The festive period is truly underway at Haybrook and we can’t wait for Christmas Day! We wish you and all your family and friends a wonderful time during the seasonal period, and a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.
On the 23rd September 2022, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced cuts to stamp duty in the government’s mini-budget, by increasing the amount at which buyers in England and Northern Ireland will begin paying duty from £125,000 to £250,000. For first-time buyers, this threshold is now £425,000 and discounted stamp duty will apply up to £625,000.
Probate is the granting of legal authority to an Executor or family member to administer and disperse the Estate of the deceased, which can include property, money, possessions and other financial assets.
The government has recently confirmed that it will cut the maximum deposit for rentals of less than £50,000 to five weeks, down from six weeks. According to the National Landlords Association and the Residential Landlords Association, the reduction could force landlords out of the market. However, Haybrook partnered with flatfair earlier this year to launch a solution which protects both tenants and landlords in equal measure.
The long summer has ended, MP’s have returned to Parliament and we’re in the midst of Conference Season. Naturally Brexit will dominate each party conference, however there are other equally important policies that should also form part of the agenda - particularly Housing.
The pace of rental price growth in the private rental sector continues to slow, helping to ensure rents remain affordable. Scotland and Northern Ireland have seen the highest growth in rental values at 5.6% and 4.6% respectively. Meanwhile Wales, the South West and the East of England all saw rental price falls of 1.4% and the cheapest region in the UK – the North East saw falls of 2.2%.
Haybrook is delighted to introduce another innovative service which will benefit landlords, tenants and the environment.‘Sulu Energy Bridge’, from Tenant Shop, which we’re launching on 2nd July, offers a seamless and cost-effective energy provision service through Green Star. In 2017, 100% of their electricity came from sustainable sources, an achievement of which they are very proud.
Across the private rented sector, the average tenancy length stands at just 20 months. This is very different to the experience of an average homeowner who typically stays in their property for far longer. Many attribute this to high transaction costs and a lack of the right sort of properties for sale.
Yet again we’ve seen a change at the top of Housing Policy.The most recent cabinet reshuffle saw the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government being promoted to Home Secretary after just 111 days since the role was created earlier this year. The cabinet minister ultimately responsible for our sector is now James Brokenshire.
Rents in the UK rose by 0.9% in March compared to the same month a year ago, the average monthly rent now stands at £912 per month
The outlook from within the private rental sector is positive. Property values in most regions continue to grow, which is important for landlords who view their portfolio as a long-term investment.
April marks the start of the new tax year, bringing with it the next phase of reduced interest relief for buy-to-let mortgages. Meanwhile, as the calendar year moves swiftly along, there continues to be a range of changes which will affect our sector either having been recently introduced, or on their way.
Figures revealed by the HomeLet Rental Index earlier this month show that average rents across the UK were up 1.2% in February, when compared to the same month last year.
This month we asked Andrew Benn, Managing Director of Spicerhaart Lettings, the company that owns Haybrook, what he believes is the perfect recipe for a win-win business relationship.
Whilst the exceptional weather we’ve experienced this month has taken some by surprise, as early as mid-February, meteorologists did warn that there could be some short-term challenging conditions ahead.
As the first signs of Spring start to appear in our gardens and parks, we’re getting a sense of the outlook for the private rented sector in 2018.
2017 will be remembered by many in the property industry as a ‘year of change’. As the year began, we prepared for tighter mortgage lending restrictions and phasing in tax reforms – and ended it facing a raft of further policy amendments.
December Rental Index reveals that rents rose in 11 of the 12 UK regions covered in the research.
The changes to Stamp Duty announced today will help the housing markets we serve no end and should hopefully bring a surge of activity to markets across the UK. This move has brought the dream of owning your own home far closer for so many.
Haybrook is giving tenants the chance to live rent free, at the start of their tenancy, to save them a bit of extra money over the expensive holiday period.
Haybrook Lettings is offering landlords an opportunity to move tenants into their properties over the Christmas and New Year period for the benefit of avoiding a potentially expensive ‘void’ or unlet period.
Converting a basement or cellar into a liveable area can be an affordable way to introduce more space into your home. It can become a preferred option should you be unable to expand into the loft or build a whole new extension. It’s also quicker and usually cheaper to do.
Something a lot of homeowners are constantly asking themselves is "How can I maximise the value of my home?"
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Haybrook is proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2017, taking place 18th – 24th September. It is an annual week to generate awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking correct care of your gas appliances.
Life in the country may not be what you expect if you haven’t done it before. Although the lifestyle can appear easy and peaceful, it isn’t suited to everyone and their needs.
Those who are having a tough time finding their way onto the property ladder could consider the option of Shared Ownership.
Even if you currently reside in a smaller property, or don’t have that many things, it’s always worth hiring a professional removals company to help you shift your belongings – to make things just a little less stressful on moving day.
Whether you’re an older couple moving from a 4 bedroom house into a 2 bedroom house, or a renter going from a 2 bedroom flat to a studio apartment, you’ll almost certainly need to part with many of your things to make moving day an easier process.
Haybrook is celebrating after picking up several awards at the 2017 Spicerhaart Annual Conference. Crystal Peaks Haybrook secured the most awards with three and the second most being Barnsley Haybrook with two.
Local financial services specialist Gary Hitchcock, based with Just Mortgages at Haybrook estate agents in Sheffield, has scooped an award for being the company’s top Financial Services Divisional Director.
Selling a property is never a simple task; it’s a complex process that requires time and patience, as well as the correct planning and advice. There are various reasons why buyers don’t follow through with a purchase
This year, Haybrook Lettings agents are showing their support for National SAFEagent Awareness Week 2017, taking place from 15th – 19th May 2017.
Open House events are great for showing off your home; you get to open your doors to the public and hopefully gain some interest as well.
The Government has just announced its plan to make Client Money Protection (CMP) essential for all lettings agents.
Whether it’s your first time of fourth time hunting for a new property, the market can always appear to be quite daunting.
Many of us simply may not have the time to maintain our own gardens, especially over the winter months. But despite this, we do still want to benefit from a carefully maintained garden and make the most of it when we do get time to relax.
Landlords need to be aware of the right advice to follow if they’re going to be successful with their buy-to-let. It’s also important to be informed of the common mistakes landlords commit to make sure you don’t repeat them.
Parents are often eager to research which areas have the best schools before buying a home, but it’s important to make sure you’re doing the right research.
A bedroom is a place where we sleep but also somewhere we go for an escape. Do you feel like your bedroom lacks the special qualities? Qualities like calmness, relaxation? If so read on:
Thinking of extending your property or applying for a change of use? If so you’ll need to obtain planning permission. Here are Haybrook’s tips for achieving the best possible result out of the planning process.
Two Haybrook branches are celebrating after each collecting an award at the 2016 UK Property Awards ceremony, held on 28th October.
If you’re a first-time buyer looking to get on the housing ladder, you may be worrying about what will happen when the Government’s Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme comes to an end in December 2016
As you’re frantically packing to move into your new home, it’s important to think about what else you need to know about the property before completing your move.
Want to freshen up your home this summer? Here are this year’s summer interior design trends...
The nation is still coming to terms with the effects of last week’s decision to leave the EU. We have seen a lot of sensationalist claims in the media about what might happen to property prices in the event of a Brexit.
Read about us doing our part in Magic Moments Charity Bike Ride!
Check out our advice for first-time sellers!
A bedroom is a place where we sleep but also somewhere we go for an escape. Do you feel like your bedroom lacks the special qualities? Qualities like calmness, relaxation? If so read on:
It’s been an interesting year for the housing market, with impact from the coronavirus pandemic and numerous Government backed solutions to help people onto the property market. If you are wondering how these factors will affect you, what the housing market might look like in the next few years, or if it’s a good time to buy or sell, read our insights on the current housing market and predictions for the future.
Haybrook is urging the Government to reconsider current plans regarding the cladding remediation fund and protect landlords as we believe there’s no logical explanation for the exclusion. We’ll continue to add our voice to campaigns such as this one to ensure the private rented sector isn’t treated unfairly.
