Fans, Felines and False Teeth – The Weird Things Tenants Leave Behind

End-of-tenancy checks can spring all manner of surprises on landlords. Take, for example, the landlord in north-west London who discovered an abandoned kitten when taking possession of a property back in August.

The tenants had shot through and left the black and white fluff ball behind. Thankfully, our hero landlord rang the local rescue centre, The Mayhew, and raised the alarm.

An animal welfare officer was quickly on the scene and the feline fella, believed to be about six weeks old, is … Continue Reading…

What Will You Be Stopping and Starting in Northamptonshire Next Month?

Today we look at the things people are stopping and starting in October.

2020 will go down in history as the year when life stopped, albeit temporarily.

And with local lockdowns coming into force, that feeling of stop-starting stuff is still around.

It’s a little like the hokey cokey but with stop-start replacing in-out.

This all makes it a little ironic that next month is now synonymous not just with falling leaves and trick or treating, but with people trying to put a stop … Continue Reading…

The Ten Most Important Things Landlord’s in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough & Rushden Need

If you’re contemplating becoming a landlord, here’s a helpful checklist explaining what it takes to let a property.

You may wonder why a checklist is necessary. After all, how hard can it be? You buy a property, find a tenant, and boom, you’ve got the whole landlord game figured out. Wrong!

The private rental sector is subject to so many rules and regulations that even experienced landlords get caught out and make costly mistakes.

Here’s what you need to know.

1 Legal matters – There … Continue Reading…

Don’t Delay If You Want to Save Money on Moving

We look at why movers in Northamptonshire need to act now if they want to save thousands of pounds in cash.

The legendary American author Mark Twain famously said this about procrastination: ‘Never put off till tomorrow which may be done the day after tomorrow.’

And while it might be a useful mantra when doing something mundane like mowing the lawn or some home DIY, it doesn’t apply to the housing market in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough and Rushden right now.

The national lockdown and … Continue Reading…

Tips to Save on Your Energy Bills and Help the Planet

With 40% of UK carbon emissions coming from households, the road to a cleaner, greener planet starts at home.

First, the good news (yes, there is some)

In 1990, the average UK home generated 12.8 tonnes of CO2. (To get this figure, the Committee on Climate Change analysed data on heating, electricity, transport, aviation and waste.)

By 2014, this figure had dropped to 8.1 tonnes of CO2. The aim now is to get the average down to 4.5 tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

Greener … Continue Reading…

Join the Fight Against Litter

How we can improve the local environment by joining the fight against litter.

If the sight of discarded fag butts, empty bottles and plastic wrappers makes you see red, you’re not alone.

Litter is an issue that frustrates and aggravates many people in the UK, and rightly so.

Not only is litter unsightly and expensive to remove (in 2017/18 keeping the streets clean cost local authorities £663 million), but it can damage the environment and harm wildlife.

Cigarette packets and butts top the list … Continue Reading…

Is Your Rental Property Gas Safe?

Yesterday, Monday (14th) was the beginning of the tenth annual Gas Safety Week.

The awareness campaign is timed to get people thinking about and checking their gas appliances as the autumn chill starts to take hold.

Gas Safety Week’s goal is to raise awareness among homeowners and landlords about the crucial importance of having their gas appliances serviced every year.

And while homeowners don’t legally need an annual gas safety certificate – landlords do.

You cannot lawfully start a tenancy unless a gas safety … Continue Reading…

Why Overvaluing Your Property Costs You in the Long Run

Today we look at why setting an unrealistic asking price can delay and even derail the sale of your home.

If you’re planning on putting your property on the market, there’s one key piece of advice to remember.

It’s not a slick statement from a TED Talk or the title of a trendy self-help book. It’s an age-old saying that your Nana probably used: “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.”

Vendors should keep this in mind when looking for … Continue Reading…

Three Reasons Why The Property Market Is Flying High

Last month saw the UK record its highest temperature in 17 years.

And it’s not just the weather that’s been red-hot.

The property market in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough and Rushden is going through a blisteringly busy period.

At Richard James, we’re seeing a surge in the number of buyers seeking property locally.

Unprecedented was an often-used word to describe the lockdown experience we all went through. And it feels like an appropriate word to use, especially when describing what’s happening in terms of people wanting to move.

But … Continue Reading…