may include that the property is too small for the size of the pet, or the property is in a block of flats and the noise for neighbours would be unreasonable.

Will the property be covered for pet damage?   

Prior to 2019 a landlord could increase the deposit request for tenants if they wanted to move in with a pet or request to get a pet, this extra deposit was to account for any potential damage caused or cleaning up after the tenant and their pet left. However, when the Tenant Fee Ban of 2019 came in to effect it meant that this was no longer an option for the landlord, which lead to some placing an all-out ban on pets in their properties in turn making it difficult for tenants to find properties that allowed them to move in with their beloved pets.

If the proposal becomes law in order to cover the risk of potential damage to a property that a pet may cause, the landlord will likely be within their right to request that their tenant obtains pet insurance in order to cover any damages to the property. This is an additional cost that tenants may have to prepare for in the future.

As with any damage to a rental property, the 5-week deposit may be at risk if a pet damages the property or fleas are discovered during cleaning. Having a good inventory taken is essential for both parties when a tenant intends to moves in.

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, we have homes suitable for many budgets ready to view. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

The property market is a busy place at the moment and with some important deadlines approaching quickly, now might be the best time to make your move; if you are looking to move in the near future make sure you get in touch with us on 01753 683000 or email us.

The average time to complete

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate our lives, we are seeing delays across almost all individual stages of the transactional process. Before the virus hit, the national average time for an agreed sale to complete was around 90 days; we were always proud to fall under this number and were accustomed to helping our clients complete sooner than that number.

The new national average has seen this figure rise to 110-115 days. This means that somewhere in the UK there are people who agreed a sale in 2020 and still might not make it into their new homes before the end of the Stamp Duty Holiday. Not to brag, but since May 2020, we have had very few transactions which have exceeded the pre-Covid-19 national average time.

Why is it taking longer?

There are a number of reasons for delays to occur. As mentioned previously the property market is a busy place in which to operate at the moment. The Stamp Duty Holiday sparked a deluge of activity as people made big decisions about their living situations and looked to benefit from the huge savings available on.

Some delays will be down to sheer volume of transactions; there are many components and moving parts to a property transaction and, on occasion a bottle neck can occur slowing multiple processes.

With so many people using the tax break as a once in a lifetime opportunity to assess their living situation and the infectious nature of the virus, there is also a high chance that people working on the transaction, and indeed the buyers/vendors themselves contracting Covid-19 which can delay things further.

The Stamp Duty Holiday Deadline

In order to benefit from the Stamp Duty Holiday, your transaction must complete before 31^st March 2021 (this is accurate at the time of writing (10/02/2021). With the lead times for completion edging the four-month mark, this means that a high number of transactions may miss the deadline.

This could mean that if a buyer is relying on the tax break in order to afford a property and the saving is removed from the transaction on dead line day, they will have to pull out of the deal. So, if an extension to the Stamp Duty Holiday isn’t put in place by the Government, we could end up seeing a great number of transactions fall through and chains collapsing.

Stamp Duty Holiday Extension

At the risk of getting peoples’ hopes up; the issue of the Stamp Duty Holiday Extension is due for debate in Parliament after a petition reached more that 100,000 signatures online. This doesn’t mean to say that there WILL be an extension, but it doesn’t rule one out and with unofficial news this week that they are looking to extend the holiday until the end of June it’s looking more positive.

We’re no strangers to a bit of Stamp Duty bashing and have made no secret of our dislike for this tax; removing it from transactions has stimulated the property market and has kept a great many people in jobs.

As far as we could see, the Government is/was limited to just a couple of possible options.

• Simple Extension – If the Government extends the Holiday for 6-9 months this will keep people moving, buying, selling houses; we’ll remain busy and then when the deadline comes around, we’ll find ourselves in a similar situation to now.
• Gradual Reintroduction – The Government could reduce the percentage of the Stamp Duty Tax in order to keep buying a new home an affordable and attractive proposition.

We will bring you further details when the budget is announced in March.

Get in Touch

Remember, as the leading independent letting agents in Colnbrook and the surrounding areas we are location experts and are always happy to help. So, if you are thinking of moving house or have seen a property on our website, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

We are all working remotely from home and can still be contacted on our usual number 01753-683000 or via email to Steve or Chris.

We are operating our normal business hours but please can we ask for your patience and consideration at this time.

Viewings have now all been minimised but we will continue to provide as much of our service as we possibly can, but for now, all periodic inspections have been suspended. Any maintenance issues reported by tenants, will be carried out in time, however the most urgent issues will take priority i.e. no hot water or heating etc.

Thank you. From us all at S John Homes

Get in Touch

Remember, as the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and the surrounding areas we are location experts and are always happy to talk you through your property options. You can contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook,  LinkedIn and Instagram.