Blog
- Details
- Hits: 1435
Rishi Sunak has made a speech rowing back on several key green policies that were to cost landlords thousands but that were part of his key Net Zero pledges.
Announcing a ‘new approach’ to one of the biggest challenges faced by the UK – climate change – saying “we must reduce our emissions” and that politicians need to “look people in the eye and explain what’s really involved”.
He said this includes being honest about the real-life implications of previous measures to reduce carbon emissions including banning gas boilers even though many propertIes are not suitable for a heat pump and mandatory EPC Band C upgrades in just a few years’ time.
Sunak also said that although many people, despite wanting to do their bit to reduce carbon emissions, should not have measures forced on them by politicians, especIally “those who are already struggling to make ends meet”.
He said without a national debate on carbon emissions reduction, the backing of the people for change would be lost, saying a more pragmatic approach is needed despite the need for ‘hard choices’ and a commitment to meet the UK’s existing Net Zero ambitions.
This includes giving property owners ‘far more time to move to heat pumps’ and ‘not forcing anyone to rip out existing gas boilers’ and only requiring property including landLords to replace them with heat pumps once they have worn out and even then not until 2035. An existing boiler upgrade scheme will be raised by 50% to £7,500.
Sunak also referenced minimum EPC levels for properties, mentioning that the huge costs of upgrading homes is likely to be passed on as higher rents to tenants. The looming EPC changes due to go live for existing tenancies in 2028 are now to be scrapped, with more Government money instead being offered as a carrot to landlords and home owners to upgrade their properties.
Therefore fines for landlords who do not upgrade their properties to a minimum Band C by the 2025 and 2028 deadlines are therefore not off the table.
A survey out today highlights why the Government has rowed back – just one in five property owners told boiler repair firm Fair Fix they supported the planned ban on gas boilers, with 94% believing it should be their decision as to what type of energy powers their home.
Earlier today Foreign Secretary Sue Braverman took to the radio and TV studios to defend the row back, telling both Times Radio and the BBC’s Breakfast Show that she applauded Sunak for making a “difficult decision” that showed “pragmatism and proportionality” saying “we’re not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people”.
“We need to ensure that we take into account economic growth, household budgets and the cost of living,” she told Radio 4’s Today programme.
Former housing secretary Simon Clarke has said this morning: “I am very clear: The delivery of net zero should not be a hair-shirt exercise”.
- Details
- Hits: 1785
The University of Bath has been ranked as the best university in the South West by The Times and Sunday Times, closely followed by the University of Exeter. The rankings, published in The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, say that the University of Bath is the eighth highest ranking nationally, although it failed to retain its crown of University of the Year. Bath Spa also won University of the Year for Social Inclusion.
The University of Exeter was named second best in the region and was crowned University of Year 2024 runner-up behind University College London. University of Bristol came third, and Falmouth University fourth. ?
- Details
- Hits: 1078
Turn on your fridge and freezer.
It takes a while for these items to reach their required temperature, so make sure this is one of the first things you do. You and your new housemates will be accountable for keeping the fridge clean and for de-frosting the freezer (this latter task should be done every 6 months or so if it’s an older model).
Talking of keeping clean: there will be a hoover in the property, which we’d recommend using at least once a week to keep the carpets clean. Plus, a regular swoosh – which is a technical term – of the kitchen floor, with a good cleaning product – will keep everything spic and span.
A chores rota could be a good idea, maybe?
Find out where the water stop cock is.
And, how to turn it off. If you’re not sure what this is, Google it.
Your internal stopcock shuts off the water within the whole of the property immediately – essential if water is coming in. It means that repairs can be made to pipes, and disasters averted.
Utilities and Bills next.
You’ll be advised who the provider of gas and electricity is (in the name of the landlord) and you will need to supply a meter reading on the day you move in – and when you leave.
You may change providers, but you’ll need to set up your own account with all the tenants’ names on in order to do this. Generally, bills are sent quarterly, however some tenants prefer monthly or via a pre-paid meter.
The same will apply to your:
• Water
• Internet/Wi Fi
• TV Licence
.
A word about bills etc: do try to get organised as much as you can. Keep paperwork in separate folders and always make sure that everything is up to date payments-wise. If it’s easier to allocate a “lead” tenant as the “bills person” that could work well, assuming that he or she is willing to take this on.
Contents Insurance
Whilst your landlord will take on buildings insurance, you will be responsible for ensuring that your worldly goods are adequately covered by an insurance policy. Accidents can and do happen, and insurance is likely to be much more affordable than you think.
Council Tax
There’s good news here: if all of you are full-time students, you don’t have to pay council tax. Don’t let this one slide, though: you’ll need to register your details with the council tax office to make sure that all residents are exempt.
Trip Switches
In a nutshell, if the lights go out, in the vast majority of cases you do not need an emergency electrician. So, first off – breathe, this is not a disaster.
It’s likely that there’s too much current going through the distribution board in the property, so that the circuit gets broken.
These boards are either grey or white and should be easy to locate. You’ll notice that the switch that’s tripped is in a downward position, so unplug your appliances, and flick the switch upwards. Power should be restored.
You could try turning things on one at a time, as there may be an electric guilty party that’s causing the outage.
This isn’t easy to describe, so YouTube should be your best friend in this situation.
Regarding drains
Make sure that you clean these out regularly as leaves can block them and cause no end of headaches.
Property Inspections
We will inspect your property every three months. Please rest assured that this isn’t to catch you out or make judgements in anyway; we’re on your side. Carrying out a series of checks will highlight any maintenance or repair issues that we can sort out on your behalf.
Is it Really an Emergency?
There’s no easy way to say this, but what you consider an emergency may not actually be one.
Leave a message out of hours and follow the guidance you hear. We’ll get someone to you within a defined timeframe based on the urgency of what’s gone wrong.
If There’s One Piece of Advice We Can Give You…
It’s this: Google offers a wealth of knowledge on practically everything, including a shedload of “how to” tips on looking after a property on a day-to-day basis. Do try Googling before contacting us – for one thing, the answer could be exactly what you need within half a second
So, there you are. A comprehensive guide for students moving into their first property. This is a rite of passage to take you from one stage of your life to another, and of course there will be adjustments.
Above all, enjoy it! Going to college or university is an outstanding experience, and one that you’ll never forget.
- Details
- Hits: 1402
We believe in keeping the process of renting your property out as simple and as stress free with the upmost efficiency.
As one of Exeter’s original independent rental agents we believe in traditional service with a personal touch and we are here to help with all of your questions, queries etc.
All of our staff members have a vast knowledge of the rental sector and are willing to help out where required face to face in our City Centre office.
We pride ourselves in keeping all of our properties compliant with the changes in the regulations that are being brought in to the rental sector on a regular basis.
All of our fees our transparent with no hidden costs there are no extras for certain things that are carried out.
We also have a Director who runs the maintenance department of Cooksleys and this is offered to the tenants on a 24 hour basis.
We have a range of contractors who can be called out to carry out minor repairs to refurbishments and also arrange all of the certificates required without no extra charge to you as the landlord.
We advertise the property on our Website, Facebook, Twitter, in our City Centre Office, Rightmove and “On The Market” and we charge one of the lowest fees to potential tenants.
We offer two services fully managed or tenant find only as a small independent Estate Agent we are able to tailor the package accordingly to suit the individual needs of the landlord.
We are also always happy to meet landlords at potential investment properties. We look forward to hearing from you
