Blogs
Apr 1, 2021
HOW TO GET YOUR GARDEN SUMMER READY
Whether you are a green fingered fanatic and can’t wait to pull on your gardening gloves and get stuck in, or if you consider the maintenance of your outside space as just another household task that you need to tick off a list, you can’t deny that the imminent arrival of summer is the perfect time to update and refresh your garden. From the planting of spring flowering bulbs to sprucing up your winter-weathered garden furniture, keep reading to find out how you can make your garden summer ready in six simple steps. 1. GET UNDERWAY WITH WEEDING Possibly the most boring and time consuming of all the garden maintenance tasks is weeding, but unfortunately it is a crucial step in getting your garden summer ready. Start by removing any weeds that have accumulated in your flower-beds and then look to remove any dead plants from around your garden. You can also tidy up your borders using a strimmer or an edging tool. 2. TEND TO YOUR LAWN After a long winter without a trim, your lawn is no doubt in need of a good mowing. It is always best to mow your lawn when it is dry, and you should also leave the grass clippings where they fall as this will provide the soil with moisture and nutrients, resulting in a healthier lawn. Now is also the ideal time to aerate your lawn. This can be done either by hand with a fork, or with an aerating machine. 3. FIX UP YOUR FENCE Fences can take quite a battering over the winter months and nothing can make your garden look as neglected and uncared for as a faded wooden fence. Therefore, it is vitally important that you repaint and treat your fence to ensure it looks its best once the sun starts shining again. If you have painted your fence previously, you should first strip off this colour before you start the re-painting and treating process. The colour of your fence is completely dependent on your personal preference although it should be noted that darker stains can make your garden appear smaller. If in doubt, try and choose a shade that will complement the plants and flowers in your garden, as well as any garden furniture that you may have. 4. SET UP A SCRUBBING STATION Depending on the items you have in your garden, you may have a fair amount of cleaning on your hands. From a rusty BBQ, to grubby outdoor seating, to debris littered decking; essential cleaning will definitely be on your list of tasks for ensuring your garden is summer ready. To remove rust from your BBQ, simply mix one cup of baking soda with a little bit of vinegar, apply to the affected area, leave for half an hour and then scrub away with soapy water and a sponge. Outdoor tables and chairs can also be revived with just a bucket of warm soapy water and a bit of elbow grease. 5. SOW YOUR SEEDS Whether you favour flowers or prefer growing a selection of edible plants, now is the perfect time to start deciding what you want to grow and where. Once you have established your preferred plants, you should start ordering your summer flowering bulbs and seeds. Now is also a good time to hunt down and eliminate any hibernating garden pests that may attack and destroy your precious plants and produce once they awake from their slumber. You can either use a shop bought pesticide, or you can make your own soap spray that will effectively eliminate any pests. Simply mix one tablespoon of dishwashing soap with one gallon of water and spray directly onto the insects. 6. INSTALL A WATER BUTT Keeping your garden looking fresh and vibrant requires a lot of watering, especially over the warm summer months. Using water from your tap can send your utility bills spiralling if you have a water meter fitted, so instead, install your own water butt. There are a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from including slimline options if you do not have much space and second-hand butts available on eBay if you are keen to save money and do your bit for the environment. Other water saving tips for your garden include: Using a watering can instead of a hose pipe Watering your plants when the temperature is at its coolest, either first thing in the morning or later in the evening Not overwatering your plants Not worrying if your lawn becomes scorched, it will recover quickly once the rain returns If you are getting your property market ready and planning on moving to or within the Chesterfield area soon, why not telephone us on 01246 211646 or call in. We’ll be happy to advise you on our available properties in the area.
Apr 1, 2021
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHAIN PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY
Buying and selling a property can be a super stressful time, and our responsibility is of course to ensure things go as smoothly as possible. Perhaps you’re ready to move, but the people buying your house need their buyers to get up to speed. And those buyers also need their buyers to press the pedal down on the transaction! Before you know it, suddenly you’re getting into a long old property chain, and we know that sometimes chains can break, taking with them your hopes of a move into a dream property. This can be absolutely heartbreaking. Consumer body Which? surveyed 2,000 homemovers, and discovered “around three in 10 (28%) people have experienced a property purchase falling through”. There are several reasons why a property chain breaks. But, the good news is, you can do something about it and play your part in making sure the chain keeps moving. So, here are our top seven tips on how to keep your house chain moving. Choose a Chain-Free Buyer This sounds so simple, doesn’t it? You may get a few offers on your house, but only one may not be part of a chain. This means they don’t need to rely on something else happening in order to move. So, if you are lucky enough to get two or three people offering on your property (and the price is right), choose the one who you think will cause the least trouble! Top Tip: This is where you can rely on us, your trusted estate agent in Chesterfield to do our job and find out more about your potential buyers. Set Goals When you are right at the beginning of the process with a potential buyer, make sure you stipulate, through your estate agent, your preferred timescales. Things may not always stick to plan, but if you are all aware of a date you are working towards, it will focus minds. Top Tip: Be realistic. You may want your move to progress at lightning speed, but selling your home can be a complex process and take so much longer than you anticipate. Be Prepared When you’re thinking about property chains, it’s easy to think about what all the other parties are doing, and focus on how they can stop your chain from breaking. But don’t forget, you’re part of the chain too, so don’t be the one who holds things up! Make sure your paperwork is in order, finances organised and mortgage offers are on the table. Top Tip: Make sure your paperwork is to hand to refer to, whether you’re at home or in the office. If a query arises there won’t be a delay in you responding. Respond Well Keeping the chain moving takes good communication from all parties, and that includes you. Your conveyancer may need information quickly or an email response before close of business on a particular day. Be accessible, and make sure everyone has the correct contact details for you. Top Tip: Respond to any queries promptly to avoid delays in clarification. If you need to seek out information that you don’t have to hand, don’t put it off! Use Experienced Professionals You’re selling your house – probably your biggest asset – so you should ensure that you have professionals doing the job for you. Choose your estate agent, not necessarily on their fees, but on their experience and ability to keep things moving. You want them to be progressing and chasing where necessary, and making the calls and sending the emails. Top Tip: Draw up your shortlist of reputable, local estate agents and speak with each of them. You need a good relatiosnhip with your agent so making sure you are on the same wave-length and you get a good vibe is important. Remember, how they act with you is also how they will act with potential buyers! Think Outside the Chain If there’s a problem with the house chain further up, consider selling your property and renting somewhere to live until the right property comes up for you rather than risk losing your own buyer. This might not work, of course, if you’ve got your heart set on somewhere in particular, but it could be an option. Top Tip: Renting doesn’t have to be forever. You can usually enter into a short-term tenancy agreement which will give you time to look around and find somewhere new to call your own home. Be Agile Should a property chain break, and you lose the property you were going to buy, make sure you can move quickly when it comes to other alternative properties. Is it possible for the chain to discuss the issues and come to an agreement, perhaps to negotiate on prices? Top Tip: If you’re ready for all eventualities, then a broken chain may not lead to your heart breaking too. It really doesn’t have to be a dead-end. If you want expert help on buying and selling or any advice regarding being in a property chain, then simply get in touch with us, New Oak Estates. Call us on 01246 211646 or email info@newoakestates.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.
Apr 1, 2021
A GUIDE TO REMOVAL COSTS
There is a vast array of criteria to consider when budgeting for an upcoming house move in Chesterfield. Removal costs are often a forgotten expense. However, it is essential to account for them, preventing any nasty surprises. How do Removal Companies Charge? There are a variety of ways companies bill for their services. Most will charge hourly, which means the quantity of items you require moving is generally a good indicator of how much the job will cost. Try to give the removals company the most accurate description of your home and belongings to obtain the best quote. No two homes will look the same, and basing your move on the number of bedrooms can mean you estimate completely wrong. Underestimating the number of items you need moving will only lead to a larger than expected bill, a frustrated workforce, and a more stressful process. Which day of the week you chose to move will affect the cost. Fridays and Saturdays are generally the busiest, and therefore the most expensive day to move to a new house. Beware of simply choosing the company with the lowest rates. Remember, they are transporting your possessions, and the last thing you want is any hiccups on the final hurdle of the moving process. Long Distance Moves Most removal companies will charge a minimum fee, equating to their rate for two hours. However, this flat fee is generally not a cause for concern. Even the shortest of moves usually take longer than this when loading and unloading the van is considered. Long-distance moves are generally much more expensive due to the time required to drive between properties. You may, therefore, be tempted to hire a van and move yourself. However, by doing so, you could be adding a great deal of unwanted and unnecessary stress to your day. Packing Services You may also choose to hire the removal company to pack and unpack your belongings. This can further help reduce stress in the lead up to the move. However, this service comes at a cost. Expect to pay anywhere from £150 for a one-bedroom property towards the £500 mark for a three-bedroom home. Although this is an extra expense to add to the process, it can be worth it if you lack the time or inclination to get involved with these tasks. You will be impressed with the efficiency with which the professionals work. Be sure to discuss whether materials (packing tape, boxes, bubble wrap) will be provided by the team when calculating the expense. Many removal companies will also offer a dismantling service. Perfect for any flat pack furniture that you wish to rebuild in your new home, helping with the logistics of moving between rooms. These services generally start from around £100, depending on the item and the company. Special Care Items If you have any particularly delicate or precious items you want to be handled with more care, you will pay more for the removal company to deal with them. This may include using specially designed crates for expensive electronics such as televisions and computers or carefully wrapping any delicate art pieces. Extra Equipment Required The removal company might need to use extra equipment for any particularly heavy or challenging items you own. Some pieces may not fit up or down the stairs, meaning they have to be removed through windows. This process will undoubtedly add to the total bill. Delays Unfortunately, delays can occur when it comes to moving home. If your move is delayed by a matter of hours, there may be a waiting charge to pay to the removal company to cover the time they have lost. If your move is delayed to a completely different day, there may be a cancellation fee payable. Consider other factors that may be included, such as the price of storing items or funding accommodation for yourself should the move become disjointed. Insurance Insurance is one of the most significant benefits of choosing a removal company over attempting the task yourself. Good companies will offer a range of insurance plans, starting from as little as £20, ranging up to insurance covering you for £50,000 worth of damages. Insurance is always recommended to give you peace of mind during the moving process. Final Thoughts on Removal Costs It is tough to place an accurate figure on how much your move will cost. There are many factors that will need to be considered, including the number of items you have, the level of support you require and the distance you are moving. So it’s best to do your research and gain quotes from multiple companies. New Oak Estates are your local property experts for the Chesterfield area and are in contact with some fantastic, reliable removal companies. Call us on 01246 211646 or email info@newoakestates.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.
Apr 1, 2021
PROPERTY SELLING MYTHS
When it comes to selling your home, there’s a lot of overwhelming information and old wives tales out there, and it can sometimes be difficult separating the fact from the fiction. Advice often comes from well-meaning friends or family members who are just trying to be helpful, but in reality, they are not property experts! Our team at New Oak Estates are all experienced property professionals with many years of experience between us. So, to ensure you are in possession of the correct information, here are seven home selling myths you’re likely to hear and why they’re not to be believed. Overpricing Your Home Will Lead to Better Offers Unfortunately, many sellers believe that by overpricing their house to start with, it leaves more room for negotiation and ultimately a better offer. That’s why we often see sellers marketing their properties with the agent who has simply come in with the highest valuation! However, this is entirely false. When buyers are looking at properties, they’ll search within their price range. If your property price has been inflated, then it’s going to be competing against other properties that appear to be far better value for money, rather than sitting in the price bracket it should be in! This potentially means it will sit on the market for longer. Buyers whose budget doesn’t stretch to the higher price range will miss out on seeing your property altogether as they’re not even looking in that price bracket. You’ll attract more offers and sell your property more quickly if it’s been priced fairly. It gives it a chance to stand out among other properties in its price range, rather than being a poor relation in the higher price category. And you’re more likely to see interested parties competing upwards rather than knocking you down. Getting an Immediate Offer Means it’s Priced Too Low If you’ve resisted the urge to overprice your home and an offer comes in straight away, it’s tempting to think that you’ve missed a trick by not marketing it at a higher price. After all, if you had done, then you’d be a few thousand pounds better off surely. Again, this is false. Most buyers scour the market for a couple of months, waiting for the perfect property to come up, and there’s a good chance that they’ve jumped in immediately to avoid missing out. Remember too that if you’d overpriced it, there’s a chance they wouldn’t have found it in the first place. A Better Offer Will Come Along if You Wait This is another all too familiar trap that sellers fall into. After all, if you’ve had an offer on the very same day your home has gone on sale, then surely there’s likely to be a whole queue of buyers lining up for it? No, not necessarily. You might just have been lucky enough to have the right buyer come along at the right time. If you receive a fair offer, then it’s usually best to accept it whether your property has been on the market for hours, days , weeks or months. The Estate Agent With the Lowest Commission is the Best Option While you’ll naturally want to earn as much money from your property sale as possible, it doesn’t mean you should sign a contract with the estate agent who offers the cheapest fees. Selling a property can be a very stressful process. A good estate agent will help make it run as smoothly as possible while communicating effectively and providing outstanding service, so it’s crucial you weigh up what’s included in their fee. Although it’s tempting to cut costs as much as possible in the short term, you might come to regret it over the longer term, especially if your property isn’t selling. Major Renovations Will Offer the Biggest Return on Investment Many homeowners are under the impression that if they spend a few thousand pounds on a conservatory, a swimming pool or a landscaped garden, they’ll just be able to add the cost of it to the house when they come to sell. Sadly, it’s not quite as simple as this. Not all buyers will want to maintain a pool or require the space that a conservatory ultimately takes away from their garden, for example. Many buyers prefer to start with a blank canvas too, so they can add their own renovations. That’s not to say that a major renovation is a bad idea, but if you’re only doing it to see a return when you come to sell, then it might be worth considering the type of renovation or extension that will bring you the best returns. It’s Not Worth Fixing the House up at all If you’ve decided to sell your property, it’s understandable that you won’t be thinking about spending even more money on it. After all, it won’t be you seeing the benefits long-term. This logic is flawed, though, and it could cost you when it comes to getting the full asking price. A property that’s well maintained and looked after is far more appealing to buyers. Fixing broken fences and gates, tidying the garden, replacing broken windows or doors and giving any tired rooms a fresh lick of paint will go a long way towards selling your property for its true value. Online Valuations are 100% Accurate Online valuations are a fantastic tool and we are most definitely in favour! However, a quick online valuation of your property should be used as a guide. Online tools don’t always take into account the condition of a property or the extra value you may have added. They’re simply using other similar sized and types of properties in your area as a guideline. The best way to get your property valued is always to contact an experienced, local estate agent who will come and value your property in person. New Oak Estates are your local property experts for the Chesterfield area. Call us on 01246 211646 or email info@newoakestates.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.
Feb 2, 2021
10 TIPS FOR BUY TO LET SUCCESS
Buying a property and letting it out can be very rewarding. Not only do you receive a rental income, but the property itself should also increase in value over time. The property you are renting out is an investment, but you must make sure that it is looked after and well maintained. Of course, you may also be busy with a job and family, and while buying to let is a business, it may not always be the first priority in your life. That’s why we have put together our 10 Tips for Buy-to-Let Success guide. These tips are based on our many years of experience of helping landlords run successful businesses. If you would like help and advice on the rental market in Chesterfield, email us at info@newoakestates.co.uk or call 01246 211646. Choose Your property Wisely You may want to invest your money and start getting a return as quickly as possible, but first, you must do your homework and consider the type of property you want and what sort of tenant you need. You might be thinking about students, but what if there isn’t a market for students in the area? Top tip Speak to the professionals. We know the Chesterfield market locally and can advise you accordingly. Decide how Much Involvement You Want Decide what sort of landlord you want to be. Will you be hands-on and do a lot of the maintenance work yourself, or do you want to get tradespeople in to do the work for you? Top Tip If you’re relying on tradespeople, ask around and develop a list of trusted contacts to be used when required. Will You Manage the Property? There are quite a few things you need to do including getting gas and electric certificates, collecting rent, dealing with maintenance and other issues, even managing the process of eviction should it come to that. So, are you able to do much of this management yourself, or do you need an experienced lettings manager to take the strain? Top Tip We can help you find a tenant, sort the contracts and look after the management – if you want us to! Understand the Potential Net Returns You may have money in the bank to invest in property. You may also have the desire to be a landlord and are thinking of the potential returns. But, have you actually done the maths? Sit down with a pen and paper and do some research into all the other costs, for example: Landlords Insurance Servicing and gas and electric safety certificates EPC certificate Costs of repairs and maintenance Tax Void Periods Tenant Acquisition Utility Bills Management Fees This is to name but a few! Top Tip Make sure you can afford it. This might sound silly, but if the returns aren’t as great as you think, and the additional costs rack up, you could be in for a surprise. Be Aware that Property Prices can go Up and Down! Property is a sound investment most of the time. We would definitely recommend being a buy-to-let landlord, particularly in Chesterfield, but you should be aware that property markets can go down as well as up. Top Tip Be in it for the long run. Be patient as markets can fluctuate but a good landlord knows this and sticks with it. Always get Insurance We firmly advise that you need Landlords Insurance and Buildings Insurance and maybe even Contents Insurance too. It’s better to be safe than sorry and should anything untoward happen, you will know that you are covered. Top Tip Speak with an experienced insurance broker. They will go through the level of cover you need and why. Be Efficient and Keep Records of Everything A buy-to-let property is best when it has a paying tenant of course. When it is empty, it costs you money. Landlords who can move quickly when they need to find a tenant are the ones who have successful businesses. Top Tip Make sure your paperwork is organised and in order. Keep a list of preferred suppliers including plumbers and electricians so that any work can be done quickly. Choose the Right Lettings Agent A good lettings agent will advise you on which area to look at when acquiring a property, and will know the sorts of rent you could expect to get. They’ll be able to recommend tradespeople, and be able to sort the contracts out. It’s worth doing your research and getting the right team in place. Top Tip Seek recommendations from other landlords who have used an agent in your area. Don’t Fall in Love with the Property This is an interesting one. There’s a difference between liking a property and loving it. If you love it, you may well not see it as a business and it is a business that has to make money. Top Tip You won’t be living in the property, but you can put your stamp on it in some way, perhaps the garden design for example. Plan for the Future While you have a property to rent out, ask yourself what your future plans look like: What’s your long-term goal for the property? Do you know whether you want to sell it eventually? Do you want to keep it and live in it at some point? Top Tip Set your goals right at the start. That way, you will know what to do and when to make the right decisions. We have years of experience in helping buy-to-let landlords and we can help you. Please get in touch. Email us at info@newoakestates.co.uk or call us on 01246 211646.
Feb 1, 2021
HOW WILL A RECESSION AFFECT THE CHESTERFIELD PROPERTY MARKET?
The Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the economy, with the UK officially going into recession in 2020 for the first time in 11 years. But is it really all bad news? WHAT IS A RECESSION? A recession is officially caused when the economy shrinks for two consecutive quarters, which occurred during the first half of 2020. The nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic led to a record 20.4% fall between April and June, which followed a 2.2% drop between January and March. Despite a slight recovery in the second half of the year, due to the ongoing COVID situation, it’s unlikely that the economy will bounce back to pre-covid levels anytime soon. The government’s Stamp Duty holiday and furlough scheme – or Job Retention Scheme to give it it’s full title, have both helped to keep the property market booming in recent months, but with the Stamp Duty holiday due to end on 31st March and the furlough scheme coming to a close on 30th April, 2021 is forecast to be a rocky road for the property industry. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT HOUSE PRICES? We can’t say with 100% certainty exactly how house prices will be affected, however, based on previous recessions, it’s very likely there’ll be an eventual drop in value for many properties. Much will depend on what happens after the Stamp Duty holiday and furlough schemes end. Some property commentators believe that prices could fall as much as 25%, but depending on how quickly the economy can bounce back in a post-covid world, the drop in value may not be as sharp as that. A drop in prices is seemingly inevitable due to rising unemployment levels, reduced salaries for those on furlough and pay freezes for those lucky enough to have remained in full-time employment throughout the pandemic. Should the Stamp Duty holiday be extended then it may be sufficient to keep property prices relatively stable. Similarly, if the furlough scheme is extended beyond April and a large proportion of people who are benefitting from it can retain their jobs and get back to full-time salaries then the fall in property prices may not be so dramatic. As with 2020 there’s likely to be a lot of uncertainty over the next few months, and the key to whether prices drop significantly or not, will rely on how quickly the economic recovery happens once lockdown ends and life begins to return to normal. IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY A PROPERTY? This of course will depend on your individual circumstances. Yes it may be a good time to buy, but not for everyone. If you have a stable income that’s been unaffected by the pandemic and your job is as secure as it can be, then of course a drop in prices is beneficial for you as a buyer. Be aware though, generally speaking it’s harder to borrow money in a recession so you’re likely to need a larger deposit and there may be fewer mortgage deals available. IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO SELL A PROPERTY? The market is currently still buoyant and so for most homeowners, it is a good time to sell your property. Even in a recession, people still need to move home and desirable areas will always remain desirable. For example, during the first lockdown, some of the major property websites reported a big jump in visitors searching for countryside properties with a garden, while flats in city centres saw a fall in demand. Therefore, depending on the type of property you own and its location, it may hold its value well, regardless of a recession. HOW WILL A RECESSION AFFECT ME IF I’M PLANNING TO STAY IN MY PROPERTY? Again, we can only make an educated estimate based on the last recession, however, you may benefit from a fall in interest rates on your mortgage, leaving you with more disposable income each month. The fall in interest rates could also lead to some good deals out there for homeowners. Finally, if you’re not planning on selling your property in Chesterfield just yet, then if a fall in its value does occur, this doesn’t need to be alarming. In the long term you can usually expect the value of your property to increase again. For more expert property advice in Chesterfield, call our experienced and friendly team on 01246 211646.
Feb 1, 2021
WHAT IS PROBATE? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
You may have heard about probate and “probate property” but not really know much about what it actually means. You wouldn’t be the only person for whom probate is much of a mystery. After all, it’s not every day that you have to deal with probate matters. In this article, we set out in plain English: What is probate What probate property means How to navigate your way through probate whether you are buying or selling. What is Probate? When someone dies, the person who applies for the right to deal with the deceased’s possessions and property has to “apply for probate”. If the person who died left a Will, then the applicant can be given a “grant of probate”. If someone has not left a Will, then a person gets “letters of administration”. If someone hasn’t left a Will but has part-owned a property it will pass to the part-owner. Note that the rules are slightly different in England when compared to Wales or Scotland. More information can be found on the Government websites. Our Advice When someone dies, you will need to contact the owner of the asset (property). This is usually the organisation with whom the deceased has a mortgage. It is helpful in this case if paperwork is easily traceable along with details of finances and other things to do with a home. What is a Probate Property? A probate property is a property that is subject to the probate process. You will need to have the ‘grant of probate’ to be able to dispose of the property. You’ll have the authority to sell the property and sign all the required documents. Without it, the property will be in limbo. Our Advice The probate process can be lengthy, and sometimes seem complex. While probate may not be something you have to deal with right now, it is worth understanding what you need to do in advance. How to Find Out Who Owns a Property It’s quite simple to find out who owns a property. The Government website is the best place to refer to, although there are commercial sites that offer a similar service. If you go to the Land Registry site, you need to create an account and then find the property you want information about. For a small fee, you can then download a copy of the Land Registry document that tells you who owns a specific property. If a bank or other organisation still has a charge over it (which means money is still owed on it), it will show up on the document. Our Advice Know the exact address for the property you want the information for. While it may only be a small cost, if you’re downloading a number of documents, the cost will start to rack up. Selling a Probate Property Putting the property on the market is not the end of the story. Remember, when you’re selling a probate property, it has to be valued as it was at the time the deceased passed away. This is because it has inheritance tax implications and HRMC need to know the correct figures. You should wait until you have the legal authority to sell the property before marketing it. While it may be tempting to get ahead of things by putting the property on the market, the legal side of probate means you could end up losing potential buyers if you are premature. Our Advice Use a conveyancer to deal with the legal side of things. You can also use the services of a solicitor who specialises in inheritance tax and conveyancing. Buying a Probate Property A probate property could be an opportunity to get your hands on a relatively inexpensive home. Often, a property that has been inherited is not needed by the recipient and a quick sale releases preferred funds. In this case, the seller may be tempted to accept a lower offer to get the property off their hands. Be aware that if the property is being sold by an executor who has never lived in the property themselves and doesn’t know it very well, there may be unknown issues so it’s wise to get a survey done. Similarly, make sure that whoever is selling the property has the authority to do so! Our Advice Do your homework. Ask questions of the executor or the estate agent and be thorough. A probate property presents opportunities, but there are i’s to dot and t’s to cross. There’s paperwork to get right and it’s paramount that you seek advice from transparent experts who will tell you everything you need to know. Communication is key, whether you are buying or selling a probate property. We can help you with the process. Email us at info@newoakestates.co.uk or call us on 01246 211646.
Jan 2, 2021
ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS: EVERYTHING LANDLORDS NEED TO KNOW
When you are a landlord, you should remember that people actually live in your property! It’s more than just bricks and mortar and an investment. It’s ultimately someone’s home. There lies within property ownership a responsibility to tenants to make sure that they are safe. Indeed, it’s an obligation, and it’s a legal responsibility too. For years, landlords have had to carry out regular gas safety checks, but new rules now mean that landlords must carry out electrical safety checks too. Here, we set out what they’re all about. WHAT’S CHANGED? The Government, which says it acknowledges many landlords are responsible owners, said it wants to make sure people are safe when they live in rented accommodation. So, new guidelines were drafted, and those new rules came into force in June 2020 as the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. At the time, the Government said: “This is a major step towards levelling up the private rented sector, making sure it will offer high-quality, safe and secure housing.” This is good thinking, and a welcome move, particularly when you consider that gas safety checks have been carried out for years now. WHAT DO THE NEW RULES MEAN? Landlords must now comply with the new regulations. They must have “the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every five years”. A copy of the electrical safety report must be provided to tenants, and also to a local authority (like the council) if requested. Basically, electrical testing has got to be done by professionals with the correct knowledge and skill. DOES THIS APPLY TO ALL OF A LANDLORD’S PROPERTIES? The new regulations must be adhered to, but there are two dates to be mindful of. The rules apply to new tenancies from July 1, 2020. This means for new tenancies that commenced after July 1, a safety report should already have been carried out. However, landlords have until April 1, 2021, for existing tenancies. CAN ANYONE DO AN INSPECTION? No. As the guidelines say, the inspection must be carried out by a competent person who is registered to do so. You can find a list of professionals here www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk WHAT DO THE INSPECTIONS COVER? Inspections are not about fridges of kettles or other small appliances or white goods. What they about are the fixed electrical things like plug sockets and lights, and also showers if they are electric and permanently fixed. Tests will see if everything is safe or if there is a risk of fire or an electric shock. It’s pretty easy to see why an inspection needs to be done – and that is to protect life and property. Depending on what an inspection finds, action may or may not be required. Landlords must then carry out the work within a specified time, and there must be written evidence of this. WHAT HAPPENS IF ELECTRICS REMAIN UNSAFE? Responsible landlords will want to get any electrical issues fixed and will take action to make good anything highlighted in the inspection report immediately. In the guidelines, if work is not carried out, local councils have the authority to serve a remedial notice on a landlord who must then get the job done. If they don’t, and the council is confident that landlord duties have been breached, it can inform the landlord that it intends to impose a fixed penalty – and this could be up to £30,000. It makes good business sense to ensure properties are inspected, and it’s a legal duty now too, so we recommend that landlords get started and make sure their properties have been inspected. Chances are, you’ll have been working with people you trust, but you must ensure they are competent. If you are unsure, use the website www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk to check if a tradesperson you know is registered. If you are a landlord in Chesterfield and have any queries at all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Get in touch with us here at New Oak Estates or call 01246 211646 and we’ll run through the details with you.