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9th April Uncategorised

How an SE18/SE28 Estate Agent Could Help You Sell Your Home

How an SE18/SE28 Estate Agent Could Help You Sell Your Home If you’re selling a property, you’ve got a big decision to make. Which estate agent do you pick? Should you go with an independent local agency or choose a big-name brand? Should you use an agent based on the local high…

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9th April Uncategorised

he Best Online Accounts for DIY Hacks and Help

The Best Online Accounts for DIY Hacks and Help If you’ve got wonky shelves or pictures that you keep meaning to put up but haven’t got around to doing, are your DIY skills holding you back? Can’t tell a drill bit from a screwdriver head? We feel your pain. Knowing…

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9th April Uncategorised

Best Ways to Contact Your SE18/SE28 Landlord

Best Ways to Contact Your SE18/SE28 Landlord Problems in the home are a nuisance. Like when you’ve got a leaky tap and the drip drip drip drives you to distraction, or when your fridge packs up and food goes to waste. When things go wrong, it’s understandable you want them…

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9th April Uncategorised

Should You Renovate Your SE18/SE28 Property Before Going to Market?

Should You Renovate Your SE18/SE28 Property Before Going to Market? Before selling your home, you might be thinking about ways to add value or unlock potential so buyers can get a feel for what it would be like to live there themselves. But renovations are costly and may not pay…

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9th April Uncategorised

Guide to Creating a Dog-Friendly Garden

Guide to Creating a Dog-Friendly Garden Are there hidden hazards in your garden that could make your pooch ill and leave you with costly vet bills? Here’s a guide to keeping your garden safe and secure for your dog. Fencing The last thing you want is for your hound to…

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9th April Uncategorised

Keep It Formal – Why You Should Maintain a Professional Relationship with Tenants As a landlord, it’s important to build a good relationship with tenants. You want them to feel comfortable in their new home and to care for it, pay rent on time and generally have a successful tenancy period. But what makes a good relationship? Unless you’re renting a property out to friends or family, it’s likely you won’t have met your tenants before. So, while it’s important to introduce yourself and maintain a good line of communication, there is a danger of becoming too friendly with them. And once you’ve crossed that boundary, it could cause a lot of problems (and awkwardness). In this quick read, we look at the do’s and don’ts of maintaining a professional relationship with tenants. Introduce yourself If you used an agent to find the tenants but intend to self-manage when the tenancy starts, it’s always a good idea to contact the tenants and let them know that you’re their landlord. Whether you want to do this face to face or via a call, it’s important they know how to get in touch with you. This is also a good time to let them know your working hours and how to contact you in the event of an emergency. Messages/emails If you have more than one tenant living in a property, it may be useful to set up a group for messages or emails. A WhatsApp group is a good way of communicating; however, it may also leave you open to receiving non-urgent messages over the weekend or late at night. Make it clear when you will be available to respond to queries. Also, make sure you respect their timings. If you have a non-urgent request, contact them during working hours instead of evenings or weekends. Social media Should you befriend your tenants on social media? While there are no rules against it, it may seem intrusive if you were to add them onto your social accounts, as if you’re trying to keep an eye on them. Similarly, if a tenant adds you, you might want to think twice before you accept their request. You’re not friends, you’re in a business relationship. When entering a contract with a tenant, you’re in a legally binding agreement. There could be future disputes between you and them regarding issues with the property or rent payments. By adding them on social media, you’re crossing a line between personal and professional, so it’s important to stay mindful of this. Use your agent Letting agents are trained and experienced in dealing with tenants, issues that arise with payments, deposits and disputes. They can help maintain a professional distance from your tenant, so it’s a good idea to work with them. Speak to your agent about what they can and can’t help with. They’re also a great source of knowledge if you need assistance with a tenant. Looking to rent out a property? Contact our team at Hi Residential today.

Keep It Formal – Why You Should Maintain a Professional Relationship with Tenants As a landlord, it’s important to build a good relationship with tenants. You want them to feel comfortable in their new home and to care for it, pay rent on time and generally have a successful tenancy…

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9th April Uncategorised

Is Self-Building Really Worth It? Come on, we’ve all done it. Switched onto a property programme and fallen into the daydream of building our very own house. A walk-in wardrobe, a home cinema, a room just for shoes… sounds great, doesn’t it? But what’s the reality of a self-build project? On the one hand, building your own home seems like a great way to get everything you’ve ever wanted out of a property. On the other, are you really prepared for all that comes with building a house? In this quick read, we look at why building your own property isn’t for the faint-hearted. Red tape and admin Let’s say you’ve found the perfect location – just like buying a house, there will be lots of legal hoops to jump through (and pay for). Once that’s over, it’ll be time to submit a planning application to the local council – so you’ll need professionally drawn plans from an architect. You’ll also need to consider whether there’s access to the property or if you need permission for this, too. If your site is in a secluded area, you’ll also have to think about mains water, electricity and gas supply. And don’t forget, you’ll need to meet planning regulations for new-builds and organise building control to assess the site at various stages of construction. If you thought the paperwork and costs of buying a normal property were onerous, then get ready to treble that with a self-build project. Trusted team Unless you’re a builder or architect yourself, you’ll need a team of trusted professionals around you to build your home. And unless you’re going to project-manage the build, you’ll need someone to keep on top of all the different aspects, from budget to deliveries to keeping to timescales. Finding a build team who you work well with is one of the biggest hurdles self-build hopefuls often face. Self-build mortgage Your mortgage application for a self-build property may not be as straightforward as when purchasing a pre-built residence. Instead, you may need a self-build mortgage, which helps finance the purchase of the land and then the build. Instead of being released at completion, this mortgage is released in stages. It’s best to speak to a broker about the ins and outs of this type of lending. Tip: You may also need to apply for self-build insurance to cover any issues that arise. Budget A self-build project isn’t going to be cheap. It’s essential you keep a firm grip on your budget throughout the purchase and construction process so you can afford to get it all done. Is it worth it? While shows like Grand Designs may have you dreaming of a self-built home, a renovation project could offer you the same freedom to design and extend without the headache of finding a plot and starting from scratch. If you’re looking for a new home and want to revamp an old property, get in touch with our sales team at Hi Residential.com. We can help you find what you’re looking for.

Is Self-Building Really Worth It? Come on, we’ve all done it. Switched onto a property programme and fallen into the daydream of building our very own house. A walk-in wardrobe, a home cinema, a room just for shoes… sounds great, doesn’t it? But what’s the reality of a self-build project?…

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9th April Uncategorised

How to Avoid Tantrums at Dinnertime

How to Avoid Tantrums at Dinnertime Cast your mind back to the New Year… Did you promise yourself that this was the year you were going to start taking care of yourself? Get more exercise, go for walks, eat better? Did you promptly forget these promises and reach for the…

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Latest news and updates

How an SE18/SE28 Estate Agent Could Help You Sell Your Home

he Best Online Accounts for DIY Hacks and Help

Best Ways to Contact Your SE18/SE28 Landlord

Should You Renovate Your SE18/SE28 Property Before Going to Market?

Guide to Creating a Dog-Friendly Garden

How to Avoid Tantrums at Dinnertime