Are you making the most of your property?

20 Features that could help you secure more money for your property...

GoCompare recently carried out a survey of 2000 Britons questioning them on their must have property features. Take a look at the top 20 features below and see how your property compares to Britons desires.

The ranking may surprise you with good schools located near by not making the cut!

TOP 20 PROPERTY 'MUST HAVE' FEATURES

UK Rental Costs are set to rise throughout 2016!

The demand for property across the nation is continuing to outpace supply, with many believing that the cost of rent will increase throughout the year. In fact over half of UK letting agents believe rental costs with increase from April.

One reason being the new buy to let stamp duty surcharge that began on April 1^st. The recent changes have forced many amateur landlords out of the buy to let market which will of course mean a decline in the supply of available properties coming onto the rental market.

With supply dropping, competition for the limited availability of properties intensifies which will almost certainly cause rents to increase as a result.

In February this year, demand for rental properties grew to an average 37 per letting agent branch, the highest since February 2015, as supply increased marginally. Some 52% of lettings agents reported an uplift in interest from buyers looking to invest in property before the stamp duty reforms came into effect, up from 47% in January.

Following on from the announcement of stamp duty reforms, the need for a private rented sector evolution was highlighted with the emergence of build to rent. Around &50 billion worth of investment in the sector will see build to rent account for 5% of the rental sector by 2020.

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100 New homes are set to be built in Derbyshire...

Futures Housing Group has announced plans to build more than 1,000 new homes across the Derbyshire region by the end of 2020.

The housing provider, which has its head office in Ripley, has said it is aiming to triple the number of properties it builds in the East Midlands by the end of the decade.

They currently manage more than 9000 homes across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire. Out of that number, 6000 properties are in the Derbyshire area.

It is hoped that the plans for more homes will boost the local economy and provide on-the-job training for candidates studying with its further education company, Access Training.

Lindsey Williams, chief executive of Futures Housing Group, said: “A major part of our vision is to make it as effortless as possible for customers to do business with us and build more than 1,000 homes in 2020.”

How to save energy running your home this summer

Saving energy doesn't have to cost the earth. In fact, making just a few small changes can save you a significant amount of money, so you can spend it on the more enjoyable things in life! Here are our top tips...

1. Cover ‘em up! Insulate external pipes and your boiler tank to reduce heat loss by a staggering 75 per cent!

2. Turn it down – By turning down your thermostat by just 1 degree, you can save 10% of your overall heating bill.

3. Switch off standby – Instead of simply placing your television or computer on standby when you’ve finished using them for the day, switch them off at the wall.

4. Is the weather forecast looking good? Why not hang up your washing, instead of using your tumble dryer? This also provides the perfect excuse for a spot of sunbathing or gardening… you know, because you’ll need to keep an eye on the sky, after all…

5. Having a cuppa? Whether it’s just you or you’re playing host, only boil as much water as you think you need when it comes to hot drinks.

6. Step away from the bath. Where possible, take a shower instead, and you won’t just save on hot water, but you can also have a longer lie-in!

7. Get lofty. 25% of the heat in your home is lost through an uninsulated roof. Loft insulation typically costs around &300, but it could save you approximately &180 on your energy bill each year – meaning this addition would more than pay for itself!

8. Replace your shower head. Install a water efficient head onto your shower, you can purchase this from your local hardware store.

9. Replace your old lightbulbs with energy saving bulbs. Even if you only do this in a few rooms, you’ll see a noticeable difference in your electricity bills.

10. Get your boiler serviced. A boiler that’s not working 100% efficiently is sure to be ramping up the cost of your energy bill. A regular service carried out by a professional can help ensure that your boiler is kept in tip top condition, saving you money in the long term.

11. Let the heating breathe. Ensure that your radiators aren’t obscured by curtains, or being leaned upon by furniture, otherwise this will decrease their efficiency in warming the room.

12. Keep your thermostat clear. Your thermostat will not be able to accurately sense the temperature if it does not have a free flow of air, so ensure it is not being blocked by nearby furniture, fires or lamps, and that it is not within close proximity of considerable draught sources!

13. Quick floorboard fix. Got a draughty floorboard? Place a pretty rug or a mat over it – problem solved!

14. Keep an eye on the clock. Try to cut down the length of your daily shower over time. According to B&Q, spending just 1 minute less in the shower each day can save up to &13 per year in your household gas bills! If a refreshing morning shower is the best part of your day, start off by seeing if you can shave off 30 seconds, and then see if you can cut down the duration further over time.

15. Get crafty with the curtains. Warm up your house by opening up your curtains on a sunny day and closing them on a cold day