Whichever way you look at it, modern life is stressful. And the 2020s? Well so far, this new decade has caused unparalleled levels of stress.   Whether it’s the pressure of daily life, the juggling of responsibilities, or the state of the world right now, stress can have physical, mental,

If you’re taking out a new mortgage or about to refinance your property, have you considered a green mortgage? No? Never heard of it? Well, that’s what we’re here for.   A green mortgage is not actually new. In fact, the concept was first launched about 30 years ago but

There’s no quick fix when it comes to maintenance and repairs; to avoid stressful and costly tenant disputes, landlords need to be organised and proactive.   Who is responsible for what? Always check your contract, but as a general rule, landlords are responsible for structural features like walls and chimneys,

Are you thinking of selling your Leicester home? Then let’s look at two trends that have dominated the market over the past year and see what they mean for you.   Demand is strong   Many people predicted that the robust demand seen in early 2021 would fizzle out when the Stamp

When it comes to tenant selection, there’s a saying that all landlords should heed: Go with the right tenant, not the first tenant. Sometimes, landlords are so eager to see rent payments rolling in that they treat the reference checking process as a tick-box exercise rather than an investigative one.

There’s one financial institution that never seems to go out of fashion, and that’s the dear old Bank of Mum and Dad (or BOMAD for people who like acronyms).   About half of all first-time buyers (FTBs) last year relied on BOMAD, with parents dishing out a record £9.8 billion

Property portals have revolutionised the market, but can an algorithm replicate an astute estate agent’s experience, empathy, and enthusiasm? A two-minute read.   Here’s a statistic that sums up just how integral the internet is to buying and selling property these days: 98% of people start their home search online.

From toxic tenants to financial friction – there are many reasons why a landlord might want to end a tenancy. These reasons can include: The tenant has breached their contract by missing rent payments, subletting, or trashing the property. Relations between the tenant and landlord have turned toxic. The property

Landlords looking to secure reliable, long-term tenants shouldn’t overlook a growing demographic in the rental sector – the older renter. Recent statistics* show that the proportion of people aged 45 to 54 who rent is 16% (up 5% in ten years). During the same period, the proportion of renters aged

Today is World Sleep Day so let’s look at why a good night’s kip is so important.  The pandemic has impacted almost every area of our lives, including our ability to enjoy a deep and blissful slumber. Studies in the UK, US, China, and Italy have all found that since

If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, you may be considering selling your home. This is a very challenging decision and needs to be given some serious thought. In this two-minute read, we look at some areas to think about before you decide whether to sell your property or not. This piece

Landing the perfect job is a dream for most, but what if that opportunity is in a different part of the country? Or abroad? If this is the case, relocation may be the only solution. Selling your home when you need to move out of Leicester isn’t easy. You’ve got

Calling all landlords! Have you checked your buy-to-let property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating lately? No? Unfortunately, there have been some legal changes that might mean you’ve got some work to do (and money to spend), so you need to keep reading. An EPC details how energy efficient a property

Devious fraudsters are hacking the emails of buyers and sellers, sometimes with devastating consequences. A two-minute read. Hackers and cyber fraudsters went to town in the UK last year, swindling £1.3 billion in just six months – a three-fold increase on the same period the previous year.* Gangs used all

With the rental market changing enormously over the past decade, savvy landlords need to stay on their toes to make the most of their investment.  General trends Since 2010, the sector has almost doubled in size; these days, about 19% of all households rent. Many tenants are renting for longer.

Life, as we knew it pre-pandemic, is gradually looking more like it used to, as Governments across the UK relax Covid-19 rules. This is exciting for many but it can also feel a bit overwhelming as activity levels rise. It’s important to take responsibility for looking after ourselves so we

It’s often thought that being a landlord is easy: buy a property, rent it out, and hey presto! You’re all set. Unfortunately, it’s never that simple, and many landlords look to sell up for an easier life. Whether it’s age, personal circumstances or changes in the law, in this article,

With a raft of high-tech home security gadgets on the market, it’s easier than ever to keep your family, pets, and precious belongings safe. Whether installing a completely new system or tightening up existing security measures, Leicester homeowners have plenty of options to choose from. Smart system There’s an app for

Sometimes, all it takes is a smile or wave to make someone smile. It’s free, it’s polite and most of all, it’s kind. February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Yes, a whole day dedicated to being nice. Started by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation in America, the

If you do a quick Google search on ‘how to keep love alive’, communication comes out on top of many of the pieces of advice shared. Almost all relationships benefit from good communication. And that advice extends beyond being a partner, parent, or friend – it can easily be applied

So, you’re keen to sell your home but you’re just not getting any offers. What’s going on? How can you make your home more attractive to potential buyers?  What’s that smell? Your home is your castle, but your pong is also your pong. If a buyer walks into a property

Are you a landlord with a new rental property? Are you about to decorate? Step away from the colour charts, put down the paintbrush, and read on. Sometimes, it’s hard to separate your personal taste from your rental. After all, you’ve paid a lot of money for it, and you’ve

The internet is a weird and wonderful place. Where else can you find answers to complex questions in seconds, or see pics of your mate’s terrible 1992 hairstyle in a few clicks? Love it or hate it, many of us spend hours a day online, browsing, posting, reading, and downloading.

When it comes to buying a home, there’s a word that buyers don’t like to hear, but it really is a critical element of any property purchase. And that word is ‘compromise’. People often expect to step inside a property and know that they’ve found The One. But in most

Our tax system is often criticised for being complicated and unwieldy, but by following two simple rules you can take the stress and hassle out of filing a return.  Rule Number 1: Do your homework Raise your hand if you find the subject of tax dull? You’re not alone, many

Now’s the time to give your spare room some serious thought about how to make the best use of this extra space in your home. Especially after the past 18 months, we’ve all experienced, which have changed the way many people use it. Below are seven things you can do

Star Trek fans, look away now. “It’s a home, Jim, but not as we know it.” The original phrase (we’ve replaced life with a home) didn’t even feature in the popular sci-fi show, apparently, but we’re digressing. If you’re interested in what life will be like in the homes of

Before becoming a landlord, you need to consider how you want to buy your rental property. There’s lots of tricky tax stuff to consider and changes to tax relief over the last few years mean that becoming a landlord might not be as profitable as you first think. So, what

What’s the difference between a landlord and a property investor? Aren’t they the same thing? Does one rent out properties and the other sell them on? If these questions have got you scratching your head, read on.   Long term vs short term Keeping it simple, a landlord makes a

Houseplants add colour and freshness to work and living spaces – and deliver a host of health benefits. As this week is Houseplant Week UK, let’s look at the do’s and don’ts of cultivating indoor plants.   Reasons to green your scene If you take good care of your houseplants,

Next Monday is, according to social scientists, the most depressing day on the calendar. It even has a name. Such is the doom and gloom attached to it – Blue Monday. It’s the perfect storm of wintry weather, festive spending credit card debts coming in, New Year’s resolutions falling by

Householders were hit with budget-busting energy price hikes in 2021 – a trend that looks set to continue well into the new year. Here are some ways to claw back some cash on your heating bills and help the environment at the same time. Small steps Individually these measures offer

A survey of 2,000 Brits found that there’s only one thing more stressful than getting divorced – and that’s moving home.* Spare a thought then for people who sell their home when their long-term relationship ends. They find themselves dealing with two of life’s most challenging moments at the same

It’s 2022. A new year, new hopes, and a new focus on getting rid of old ways of doing things that are holding us back. And landlords are not immune to wanting a fresh start. January always sees us have plenty of enquiries from landlords keen to improve the way

Remember when you were younger and you couldn’t wait to move out of your parents’ house, rent your own place and live independently? Well, times are a-changin’, and being an adult with your own bills, mortgage payments, and countless other expenses has lost its charm for many. In fact, more

According to data analytics firm YouGov, at the end of 2020, around a fifth of the adult population in the UK made New Year’s resolutions. And this year promises to be no different as some of us vow to make a positive change to our lives in 2022. YouGov states

Being a landlord is not a nine-to-five job. You can’t just switch on your out-of-office and mute your WhatsApp messages because you fancy a break. Well actually, you can – if you have a good letting agent working for you. Here are four ways an agent can help you through

It’s the night before Christmas, and excitement is reaching fever pitch among children (and adults, some of our team included). But let’s also spare a thought and share some gratitude for the people, around one million of them across the UK, who work on December 25th. While you’re tucking into

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. That was until Mum and Dad, joint owners of a rental property, received a panicked phone call from their tenant.    What was the matter? In a highly charged conversation, the

A conversation among our team recently made us realise that with just over a week to go before Christmas Day, most of us still had people to buy gifts for. So, if you’re in the same situation and need some late/last-minute present inspiration, check out these 15 ideas. For Her

If you’re a landlord looking to downsize your property portfolio, you may be thinking about selling one or more of your buy-to-let properties. This process isn’t always as straightforward as a regular property sale, so we’ve pulled together some FAQs to think about.   Who should I sell my property

In this two-minute read, we look at some of the scams targeting Christmas shoppers in Leicester and how to avoid them. Which classic festive song opens with the line, “It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid.”? Easy, eh? It’s Band Aid’s “Do They Know it’s Christmas?”. And while

In this two-minute read, we look at how new trends could change our homes next year and in the future. If the past couple of years has taught us anything, it’s that no one really knows what’s going to happen in the future. But we’ve dusted down our crystal ball

This three-minute read explains the role of rent guarantors. When a landlord has a niggle of anxiety over whether a prospective tenant will pay their rent, there is a way they can help protect their investment. A landlord can ask a tenant to provide a guarantor to ‘guarantee the tenancy’.

In this two-minute read, we look at reasons why a property may be classified as unmortgageable. Selling a property can be tricky at the best of times, but when a property is deemed unmortgageable things can get complicated. ‘Unmortgageable’ means lenders won’t allow a potential buyer to borrow the money

In this two-minute read, we look at why it’s so important and enjoyable to buy from local, independent stores. Tomorrow, Saturday 4 December, is national Small Business Saturday. The campaign, which was begun by American Express, is in its ninth year and has grown steadily. In 2020, a record £1.1

In this three-minute read, we look at the growing calls for tougher action against rogue landlords. Landlords who struggle with all the rules and regulations associated with renting out a property – be warned. Councils are coming under increasing pressure to throw the book at landlords who flout the law.

In this three-minute read, we look at how to gauge if an agent is giving you an honest property valuation. The first question a seller always asks an estate agent is: “How much can you sell my property for?”. The second is: “What is your fee?”. This focus on price

In this two-minute read, we look at five fundamental ways landlords in Leicester can make their rental properties more profitable. Some people think the only way landlords can make more profit is to ruthlessly keep hiking up their tenants’ rent. But that’s incorrect on two fronts. Firstly, continually increasing a tenant’s

In this two-minute read, we look at a question we often get asked at Knightsbridge Estate Agents around the question of whether being granted planning permission adds value to a property? The quick answer to this is nearly always a yes. Here are four ways being granted planning permission can add

In this three-minute read, we look at the issues Leicester landlords should consider before raising rents. The uptick in inflation, along with pressure on interest rates, means that many landlords will be considering rent increases right now. Before deciding on a course of action, here are some points to consider.

In this two-minute read, we look at three remote communities that have long embraced sustainable living. With the interest raised by the COP26 summit highlighting the desperate need to cut carbon emissions, housing sustainability has become a hot topic. In the UK, there’s been lots of talk about using new

In this three-minute read, we give you the lowdown on mortgage fees. When it comes to finding the best mortgage deal, there’s one question savvy home buyers should ask themselves. And it’s not: “Which deal is offering the lowest interest rate?”. While interest rates are obviously important, mortgage hunters should

In this two-minute read, we give you a quick checklist to make sure your project is as pain free as possible. Got your eye on a property that needs some major TLC? Whether a rental investment or a new home, there’s lots to consider when buying a run-down property. Finances

In this 90 second read, we share 10 of the best feel-good movies to make staying in this winter a little bit more bearable. At Knightsbridge Estate Agents we love a good film, and we think the ones that have made it to this list are bound to leave you

In this three-minute read, we give you the lowdown on mortgage fees. When it comes to finding the best mortgage deal, there’s one question savvy home buyers should ask themselves. And it’s not: “Which deal is offering the lowest interest rate?”. While interest rates are obviously important, mortgage hunters should

In this three-minute read, we examine the dangers posed by carbon monoxide. We recently read a statistic about private landlords that left us scratching our heads. A whopping 56% of private renters say they live in a property that doesn’t have a carbon monoxide alarm*. Can such a high percentage

? We are excited to see this event back for 2021 ? Oadby Festive Light Switch On ? Join us in Oadby Town centre for the Annual Light switch on where we will be raising money for Leicester Children’s Holidays by having the big man himself  in our Grotto. When: Saturday 20th November

The stamp duty tax holiday is over, furlough finished at the end of September, unemployment is due to rise and inflation is rife … is this the end of the post lockdown Leicester property boom? Surely, we are heading for house price correction? Forecasting what will happen in the Leicester

The number of properties for sale in Leicester has fallen by 31% since this time two years ago (October 2019). One of the reasons is that many Leicester buyers feel overwhelmed and fearful they will be made homeless if they sell their home and can’t buy another. So, I have

Wages rising by 8.3% pa – how will this affect the Leicester property market? As they struggle to meet demand, Argos have had to increase the wages of their HGV drivers from £11.41 an hour to £15 an hour – a rise of 31.2% meaning their pay goes from £27k

Only 1 in 20 Leicester Properties are Bungalows, Despite an Ageing Population. Why? The bungalow is a building that has represented a more leisurely, gentler way of life since the early 1900’s. Bungalows have been sold as an aspiration for those about to retire, saving them the annoyance of having

In this three-minute read, we look at where three GB Olympic stars started their sporting journey. Eleven thousand elite athletes will converge in Tokyo next week for the 32nd Summer Olympic Games. Each of them will have put in tens of thousands of hours in practice and shed blood, sweat,

The value of an average Leicester semi-detached house has increased in value by £13,976 in the last 12 months, an increase in value of 6.19%. Yet the costs of building a Leicester home have shot up even more in the last 12 months, meaning the price of Leicester new homes

In this two-minute read, we explain why your letting agent should be part of a client money protection (CMP) scheme. The lettings sector used to be the Wild West of the property market, with a small group of unscrupulous agents giving the industry a bad name. Thankfully, the introduction of

In this three-minute read, we look at how Leicester landlords can protect themselves from getting caught up in the most common cause of end-of-tenancy disputes. When a tenancy comes to an end, one issue more than any other causes disagreements. And it’s not holes in walls or missing rent payments that take

In this three-minute read, we explain how renters can avoid getting ripped off by fake landlords. Renters in Leicester should be on their guard against fraudsters using Covid-19 as a cover to swindle people out of their hard-earned cash. Rental fraud is not a new scam – Action Fraud, the UK’s

We show our support for a vitally important project which comes with Royal approval. Children’s Mental Health Week (CMHW) is running from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 February. The project’s patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, launched the event with a special video message. The Duchess is a passionate supporter

They rarely agree about anything, but MPs from different parties were singing from the same hymn sheet during yesterday’s virtual House of Commons debate around extending the Stamp Duty holiday. The debate was triggered by an online public petition that wants to see a six-month extension to the existing deadline

In this two-minute read, we share three short stories to make you smile.   We may be in the middle of a winter lockdown, but there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful.   Here are a few upbeat stories from around the world to lift your mood.  

In this three-minute read, we look at England’s new leasehold reform package. What will the new leasehold reforms, announced last week, deliver for leasehold property owners in LEICESTER? Here’s what we know so far. Now, ‘leasehold reform’ may not be the sexiest of subject matters, but if you are one

A local estate agency has bought 120 computer tablets for schoolchildren affected by the latest lockdown. Knightsbridge Estate Agents, which has three offices across Leicester, were compelled to help after hearing news reports, many local children do not have access to laptops or tablets. This means they cannot easily access

The Prime Minister announced at 8pm this last night that people in England will be going back into lockdown tomorrow following a surge in Coronavirus cases. The tighter restrictions include schools shutting until the February half-term for most pupils. People must now work from home if they can, and only

We look to share some resolution ideas to bring some hope in 2021. 99.9 per cent of us cannot wait to see the back of 2020. And what better time to draw a line under this ‘unprecedented’ year than the opportunity to welcome in a new year. And one which

Choosing the right estate agent in Leicester is key to you being happy when you come to selling your home. Moving home is a stressful time, and we won’t lie – it can be hectic. There are so many things to do, so many plans to make, and then there’s

We look at five Christmassy things to do with the kids that won’t break the bank. Covid-19 has put the kibosh on big family gatherings and trips to the panto this Christmas, but there are still plenty of ways you can get into the festive spirit with your little ones.

Just because a room is small, it doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish or practical. Many people have homes that are smaller than average, or rooms that are tiny or an awkward shape, yet these spaces can soon be transformed into a comfortable, Instagrammable space. Here are some tips when

We are delighted to announce our free giveaway of a sold-out children’s book and the difference it is making to young lives. Breaking news ……We’ve teamed up with a children’s author and are giving away digital versions of his fast-selling book, Spot the Different. Jerry Lyons originally wrote the book

There are so many different tasks to take care of when selling your home in Leicester, from getting all the paperwork done to packing your old home up, to finding the right estate agent to help you sell it. Just when you think you’ve got everything covered, you find something

Thinking of ways to keep the kids entertained over the Christmas break? Why not give our free colouring books a go? You can print them off, get the colouring pens and pencils out and have a couple of hours away from screens and gadgets. And we haven’t forgotten adults as

Finding the house of your dreams in Leicester is exciting and your next step is to secure the property as soon as possible. But buying a new home can be a complex process, particularly when it comes to understanding the conveyancing procedure. Here at Knightsbridge Estate Agents & Valuers we

Let’s picture the scenario. You’re looking at properties to rent, and you’ve seen some nice potential properties in Leicester. They are near your work, near open spaces. There’s parking too. All looks perfect and just what you need. But, aside from the property looking great when you viewed, what else

2020 has been a dark year for many in Leicester so we thought we’d try to lighten it up with a little bingo to review what we did during the lockdowns. Eyes down for a full house. What did you do that’s not listed here?

Did you know that the festive season can be a wonderful time to sell your house in Leicester. Yes, of course, many people are thinking about presents, Santa, food and drink, but it can also be a great time for you to consider selling your home. Why? Well, we’ll explain

The Government has recently changed its ‘How to Rent’ Guide. Landlords should be aware of the change in this document and should be issuing this as part of the required documentation to provide to a tenant the outset of a tenancy ensuring they have documented and have evidence that this

In these days of easy access to drool-worthy home decor inspo on Pinterest and Instagram, we’ve all suffered a case of design envy. Although these design ideas aren’t unachievable, many people get put off by the mere thought of how much redecorating their own home could actually cost. As your

In this quick read, we trace the origins of some of the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. Christmas is a time of mistletoe and mulled wine, twinkly trees, and messages from the monarch. And in Leicester it seems like many people can’t wait for the festive break. So, let’s

When you ask most people what’s been the most stressful thing they’ve gone through, many of them will put ‘moving house’ up there with changing jobs or having a new baby. Not only do you have the long process of trying to find a house to suit your needs, there’s

At Knightsbridge Estate Agents, we always charge our clients a value for money fee unlike some of the eye-watering prices you’re about to discover. Here are what billionaires are willing to stump up for shoes, burgers, a photo, some vino, and an unbelievable home – a three-minute read. Have you

Who says you can’t have a great time this Christmas AND do your bit for Planet Earth? In this two-minute read, we look at some simple things people in Leicester can do to make the festive period as eco-friendly as possible. There’s been some positive vaccine news starting to come

In this two-minute read, we outline the costs and fees associated with buying a property so that you can budget for your next move.   Buying a new home can be an exciting prospect, but often in the thrill of the search, buyers fail to budget for some of the

Now the new tier system has come into effect across England, we wanted to remind you we are still open for business. And we wanted to share this useful information from the NHS about what we can (and can’t) all do in Leicestershire now we are tier 3 And remember

Santa Claus is coming to Town ….and 100% of the money raised goes to Rainbows Hospice We’re super excited to announce that our friends at the North Pole have sprinkled some elf magic to arrange for your little ones to have a very special call with Santa Claus this Christmas