Property Search

Day: 27 February 2022

5 ways tenants looking to rent can stand out against strong competition

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Think you’ve found your perfect home, but worry someone else will snap it up? Here’s how to give yourself an edge over the competition.

Competition for rental properties is strong in many areas, and there are signs it’s also been affecting prices.

In the year leading up to January 2022, UK rental prices accelerated at their fastest annual pace since 2017, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

So if you’ve found your perfect place to live, how can you make yourself stand out to the landlord or lettings agency?

Here are some tips from Chris Hutchinson, CEO of rental platform Canopy (canopy.rent), to help boost your chances…

1. Be prepared

Making an offer on a rental property often means filling out a written application.

Hutchinson says: “Having all the paperwork and information prepared will show the landlord you are organised, and help build a strong first impression.”

Make sure you have all the necessary references and payslips in good order.

2. Present yourself well

Being punctual, polite and conscientious could go a long way when viewing a rental property.

Hutchinson says: “You are trying to show the landlord you are dependable – and it also never hurts to offer to take your shoes off when you enter the property.”

3. Ask good questions

“Asking about bin collection, for example, will show you are thinking about keeping the property clean,” Hutchinson suggests.

4. Offer something extra

If competition is strong for a particular property, the landlord may find it difficult to distinguish between applicants.

Hutchinson says: “Offering to sign a longer lease may also help, but this can vary from landlord to landlord – it won’t hurt to ask the question.”

But he does recommend caution, in case this causes your landlord “to expect more in the future”.

5. Be quick

The longer a property is left standing empty without tenants, the longer the landlord goes without receiving any rental income.

If you are satisfied the property you’ve viewed is the one for you, Hutchinson suggests: “Don’t dawdle, ask to fill out a rental application.

“This will also help to limit the competition, as landlords generally won’t want to have too many applications to filter through before choosing their new tenant.”

13 ways to style up your outdoor space for spring entertaining

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It’s not too soon to be thinking about getting your garden or patio ready for warmer weather, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

With spring collections landing at a rapid rate, now’s the time to up your garden game.

Consider key pieces to create a chic corner for al fresco entertaining or chilling by yourself, perhaps an outdoor sofa to sprawl out on with a cheeky cocktail come the first heatwave and signs of summer.

It’s safe to say we’ve acquired quite a taste for outdoor living after a turbulent two years, and styling up a suntrap or precious piece of green lawn rewards in so many ways. Especially with barbecue season coming into swing, not to mention get-togethers on a grander scale back on the cards.

Looking for a refresh? These top finds would all do the job nicely…

1. George Home Natural Novaro Egg Chair, £249, direct.asda.com

The easiest way to kick-start your patio prowess is with a statement piece – and egg chairs are where it’s at this summer. Think self-gift seating for relaxing and unwinding. With a trendy wicker finish and comfy cushions, mix this one with greenery and terracotta pots to complete the look.

2. Habitat Kora 2-Seater Egg Bench – Natural, £440, Habitat

Alternatively, double the pleasure with room for two.

3. Habitat 2-Seater Bar Bistro Set, £250, Habitat

Staying with the rattan theme, this stylish table with matching bar stools can be accessorised with faux fur chair throws while it’s still chilly, or colourful cotton throws for a boutique-y hotel look when you’re serving spritzes and nibbles.

“We’ve seen demand for bistro sets grow steadily each year, as customers embrace café culture in their outdoor spaces,” says Rachael Fell, furniture buying manager at Habitat. “Suitable for compact areas as well as larger settings, these styles are ideal for renters looking to move furniture from home to home.”

4. Coyle Square 2–Person 80cm Long Dining Set by Corrigan Studio, £309.99, Wayfair

As Nadia McCowan Hill, Wayfair’s resident style advisor put its: “A relaxed atmosphere can be achieved however big or small the garden get-togethers are, with the right seating and accessories. As a starting point, think about what kind of entertaining you’re going to do most of. This will ensure the garden furniture chosen gets maximum use.”

With this in mind, you can’t go wrong with this lightweight dining set, which will look just as well in a kitchen or sunroom and can easily be transported outside.

5. Fire Pit AFTONFALK (D58 x H23cm) Black, £40, JYSK

For a quick fix, a budget-friendly outdoor fire pit combines ambience and function with its warm glow, plus it’s a brilliant focal point.

6. John Lewis & Partners 4-seat Lounging Set, £999 (available late March); ANYDAY Sky Jute Rug, from £140; cushions from a selection, John Lewis

For a Mediterranean style vibe, there’s nothing like a low-slung sofa and simple coffee table with short legs, with scattered cushions and natural jute rugs. Summer straw hats pinned on walls make a great final touch.

7. Helsinki Corner Dining Set, £1,250, Next

Meanwhile, this contemporary corner sofa seats eight, and comes with two low-slung stools and dining table with wood effect top. Large terracotta pots and containers spilling out with trailing plants and flowers will inspire happy thoughts of faraway places.

8. Glyndebourne Reusable Picnic Dinner Plates, £8 each, and Bowls, £7 each, Glyndebourne Shop

A classy choice for al fresco dining and in tune with dove grey dining schemes, this pretty pattern’s based on Glyndebourne’s Organ Room ceiling design, where opera singers first performed.

9. John Lewis & Partners Salsa Round Garden Coffee Table (70cm), Two Tone Yellow, £149, other items from a selection, John Lewis

A fun way to funk up an existing sofa set is with a pop of colour and a coffee table in a bold shade, especially if it’s sunshine yellow like this one. Come the day, a jug of sangria or Buck’s Fizz will taste even more uplifting and delicious.

10. Cream Canvas Hanging Chair, £39, direct.asda.com

There’s something about this hanging chair that ticks all our ‘must buy’ boxes. We love the boho fringe and nod to macramé.

11. CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Taura Resin Rope Lounge Chair – Grey, £199, Freemans

Ideal for a small balcony or petite patio, this lounge chair will fit neatly into a tight space and looks so inviting with its round frame and padded seat. Try making even more of the look by painting an exterior wall in mauve pink for extra impact.

12. RANGSTRUP D110 + 4 PANDUMBRO Nature table and chairs set, currently £269.99 (was £339.95), JYSK

No matter where you decide to place accent pieces, you can’t go wrong with a round table and wicker dining chairs, which can be tucked underneath when not in use. And to help you make the most of your space, Rikke Blaeside, design and range manager at JYSK, says to try layering various types of outdoor lighting to add depth to the garden.

“Solar lamps will provide a subtle light throughout the evening and are perfect for dotting within flowerbeds or plant pots to light up pockets of your garden; trail string lights along a fence or pergola, and elevate the look with lanterns to ensure a warm glow.”

13. GAMMELBY Grey Chairs, £199.99 each, table from a selection, JYSK

For more seating inspiration, these wicker-look chairs channel texture to beautiful effect and will complement larger sized tables.

5 easy lunch-break updates for a 60-minute makeover in your home

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These quick fixes are cost-effective and can be done in less than an hour, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

Short on time but big on style?

Want to make some home improvements without getting bogged down with a DIY project you may live to regret? Or just fancy a fast fling with a drill, paintbrush or tired piece of furniture?

These small tweaks and bijoux projects can change the feel of your home and breathe new life into your furnishings, four walls, windows, and generally help clean up your act.

Indeed, some are so bite-sized, you’ll still have time for a quick snack…

1. Give outdated cabinetry an upgrade

“Switching out your standard handles for something more luxe can transform an inexpensive kitchen, to one that feels stylish and bespoke, says Jenna Choate, co-founder of Interior Fox.

Easier than you might think, Choate says they usually come in a standard size, which means the handles and hinges can be unscrewed and replaced using the existing screw. “Warm up the finishes with brass, or opt for matt-black for a contemporary look that feels sleek and modern.”

Depending on your budget, along with online shopping sites such as Amazon, check out Plank Hardware, who have a great selection of door knobs in brass, matt black, satin nickel, pink and blue, which can be paired with their door handle collection.

Suitable for kitchen cabinets, drawers and dressers, prices start from as little as £6.95 (per knob), and come with M4 4 x 25mm machine screws for easy installation.

2. Add open shelving to a blank wall

“There are some quick and simple ways to update your kitchen that won’t require much time, budget or skill,” suggests Choate. “If you’re looking for a way to bring a sense of style into a bare kitchen, consider adding open shelving to a blank wall.

“Use this area to stack artisanal bowls and cups, as well as your favourite jugs, or decant dry goods into glass storage jars and canisters, from pasta and rice, to nuts or spices. The key thing here is to not over clutter the space, keep the items to a minimum for a look that feels both practical and stylish.”

3. Add some extra wow-factor to windows with a decorative film

Whether you’re living in the home of your dreams or are a first-time buyer, not all of us are lucky enough to have a room with a view.

It might be light and bright, but if there’s a tiny snag when you look out, a decorative window film could be the answer, such as this Feathers Printed Window Film, priced from £11.50, Purlfrost.

“Made-to-measure and assembled in minutes, this easy update offers complete privacy to onlooking neighbours and a fuss-free alternative to sheers or shutters,” says Joanna Baumard, co-founder of Purlfrost.

“With a wide choice of designs to choose from, you can really let your personality shine through,” says Baumard. “Opt for a bold floral or abstract pattern to create a design statement, or for those looking for something a little more understated, a delicate frosted design.”

Easy to apply in minutes, they send detailed instructions and a tool kit with each order, making it as simple and stress-free as possible. “You’ll be amazed how easy this DIY job is and how it completely revamps any room in the house in just a few minutes,” she adds.

4. Re-arrange your book shelves

You don’t need to be a bookworm to get the ‘bookshelves look’ but it helps. Otherwise, charity shops are great hunting ground and will add some bookish appeal to forgotten corners of the room, or create a wonder wall with statement shelving.

As Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft points out: “Bookshelves are becoming an interior design staple. Versatile, customisable and cheap, they are a great way to inject a bit of extra personality into your home.

“If your home needs a revamp, or you’re simply changing up your interiors, a quick lunch-time job is rearranging their decor. It might seem simple, but there’s so much to be done with the contents of your shelves.”

For a calming, organised appearance, she says to colour code your books. “This is a Pinterest-inspired decor tip that makes your shelving unit look cohesive, yet playful.

“Alternatively, move your ornaments around, playing with placement and position. If you have something you particularly like, choose this as the focal point and build your design around it.”

5. Be creative with colour and broaden you paint prowess

We all know a lick of paint can do wonders for our interiors. But how about painting something that’s special to you? That little jolt of happiness when you paint the inside of a wardrobe housing your favourite frocks, or painting something you’ve salvaged from a skip, can make all the difference.

A great go-to is Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint (from £23.95 per litre) which can be applied to most surfaces – wood, metal, laminate – for a velvety matt finish without the hassle of priming or sanding, so saving time with brilliant results.

For a lustrous finish – save this for another lunch hour – top your Chalk Paint brushstrokes with her Pearlescent Glaze (from £13.95 for 250ml) for a lovely, light reflecting shimmer.

Also, try switching up your colour scheme to brights or pretty pastels. YesColours is a brand new eco paint company with fully recyclable packaging sold from one litre pouches, priced £21, so easy to handle for small jobs.

Or think timeless and calming, aka sage green – the new neutral in the world of interiors.

“Sage greens, beiges and greys are a great way to bring the outside in, and with a combined monthly search volume of nearly 200k, you’ll be right on trend for 2022,” says Jo Winston, sales director at St Modwen Homes.

“Plus, grabbing your paintbrushes is a relatively quick and simple option if you’re looking for a refresh.”

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