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

In this important two-minute read, we look at six ways people in Leicester can look after their mental health and that of their loved ones as we head into winter. In early November, a week after the clocks went back, there was a spike in the UK’s highest levels of

When the time comes to sell your home in Leicester, you want to do everything you can to make it look appealing to potential buyers. Fixing up any aspects of your home that needs maintenance is one way to go, as is renovating or modernising some rooms to increase your

Can you help brighten up Santa? We need your help to help bring some colour to Santa…so grab your felt tip pens, colouring pencils and make him as wacky and colourful as possible! Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or pop your completed sheet through our office

We are thrilled to announce we are partnering again with Toys on the Tableand all of our offices will be a collection point for donation  You can drop donations to: Clarendon Park – 72 Queens Road, Clarendon Park, LE2 1TU Oadby – 49 The Parade, Oadby, LE2 5BB Wigston –

When you buy anything, whether it’s a new home, a new car or a new item of clothing, of course you want to know you’re getting the best deal, and so can be confident in your purchase. Sometimes, it’s even worth paying a little more to be sure your investment

Moving home is one of the most stressful events that you will experience in your lifetime, with studies showing that the majority of UK adults find it even more traumatic than a relationship breakdown, starting a new job and even going through a divorce! Therefore, when you are undertaking this

In this three-minute read, we look at why people planning to sell in 2021 should act now to take advantage of the traditional surge in interest from serious buyers. If you’re contemplating putting your home on the market next year, there’s one thing you can do right now to maximise

When people sell their homes with us at , they often ask whether there are any common improvements they should make before they welcome viewers. Our advice is that if you are looking to sell your home in , then it is definitely important to prep it beforehand. Small improvements

In this Wellbeing Wednesday two-minute update, we look at the benefits of exercising and why it could be easier than you think to get moving again. We’ve been through some historically uncertain times this year. But with the recent announcements around the highly promising vaccines to combat Covid-19, brighter times

Today is World Kindness Day, and we couldn’t think of a better chance to show our appreciation for our community’s good neighbours. A 90-second speed read. Friday the 13th is usually viewed with suspicion given its ‘unlucky for some’ label. But this year’s vintage is a time to celebrate and

In this two-minute read, we look at five ways to stave off cravings and eat well this winter.   Many of us turn to food when we’re bored or stressed, so it’s no wonder that the pandemic has played havoc with so many people’s waistlines.   Spending lots of time

You may have already heard about the four gift rule for Christmas but we wanted to share a new way to give four gifts for Christmas that might be a bit more meaningful and special, after all 2020 has flipped most of the world on its head. Don’t get us

With the stamp duty holiday set to end on 31st March 2021, buyers should get a move on if they want to take advantage of stamp duty savings of up to £15,000… In normal market conditions, most sales agreed before the new year will complete by 31st March. Only 54% of

In this two-minute read, we look at ways people in LEICESTER can make their mental health a priority during uncertain times.   As we head towards what could be a very different Christmas this year, there are many positive things you can do to keep your spirits up and nurture

Some simple, soothing ways to keep your pets calm this firework season in Leicester In this two-minute read we look at ten steps you can take to soothe pets through the anxiety-inducing fireworks season. Halloween has been and gone and next up on the calendar is Bonfire Night. Some people

We look at what the announcement on Saturday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson means to home sellers and buyers in Leicester. On Saturday we received confirmation England will go into lockdown from Thursday, November 5 until at least December 2. So, how will this affect people in the process of moving or

We look at four things that’ll help you make the most of next month. The clocks have gone back, and November is just around the calendar corner. Here are four fun things you can try next month. Fireworks Evening It’s undoubtedly going to be a different kind of Bonfire Night

If you’re in Leicester and are looking to sell your property, then autumn could well be the perfect time for you to sell up and move on. Yes, spring is often seen as the best time to sell, and that’s undoubtedly true, but we at Knightsbridge Estate Agents & Valuers

In this terrifying three-minute true story, we reveal how a Leicester family endured a nightmare experience when selling their home. In the beginning The Thomas family were like many you’ll know in Leicester. There was mum, dad, two young children and a black cat called Lucky. They were popular with

So you’ve found the house of your dreams in Leicester. It’s on the right side of town, near a good school, parks are close by and your commute to work has been cut. Perfect. You know roughly when you’ll be moving and you’ve already started thinking about colour schemes and

Demand for puppies skyrocketed during lockdown, but with furlough ending later this month and the economy struggling, is the reality of pet ownership about to bite? Earlier this year, demand for puppies skyrocketed, with Google searches for “Puppies near me” increasing more than six times (by 650%) between January and

It’s tempting when the clocks go back (as they will do on Sunday morning) to think that it’s all downhill to Christmas but take our word for it: there’s still time to make things happen in 2020. It’s mid-autumn and nine weeks until Santa visits – too early for us

This week we take a look at what the new tier system means for home sellers and buyers in Leicester. The tier system announced by the Government last week to combat the increase in Covid-19 cases has caused some concern from home sellers and buyers who are looking to move.

In this two-minute read, we look at ways to make your Leicester home a warm, welcoming retreat.   As the nights draw in and the mercury drops, it’s time to take a little inspiration from our Nordic neighbours.   The stylish Danes have mastered the art of dealing with long,

A rare warm breeze is a playful reminder that we are now into autumn, the summer months having passed us by. Blue skies peppered with clouds will seemingly quickly turn to rain. Mornings start with wet ground underfoot, while the nights are already drawing in and the streetlights in and

Embracing the Future – We’ve gone 3D Like many people, we learned a lot during the lockdown. When the property market went on hold for the best part of six weeks, we had time to look at how we did things and to explore new ideas. Top of our to-do

In this 90-second speed read, we discover how something so simple to do can have such big positive effects. This month sees the world’s biggest drawing festival take place. Throughout October, there are activities taking place across the globe to encourage people to pick up a pencil and pen and

As if we didn’t have enough to contend with already this year, autumn has arrived, and that means cold and flu season is underway. For some, weeks of sniffling, sneezing and generally feeling a little under par lie ahead. So, what can you do to protect yourself from unwanted germs,

Thinking about Moving? Here’s what’s on the Horizon in the Leicester Housing Market In this three-minute read, we look at the long-term forecasts for the housing market and what they mean if you’re thinking about moving in Leicester. After one of the most unusual years on record for the housing

Is this breaking news the answer to Leicester first-time buyers’ prayers? A two-minute read. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced earlier this afternoon that he would make the dream of buying a first home a more achievable reality for first-time buyers. The news came in a speech to the virtual Conservative conference.

In this three-minute read, we look at ways to keep your body and mind active in October. 1 Plant some bulbs Bulbs are easy to plant, can go in either the ground or pots, require virtually no looking after and pack a colourful punch. What’s not to like? Plant daffodils,

We have been busy helping local schools with technology to help soothe children’s and parents’ back to school nerves following five months away from the classroom. We have used the virtual tour software they use to sell and let homes to give a tour of how Sir Jonthan North College

In this three-minute read, we look at the dos and don’ts of photography when it comes to marketing a property. When selling or letting a property, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of getting the imagery right. As most buyers and renters spend hours scrolling through property portals before arranging

Interior design trends come and go with the seasons, but there are few trends that stick around long enough to be considered staples in home decorating. Houseplants are one of those evergreen (no pun intended) trends. Not only do they give a breath of fresh air into your home by

We look at the things people are stopping and starting in October. 2020 will go down in history as the year when life stopped, albeit temporarily. And with local lockdowns coming into force, that feeling of stop-starting stuff is still around. It’s a little like the hokey cokey but with