English local councils have been able to charge premium council taxes on second homes, since 1 April 2025. Although some second homes are exempt from the premium. Councils may charge a council tax premium of up to 100%. In other words, up to double the normal bill. … [Read more...]
Helping a Friend Who Is a Hoarder
Do you know someone who lives in a home full of clutter? Well then, you may be feeling worried, frustrated, even helpless. You may also be wondering how to improve life for your friend. Helping a friend who is a hoarder does not come easy. This is because hoarders … [Read more...]
How To Value Your Chattels in England
Knowing how to value your chattels in England correctly is important. It can even be critical if you need the information for insurance, or planning how to distribute your estate after you pass on. Your personal movable possessions could include furniture, jewellery, … [Read more...]
What It’s Like to Be a Compulsive Hoarder
Hoarding can seem confusing and frustrating to armchair observers, who may not understand what it’s like to be a compulsive hoarder. Friends or family members may walk into a cluttered home and wonder, why don’t they just throw this stuff away? For a person living … [Read more...]
How to Value Fixed Property in England
You could get an estimated value of a UK home quite easily, by tapping into readily available information. However, this will not stand up to the test for inheritance tax, or probate if you are an executor. Here’s how to value fixed property in England yourself, if you … [Read more...]
How To Live With A Compulsive Hoarder
Figuring out how to live with a compulsive hoarder can be a challenge for both family members and life-partners. Because hoarding is more than untidiness or poor housekeeping. It is a recognised mental health condition, in which a person struggles to discard … [Read more...]
Selling Your Property at Auction in England
Selling your property at auction in England can be a smart move, if you want speed, certainty, and a clean break with the past. But auctions are not magic solutions. You need a practical guide like this one, to prepare properly and think like a buyer. Why Auction Your … [Read more...]
The Truth About Chattels In England
The word ‘chattel’ comes down to us from the harsh economics of everyday life in mediaeval England, many hundreds of years ago. The truth about chattels in England in those days, was that most wealth did not sit in bank accounts or property portfolios. Instead, it … [Read more...]
Determining the Value of Property Fairly
Determining the value of property fairly, is an essential step in distributing the assets in a deceased estate. A building and the land on which it stands, is likely to be the most valuable possession the deceased left behind. We share the factors determining how much a … [Read more...]
Clearing a Hoarder’s House Yourself
Clearing a hoarder’s house yourself can put your health at risk. You need to take this fact seriously from the start. Many neglected homes contain hidden dangers that can harm you. You could face dust, mould, pests, and contaminated waste. You may also find sharp … [Read more...]
