CIMS

Author: timdurman

  • Students Could Benefit From Their Parents Insurance

    Students Could Benefit From Their Parents Insurance

    As students navigate the steep costs of living and studying in the UK, they can often find themselves in need of expensive essentials like laptops, smartphones, and textbooks. The loss or theft of these items can be financially devastating for students. Fortunately, there’s a way for parents to provide an added layer of protection for their children’s possessions while they pursue higher education, potentially saving them money on additional insurance policies.

    One option is to extend their existing home insurance policy to cover their child’s belongings while they are away at university. This approach eliminates the need for students to purchase separate insurance, offering a practical and cost-effective solution1.

    Whilst parents may often wish to financially support their children during their university years, whether it’s contributions towards rent, food or textbooks for example, parents can consider how to safeguard their child’s possessions and financial stability through insurance cover, to protect the items that matter the most.

    Income protection also plays a crucial role in this regard. It can ensure that parents can continue to financially support their child’s education even if they face unforeseen challenges, such as a period of inability to work due to illness or disability.

    By securing income protection, parents can rest assured that they have a financial safety net in place to provide for their child’s needs. This becomes particularly important when considering that students may receive less than the full maintenance loan due to their parents’ income levels.

    It’s worth looking at your own home insurance provider to see if they offer cover options for students, and if you are interested in talking further on income protection options to ensure full peace of mind, please do not hesitate to book an appointment with us to let us look at your exact circumstances and seek to find a cover option that suits you.

    Sources

    1. MoneySuperMarket (2023) Student home insurance. Available at: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/home-insurance/students/ (Accessed 26 Sep 2023)

    All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 28th September 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

  • Boilers and Energy Ratings: What the latest Government Changes Mean for Your Home

    Boilers and Energy Ratings: What the latest Government Changes Mean for Your Home

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently made an announcement1 on a number of policies that affect the UK’s path to ‘Net Zero’2 by 2050. Whilst the headline news was primarily the pushback of the ban on the sale of new pure-petrol & diesel cars to 2035, there were some additional announcements that can affect our homes too.

    Boilers

    Recent years have seen Government policy that traditional fossil fuel boilers were to be phased out, with a requirement for a transition to heat pumps from 2026, meaning that should a gas or oil boiler be due for replacement, then an alternative would need to be sourced.

    The 2026 deadline has now been pushed back to 2035 as part of the Government’s latest announcement, allowing additional time for UK homeowners to install gas or oil boilers into their homes. The Government also announced an increase in grants available to help homeowners transition to heatpumps, from £5,000 to £7,000.1

    The decision has received mixed reactions, certainly those most affected by the change to a heat pump could be those in more rural areas, where it’s reported that some homeowners may face costs of up to £40,000 to replace their existing fossil fuel boilers for example.3

    Generally the transition to a newer heating system can bring certain savings for the homeowner, and the change in the deadline to 2035 gives extra time for UK homeowners to future-proof and upgrade their property to a modern gas or oil boiler before they too are phased out.

    Recent findings show that modern boilers are up to 92% more energy efficient, compared to between 65%-85% efficiency in older boilers, so an upgrade could possibly save you money on heating bills and help to reduce your own carbon footprint. The installation fees of a new boiler, on average, cost between £1,500 to £2,500, which is cheaper than installing low-carbon heating system alternatives.4

    Energy Efficiency Ratings for Rental Property

    Particularly of interest to landlords was the Government announcement on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) – overruling a previous decision to require landlords to have an EPC rating of A-C in order to rent out their property.

    The EPC ratings are similar to what you’d expect to find on a domestic appliance for example, but in this case, apply to rental properties. The Government had set out that a property must have an A-C rating for energy efficiency by the year 2025 if renting out to a new tenant, and that landlords must have upgraded existing properties to A-C rating by 2028 for any properties with existing tenants already in place.1

    This entire policy has now been scrapped under the latest Government plans, leading to mixed reactions from across the marketplace. Whilst some have accused the Government of disregarding environmental concerns, others have celebrated the stimulus this may bring to the rental market and potentially the cost of rent not being increased to cover expensive energy efficiency improvements required to meet the EPC criteria.5

    The uncertainty generated by the EPC rating scheme has been one factor behind the reduction in the volume of rental properties available in the UK, as landlords struggled to make key investment decisions on their portfolio to future-proof it, and instead may have sought to sell property instead, especially as interest rates have risen extensively in recent times and the UK privately rented residential sector has lost over 400,000 homes since 2016.[5][6]

    Ultimately, many landlords may have already begun their planned improvements to bring their rental properties up to the A-C energy standards to meet the criteria, and have already invested significant sums to do so and therefore this announcement comes too late, however they may reap the benefit of reduced energy costs as a result of the greater energy efficiency.

    It’s unknown whether a future Government may overturn the recent EPC announcement, however for the time being it can help to make a buy-to-let purchase more appealing and to some extent reduce the uncertainty in this area.

    The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of Buy to Lets. Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

    Sources

    1. BBC (2023) Rishi Sunak: Cars, boilers and net zero – key takeaways from PM’s speech. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66871073 (Accessed 22 Sep 2023)
    2. BBC (2023) What is net zero and how are the UK and other countries doing? Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58874518 (Accessed 22 Sep 2023)
    3. The Telegraph (2023) The oil boiler ban pushed back to 2035. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/net-zero/how-to-sidestep-the-planned-2026-oil-boiler-ban-heat-pump/ (Accessed 22 Sep 2023)
    4. BoilerGuide (2023) The Future of Boilers Explained. Available at: https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/boilers/future (Accessed 22 Sep 2023)
    5. Financial Reporter (2023) Sunak Scraps EPC Ratings – Industry Reacts. Available at: https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/sunak-scraps-epc-regulations-industry-reacts.html (Accessed 22 Sep 2023)
    6. CBRE (2023) Private Rented Sector Records Loss of 400,000 Rental Homes Since 2016. Available at: https://news.cbre.co.uk/uks-private-rented-sector-records-loss-of-400000-rental-homes-since-2016/ (Accessed 22 Sep 2023)

    All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 28th September 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

  • Finally, Some Positive News for Home Buyers?

    Finally, Some Positive News for Home Buyers?

    As you know, recent times have been filled with headlines about rising mortgage rates, making it challenging for many to balance their monthly mortgage repayments against the rising cost of living or moving home to fit their current life circumstances, for example.

    However, there are further glimpses of positive news as in recent weeks, a number of major UK lenders have started to reduce their rates, representing a refreshing change to the gloomier news seen earlier this year.1

    Alongside this, Halifax have stated that on average, UK housing is more affordable now than 12 months ago. According to their data, the typical home in the UK currently costs 6.7 times the average earnings of a full-time worker, which is down from 7.3 times, a year ago.2

    Some of the key rate changes at a glance

    • Nationwide and TSB have reduced rates by up to 0.4% on selected mortgage products.3
    • Santander and HSBC have reduced selected rates by 0.20%.4
    • Skipton Building Society have reduced their 100% loan-to-value mortgage to 6.29%, along with rate cuts to other mortgage products.5
    • Halifax, part of Lloyds Banking Group, have also stated that a range of price cuts are taking place on their products, including selected five-year rates.6

    These reductions will bolster hopes that we have seen the peak of mortgage rates, even though borrowers still face near-record costs1, with the average cost of a two-year fixed mortgage still at 6.76%, compared to the low rate of 2.34% witnessed back in December 20217  for example.

    Why are these mortgage rates being reduced?

    Recent data showed that UK inflation fell to a 15-month low in June, reversing a sharp increase earlier in the year.1 Furthermore, the need for lenders to compete in a challenging economic environment has also contributed to the rate cuts.

    Looking ahead

    Despite these promising signs, major reductions in mortgage costs are unlikely in the short term, with inflation still high and the Bank of England expecting rates to remain higher for longer.1 However, this recent positive development should not be overlooked, as it provides a glimmer of hope for those either looking to remortgage in the coming months, buy a first home or upsize on their existing property.

    What this means for you

    These lower rates could open more opportunities to find a mortgage that fits your current needs, whether it’s to help you secure a remortgage, find that dream new property, or help someone in your family to get onto the property ladder for the first time – please do get in touch with us to see how we can possibly help.

    We’ll be able to navigate the complex world of mortgages and listen to your exact situation before searching across a wide range of products and strive to help you find one that matches your circumstances, lifestyle and financial goals.

    Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

    Sources

    1. The Guardian (2023) NatWest and Virgin Money cut rates as mortgage ‘price war’ spreads. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/aug/10/natwest-and-virgin-money-cut-rates-as-mortgage-price-war-spreads (Accessed 21st August 2023)

    All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 31st August 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

  • Bills Warning for Heat Pumps in Rural Homes

    Bills Warning for Heat Pumps in Rural Homes

    If your house is in the countryside you could see your heating bills increase by more than two thirds if you decide to install a heat pump, according to figures from industry trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).1

    They calculated that the cost of running a heat pump for rural homes is more than 70 per cent higher per year than a conventional oil boiler. The Government wants to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 and ban all new oil boilers by 2026, as well as put eight million electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads by 2030 as part of the push to meet ‘net zero’ targets.2 

    The proposals have prompted fears in rural communities, where millions of people are not connected to the gas grid and so rely on oil heating, that antiquated local infrastructure will not be able to cope with the sudden demand on electricity. [1][2] 

    The costs associated with upgrading are also significantly higher than staying with conventional boilers. While a replacement oil boiler typically costs £2,500, heat pumps retail in the region of £13,000, according to the EUA.1 

    In an attempt to soften the blow of switching to alternative heating, the Government offers grants of between £5,000 and £6,000 for households to purchase and install a heat pump and advocates argue that this price will reduce as the industry grows.

    However, fewer than 10,000 heat pumps were installed during the first year of the roll-out programme, falling far short of the target of 30,000. Some £90 million of unspent subsidies are set to be handed back to the Treasury due to the lacklustre uptake.1

    Mike Foster, chief executive of the EUA, said: “The government has promised that from 2026 people living in homes off the gas grid – that is typically in rural areas of Britain – would not be able to replace a broken boiler with a new one. By law they would be forced to have a heat pump.”

    “That is not something that most rational people would do as a choice, and if they are forced to do it then the political backlash would be immense.”

    If you live in a rural home, or are considering purchasing a property in a rural area then this will become a key topic to bear in mind in the coming years regarding the plans around the use of heat pumps.

    Sources

    1. Sharetalk (2023) Industry group indicates a 70% increase in bills for rural households transitioning to heat pumps. Available at: https://www.share-talk.com/industry-group-indicates-a-70-increase-in-bills-for-rural-households-transitioning-to-heat-pumps/ (Accessed 23rd August 2023)

    All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 31st August 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

  • Five Tell-tale Signs of Social Media Fraud

    Five Tell-tale Signs of Social Media Fraud

    With the vast majority of us plugged into social platforms, the risk of encountering digital swindlers is only a tap away.

    However, these fraudsters adopt smarter tactics to mask their intentions, often leveraging familiar logos, counterfeit terms of service, and mimicked website URLs to entrap you.

    Often, these schemes involve tempting you to click links where you input your details. Yet, doing so might hand over your personal data to unknown entities or unintentionally spread the fraudulent post among your contacts. Your contacts may then fall prey to the scam, interpreting the shared message as an authentic endorsement.

    Below are five techniques which can help in recognising these digital traps:

    Sounds Too Good to be True

    Deceptive individuals exploit financial anxieties, luring victims with promises of instant relief. They typically dangle irresistible bargains, such as drastically slashed prices or investments promising unrealistically high returns. Your first move? Conduct an online search of the offer. If a business or brand promotes a deal on social media, it’s highly probable they’re also featuring it on their official website.

    Suspicious Links Arrive in Your Inbox

    Always be cautious of unrecognised links. Before you take the plunge, scrutinise them carefully. Malicious links might contain software that compromises your Facebook login and personal data. In extreme cases, you could find yourself locked out, with fraudsters seizing control of your account and targeting your contacts.

    If an unfamiliar email alerts you about a suspicious login attempt, never use its links. Instead, directly access the app to review security measures. Fraudulent emails may lead you to counterfeit login pages, capturing your credentials in the process. This gives them access to all linked personal data, facilitating identity theft. More worryingly, if your account is linked to financial details, there’s a risk of monetary loss.

    Avoid clicking dubious links in messages. Fake sites may sport domain names mimicking established brands to appear trustworthy. Also, while a padlock symbol next to a URL suggests encryption, it’s not fool proof – as they can be faked or purchased.

    Questionable Brand Representation

    Digital imposters often masquerade as reputable brands. Analyse the post for any branding discrepancies. Pay attention to logos and the overall quality of presentation.

    For unfamiliar brands, inspect their profile. Does it exude professionalism or seem haphazard? Delving into reviews can provide added reassurance.

    Persistent Posts

    Repeatedly spotting the same post shared on multiple mediums? It might be cause for concern. They might be unwittingly disseminating a scam. Always trust your gut. Sometimes, it’s preferable to forego an enticing offer rather than compromise your data. For online purchases, consider the seller’s legitimacy and opt for face-to-face transactions when feasible.

    Demands for Bank Transfers Should an online transaction ask for direct bank transfer payments, proceed with caution, especially if you don’t personally know the seller. Purchasing a counterfeit or non-existent item via credit or debit card offers some avenue for recourse. However, bank transfers provide minimal protection, leaving you vulnerable to losses.

  • Guidance for Landlords on Increasing Capital Gains Tax Payments

    Guidance for Landlords on Increasing Capital Gains Tax Payments

    One knock-on effect of the rise in mortgage rates has been a noticeable increase in the amount of buy-to-let properties being sold, as landlords find their mortgages more expensive to afford and representing a less-worthwhile return on investment. Latest available data for April & May this year shows that as many as 25,000 rental properties were sold, compared to 22,000 for the months preceding.1

    As property is sold, landlords may be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if the sale of the property means that the profits exceed the UK Government limits on what an individual can earn before taxation is due.

    Recent figures from HMRC highlight a notable 20% increase in CGT payers during the 2021-22 fiscal year. Around 394,000 individuals encountered this tax, predominantly due to sales that yielded financial gains, such as those from a second property or investment assets.2

    According to these statistics, the tax authority amassed a staggering £16.7 billion in CGT, representing a 15% growth from the previous record.

    Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in taxpayers liable for CGT. With tax-free allowances on the decline, this pattern is set to continue.2

    While CGT covers profits from assets such as shares, secondary residences, and various other belongings, it isn’t solely the domain of the immensely wealthy. A striking 45% of the total CGT derived from gains exceeding £5 million. However, a substantial 214,000 individuals paid it on gains of less than £25,000.3

    Demystifying Capital Gains Tax

    CGT is levied on profits made when selling an asset, determined by subtracting the purchase price from the sale price.

    Various reliefs are accessible depending on the asset type, and there’s an annual CGT exemption for individuals. This was previously set at £12,300 but reduced to £6,000 in 2023, with a further anticipated reduction to £3,000 by 2024.4

    For those in the higher and additional tax brackets, the CGT rates stand at 28% for property gains and 20% for other assets. For basic rate taxpayers, CGT rates vary between 10% and 18%, contingent upon their total taxable income and the asset nature.

    Repercussions for Buy-to-Let Landlords

    Landlords must brace themselves for CGT on profits when divesting from any property other than their primary residence. This includes both second homes and let properties.

    According to recent data, 139,000 taxpayers declared 151,000 residential property sales in the 2022/23 tax year. This led to a combined tax liability of £1.8 billion, markedly higher than the figures from 2020/21.1

    This uptick suggests an increasing number of landlords are leaving the property market, perhaps because of more restrictive tax measures that make buy-to-let investments less enticing.3

    Several CGT reliefs are available to landlords, though they are increasingly limited. One relief is extended to landlords who have let out a property they previously occupied. Here, CGT is levied only on the appreciation during their non-occupancy period. The ‘lettings relief’, however, has seen curtailments, thus diminishing its utility for numerous landlords.5

    Seek specialist advice

    The world of Capital Gains Tax can be complex, however we would recommend seeking expert advice from a qualified financial adviser before making any decisions on the subject, whether you are considering selling a second home or buy-to-let property, or are interested in making an investment in property at this time.

    Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

    Sources

    1. The Guardian (2023) Number of landlords selling up in UK grows as mortgage rates surge. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/14/number-of-landlords-selling-up-in-uk-grows-mortgage-rates-surge-buy-to-let (Accessed 22nd August 2023)

    All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 31st August 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

  • Relieve the stress of going on holiday

    Relieve the stress of going on holiday

    One of the great reasons for taking a holiday is to relieve the stresses and strains of daily life, but if the thought of organising it and making it to your destination without tearing your hair out fills you with dread, here are some tips that will help smooth the path to an anxiety-free vacation.

    Get yourself covered!   You may feel that you can get along without insuring against something going wrong. Whether it is medical,  belongings being stolen, or not being able to go due to an emergency family event, for example, it is important that you have peace of mind.

    • Research the insurance you are getting and make sure it covers what you think it does.
    • Take a copy of the cover with you, so you have contact numbers in the event you need help.
    • Have your EHIC, or get a GHIC, if travelling to Europe. If you hold a current European Health Insurance Card (the EHIC entitles you to access state-provided health care when visiting the EU) this remains valid until its expiry date. After then, or if you do not have an EHIC, you will need to apply in the same way (through NHS online) for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Neither the EHIC or the GHIC is a replacement for travel insurance as it will not cover you for all medical costs, or the cost of emergency repatriation back to the UK.

    Make a list  

    It may sound simple but making a list of what to pack can really help with ensuring that you take everything you need, and nothing gets forgotten in the rush to throw everything in the suitcase before the trip! Similarly, a list creates a great point of reference to make sure you’ve left nothing behind when you re-pack ready to return home.

    Stay powered up

    Mobile phones are increasingly becoming essential travel companions for holidays – for everything from airline boarding gate passes to digital payments and battery-draining social media apps, the need to stay charged is important. Solar-powered USB charging banks can be ideal to power-up on the go or on the beach, whilst one simple hack for avoiding having to buy too many overseas power adaptors can be to bring UK-standard extension leads with multiple plug sockets attached.

    Check weight and size of luggage

    If you are travelling by air, check the luggage weight restrictions. They can vary between airlines. Also cabin luggage needs to conform to your airline’s size guidelines. Each airline differs in this respect, so check carefully as  having a bag size outside the specifications or that does not fit can mean extra expense if it has to be put in the hold.

    Shop around!  

    Getting to the airport can cost a significant sum also, so it’s worth thinking about whether you’ll be getting a lift or using public transport, compared to the cost of travelling by car and parking at the airport itself. If being dropped off, be prepared for most UK airports to charge for drop-offs at the airport, in many cases, the cheaper option is frequently to be dropped at the Long Stay parking areas and to travel by the provided park & ride bus system, but consider the time it will take to get to your terminal, as well as trying to get the cheapest deal.

    Car hire  

    For a stress-free experience, it’s worth booking your hire car before you go on holiday. It can help to make the process of leaving the airport a much smoother affair and get you into the holiday spirit even faster!

    Join a loyalty programme

    Many airlines and travel firms run their own loyalty schemes, by taking some time to research and join up in advance, you can often earn points or air miles that can help fund future holiday activity and make your trips away a little less stressful. Your day-to-day spend can often earn you benefits that you’ll reap whilst on holiday – such as the chance to trade points for flight cabin upgrades, the ability to select seats ahead of others or complimentary airport lounge access, amongst other benefits from the wide range of different loyalty programmes out there.

  • Let us help you navigate this crazy mortgage world

    Let us help you navigate this crazy mortgage world

    With the news this month that average mortgage rates have now reached their highest level in 15 years – 6.66%1, and that over a million people are facing a hike of £500 a month in their mortgage repayments by 20262, it highlights the importance of seeking professional mortgage & protection advice in such a volatile market.

    If you’re looking to move home, or have a remortgage coming up soon, then it’s highly likely that your monthly mortgage repayments will be much larger than what you’re used to, however, with the complexity of the deals available, we are ready to help find the most suitable deal for your circumstances, for when the time comes.

    Plan ahead & speak to us

    Given that mortgage repayments are likely to rise, the wisest thing you can do is to plan ahead to see how this impacts your finances, and identify if there’s anything you need to change now, which will benefit you much more when it’s time to move to the new deal.

    You’ll most likely be contacted by your lender, offering deals and opportunities to change your mortgage, but we would recommend seeking our advice before making any decisions.

    As your mortgage & protection advisers, we are here to support you through the challenging times. Book an appointment with us to review your existing deal, and we’ll be able to look across the mortgage market across deals from a wide range of lenders, and have access exclusive deals that are not available on the high street.

    We’ll take time to look at your exact circumstances and build an understanding of your goals, which will help us to find the most suitable mortgage for you. In such a turbulent and fast-changing time, you need to be sure that you are making the most appropriate, well-informed decision for your situation, so we are ready to give you the advice you need for when you need it.

    What to do if you’re struggling

    We know that times are tough right now, so if you are worried about meeting your existing mortgage repayments, then we want to do what we can to point you in the right direction to get help at the earliest possible opportunity.

    Start by talking to your mortgage lender and make them aware that you are struggling. There are a range of measures that they may offer to help with a situation, such as switching the mortgage to interest-only for a temporary period or reducing monthly payments for a set timescale, for example.

    At the same time, it’s worth bearing in mind that making changes, even temporary ones, may result in higher monthly payments in future or paying back more overall. Mortgage borrowers should carefully consider any steps they take and customers who can keep up with their payments should continue to do so.

    For this reason, as well as speaking to your lender immediately, we also recommend contacting us at the same time to talk through anything related to your mortgage, your monthly payments or even if you are concerned about how you could be affected if rates were to rise further – we are here to help. We will be able to look at your specific circumstances, explain everything that you need to know and help you make decisions that are the most appropriate for you.

    YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. 

    Sources

    BBC News (2023). Mortgage rates soar to highest level in 15 years. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66153812 (Accessed 17 July 2023)

    BBC News (2023). Mortgage payments set to jump by £500 for one million households.  Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66172954 (Accessed 18 July 2023)

    All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 27th July 2023. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

  • Tips for smooth driving to improve economy

    Tips for smooth driving to improve economy

    Times are hard right now, and with costs going up across the board, we’ve compiled a few money-saving tips that motorists can try to extract the maximum economy from your car and save a few pounds along the way.

    Maintenance – It stands to reason that to get the most fuel economy out of your vehicle you need to ensure that the engine and running gear are running at maximum efficiency. Missing regular car servicing may well cost you more money over time, as cheaper, minor maintenance jobs are likely to develop into more major issues if left unchecked for a long period of time.

    Tyres – Easy to forget, but having tyres inflated to the factory settings is a must if you want to maximise efficient fuel consumption. Over-inflating tyres can be equally as bad for fuel economy as under-inflating, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended settings, which can be found in your vehicle’s user manual, or often printed on the sticker inside the driver’s door frame.

    Light right foot – Excessive speed is the biggest fuel guzzling factor, so having a light right foot and ensuring all acceleration is gentle is very important to fuel efficient driving.

    Anticipation – don’t lose momentum. Keeping your car moving at a constant speed is essential to fuel economy. Obviously, this depends on traffic conditions and what’s happening on the road ahead, but slowing down and having to accelerate again naturally uses more fuel.

    Try to anticipate what’s going to happen in front of you by looking well ahead. This way you’ll see traffic lights on red meaning you can ease back on the accelerator or slow down naturally and potentially keep moving as opposed to coming to a stop.

    Drive as smoothly as possible, making use of accelerator, gearbox and brakes. When slowing down, it’s important to remain in gear as the fuel cut-off switch in a fuel injection engine is then activated, meaning virtually no fuel is used while braking.

    Driving up hills destroys fuel economy. When you spot a hill coming up try to accelerate a little before you reach it, then ease off as you drive up. The extra momentum should be enough to minimise additional fuel consumption.

    Other factors

    Minimise wind resistance – do you use a roof rack for holidays or weekends away? If you do, it will increase your fuel consumption, so if you are not using the rack, take it off. Using air conditioning – The UK is not known for year-round hot weather, so turning off your air conditioning when you don’t actually need it will give you a welcome jump in your MPG figures.

  • Key features sought by prospective housebuyers

    Key features sought by prospective housebuyers

    If you are thinking of selling your home, we’ve put together a list of some of the top features that buyers are likely to be looking for in an ideal world:

    1. Garages for extra storage space

    Storage space is always at a premium, so it’s no surprise that potential buyers are looking for garages that offer extra potential for storage. This can be especially true for families with children, who need a place to store sports equipment, bicycles, and other outdoor gear.

     2. Open floor plan

    Gone are the days of compartmentalised rooms and closed-off spaces. Today’s homebuyers are looking for open floor plans that allow for better flow and communication between rooms. An open floor plan makes it easier to entertain guests, keep an eye on children, and enjoy the natural light that flows throughout the space.

     3. Home office

    With more people working remotely, having a dedicated home office is more important than ever. Buyers are looking for properties that offer a separate space for a home office, whether it’s a spare room, a converted attic or basement, or a small nook in a larger room. A dedicated home office can make it easier to focus on work and be more productive.

     4. Modern kitchen

    Homebuyers will appreciate modern kitchens with all the latest amenities, including high-end appliances, plenty of counter space, and storage for pots, pans, and other kitchen tools.

     5. Outdoor patios

    Outdoor living spaces are more important than ever, and now the weather is getting warmer, homebuyers are keen to find properties that have a private outdoor patio as a place to relax, entertain guests, and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. A patio can also add value to a property, making it more attractive to potential buyers in the future.

    6. Energy efficiency

    Homebuyers are increasingly concerned with energy efficiency and sustainability. They’re looking for properties with energy-efficient appliances, windows, and insulation, as well as other sustainable features like solar panels. These features can  help reduce energy bills and a property’s carbon footprint.

    7. Hardwood flooring

    Finally, hardwood flooring is high on the checklist for housebuyers.  Hardwood floors  are durable, easy to clean, and add warmth and character to a home. They are also versatile and can be matched to a variety of different interior design styles. From storage space, to energy efficiency, to modern kitchens, all these features can make a property more attractive and valuable to potential buyers.