Homes & Gardens

The Rise of Community-Led Housing Projects Across the UK

Across the UK, housing is no longer being shaped only by large developers and national frameworks. A quieter shift is underway, led by communities themselves. From rural villages to urban neighbourhoods, local groups are increasingly taking an active role in designing, funding, and managing housing projects that reflect local needs rather than purely commercial priorities.

This movement is often described as community-led housing. It includes Community Land Trusts, co-housing schemes, and resident-led development groups. While still a small part of the overall housing market, its...

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House sales in SW continue to rise

House sales continue to pick up across the South West in September supported by a modest improvement in the availability of mortgage finance, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey.

Across the region, 19% more chartered surveyors saw a rise in agreed sales, with 23% more respondents expecting a rise in sales expectations over the next three months. This trend in agreed sales outstrips the national rate, with 14% more surveyors reporting a rise in agreed sales across the UK.

The stronger sales trend in the UK is broadly reflective of an upturn in demand...

Tenants safer under new Government measures

New fire safety measures will help save the lives of tenants and ensure all rented property is equipped with a smoke alarm, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said today.

From today (1 October), landlords will be required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, under new Government measures coming into force.

It is estimated this could help prevent more than 25 deaths and nearly 700 injuries a year. Landlords who fail to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could face up to a £5,000 civil penalty.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said...

Thousands of elderly risk death from electrical fires

Older people in the UK are disproportionately at risk from electrical hazards, according to research by leading charity, Electrical Safety First.

The Charity has found that a person over 60 is ten times more likely to die in a fire than somebody aged 17 to 24. And more than half of the accidental fire-related deaths last year in Great Britain were people aged 65 and olderii.

“Half of all accidental electrical fires are caused by misuse, so they are preventable,” said Phil Buckle, Director-General of Electrical Safety First. “

Elsie Van der Steen, 85, was left with...

Exeter property market attracting London buyers

Most of you will be aware of the significant increase in house prices in London , which has definitely had its fair share of advertisement and media coverage. However, what most people aren’t as aware of is that since the fourth quarter of 2013, the number of home sales recorded in Prime Central London (PCL) has been rapidly falling. There are a number of arguments when it comes to the reason for this – including the idea that more homeowners are hanging on to their properties in the hope of the value increasing more, whilst more potential buyers are also looking elsewhere in a bid for a...

Tickled pink: Exeter families to move into colourful new homes

Six new brightly coloured council homes set to providing sustainable and low energy housing for some of Exeter’s most vulnerable families.

New eco-friendly homes at Reed Walk, Newport Road will house six local families who have been waiting for a suitable place to live on Exeter’s Housing Register. The new three-bedroom homes, including one fully wheelchair accessible property, were completed in September.

The houses are noticeable due to their bright colouring, which were carefully developed to reflect typical natural building materials of the Exeter area like Devon...

Can a Stylish Outdoor Space Add Value to Your Home?

Most people recognise the benefit of installing a new kitchen or bathroom in order to add value and make a property more sellable, but not everyone recognises the advantages of creating an attractive outdoor space. Landscaping a front garden adds instant kerb appeal, but when the majority of your outdoor space is at the back of the property and therefore out of sight, it might seem like a waste of money doing it up. However, it is always a good idea to put some effort into improving your garden if you are planning on selling the property, and if you are able to create a stylish outdoor...

Does your oil tank leak?

It is also the time of year when the Environment Agency urges people to check their oil tanks to protect the environment and reduce the risk of potentially large financial losses.

Leaked oil can end up in drains, many of which lead directly to rivers, streams, lakes and even garden ponds, having the same effect as pouring it directly into the watercourse.

Oil is poisonous to fish and other wildlife and smothers plants and just 2 litres of oil could seriously pollute the volume of fresh water needed to fill an olympic-size swimming pool.

Senior Environment Officer...

5 proven ways to add value to your home

Part of the joy of owning your own home is that you are free to improve upon it and style it to suit your personality.

Obviously this takes money and if it is your first home you might not have the available funds, but if you are renovating a property with a view to selling it at some point, it is worth considering how any work you do impacts on the resale price.

Some home improvements are more costly than others, but whatever tasks you elect to do, think about whether they will add value, or not.

This isn’t such an issue if you are planning on staying put for...

Planning a Loft Conversion? Here's What You Need to Do

Depending on the structure of your roof and whether or not you have any constraints regarding planning, carrying out a loft conversion is one of the most straightforward ways to add extra room and space to your home. With a bit of basic planning, almost any home can benefit from this extension. If you’re thinking of ways to add more room to your home whether you’re planning to sell or simply want to upgrade your home so that it’s bigger, a loft conversion is a great way to do so. We’ve put together a list of everything that you’ll need to consider when planning to convert your loft. Make...

How to choose the right home heating

The summer is officially fading, and it is now time to start thinking about how to make your home nice and warm for the colder period of the year.

Central heating is a really good choice because it warms your whole home, and can ensure you don't feel the cold even in the wintry months. However, radiators can be kind of ugly looking, so it is important to choose the right central heating and not end up with your home décor ruined by ugly radiators!

Modern Radiator Styles Look Great!

One of the first things to consider when you really want the warmth central heating...

Homes & Gardens

The Rise of Community-Led Housing Projects Across the UK

House sales in SW continue to rise

Tenants safer under new Government measures

Thousands of elderly risk death from electrical fires

Exeter property market attracting London buyers

Tickled pink: Exeter families to move into colourful new homes

Can a Stylish Outdoor Space Add Value to Your Home?

Does your oil tank leak?

5 proven ways to add value to your home

Planning a Loft Conversion? Here's What You Need to Do

How to choose the right home heating

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