The post Castledene Group – April 2024 Newsletter appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

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 costs that are part and parcel of the process.

💰 Consumer champion Which? estimates moving costs on average of £10,000 (that’s excluding deposit), although this figure varies depending on the value of the new property.

By starting with a clear picture of all the fees you’re likely to incur, you can avoid any last-minute surprises and the indignity of raiding your toddler’s moneybox to pay the removal crew on moving day.

Here’s a checklist of moving-related costs.

✅ Stamp Duty – This is a tiered tax – the more expensive the property, the more you pay. Due to the pandemic, temporary changes are in place, meaning Stamp Duty does not apply to the first £500,000 of a property purchase. This rule ends on 31 March 2021.

✅ Legal fees – The cost of conveyancing – that’s the paperwork that secures the legal transfer of property – varies depending on whether you’re buying a freehold or leasehold property (expect leasehold to cost you more). Tip: When you’re getting conveyancing quotes, check the final price includes VAT, search fees and Land Registry fees.

✅ Valuation fee – If you’re taking out a mortgage, your lender will insist on a valuation to ensure that you’re not paying over the odds for your new home.

✅ Mortgage fees – Some mortgage deals include an arrangement fee or an application fee (or both).

✅ Survey fees – Different types of surveys are available. The most basic option should be a few hundred quid, while the most comprehensive survey can cost thousands of pounds.

✅ Insurance – Most lenders insist on buildings insurance as part of the terms of the mortgage. It covers the cost of repairing your home in the event of a disaster such as a flood, fire, or falling tree.

✅ Removals – Removal costs vary depending on how far you’re going and how much stuff you have (are you a minimalist or a hoarder?). The website comparemymove.com estimates it costs £800 to move belongings from a three-bed house to a property 50 miles away. Throw in another £250 for packing and materials.

✅ Redirecting mail – If you’re planning on redirecting your mail to your new address (not such a bad idea in this era of identity fraud), Royal Mail charges £80 for 12 months.

The team at CASTLEDENE can ensure your move goes smoothly. If you need advice or have any questions about the moving process, please get in touch. We’re here to help.

The post A Guide to the Cost of Moving for North East Homebuyers appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

To succeed as a landlord, you need to have a realistic idea about the costs you’ll encounter when letting out a property.

Many people think that being a landlord is child’s play; they assume that once the tenant has the keys, the only thing left to do is collect the rent each month.

But the truth is, letting a property comes with an array of grown-up financial and legal responsibilities. If you’re not on top of your obligations, you could lose money or wind up in court (or both).

Here’s a list of all the costs that are part and parcel of being a landlord in the North East:

✅ Mortgage repayments
Mortgage repayments are the most significant monthly outgoing for most landlords. If you’re looking for certainty about the size of your monthly repayments, opt for a fixed-term rate.

✅ Insurance costs Landlord insurance is a condition of most buy-to-let mortgages. You can opt for a general policy (this should cover property liability, buildings insurance, contents, and loss of rent) or one that is more far-reaching (but will have higher premiums).

✅ Maintenance and repairs
All properties require general maintenance from time to time. Landlords must ensure the property is safe (that means keeping up to date with things like gas and electricity safety checks) and in good condition. Set aside funds to cover this and any repairs that may crop up (property experts suggest between 5% and 10% of annual rent).

✅ Service charges and other fees
If your property is in an apartment block, you may need to pay a service charge or ground rent. Leasehold property owners may also have to contribute to the cost of work carried out in communal areas.

✅ Covering vacant periods
Even the most optimistic and diligent landlord should be prepared for a property to be empty for a short period between tenancies. It’s also possible that a tenant could fall behind on the rent. Set aside at least six weeks’ rent to cover yourself.

✅ Tax
The rules around what you can and can’t claim as a landlord have tightened in recent years. To ensure you pay what you should, and claim that to which you’re entitled, do your research and keep all relevant receipts and paperwork.

✅ Finding a tenant and credit checks
Some DIY landlords do these things themselves, but most good landlords leave it to the pros and use an experienced letting agent. The DIY route will save you a few quid upfront – but it could cost you much more in the long run (think of the legal bills if it all goes wrong). A good letting agent will have years of experience at sourcing good tenants, checking references, and spotting trouble in advance.

✅ Property management fees
A letting agent will handle the big and little stuff for you: the paperwork, the people management, the legal checks, the inspections, and disputes. As a landlord, you could do this for yourself. It will save you some money but cost you in terms of time and energy.

Here at Castledene, we can take the stress out of managing a rental property, so you can sleep easy at night 😴 Get in touch if you have any questions, we’re here to answer your queries.

Copyright 2020 Castledene.

The post A Guide to Expenses and Costs for North East Landlords appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

Should tenants be allowed to keep pets in rental properties? It’s a thorny subject that is back in the spotlight after an MP called for landlords to be more flexible on the issue.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell argues that preventing tenants from being with their beloved pet companion is cruel and discriminatory.

“For most people, being separated from your dog is really no different than being separated from your brother or your sister,” he says.

Mr Rosindell has put forward a bill that would give tenants the right to live with their pet, providing that they can show they are responsible and caring.

‼️ Changing attitudes
While the bill is still some way off becoming law – it’s not clear yet whether enough MPs will back it – it does indicate a growing interest in the issue.

A study by YouGov and Mars Petcare found that two-thirds of private tenants would like to have a pet.

However, only around 7% of landlords advertise homes as suitable for pets, meaning there’s a yawning chasm between the number of renters who yearn to have a four-legged friend of their own, and properties where this is possible.

‼️Decisions for landlords
Landlords have an ultimate say over whether pets are allowed in a property, although the Consumer Rights Act 2015 prohibits blanket pet bans.

Instead, landlords in your area can include a clause in the contract requiring tenants to request permission to keep a pet. Landlords can refuse a request but need to provide a good reason for doing so.

If you receive such a request, here are a few key issues to consider.

❌ Cons
1 Introducing a pet into a property can increase the risk of costly damage. Some landlords have horror stories about dogs digging up gardens, and cats clawing furniture and leaving carpets flea-ridden.

2 If the property is leasehold, some leasehold agreements do not allow pets.

3 Barking dogs can upset the neighbours and be a source of ongoing dispute.

✅ Pros
4 Allowing a reliable tenant to keep a pet could encourage them to stay long term, meaning you don’t have to bother finding new tenants and running more reference checks.

5 Allowing pets could make your property more marketable and therefore you can raise the rent.

6 Rodent reduction – Cats kill rats and mice, so provide an element of pest protection.

📝 Other points of consideration
7 Not all pets are equal. The impact of having a 90kg Great Dane living in a property differs greatly from a caged hamster or a cat. Talk in detail to your tenant about the pet they would like to have, and how they intend to look after it.

8 If the tenant owns the pet already, ask to set vet records to ensure it is vaccinated and microchipped.

9 If the tenant kept a pet at their previous property, ask for a reference from the landlord in question.

10 Make specific provision in the contract for the pet in question so that your tenant can’t take advantage of your generosity and acquire a menagerie of animals.

If you’d like more advice about dealing with tenants with pets, get in touch.

Here at 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲, we can provide a detailed briefing about how to stay on the right side of the law and protect your property.

The post Advice for North East Landlords on Tenants with Pets appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

If you’re contemplating putting your home on the market next year, there’s one thing you can do right now to maximise your chances of getting a great deal.

Before you get carried away in a giddy rush of festive fever and adorn your house in flashing lights and sparkly tinsel, take a deep breath and pause for just a moment. ⏸

You may be planning to kickstart the sale of your home in January – once the silly season is over – but there’s a good reason why you shouldn’t wait.

The reason is that traffic on property portals skyrockets on the days between Christmas and New Year. ⬆️

Pageviews on Rightmove, for example, typically increase by around 230% between Christmas Day and 2 January.

What drives this surge in interest❓
As well as being a time of celebration, Christmas is a time of contemplation; one when many people make major life decisions. 🎄

⭐️ Some folks decide – after hosting family on Christmas Day – that their home is too small and they need something with more room.

⭐️ Others finally get around to having a frank discussion with elderly loved ones about downsizing.

⭐️ The festive season is also a time when couples commit to finding a “forever home” together, or sadly decide it’s time to go separate ways.

Whatever their reasons for moving, buyers at this time of year tend to be highly motivated. Smart sellers can take advantage of this by making sure that their property is online in all its glory before Christmas Eve.

We suggest that you instruct an agent now so that you have plenty of time to get the photography, copy, floorplans and Energy Performance Certificate sorted in time. 🏡

No tinsel, baubles or flashing lights just yet.

This brings us back to our recommendation that people in the North East who are planning to sell next year hold off on putting the Christmas decorations up. There are two good reasons for doing this and both centre around marketing photos.

⭐️ Reason 1
The key to good property photography is getting rid of clutter. Property photos aren’t family snaps. You don’t want buyers mulling over your penchant for flashing reindeer or how many presents you have under the tree. Having lots of personal items on show is a big no-no.

⭐️ Reason 2
If your property doesn’t sell before Christmas, the photos will look dated if they feature wreaths, presents, and Christmas cards.

So, there we have it, get the photos done first and then go for broke. Deck your hall with boughs of holly and bling up your Christmas tree, relaxed in the knowledge that you’ve taken the right steps to ensure a prosperous New Year. 🎅🎄🕯

Here at Castledene, we want to help make your plans for 2021 a reality. Get in touch now for expert advice on how to make those dreams come true.

Copyright 2020 Castledene.

The post Planning to Sell Your Home in 2021? Then Read This Before Your Christmas Decorations Go Up! appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

First-time landlords often make the rookie mistake of underestimating the amount of paperwork involved in letting a property.

Many assume that once the ink dries on a tenancy agreement, they’ve got the paperwork sorted – but nothing could be further from the truth.

Record-keeping is an integral part of a landlord’s duties and falls into two categories:

1️⃣ Documents that you must keep. Landlords are required by law to keep records covering things such as safety inspections and deposits.

2️⃣ Documents that it is wise to keep. Although not obligatory, these records serve as an unofficial insurance policy should a dispute arise. If you wind up in court, you don’t want to rely on a vague recollection that “you paid a guy who was either called Terry or Trevor sometime in 2019 to sort out a few maintenance issues”. Firm dates, times and details of conversations and actions provide a vital paper trail.

Here’s a checklist of documents landlords need to keep:

✅ Gas safety certificate – Landlords are required by law to have gas appliances such as hobs checked every year by a Gas Safety registered engineer.

✅ Electrical safety report – Electrical safety inspections must be carried out by a qualified sparky every five years.

✅ Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TPS – A landlord must place a tenant’s deposit in an approved TPS within 30 days of payment.

✅ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – Landlords need to get an EPC every ten years. A registered assessor must carry out the inspection, and the property must have at least an E rating.

✅ Landlord registration – Some local authorities in England require landlords to sign up to a register. Check the rules in your local area.

✅ Fire safety – Keep all paperwork relating to smoke alarms (you need one on every floor) and carbon monoxide alarms (you need one in any room with a solid fuel-burning appliance).

✅ Property inventory – An in-depth report of the property and its furniture, fixtures and appliances will help you resolve any quibbles over belongings or damage at the end of a tenancy.

✅ Landlord insurance – A condition of most buy-to-let mortgages, landlord insurance covers you in the event of flood or fire and for legal claims if someone injures themselves in your property.

✅ Repair works – Keep all paperwork relating to repairs carried out on the property.

✅ Tenant inspections – Keep a record of when you visit the property during the tenancy, and any issues raised. Follow up conversations with an email outlining your discussions.

✅ Right to Rent – A landlord must check that tenants have the correct immigration status to reside in the UK. Landlords must keep copies of all relevant documents.

When it comes to record-keeping, many landlords have good intentions but struggle to keep up over time. If you don’t have the energy or inclination to handle the paperwork that is part and parcel of being a landlord, a letting agent can do it for you. ✍️ 📂⏱⏱

Here at Castledene, we’re pedants when it comes to paperwork and pros at keeping tabs on tenancies. If you’d like us to help you manage your property, get in touch 📞

The post The Documents that North East Landlords Must Have appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced a ban on bailiffs carrying out eviction enforcement during the lockdown in all but the most serious of cases.

While the courts are continuing to hear eviction cases, under the new rules announced last week as England returned to lockdown, bailiff enforcement action cannot be implemented until January 11, 2021, “at the earliest”.

Mr Jenrick says the move protects those who have found themselves in financial difficulty through no fault of their own “while ensuring landlords have access to justice in the most serious cases”.

He adds: “We are now going further by protecting renters from eviction during the new national restrictions and throughout the Christmas period – with a pause on bailiff activity other than in the most serious circumstances, such as anti-social behaviour or fraud.”

There are a few exceptions to the enforcement ban. The bailiffs can act on cases of illegal occupation, fraud, anti-social behaviour, eviction of domestic abuse perpetrators in social housing and where a property is unoccupied following the death of a tenant.

The government says it also intends to introduce an exemption for extreme pre-Covid rent arrears.

🔴 Uncertainty and case backlog

The latest announcement from the government adds another layer of complexity to the legal landscape when it comes to evictions.

This year landlords have had to contend with an eviction ban and an extension to the eviction notice period.

To further complicate matters, courts in England are currently working through an unprecedented backlog of cases caused by the first lockdown and eviction ban.

As a result, any landlord considering eviction proceedings should prepare for nightmarish delays (and bear in mind that even in the pre-COVID-19 era, the process took months).

‼️ That’s why here at 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲 we advise landlords in the North East to view eviction as the absolute last resort.

There are several ways to avoid the tenant-landlord relationship breaking down to the extent that eviction is the only answer.

By investing time and effort into managing your tenant relationship, and by being thorough with reference checks, record-keeping and inspections, many issues can be resolved without legal action.

And if a dispute does occur, expert negotiation and communication can mean a finding a solution without the lawyers getting involved.

⭐️ Investing in a professional letting agent can save you as a landlord time, money, and stress. As the nation continues to navigate its way through the uncertainties of the pandemic, having an expert on your side who can look out for your best interests will help you sleep well at night. ⭐️

If you’d like to know more about how to avoid getting tangled up in the messy eviction process, then get in touch with us here at 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲. We’re happy to provide expert advice on how to manage property investments while staying on the right side of the law.

📞 Easington 0191 527 4000
📞 Bishop Auckland 01388 608523
📞 Hartlepool 01429 856565
📞 Seaham 0191 581 5709
📞 Spennymoor 01388 612190

Copyright 2020 CASTLEDENE

The post What Landlords in the North East Need to Know About Evictions During Lockdown 2 appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

The writing has been on the wall for several days now, but on Saturday we received confirmation that England will go into lockdown from Thursday, November 5 until at least December 2. 🗓

So, how will this affect landlords and tenants in the North East.

Well, firstly it’s good news from a property moving perspective because the Housing Minister Robert Jenrick confirmed in a tweet on Saturday evening that the market was still very much open for business.

QUESTION:
‘Can I still move home?’

ANSWER:
‘Yes – the housing market will remain open throughout this period. Everyone should continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus by following the current guidance.’

The Minister’s tweet linked to an information guide about the new lockdown which you can find at the bottom of this article.

At Castledene, we continue to work hard for our landlords and tenants in a Covid-19 secure way, while strictly following the regulations laid out by the Government.

Yes we can

•  We can still conduct safety first viewings using PPE, hand sanitisers and social distancing.
• We will still carry out inspections safely and sensitively.
• We remain able to organise maintenance and repairs under the new lockdown.
• And we will keep everyone we work with updated about any changes that may happen.

Here for YOU

We appreciate this is an anxious time for many of our clients and that’s why we want you to contact us if you have any questions, concerns or want to get a better understanding of what’s happening.

As we were in the first lockdown, we are 100 per cent committed and focussed on doing the right things for our clients, our colleagues, and our community.

Thanks for reading.

PS: Here’s the Government article:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know

Copyright: Castledene Sales and Lettings.

The post Lockdown Update for Landlords and Tenants in the North East appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

In the beginning

The Thomas family were like many you’ll know in your area.

There was mum, dad, two young children and a black cat called Lucky.

They were popular with their neighbours and active members of the local community.

And that’s why people were disappointed to learn they were selling up and moving on due to Mr Thomas getting a new job in another part of the country.

Like many homeowners, the Thomases called in three estate agents to value their home.

The first two agents were both likeable, presentable, and knowledgeable.
Their valuations were similar give or take £2000.

The Charming Stranger

Everything seemed to be going to plan. Well, until the third agent turned up.

He was due to arrive at 3 pm but rang to inform Mr and Mrs Thomas that he wouldn’t be able to get there until later in the evening.

The doorbell rang at 8 pm, and Mr Thomas opened it. The agent, let’s call him Damian, stepped out of the shadows into the light, and the reflection from his pearly white teeth and shiny shoes momentarily stunned Mr T.

The next 20 minutes were a blur. Damian with the dazzling gnashers was devilishly charming and talked in an almost hypnotic way.

He gave a valuation of £20,000 more than the other two agents. He lowered his voice, which made the couple lean in and then he said, ‘I have dozens of people looking for a home like yours, it’ll be sold in no time at all.’

The Thomases signed a long contract on the spot instructing Damian’s agency to sell the property.

Looking back, Mrs Thomas said she had felt blinded by the smile, the shoes, and the promised sales price.

As Damian walked down the path whistling softly, a Black crow landed on the family car and stared soullessly at the Thomases. Was this an omen?

The Haunting

‘Something doesn’t feel right’ said Mr Thomas a day after the visit. ‘I know what you mean dad’ said Evie the couple’s 8-year-old. ‘That weird man didn’t have a shadow when he stood by our lamp.’

Mr Thomas ignored it as the workings of a child’s wild imagination, but then things began to get scary.

They never saw Damian again after that. His office always said he was unavailable when they called for an update.

But he wasn’t the only thing that couldn’t be found.

Due to the higher price scaring off buyers, the family home attracted very little interest.

It was sat in the wrong price band for a property of its type due to the extra £20,000 Damian had mysteriously added.

The poor communication from their agency and the lack of viewings was becoming a nightmare for the family as their move became ever closer.

Because they couldn’t sell, they couldn’t buy, this caused a horrendous amount of stress for mum and dad.

The moral of their story is be very wary of smooth-talking agents, who promise the earth and conjure up mesmerising market values for your home that make little sense.

A happy ending?

You may be asking why we are referring to the Thomas four (sorry, five, with the cat) in the past tense?

Well, thanks to us visiting them, accurately valuing their home, and creating an effective marketing plan for their property’s sale they have now successfully moved to pastures new.

Whatever happened to the mysterious agent?

Legend has it that he can still be seen around the region, still casting no shadow but leaving a trail of homeowner horror stories in his wake. The black crow is still believed to follow him.

Thanks for reading and Happy Halloween.

*The names have been changed to protect the innocent……. And the guilty.

The post A Horror Story ALL North East Homeowners need to read appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

There are many different fears we all have in life. 🕷️🕷️🕷️

There’s the fear of scary clowns like the one made infamous by the horror classic It. 🤡

Or more everyday things like fear of failure, of missing out or missing the bus.

One of the things we’ve become very skilled at over the years, as we’ve been working in the North East rental market, is helping landlords overcome their fears.

⭐️🌟⭐️And below are four things landlords fear. The good news is we know how to put these nightmares to bed once and for all.

1. Terrifying Tenants. Most tenants are great people, but one bad experience can leave landlords emotionally scarred. Proper vetting of prospective tenants through careful referencing can exorcise this fear.
2. Devilish Debt. No one likes losing money, and that’s why landlords break out into a cold sweat at the thought of their rent not being paid. Again, good referencing plays a big part in reducing the risk of arrears, as does good communication with tenants to head off any rent issues before they become problems.
3. DIY Hell. We don’t mean the usual do it yourself approach to putting up a shelf or fixing a leaky tap. Many landlords have discovered to their peril just how hard it is to do everything themselves when it comes to managing their rental property. There’s all the paperwork, the laws, the accounting, the maintenance, the list goes on. The good news is we can help with all that and make it a lot less frightening for you.
4. Scary Lettings Agents. Just like Halloween parties some are a lot better than others (the 2020 vintage looks like one we’ll need to forget thanks to Covid-19!). A good letting agent, like us, will banish those scary spectres away. That’s because we market our landlords’ properties properly, we carry out referencing and inspections correctly, and we always treat our landlords and tenants with courtesy, professionalism, and respect. Plus, we never trick anyone.

We hope this helps and if you’re feeling brave and wanting to get in the spirit of Halloween why not check out the 2012 supernatural horror film “Sinister” starring Ethan Hawke. It has been crowned the scariest movie ever made. 😱😱😱

💓 This is due to heart rate tests carried out on viewers of a selection of horror films by a study called ‘The Science of Scare Project.’ What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

Happy Halloween from all of us at 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲. 🎃👻

The post What four things are terrifying landlords in the North East? appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

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 July.

As a result, the price of popular breeds such Dachshunds, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs and Chow Chows shot up.

The asking price for a Dachshund, for example, increased from £973 in March to £1,838 in June (figures from The Dogs Trust).

But what happens when the novelty of owning a puppy wears off?

RSPCA (England & Wales), Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club UK have all raised concerns about the number of people who bought four-legged friends on a whim during the lockdown.

They fear a surge in the number of dogs dumped or abandoned as people struggle to pay for pet food and vet bills or exercise their pooch every day.

The Kennel Club’s Head of Health and Welfare Bill Lambert says: “𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵-𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘺.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤 – 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 ‘𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭’ 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.”

Due to this growing concern, the RSPCA has renamed October “Adoptober” (see what they did there?). The campaign urges people who are determined to get a dog to adopt, instead of buy.

By adopting a rescue dog, you will be giving an animal in need a loving home. You will also be able to rest easy in the knowledge that you haven’t fuelled the activities of overseas puppy farmers, who illegally smuggle dogs into the UK and sell them on the internet.

These dogs often have serious health and emotional problems as they are often kept in unhygienic conditions, are in poor health and are removed from their mothers too soon.

Dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines says: “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: 𝘥𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘺.”

And if adoption isn’t for you, there are, of course, other ways you can do your bit for the canine community. Many animal charities are looking for people to foster dogs, providing pooches with a temporary residence until they find their “forever home”.

Or you could consider volunteering your services as a dog walker to various charities around the country. Check out the work of the Cinnamon Trust (https://cinnamon.org.uk/home/) and The Underdog (https://www.theunderdog.org/)

We’d love to see your dog, whether it’s a rescue, fostered, owned, or adopted, so feel free to share photos of your four-legged companion with us here at Castledene.

The post Don’t Be Blinded by Puppy Love in the North East – Volunteer, Foster or Adopt Instead appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.

The tier system announced by the Government this week to combat the increase in Covid-19 cases has caused some concern from home sellers and buyers who are looking to move.

The good news is that it shouldn’t.

This is because even in the highest tiered areas which the Government has said are at very high-risk, people can still move. Albeit with extra safety precautions which we’ve been practising since the lockdown.

In the North East, we are currently in Tier 2 – which is described as ‘high alert’ and imposes several restrictions including pubs and restaurants shutting at 10 pm and no households mixing indoors.

But even in high alert areas, Government guidelines say you can still move home.

According to a statement on its website on Friday 16 October the Government advised:
💬“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢. 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨.”

Our priority is your safety. And that’s why we have the following measures in place to allow us to show people properties they are interested in.

Here are six of our Covid-secure steps.

1. We wear masks on all viewings. 😷
2. We wear disposable gloves on each viewing – these are only worn once then recycled. 🧤
3. We wear shoe coverings on each viewing. 🥿
4. We carry and use hand sanitiser before and after each viewing. 🤚
5. We will be the only people to open or touch handles or cupboards. 🧍‍♀️
6. We will wipe down any surfaces touched after the viewing has finished. 🧽

Everyone has a part to play in helping us all get back to normal as soon as possible, and we take our responsibility to keep you safe very seriously.

So, we’ll be following the guidelines and updates daily. And we’ll continue to help people move home safely, securely, and successfully.

If you are a seller or buyer and have any questions about what the tier system might mean to you, please get in touch.

The post Tier 2 – What Movers in the North East Need to Know appeared first on Holbrook & Co Estate Agents.