Author: Natalie Hutchins

If you’re watching your pennies this Christmas, here are some festive decorating ideas that are simple, effective and plastic-free.

With six in ten squeezed Brits saying they have less cash to spend due to the cost of living crisis*, Christmas 2022 is shaping up to be a pared-back affair for many people.

If you’re tightening your belt, the good news is that there are many ways you can make your home look, smell and feel festive without breaking the bank.

This back-to-basics approach has an added bonus, too – it’s better for the environment. By re-using items you have at home and foraging in your garden, you can cut down on unnecessary plastic and packaging.

• Go foraging

Bring a bit of the outdoors in by decorating your mantelpiece or dining table with foraged greenery. Use holly, ivy, yew or fir cuttings to create a festive feel. Once you’ve arranged your foliage (there are plenty of pretty pictures on the internet if you’re looking for inspiration), add bundles of cinnamon sticks and pinecones for interest.

• Homemade Christmas crackers

Christmas lunch wouldn’t be the same without crackers – and the cheesy jokes and party hats (that flatter no one) you get inside. As shop-bought crackers can be expensive and always seem to include mini plastic toys that last all of five minutes, why not create your own? To make:

• Fill cardboard loo rolls or paper towel tubes with homemade party hats, handwritten jokes and a few sweeties.
• Wrap each tube with colourful paper, as if you were making a bonbon.
• Tie each end with ribbon.

• Paper chains

Give the classic paper chain a Christmas makeover and create strings of snowmen, gingerbread men or stars. To make:

• Take a long rectangular strip of paper and fold it concertina-style.
• Draw half of your creation on the top side of the paper.
• Cut carefully along the outline you’ve drawn, making sure not to cut along the folds.
• Then unfold the paper and – voila! – your festive paper chain is ready for decorating.

• Clementine time

Dry clementines don’t just look the part; they smell great, too. To make:

• Cut several evenly spaced incisions from top to bottom around each clementine.
• Leave the fruit to dry out.
• Add string or ribbon and hang.

• Paper baubles

For real impact, make several baubles in varying sizes and hang them together. You’ll need waxed tissue paper, cardboard, glue, scissors and string. There are several easy-to-follow tutorials on YouTube explaining how to make these pretty decorations.

* Deloitte

Having fun is important, no matter how old you are. But how can you enjoy yourself without breaking the bank?

Now the cold weather has set in, we’re all stuck at home after a blazing hot summer of being out and about. And if you’ve got kids, you’ll know the importance of keeping them busy and tiring them out.

In this two-minute read, we look at how you can beat the boredom without spending any money. 

Games night

Who doesn’t love a board game? And who doesn’t own at least one (with pieces missing, of course) that can still provide hours of entertainment? Great for families with older children or flat sharers with no money and lots of time, an organised games night can keep everyone laughing, bantering and getting competitive. And it’s totally free.

Luxury spa

Fancy a spa day but don’t fancy the extortionate prices? A DIY day of luxury is definitely called for. Grab your plushest dressing gown, wrap a towel around your head and you’re halfway there. Google ‘homemade facemask’ and use ingredients like honey, oatmeal, avocado and olive oil (providing you’re not allergic to any of these items) to get started. Stick on some relaxing music and spend a few hours lounging about.

Come dine with me

Remember lockdown? When we were all so desperate to see other people, we sat in the front garden or planned elaborate picnics. Well, now we’re allowed to see each other, why not take advantage of it and plan some TV-inspired dinner parties? You don’t have to be a top chef; you could even stick to themes like freezer food or canned food surprise. Don’t take it too seriously; keep it affordable and get your mates round.

Home cinema

You might not have a fancy cinema room, but we bet you’ve got a TV and at least one comfy chair. Make your cinema night a bit special with a bit of popcorn, dimmed lights and (if it’s cold) grab your duvet or a warm blanket. Cosy nights in are always a great idea.

Get crafty

This one’s for the kids in your life. Get them off their screens and away from the TV by enjoying a craft day. Make race cars or castles out of cardboard boxes, get those old paints and crayons out, make cards just in time for Xmas, there’s lots to do. And if you can’t think of anything, then good old Google will have plenty of ideas for those egg cartons and plastic milk bottles.

With the current cost of living crisis, there’s no better time to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun. At Chamberlains, we’d love to know your thoughts. What are the best ways to have fun for free? Comment below.

The rental market is a tough place to be, especially in the current economic climate.

With the cost of living crisis leaving many tenants feeling squeezed, now could be the right time for landlords to invest in rent protection insurance. But is it really worth it, or just another expense?

In this two-minute read, we look at rent protection insurance in detail to help you decide whether you need it. 

What is it? 

Rent protection is also known as rent guarantee insurance or landlord rent insurance.

It protects landlords against loss of rental income if a tenant is unable to pay.

Where a tenant continually defaults, the eviction process can take a long time, meaning you’re without rental income until you can resolve the situation. Rent protection insurance covers losses for up to 12 months; it also includes legal expenses which you may incur during the eviction process.

As with any insurance policy, there are lots of conditions and restrictions on what and when you can claim, so make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for.

How much does it cost? 

This depends on factors such as size and location of the property, type of property, the tenants you’re renting to, rental amount and so on. It’s best to shop around, and most insurance comparison sites will provide multiple quotes.

Rent protection insurance is tax deductible.

Many letting agents offer rent protection insurance to their landlords as part of their fees, which saves you the time and hassle of looking for an individual policy.

Why is it a good idea? 

Many landlords need their monthly rent to cover mortgage payments, so not having cover could prove a big risk in the long run. Some policies also cover short periods of vacant possession.

If you have landlord insurance (buildings, contents and so on), you may be able to add rent protection to the policy. Make sure you speak to your provider to see what they offer. And, if you own multiple properties, you may be able to arrange a single policy to cover them all.

Are you a landlord in need of a trustworthy and reliable letting agent? At Chamberlains, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call on 01626 365055 to see how we can help.

Remember, remember the 5th of November… when the sky lights up, the bangs and booms of fireworks disturb your TV time, and your poor pets are driven to distraction by noise and flashing lights.

Yes folks, it’s Bonfire Night and whilst we all enjoy oohing and ahhing at pretty fireworks, spare a thought for pet owners who have to work extra hard to keep their little (or large) loves calm.

Here’s our quick guide on keeping your pooches and other pets safe and sound during the festivities. 

Doggy den

Before the noisy night, create a safe space for your pups in the quietest part of your home. Set it up with their favourite toys and doggy bed. Throw in some treats and anything else they like, so they can retreat to the area if they feel frightened or the noise gets too much. (TIP: This is a great way to help dogs feel safe at other times, for example, if you’re out for an extended period or have many guests around.)

Keep them inside 

Swap your evening walk for an earlier stroll to avoid being outdoors when fireworks are being let off. Also, restrict their time in the garden so you can be sure they’re safe and don’t bolt when the noise and lights get too intense.

Turn up the sound 

Drown out external noises by filling your home with sounds your pets are already familiar with. Play some relaxing music or turn up EastEnders or Coronation Street to distract them from what’s going on outside.

Dark and cosy 

Close the curtains, bring down the blinds and keep the atmosphere as relaxed as possible. You might not be able to block out the noise, but you will be able to reduce the flashing lights, hopefully reducing animal stress levels.

Cat safety 

It’s hard to keep cats inside at the best of times, but on Bonfire Night, it’s imperative to encourage them to stay home. Create comfortable hiding places or put treats in strategic locations around the home, so they’re occupied and less likely to head out into the night.

Outdoor pets 

If you’ve got outdoor pets, slightly cover their cages or pens so they can still look out but sounds and lights are muffled. Consider moving your pet indoors, but if that’s not possible, provide extra bedding so they can burrow themselves away.

At Chamberlains, we hope you all enjoy Bonfire Night.

It’s fair to say that tenants’ needs have changed in recent years. With more people working from home than ever, has your rental property got the tech to appeal to top tenants?

In the current digital age, there are countless smart apps and devices that can help your property stand out in a crowded market

In this quick read, we look at some easy ways to become a tech-savvy landlord, attract the best tenants and save money. 

Broadband

Let’s start with the basics. Everyone wants to be connected, so ensuring you offer the fastest broadband at your property is a must. While there’s no obligation to provide tenants with broadband, it’s much better to get it installed before a property is occupied rather than receiving irate calls from fed-up tenants struggling to connect (or letting them do it themselves).

Smart meters 

If your rent includes bills, then a smart meter is an excellent way to understand how much you’re paying and identify potential savings. Similarly, if your tenant is responsible for bills, a smart meter will make them aware of their energy usage and spending. Smart meters are being rolled out to anyone responsible for paying energy bills and are an essential budgeting tool in the current cost of living crisis.

Smart heating

This wireless thermostatic device is a great way to save money and energy. It allows tenants to control the property’s heating from their phones, so if they’re going to be home later than expected, they can adjust the thermostat accordingly. The temperature can be controlled on a room-to-room basis and uses artificial intelligence to learn people’s heating needs.

Smart doorbells 

These not only improve the security of your property but make a home more attractive to renters as they can see who’s coming and going and manage deliveries. With the added ability to record and store footage, this is a great safety feature.

Smart lighting 

Smart lighting is a great asset if you own an HMO with communal areas. It allows you to control the times when lights come on and off or when motion is detected – saving money and reducing energy expenditure. Landlords of high-end properties can take smart lighting to another level, offering tenants mood lighting – all controlled by an app.

Smart smoke detectors 

Installing smoke detectors is a legal requirement for all rental properties. But why not go one step further and install a smart smoke detector that will notify you if there’s a problem. This is helpful if your property is vacant or your tenants are away, as you can act quickly to ensure the safety of your rental.

If you’ve got a property to let out, contact Chamberlains so we can find you the right tenants.

Landlords, you know that good tenants are hard to come by. Those that care for your property like it’s their home (because it is), who won’t call constantly with silly problems and who pay their rent on time.

So, what’s the first step to finding them?

It might feel like a boring admin exercise, but a thorough reference check is more than just finding out whether someone can meet the monthly rent.

Unfortunately, lots of landlords cut corners when it comes to this stage.

In this two-minute read, we look at some common mistakes landlords make when it comes to referencing.

• Doing it themselves

If you’re a landlord trying to save every penny, be warned: scrimping on a tenant reference check could lose you future rental income. A reference not only looks at whether a tenant can afford the rent, but also informs you of their past credit history, employment history and previous dealings with former landlords.

If you go it alone, you may miss vital information and find yourself in trouble later.

• Ignoring Right to Rent rules

In February 2016, the Right to Rent scheme was passed. This requires landlords to ensure that their tenants have the legal right to live in the UK. If you’ve skipped the referencing stage, or not checked proof of identity records properly, you could face hefty fines if your tenant is found to be illegally living in the UK.

• No references from previous landlords and/or employers

It’s not all about the money. You want to know what type of person your tenant is and how they will treat your property. The referencing process allows you to make checks with previous landlords and/or employers, so you can get a feel for who your tenant is. If a previous landlord reports that they were late with rent or damaged the property, you can avoid yourself a lot of hassle.

• Not using a letting agent

Letting agents deal with landlords and tenants every day. They know the referencing process inside out, so why wouldn’t you use them? Yes, you may save some money on fees, but it’ll be worse if you choose a tenant without making the proper checks and they fail to pay the rent completely.

With the Renters Reform Bill looming, landlords should take every step to protect their properties and incomes, and a reference check is essential.

If you’ve got a rental and need help finding trustworthy tenants, contact Chamberlains today. We know what makes a good reference and can help you find the right people for your property.

It pays to sit down once a year and review how your buy-to-let is performing and flag up any potential issues looming on the horizon. A two-minute read.

We’re all familiar with an MOT, an annual check-up to ensure your car is safe and good to go for the year ahead. Well, let’s apply the same concept to a buy-to-let investment.

Even if your current tenancy is ticking along nicely, a property MOT can be a helpful exercise to ensure that you:

• Are up to date with government regulations and maintenance
• Have the right rental strategy
• Are not spending more than you need to on your mortgage and repairs.

So, let’s go! 

Do the maths

Go through your records and calculate your return on investment and rental yield (there are online calculators to help you do this). See if you can identify any possible savings (consider everything from landlord insurance, mortgage deal, accountancy fees, etc.). Even if these gains are small, they all add up.

Repairs and maintenance

Often tenants are reluctant to raise minor concerns for fear they’ll look petty or get the blame, so don’t wait for them to call you. Be proactive and get on top of any leaks, mould or drainage problems. Ensure you’re up to date with mandatory gas and electrical safety checks.

Energy efficiency

We all know energy prices are soaring. Ensure your property is well insulated and draught-proof. Don’t wait until the winter to get this job done. And think longer term, as new energy property rules are on the horizon.

Décor review

Times change, but has your property? If your property looks tired and dated, you could be missing a trick. In some areas, the pandemic brought about a huge demographic shift that is being reflected in the rental market. Consider a cosmetic makeover or garden spruce-up so that you can target groups such as professionals, relocators or young families.

Property management

A property MOT isn’t just about money; it’s about time, too. If you self-manage, analyse the true cost of this task on your quality of life. If you’re finding the admin and legal requirements increasingly onerous, get a letting agent to take the burden off you. An agent’s expertise and market know-how may also save you money in the long run.

If you already have a letting agent, consider the quality of service you’re getting. Are your calls answered promptly? Is your agent meticulous when it comes to maintenance deadlines and routine checks? If you’re not happy, it’s time to shop around.

To learn more about the property management services we offer here at Chamberlains, get in touch.