Posts with tag: home improvements

Seven in Ten Brits Unhappy With Home

Published On: June 17, 2015 at 12:08 pm

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New research has revealed that as many as 7 in 10 Brits are not happy with their home, with factors such as size and location cited as some main reasons. However, décor was found to be the largest gripe for UK homeowners.

The survey, commissioned by wooden-blinds-direct.co.uk, found that 20% of respondents hate where they live. Many replied that they dislike their home due to its size or its location, with over half saying that their home needs redecorating.

Unhappy

Questioning 2,000 people, the research showed that 72% of homeowners are not happy with their house. 30% simply said that their home was not yet how they want it, with 28% saying their home was too small.[1]

45% of respondents said in general, little tweaks would make them feel happier, with 57% believing new wallpaper would help and 38% feel laying a new carpet or flooring would make a difference.[1]

Almost half of all respondents stated that they feel like they will never be able to reach a point where they are totally satisfied with their home. Lack of time and lack of knowledge were found to be the barriers that prevent people from attempting changes.

Worrying

A spokesperson for wooden-blinds-direct.co.uk said, ‘for most of us, our homes are the biggest purchases we will ever make, so it’s worrying to see so many people are living in homes they aren’t happy with, or that they actually hate! It can be difficult when you feel like your home is too small, or in a location you don’t like, but some smaller improvements could completely change how you feel about your home.’

‘Don’t view your home as something that has to be tackled all at once – break it down into individual projects. Something as simple as a new coat of paint in a room, a new carpet, or some new furniture or fittings can be a small change which you’re happy with. And once a few of those small projects have been completed, the cumulative effect can make a huge difference to how you feel.’

Seven in Ten Brits Unhappy With Home

Seven in Ten Brits Unhappy With Home

‘We conducted this research to see how people really feel about their homes; to find out that so many of us are so unhappy is a shock. We supply thousands of blinds every week and our interior designers often field questions and special requests from people who are looking to get their ideal look.’

‘We all spend too much time at home to be unhappy with where we’re living.’[1]

Improvements

The survey revealed that the top ten reasons why people were unhappy with their home were:

  1. It needs redecorating
  2. I just haven’t got it the way I want it
  3. It’s too small
  4. The location
  5. It’s not decorated to my tastes
  6. The garden is too small
  7. There isn’t a lot/any parking
  8. It’s quite dated
  9. I don’t get on with my neighbours
  10. It’s too old

The top ten things that people would like to do to improve their home were found to be:

  1. Re-paint or wallpaper
  2. Lay new carpets/flooring
  3. Install a new kitchen
  4. Buy new furniture
  5. Clear it of clutter
  6. Install a new bathroom
  7. Replace your windows
  8. Build an extension
  9. Replace curtains for blinds
  10. Convert the loft[1]

[1] http://tle-online.com/property/seven-in-ten-brits-unhappy-with-their-home/15/06

 

 

The London Councils that Approve Most Planning Permission Applications

Published On: May 18, 2015 at 9:43 am

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If you’re a Londoner looking to change your property, living in Wandsworth or Kensington and Chelsea will be your best bet at getting your planning permission application approved. In these boroughs, up to 92% of proposals are permitted.

Planning consultancy Daniel Watney LLP has conducted an audit on the outcome of planning proposal applications in the last 12 months. Within the capital, there are wide gaps between the amount of approvals, with some councils rejecting two out of three plans.

Over half of all applications received last year in Redbridge, Bromley, Newham, Croydon, Hillingdon, Greenwich and Harrow were overruled. In Enfield, North London, only 37% were agreed.

The London Councils that Approve Most Planning Permission Applications

The London Councils that Approve Most Planning Permission Applications

This will dishearten those looking to make improvement works on their home. Recently, the case of singer Robbie Williams reached the news when Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page objected Williams’ plans to remodel his £17.5m Holland Park house. Page believed the job would impact his Grade I listed property.

However, Williams could be in luck, as the research found Kensington and Chelsea Council approves 81% of all applications.

Wandsworth Council permits 92% of proposals, and Southwark, Camden and Tower Hamlets councils accept over 80%.

Nick Willson, Director of Nick Willson Architects, thinks Londoners could be to blame for rejected plans, as they often do not give enough information and details within their applications. However, he also says that some councils simply do not like contemporary design.

He explains: “Planning permission for one house we had was thrown out due to proposals for a flat roof; the councillor said she didn’t like flat roofs and would reject all schemes with flat roofs.”1

Director of Satellite Architects, Kristin Cross, also believes some homeowners are bound to fail because their plans breach local or national planning rules. She says that research is boring, but necessary.

As with Williams, neighbours can be a big problem. Another story to highlight the issue was when 71-year-old Zipporah Lisle-Mainwaring painted her home in West London with red and white stripes because her neighbours had objected proposals to demolish the house and rebuild it with a two-storey basement.

Creative Director of Ensoul Interior Architecture, Viki Lander, says that neighbours should be involved from the beginning: “It is crucial to present your plans to them before submitting to planning.

“Explain what you plan to do and why. People really are understanding and can even be major advocates once they know that you are trying to get more living space for kids that are on the way.”1 

Lander suggests offering to pay neighbours for cleaning their windows and cars from any building dust.

Although Director of RCKa Architects, Russell Curtis, thinks the main barrier is underfunding: “Most planning departments are overworked and under resourced, so junior, less-experienced case officers tend to be assigned smaller domestic schemes.

“It is often easier for them to refuse an application instead of taking time to understand it and reaching an informed decision within the statutory eight-week determination period.”1

1 http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/news/planning-permission-london-councils-say-yes

 

 

 

 

What is the Green Deal scheme?

Published On: October 23, 2012 at 9:35 am

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Climate change campaigners have welcomed the announcement of a new Green Deal service for landlords.

The new scheme, announced on behalf of the Residential Landlord Association, will be managed by Enact Energy. Starting next month, the scheme will initially offer free, funded insulation under the Energy Company Obligation. Implementation of the Green Deal will begin on January 28th.

Welcome

After the announcement, the move was welcomed from a number of figures in the industry. Climate change minister Greg Barker said that he was, ‘delighted to see the Residential Landlords Association take this approach.’ [1] Barker also highlighted the many homes in the private rented sector were not energy efficient. However, he believes that the service, ‘will not only help to tackle that, but will also help tenants to live in warmer homes.’[1]

Alan Ward, chairman of the Residential Landlords Association was also quick to welcome the changes. Ward stated that,’ The Green Deal offers landlords a significant opportunity to improve the energy efficiency and in some cases the appearance of their property.’ [1]

Clearing complications

Ward went onto to suggest that the new scheme would eradicate complications often found in finance and processing legislation. He said that the RLA, ‘believe that there is a requirement for a service which understands the unique needs of both our landlord members and their tenants which led us to launch this new service.’[1]

He went on to say that, ‘We can offer landlords a complete service from initial property assessment through to installation of the upgrades, with access to grant funding and Green Deal finance all under one roof.

“The RLA Green Deal service will be open to non-members, although only members will be entitled to discounts and offers worth far more than the £75 it would cost to sign up.’[1]

What is the Green Deal scheme?

What is the Green Deal scheme?

 

 

Bold plans

Ward has high plans for the scheme, saying, ‘We aim to be the major service for Green Deal and ECO for the private rental sector and are planning to help up to 10,000 landlords to upgrade their properties over the next five years.’[1]

Strict Rules

There are to be strict rules surrounding the use of the Green Deal. Landlords wishing to make an upgrade on their portfolio using the scheme must gain written permission from their tenant. Alternatively, landlords can utilize a void period to get work done.

Under the regulations attributed to the scheme, a tenant must be made aware of the costs of any future Green Deal plan before they sign any agreement.

Cash-backs

A further announcement from the Government states that the first households to take advantage of Green Deal improvements can claim up to £1,000 cashbacks. These will be issued on a first come, first served basis. A fund of £125m will be made available for these cash-backs.

[1] http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/news_features/New-Green-Deal-scheme-launches-for-landlords