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Houses in Multiple Occupation* are facing new rules starting 1st of October. Landlords have just a couple of days more to apply for the licence.

Landlords urged to apply for new mandatory HMO licence as deadline approaches

*HMO criteria:

• is occupied by five or more persons
• is occupied by persons living in two or more separate households
• and meets:
o the standard test under section 254(2) of the Act
o the self-contained flat test under section 254(3) of the Act but is not a purpose-built flat situated in a block comprising three or more self-contained flats, or
o the converted building test under section 254(4) of the Act.

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A good first impression is always a long term benefit, but can it actually be a short-term win. And by ‘win’ we mean a sell! 🙂

Our experience says ‘Yes’ and we’re giving you one extra tip:

make sure the bathroom of the selling property is very clean and in the trends!

Here are some good aspects to consider improving in the bathroom:

Contemporary Bathroom Design: Elegance is Always in Vogue

Ready to make the necessary changes?

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1. Did you know that trespass is not just confined to people? If climbing plants such as ivy or wisteria extend into a neighbouring garden it is considered trespass and if damage is reported the home owner could be liable.

Photo source: https://bit.ly/2MObtzi

2. Movement due to the proximity of trees to a building is a common problem. A mature poplar can take up to 50,000 litres of water from the sub soil each year.  The root radius of a tree is often equal to or greater than its height above ground level. In some cases, e.g. willow, poplar, elm the radius can be up to twice the height.

3. Did you know that it’s possible to remove a chimney breast from a bedroom to make way for a fitted wardrobe, for example, and leave the chimney stack above?  But you can’t just leave it hanging there – it will need to be properly supported, usually with a substantial concrete or steel lintel.

4. Efflorescence is a common sight in new brickwork. It’s caused by soluble salts in solution being brought to the surface as waste in the wall dries out. It is usually a harmless, temporary problem often occurring in spring following a wet winter. The main concern is the unsightly appearance caused by the white staining that it produces.  Persistent efflorescence may indicate a design or construction fault.

 

5. The problem with wood worm is that it can fly! Woodworm isn’t a worm at all, rather it is the larva stage of the common furniture beetle. The female beetle starts the life cycle process by laying eggs directly into the timber through cracks, crevices and existing flight holes. The larval stage can last up to 5 years. The holes associated with woodworm are the flight holes of the emerging adult beetles.

Photo source: https://bit.ly/2D5ZqO0

6. If a chimney was built before 1965 the construction would have been controlled by local bye-laws. It was only with the 1965 Building Regulations that there was a requirement for all chimney flues to be built with liners. That is not to say older chimneys would have been unlined – often the flues were rendered with a lime render – but the approach was not consistent.

7. Radon gas is a radioactive gas, but you can’t see, smell or taste it!  Because it is radioactive, it has considerable implications for people’s health.  It originates from the rocks and soil found everywhere in the UK. The radon level in the air we breathe outside is very low but can be higher inside buildings because it can accumulate in confined spaces. Public Health England has produced a map showing the areas where there is a greater risk of radon gas.

Source: 7 facts about property that you (probably) didn’t know….

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  1. Coffee stains are the most common so we’ll just start with these!

Photo source: https://bit.ly/2M9jQF8

from clothing: you will need to water the stain immediately and use some detergent on it as well. A white cloth will come of good use to extract the stain.

from mugs: with baking soda!

from carpets: with liquid dish soap!

Source and details:

How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Absolutely Everything

2. Grease: it’s easy to take it out from clothing just by using dish soap before washing, or by rubbing baking soda on it if we’re talking about the couch. Just vacuum and easily clean it without rubbing intensively after.

3. Paint. We have an entire guide here:

Get Paint Out of Clothes and More

Photo source: https://bit.ly/2oNxSCY

4. Crayons and lipstick:  Apply liquid dish soap and work into the stained area. Let stand a few minutes, rub fabric under warm water to remove the stain. Machine wash using the heavy soil setting and the hottest water the fabric will allow with OxiClean or Clorox 2. Source: Crayola

 

 

5. Blood stains. You should use hydrogen peroxide, but it depends on if the stain is recent/ wet or already dry.

Remove Blood Stains From Clothes, Carpet, Furniture and More

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Photo source: Flickr https://bit.ly/2NUJFdT

Weather changes can affect your home. You can prepare ahead for the cold season.

Make sure you:

  1. Clean the vent hood
  2. Refresh the window boxes
  3. Service smoke alarms
  4. Wash away pollen
  5. Drain the water heater
  6. Fertilize your lawn
  7. Check the exterior lights
  8. Drain and store hoses
  9. Move cold-sensitive items inside
  10. Dust heating vents
  11. Upgrade your thermostat
  12. Extend downspouts

More details and insights on these jobs on the article on ThisOldHouse:

14 Fast Fall Fixes

And if you want to move to the interior, you should make sure you check these 5 boxes first:

1. Perform a pantry audit.

2. Test and clean your smoke detectors.

3. Flip your mattress.

4. Shampoo your carpet.

5. Vacuum all upholstered surfaces.

Source: Good Housekeeping

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Photo source: https://imdb.to/2Neri6z

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do these three movies have in common?

There are actually at least 2 things:

  1. They are all Oscar winners
  2. Their action happens at one point in London

Property Division did a top 10 of locations in London that appeared in famous movies that got an Oscar:

Kensington Gardens

Canary Wharf

Buckingham Palace

Scotland Yard

Greenwich Royal Naval College

Waterloo Station

Somerset House

Westminster Cathedral

Regent’s Park

Royal Naval College

The city as seen in the movies! Here are the Oscar awarded movies that ‘starred’ England’s capital!

London at the Oscars

Obviously, most of them are historically based in London… or featured the Queen… or other types of royalties!

Which one is your favorite?

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