Homes & Gardens

Construction workloads increased in the South West in the final quarter of 2014, albeit at a slightly slower rate, and private housing saw the strongest growth despite the shortage of bricklayers reaching a record high.

Over a third (36% net balance) reported that workloads in the construction sector had grown in the region in Q4 2014 with 57% more respondents saying that the private housing sector was fuelling the greatest growth, followed by the private commercial sector (48%).

Around 60% of respondents across the UK reported that material shortages, skill shortages and...

Landlords of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in Exeter still have time to take advantage of discounted licensing ahead of changes to new legislation set to be introduced in February.

Exeter City Council is offering a series of discounts for landlords affected by the new legislation, to those who register their properties before 15 January, undertake a training course or are part of a recognised landlords' association.

In November Exeter City Council approved an extension of its licensing for HMOs following a lengthy period of public consultation.

The Council is...

Landlords in the South West are least at risk of rent arrears, according to research from the UK’s leading landlord association*.

Those in the South West were found to be less at risk with a quarter (25 per cent) of landlords experiencing rent arrears in the last 12 months, compared to 29 per cent of landlords in the South East.

The research shows that a typical landlord in the South East with rent arrears faces £1,551 of outstanding rent, while those in the South West have £2,157 of outstanding rent, well about the UK average of £1,649.

Landlords in the North East...

Burglars are looking to hit the jackpot as Black Friday bargains and Christmas presents boost the value of home contents by more than a third this weekend, home security experts have warned. Millions of pounds will be spent buying Christmas presents this weekend as most of the UK gets its monthly pay-cheque today and scoops up Black Friday bargains in readiness for Christmas. And those bargains, plus Christmas present purchases, means UK homes are an easily accessible treasure trove for heartless thieves over the next few weeks, according to the report by National home security company...