The very latest from Burnett's

Each and every month we bring to you the most pertinent property news from around the United Kingdom so that you remain well-informed and up-to-date on all things housing.

The Tenants Fee Ban

If you’re a tenant or landlord, then it has been hard to avoid all of the recent coverage of the Tenant Fee Ban. Essentially, the new Act means that tenants will no longer be charged for extra services from June this year. Take a look at the key points below to make sure that you are up-to-date with the latest legislation, whether you’re a tenant or a landlord.

Headline changes:

Landlords will only be able to hold up to 5 weeks rent as a tenancy deposit.
The holding deposit, to ensure the tenant application, can be no more than one week’s rent.
All other payments will be banned with the exception of contractual default penalties.

What can no longer be charged for:

Charging for a guarantor form
Credit checks
Inventories
Cleaning services
Referencing
Professional cleaning
Having the property deflead as a condition of allowing pets in the property
Admin charges
Requirements to have specific insurance providers
Gardening services

Two default fees are exempt from these changes and can still be charged for should the tenant break the Tenancy Agreement. These exceptions will have to be written in to the contract, however, in order for a landlord to be able to charge tenants, despite being also highlighted in the new legislation;

1)Late rent fees

Under the new Act, landlords will be able to charge a late rent fee for payments more than two weeks overdue. The fees can be charged at an additional 3% plus the Bank of England base rate at the time, but this must be charged on a pro-rata basis.

2)Lost keys

Once the new legislation comes in to the place, a landlord may only charge up to £5 for a replacement key, and they must provide a receipt.

To read more about The Tenant Fee Ban click here to see the legislation in full.

Top tips for your garden

We all love that summer pleasure of sitting outside and enjoying the feeling of the sunshine on our skin, yet despite this melanin-inducing activity being a firm favourite, many of us shy away from gardening. Here are a few tips to help revitalise your garden or outdoor space, just in time for the summer!

1) The right grounding

Before you go out and start purchasing new flowers and shrubs to zhoosh up your garden, it is important to have an idea of the soil that you will be planting in. Different plants will thrive in different environments, and the consistency of your soil will be a key player in this; is your soil light and sandy or heavier with elements of clay? This, as well as the amount of light which the new plants will receive, should be kept in mind before you go and make any expensive purchases.

2) Put the ‘plan’ in ‘plant’

That old adage of “fail to plan and plan to fail” exists for a reason; it rings true amongst many of us. The same is applicable for when you are upgrading your garden – planning on how you are going to use the space will mean that you maximise your outdoor area. Decide what you are going to use the space for and segment it appropriately; eating areas, planting areas and water features all make a garden more pleasant; however, if there is not enough room between each then the space becomes overcrowded and less appealing.

3) The perfect lawn

When we think of a quintessential British garden, we immediately think of a lush and healthy grassy area. If you’re yearning for a luscious lawn, then ensure that you water your green areas regularly – the optimum time to water the area is between 4am and 8am. If we are lucky enough to have another hot summer like last year, then remember that any temperature above 30 degrees will stunt growth and temperatures from 26 degrees onwards will not benefit your lawn – therefore keep the grass a little longer which will prevent the soil from drying out.

4) Sitting areas

One of the easiest ways to spend a little more time in your garden is to create an outdoor sitting space; from simply installing a table and chairs, to installing a full decking area this can transform your outdoor space. If you already have a suitable surface such as paving or decking then purchasing a table and chairs will be an inexpensive way to create outdoor living space, but don’t despair if you need to spend a little more to create suitable grounding for your table. Buying stones or pebbles and some tarpaulin to lay them upon is a very cost-effective manner to provide a nice zone for seating – look in your local supermarkets as well as the DIY stores as they often provide better value for money during seasonal offers.

5) A shed load of storage!

If you’re looking to make the most of your garden this spring and summer, then a shed might seem like it should be the last item on your list of priorities. However, a shed can offer valuable storage and organisation to your garden that will encourage you to make the most of the space; having your gardening tools easy to access and your outdoor supplies organised will make your outdoor living much easier. In addition to this, a shed can be a beautiful piece of garden architecture; go bold on the colour and choose pastels such as blue or pink for that country cottage kind of chic that looks wonderful in all types of garden. In addition, adding some stylish bunting to the shed will enhance the overall aesthetic, and can be extended to other parts of your garden to create a more cohesive look.

Preparing your home for sale

The way in which your property is presented makes a huge difference when showing potential buyers your home. You only get one chance to make a first impression! When it comes to selling your home, attention to detail could be pivotal in securing an early sale at the best possible price.

Click here to read Preparing your home for sale.

First-time buyers; How to find the right home for you

The number of first-time buyers in the United Kingdom is now at its highest for over a decade. If you’re one of the thousands of people who are looking to get on that first rung of the property ladder, then finding the right home can be a daunting process. Follow our tips and you could be moving in to your first home in no time at all!

1) Know your limits

Starting your search with a clear idea of what you can afford is a key aspect in terms of finding the right home. Oftentimes, first-time buyers are so excited at the thought of starting their property search that they begin with expectations soaring. Knowing your financial limit is key; before you start your search, we would recommend having a mortgage-in-principal approved so that you know exactly what you can afford. Starting your hunt by looking at homes twice your actual budget will only end in disappointment and will unduly extend your search – be realistic, set your limits and keep those finances in mind!

2) Don’t go it alone!

One of the biggest mistakes that first-time buyers make is trying to manage the whole process alone. Finding a good estate agent who will help you not only in the property search, but also during the financial process of buying a property, will be the difference between peace of mind and undue stress. Remember, it is the sole purpose of an estate agent to match properties with people, therefore as suitable properties are brought to market which suit your requirements you will be the first to receive property details if you’re registered with an agent – giving you the edge.

3) Half an hour, time to scour

Did you know that, on average, buyers spend just 30 minutes looking at a property before they put in an offer? Half an hour is not enough time to make a sound decision on purchasing a property! When you are new to the property game, it can seem awkward to spend too long looking around; however, if you are serious about the property then feel free to overstay your welcome. Check absolutely everything around the property – open cupboards, look at plug sockets, light switches, open windows and venture into the loft, if there is one. Having this in-depth look into the property will hone your mind onto the minutiae and take you away from the excitement of wanting to make an offer; it will also provide you with a “snagging list” which will be invaluable when it comes to haggling with the price. If you feel like you still have more to see around the property then arrange multiple viewings; seeing the property at different times will give you a better feel for the neighbourhood and your immediate neighbours.

4) Don’t be seduced by décor

One of the most difficult things to do when looking for a property, and often cited by even the most seasoned property purchaser as a difficulty, is to look past the current decoration. This can work in two ways; if you view a property with elegant decoration it is easy to fall in love with the aesthetic; however, keep in mind that the chic furniture will all be gone when you move in. The second way in which decoration can put a dampener on your search is that you dislike the taste of the current owners and can’t see through it. If you don’t like the presentation of a property, then try to look past the individual components such as curtains and carpets and instead focus on the bones of the room underneath; looking at the features of the room and the overall size as there could be a fabulous space just waiting to be uncovered.

5) Don’t take all of the credit

You have your mortgage-in principal, you’ve worked with an estate agent to find that perfect home within your budget and you have visited the property multiple times, checking everything from water quality to windowsills. The dream is practically complete; you have that contract signed and the countdown to completion is on – so now you’re on the home straight to first-time property bliss. How to celebrate? A new car that will look lovely on your new driveway, a large television to adorn your living room wall or an expensive sofa to relax upon? Whatever happens, before your property purchase completes do not take out any other credit lines whatsoever as this could put the property purchase in severe jeopardy. Some mortgage lenders will pull one final credit report before completion in order to ensure that your status has not changed – taking further credit out will endanger this so wait until your purchase completes before splashing out the cash.