Latest Abergavenny news - Taylor & Co Property

Details: Published: 29 September 2021; Hits: 160

Despite being small, kids (and all their things) can soon fill a property, leaving parents feeling they have outgrown their homes. Self-storage company, Space Station, polled 1,000 parents to discover how much space in the home their children take over and how soon after becoming a parent they feel they have outgrown their homes and shares their tips for reclaiming more space in kids' bedrooms and playrooms. Whilst, on average, parents will outgrow their home by the time their child reaches five years old, almost a third of parents (31%) said they felt the squeeze before their child turned two years old. Families are longing for more space with almost three quarters (74%) of parents wishing they had more space in their home, with kids claiming over a third (36%) of the space as their own.

For parents who aren’t yet ready to upsize, or just want to keep the clutter to a minimum, here are some top storage hacks to help you make efficient use of space in your home:

Folding clothes

The most effective way to maximise storage space is using a Marie Kondo inspired folding technique for clothes. This fool-proof technique will ensure you can store clothes in smaller spaces. By folding the legs and arms in towards each other before folding in half, they can be tucked together in an upright position. This will take up less space and can be organised by colour or style.

Maximise your door space

We often forget about key spaces that could be used for storage. The back of the door can be well utilised by hanging a shoe organiser. This makes an unused part of the room useful and can divide items up, creating a well-organised system. Higher-level storage is also key for nappies, muslins and other items that need to be kept out of reach of little ones.

School cubbies

To make the school run more efficiently, you can set up cubbies or a form of school station. Here you can keep bags, books, shoes and even uniform neatly organised in one place and separated for each child. For children of all ages, this can be done using either hooks and shoe racks, or a vertical shelving unit.

Lazy Susans

A great way to stores toiletries such as creams or medicines is on a Lazy Susan! The rotating tray contains everything you need in one space and makes it easy to access from all sides, meaning you can store them up high away from children. These can be used in bathrooms, the bedroom, or even the kitchen cupboards to store snacks.

Stackable storage

Kids quickly accumulate an uncontrollable number of toys. Keep them contained in decorative baskets or even better, stackable containers. Giving toys a designated space will ensure the floors are kept clean and tidy whilst helping the kids learn to clear up after themselves. Storage boxes stacked on top of each other are discreet and can be pushed away into a cupboard or the corner of a room.

Double up hangers

An excellent trick for those with minimal wardrobe space is a DIY hack using aluminium cans. Remove the tab from the top of the can and file any sharp areas so it’s safe and won’t cause any scratches. Loop the tab over your clothes hanger and then you can attach another hanger through the other hole in the tab. This makes clothes hang closer together so you can fit more on the rail, as well as being able to pair up outfits for ease when dressing.

Library shelves

Bookcases can be big and clunky, taking up unnecessary space in the home. Instead, install shelves on unused walls and display books front-facing. Not only is this an attractive way to store children’s books, but it can be used to create a cute reading nook to keep the space functional and well organised.

Source: https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/at-home/the-best-space-saving-hacks-around-the-home-for-parents.html

Details: Published: 28 September 2021; Hits: 64

When it comes to adding value to a property, you may be inclined to give your walls a fresh coat of paint or spruce up the garden. But while these may add kerb appeal to your home, one change that you may not have considered, but which has the power to improve the look and value of a property, is Home Automation. Read more here about what home automation is, why it's important and the features which should be on your list of things to do when you want to increase property value in this blog post by The Guild of Property Professionals.

Details: Published: 27 September 2021; Hits: 133

House hunters have become increasingly interested in sustainability, leading them to look for energy-efficient homes that offer green features. A new UK-wide study of prospective buyers for new homes has revealed that 61% of house buyers prioritise energy efficiency for heating and fixtures when looking for a new home. As well as this, 44% want their home to be fitted for environmentally friendly living such as food waste disposal, recycling, and renewable energy systems. The study found that 1 in 3 want their new home to be sustainably built. Read more on this here.

Whether you're a landlord, looking to sell or have just settled in to your new home, here are some ways you can make your home more energy efficient:

1) Make sure your walls and attic are well insulated

Insulation can bring the biggest benefits in terms of retaining heat in your home, reducing the need for heating. A warmer, fitted-out home can reduce the possibility of damp later on and can raise the property's value. Insulation will also make it easier to keep your home cool in the summer months.

2) Fit double (or triple glazing)

A lot of heat in a building can leak through the windows. Installing double or triple glazing might cost you more initially but energy efficient windows will save you money in the long term, plus you'll get other benefits such as reduced external noise and better protection from the outside elements..

3) Upgrade your boiler

Old boilers tend to lose a lot of heat and are less-efficient. Upgrading to a newer model means that it will be cheaper to run and you'll be kind to the environment by reducing your home's carbon dioxide emissions.

4) Draught proofing

This involves simply filling in the gaps where cold air can enter your home – think: gaps around doors, windows, loft hatches, floor boards, fittings, cracks in walls and exposed pipework.

5) Install a smart meter

Smart meters and In Home Displays (IHD) help you keep track of the energy you've used, when it was used and how much it will cost. Seeing accurate, real-time information helps to manage your energy usage cutting down on waste and saving money in the long-term.

6) Install solar panels

Solar panel electricity systems convert sunlight into electricity which is used to power household appliances and lighting. Initial installation costs may be high but they help to cut costs on electricity bills and can offer the possibility to sell any surplus energy back to your electricity supplier.

Source: www.labc.co.uk/homeowners/how-can-i-make-my-home-energy-efficient

Details: Published: 24 September 2021; Hits: 484

Updated September 2021

Following recent Government announcements on Autumn / Winter Covid-19 business preparedness, we have reviewed our working practices to ensure that we remain Covid secure. To help protect our teams, our customers and to help reduce the spread of this virus, we have taken the following action:

1: We will operate in accordance with Government guidance at all times and take all reasonable steps to protect our team and our customers and have in place measure to help prevent the spreading of the Covid 19 virus.

2: Our offices will be open, but we will restrict numbers entering to ensure social distancing can take place. Visitors to our office are required to wear face coverings. Our team sit behind screened desks but wear a face covering if moving around the office when visitors are present.

3: We support the guidance that face coverings should be worn when in any enclosed/indoor setting with people who you are not normally with.

4: We will have supply of hand sanitizer at appropriate points in offices for use by staff and visitors

5: In the office and on appointments we will take all reasonable steps to ensure social distancing is maintained.

6: We will not permit any face-to-face meeting to take place in any case where any party has been advised to self-isolate or is awaiting Covid 19 test results.

7: We will ensure that where possible, our offices are well ventilated and that our team has access to regular hand washing facilities.

8: We will recommend virtual appointments as a first option to reduce the level of face-to-face contact.

9: We will issue digital information and communication where possible.

10: We will retain your information should this be needed for any NHS test and trace purposes.

11: Where viewing/market appraisal appointments are undertaken we will either ourselves or ask sellers to open all internal doors to restrict ‘touching’ of surfaces.

12: For property viewings we will request that the number of people attending the viewing is kept to two people.

13: We have maintained a flexible working pattern allowing our teams to work from home where they can and where they are able to do so. This may be on a fixed basis or as and when required, so whilst you may not ‘see’ us all the time in the office, we want to re-assure you we are still here, still offering all of our services but from the safety of our homes.

14: If our own teams are working in the office then they will take a covid lateral test to identify any early signs of a potential issue, even if they are not showing any symptoms.

15: We have a dedicated Covid 19 responsible person who is Kate Taylor, who should be the first point of contact for any Covid related queries.

16: We reserve the right to amend these procedures at short notice depending on Government advice at the time.

17: We will follow Government guidance on Home Moving.

Working together we are doing ‘our bit’ to help reduce the probability of meeting someone who may have Coronavirus even if they don’t display any symptoms.

For more detailed information, please refer to https://gov.wales/coronavirus

Details: Published: 23 September 2021; Hits: 68

The Welsh government has extended once more the period during which landlords must give tenants at least six months’ notice to evict. Due to the Covid pandemic, the Welsh Government required landlords and agents to give six months notice to tenants of an intention to evict, which was due to expire at the end of June 2021 but was extended again to 30th September 2021. However, the Welsh housing minister, Julie James, has now decided to extend the existing rules again until the end of the year, citing rising infections and hospitalisations. Read more on this here.