Do I Need An Epc?

Everyone who is advertising their residential property for rent in the UK is required by law to commission an EPC. In Scotland, it is required that the EPC be displayed in the property, usually in the meter cupboard or next to the boiler.

You can be fined for not having an EPC when you need one. There are a few possible exceptions, but the majority of them concern businesses or places of worship. For example, your property might be exempt if it is mixed-use, such as a home that is also a shop, less than 50 square metres, or used for less than four months of the year, like a holiday home.

What is an EPC?

EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. An EPC grades how energy efficient a property is from A to G and 1-100.

It includes advice on how to use less energy and money, as well as the rating the property may get if all of those recommendations were implemented. It also includes the environmental CO2 impact rating for the property. That is how much CO2 is produced during the production of hot water and heating for the property.

How is an EPC produced?

You need to employ a certified assessor to do the report. The EPC assessor will visit your property and gather information about your boiler, hot water tank, radiators, insulation, and windows. Then, they put this information into software that figures out how energy-efficient your home is and how it affects the environment.

How can you improve your EPC?

Contained in the report will be a list of ways in which you can improve your property’s EPC rating. These are not generic suggestions but will actually be specifically tailored to your property. You may decide not to use any of them. However, it is worth noting that a low EPC rating can put off potential tenants, as they may worry about the cost of heating the property.

If you want to raise your property’s rating, the single most effective thing you can do is install a new boiler. Other things that can improve the energy efficiency of your property are:

increasing the amount of loft insulation

adding solar panels to your roof

sealing unused chimneys to reduce draughts

and adding wall insulation.

It is always a good idea to keep any documentation when having insulation installed because EPC assessors only conduct a visual inspection of your property and will not be able to see any in tucked away or inaccessible areas.

It may feel like a hassle to have to arrange for an EPC to be carried out, but it can actually help you attract tenants to your property. A property with a high EPC rating will be attractive to a wide range of tenants. Many people are now concerned about their own carbon footprint and the rising cost of energy, so if your property is energy-efficient, it is definitely a plus.

If you have any questions about EPCs or would like to learn more about how we can help you through the entire property letting process, please contact us at 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page

Spring Cleaning Tips For A Sparkling Home

Spring is in the air, and many of us will be considering doing a spot of Spring cleaning to get our homes ready for Summer. A deep clean can help us to remove allergens from our homes that usually get missed during regular cleans. If you are considering putting your property on the market, a good declutter and a deep clean will help you achieve your asking price. So here are our top Spring cleaning tips.

From top to bottom

Cleaning from the top down will force the dirt and dust down and out of your home and save you from having to re-dust or clean areas you have already cleaned. This applies not just in individual rooms, where you should always clean the dust off the ceiling and the coving first, but also to the entire Spring cleaning process.

Shower Curtains

These can be popped in your washing machine with a few towels on a gentle cycle then hung up to dry.

Windows

Make up your own window cleaning solution with 1 cup of white vinegar, ½ tsp dish washing liquid and 2 cups of water. Use a spray bottle to spray it onto your windows and wipe with a clean cloth. It is a good idea to clean your windows on a cloudy day so that you don’t end up with streaks.

Stainless Steel

Mix 1 tsp of dish washing liquid with 1L of hot tap water. Use a cloth dipped in the solution to rub on marks, always in the direction of the metal’s grain. Then rinse it off with clean water and dry immediately to avoid streaks.

Clean your cutting boards.

Cutting boards can be cleaned of both stains and foul odours by rubbing the cut side of a lemon wedge over them. The cleaning power of the lemon can be increased by first sprinkling it with salt or baking soda.

Make your oven shine

You can help to soften baked-on filth by placing a hot, damp cloth on top of it and leaving it for ten minutes. Use a sprinkling of baking powder and a heavy duty scouring pad to finish the clean. Then, just rinse it off and let it dry.

Walls

After running a duster over your walls, wash them with 1tsp of dishwashing liquid mixed with 1L of water. If you have a stubborn stain, dip a wet cloth into bicarbonate of soda and gently rub the stain. Then wipe the area clean and leave it to dry.

Freshen up your carpets

To remove odours from your carpet sprinkle some baking soda over it and then work it into the fibres using a soft brush. Leave it for up to 30 minutes then vacuum it up.

If you are getting your property ready to put on the market please give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk and we will be happy to pop round and give you our professional advice on how to make your property look its best.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page

How Can You Help Your Tenants With The Cost Of Living Crisis?

The rising cost of living has affected everyone. It is always in a landlord’s interest to help their tenants, wherever possible, be happy and content in their home. Happy tenants become long-term tenants, which reduces rental voids. So if you would like to know how to help your tenants cope with the cost of living crisis, here are a few things you can do.

Information Pack

By providing information on how to use the appliances and heating, how to prevent pests and mould, and other helpful maintenance information, you will not only help your tenants keep their bills down but will also reduce your own repair costs. Don't forget to tell your tenants that it's critical to report maintenance issues promptly in order to prevent problems from getting worse.

Keep the lines of communication open

Make sure that your tenants feel able to communicate with you, not just in an emergency but also about things like any issues they are facing in their lives. If you need to raise the rent, make sure that they are given plenty of notice, and take time to explain the increasing costs that you are facing as a landlord. In some cases, it can be more beneficial in the long run to keep good tenants and avoid a rental void than to raise the rent.

Improve your property’s energy efficiency

The Government’s plans to require all newly rented properties to have an EPC rating of C or above by 2025 have already encouraged around a quarter of landlords to make energy efficiency upgrades to their properties. While the initial cost may seem daunting, there are financial benefits for both tenants and landlords. Tenants benefit from having reduced bills, and landlords benefit from having a property that will meet the EPC requirements and is also more attractive to prospective tenants after the existing tenants vacate. In a recent survey, 52% of tenants said they would be happy to pay more for a more energy-efficient home.

Shop around for energy and utilities

If your tenants have a "bills included" tenancy agreement, use online price comparison websites and seek advice from other landlords to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Relieving the pressure of rising bills will help you avoid needing to increase the rent. If your tenants cover their own bills, then a suggestion of an energy or utility provider who may be able to provide them with cheaper bills will always be welcome and will let your tenants know that you care.

Council tax

You or your tenant may be eligible for a council tax rebate if your property is vacant or your tenant lives alone. It is worth doing a 1991 valuation check to ensure that your property is in the correct council tax band to make sure that you or your tenant are not overpaying.

Treating tenants with empathy is one of the hallmarks of a good landlord. Maintaining a productive relationship with your tenants has many benefits both for them and for you.

If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you in managing your property during these difficult times, please call us on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk

Are You Considering Renting Out Your Property In Warrington?

Do you have a property in Warrington that you would like to rent out? Renting out a property is a great way to make some money, especially in Warrington where there is a high demand for rental properties.

We understand that renting out your property can seem intimidating if you have never done it before. There are lots of things to think about.

You need to decide how much rent you are going to charge. This is more complicated than simply deciding how much you would like. You need to consider expenses like taxes and maintenance costs.

Then you will need to find tenants, maintain your property, and deal with any issues that arise while keeping on top of ever-changing regulations.

That is where we come in. As a new landlord, you need to know what to do and what to expect before embarking on this new venture, and we will be there to help you every step of the way. We have assisted many landlords with renting out their properties and have many satisfied tenants as proof that we genuinely care about the properties we rent out and the tenants we rent to.

As your letting agent, we can take care of everything from preparing the property, keeping on top of regulations, finding tenants, checking their references, collecting the rent, and solving any issues that may arise during their tenancy.

Are you considering renting out your house in Warrington? Need some advice or want to know how we can help to make the whole process hassle free?

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235 338 – we are based on the Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, WA2 8TX. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page

Warrington Property Market Report February 2023

March sees the start of the Spring Rush which is traditionally the busiest time of year for the property market. Warmer weather brings home buyers out of their self-imposed winter hibernation. Longer days give more opportunities for evening viewings, and spring flowers brighten up and bring outdoor areas to life. All of these things make now the ideal time to put your property on the market.

Let’s have a brief look at what’s been happening over the last month in the local Warrington property market.

There are currently 447 properties available for sale in Warrington. Last month, there were 445 and the month before there were 430. Of the 447 properties that are currently available, 65 came to the market in the last two weeks. In January, there were 73 properties that were new to the market; in December there were 33; in November, there were 48; and in October, there were 71. This is good news for buyers and shows that the market has changed from a sellers' market to a buyers' market. Buyers now have more choice and feel less rushed into making a decision.

The average price of properties in Warrington is £261,154. This is an increase of 4% since November.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket, with 182 currently on the market. Last month there were 192, in December there were 191, and in November there were 170 available. In October, there were 158 available. This shows that the local property market is still very busy, despite the doom and gloom in the national media.

There are 36 properties available in the £500,000 to £1 million bracket. This is four less than last month but still five more than December and eight more than November.

Properties in the £300,000 - £400,000 bracket remain the fastest movers, staying on the market for only 87 days, which is 26 more than last month. In December, they spent on average 80 days on the market. In November, properties in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket were the fastest movers; they were on the market for 92 days.

They are closely followed by properties in the £400,000 to £500,000 bracket, which are now taking on average 97 days to sell, down 3 days since last month. This is a decrease of 100% since November, when they were spending on average 194 days on the market.

One-bedroom properties had a median price of £95,000 in January and December, up from £90,500 in November. In February the median price of a one-bedroom property in Warrington was sitting at £90,000 with an average price of £96,239. They are currently sitting on the market for an average of 290 days, down from 297 days in January. In December they sat on the market for an average of 288 days and in November 289. This is an increase from 249 days in October but is still a substantial decrease from 349 days in September.

This is another example of how selling property can take longer than people often imagine. If you’re looking to upsize from your first home, or are an investor looking to change your portfolio, please bear this in mind when planning.

Four-bedroom properties are still the fastest movers in Warrington, spending an average of only 92 days on the market, up slightly from 86 last month. They currently have an average price of £438,827, a 4.2% increase since December, when the average price was £419,277. The median price of a four-bedroom property in Warrington is now £415,000.

Let’s take a look at the annual figures now.

The majority of sales in Warrington during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £243,110. Terraced properties sold for an average of £176,766, with detached properties fetching £421,299.

Overall, sold prices in Warrington over the last year were 1% up on the previous year and 8% up on the 2020 peak of £230,796.

This shows the high levels of activity in the local Warrington property market, which are likely to increase or, at the very least, remain strong in the second quarter of this year. There is a lot of demand and plenty of people looking to move around Warrington.

If you’re thinking of selling your property, feel free to contact us. If you’re thinking of buying, letting or renting a Warrington property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call 01925 235 338 or email staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk.

If you are looking for an agent that is well established, professional and communicative, whether you’re buying, selling or looking for an investment opportunity, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of the Warrington property market.

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235 338 – we are based on the Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, WA2 8TX. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page