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27/08/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻

As summer draws to a close, it’s time to embrace the change in season.

Here are three ways to help you beat the autumn blues.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Don’t let the cooler weather stop you from spending time in nature.

Dig out your waterproofs and sturdy boots and go for a walk.

Or take advantage of the milder temperatures and go for a cycle or run.

𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗴
Make hearty, healthy soups with the delicious seasonal vegetables that are available.

Try butternut squash, pumpkin, leek and potato or carrot and coriander soup.

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁
Embrace the Scandi concept of hygge, which is all about creating a cosy, comfortable home environment.

Think warm lighting, scented candles, fluffy throw rugs and woolly socks.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

25/08/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘄

Some landlords will have to file their tax returns differently starting from next April.

Under Making Tax Digital (MTD), self-assessing landlords will need to:
◾ Keep digital records of income and expenses.
◾ Send HMRC quarterly updates.
◾ Submit a final tax declaration yearly.
◾ Report using MTD approved software.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱?
From April 6, MTD applies if your annual business or property income exceeds £50,000.

If your income is over £30,000, the deadline is April 6, 2027.

If your income is over £20,000, the deadline is April 6, 2028.

Limited company landlords are not impacted.

𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
There’s a points-based penalty system. Accrue four points, and you’ll be fined.

𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀
◾ Check your software is MTD compliant.
◾ Register for MTD with HMRC.
◾ Discuss MTD with your accountant.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱.

20/08/2025

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

With airline baggage fees at an all-time high, here are some tips to help you pack like a pro.

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
Avoid a last-minute scramble by making a list a week before you travel.

Choose practical and versatile items based on the weather at your destination and your itinerary.

𝗟𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁
Laying everything out is a great way to check you haven’t forgotten important items.

It also provides an opportunity to consider whether you need to take it all with you.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲
Start by placing underwear and socks in your shoes before laying your shoes top to toe in your bag.

Then place shirts, trousers and towels around them. Bulkier items can go on top.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺?

With electric vehicles (EVs) growing in popularity, here’s what landlords need to know about the demand for EV charging.

There is currently no legal requirement for rental properties to offer EV charging.

However, your tenant could already be charging an EV at home, perhaps using a standard 13-amp socket.

Most tenancy contracts do not prohibit this. But if you become aware of it, discuss the possible hazards with your tenant.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
If a tenant asks you to install an EV charger, consider the costs versus the possible benefits.

You could instead permit a tenant to fit a charger at their expense.

If you do so, ensure a qualified installer does the work.

Also, insist that the tenant maintains the charger and removes it at the end of the tenancy.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗩𝘀? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

13/08/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝘁𝗼-𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀

Leaving your back-to-school preparations to the last minute can make the return to the classroom stressful.

If you’re a parent, it’s helpful to start preparing sooner rather than later.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆
Don’t leave it until the day before school to check that your child has the necessary uniform and supplies.

Otherwise, you may struggle to buy everything they need at such short notice.

𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲
It’s common for bedtime routines to fall by the wayside over the holidays.

However, it’s beneficial to reestablish healthy sleep patterns so that your child is well-rested on their first day.

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵
Some children may feel anxious about returning to school.

Discuss their concerns and highlight the trips and activities they can look forward to.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹? 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

12/08/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼: 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀

Even good landlords with good tenants sometimes receive complaints.

Here are some tips for handling complaints you might receive.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Ensure your property is in tip-top condition before each new tenancy and conduct mid-tenancy checks.

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻
Take on board what your tenant has to say and reassure them that you’re taking their concern seriously.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻
If the issue relates to something that is not the responsibility of the landlord, explain this politely.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁
The more quickly a complaint is resolved, the smaller the problem it will be.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲
Let your tenant know how and when you will address the problem. Follow up after repair work to ensure the issue has been resolved.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

11/08/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼: 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀

Even good landlords with good tenants sometimes receive complaints.

Here are some tips for handling complaints you might receive.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Ensure your property is in tip-top condition before each new tenancy and conduct mid-tenancy checks.

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻
Take on board what your tenant has to say and reassure them that you’re taking their concern seriously.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻
If the issue relates to something that is not the responsibility of the landlord, explain this politely.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁
The more quickly a complaint is resolved, the smaller the problem it will be.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲
Let your tenant know how and when you will address the problem. Follow up after repair work to ensure the issue has been resolved.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

06/08/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Afternoon Tea Week runs from 11 to 17 August this year.

Here are a few tips to make your afternoon tea special.

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳, 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹
Traditional afternoon tea treats include finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and cakes.

Try to make as much as you can yourself with local ham, jam and eggs.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿
Instead of serving tea for two, spread the fun and cost by asking more people.

Invite relatives, neighbours or work colleagues and ask each guest to bring a different dish.

𝗚𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮
Serve a speciality tea such as Earl Grey, Assam, Oolong or Darjeeling.

For something different, serve your tea with lemon instead of milk or try green tea or fruit teas.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮-𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿?

04/08/2025

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄?

A new survey pours cold water on claims that landlords are abandoning the private rental sector en masse.

The recently published TDS Charitable Foundation survey* contradicts claims of a landlord exodus.

It found that in the past year, 63% of landlords operated business as usual.

Meanwhile, 23% of landlords expanded their portfolio (this was up from 19% the previous year).

Landlords invested further in the rental sector because they:
▪ Wanted to supplement their income.
▪ Prefer property to other types of investments.
▪ Found local market conditions favourable.
▪ Were keen to bolster their pension.

Landlords who expanded their portfolios purchased an average of 2.5 properties each.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲, 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹? 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

*Letting in the Private Sector 2025

Address

Bromley Road
Colchester
CO77SE

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.hometorent.co.uk/

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