Energy Act 2011

As your letting agent, we have to ensure that all of the landlords on our books are aware of the new Energy Act 2011, which is set to introduce new efficiency laws.

In an interview with the Sheffield Star, energy assessor and chartered surveyor at Jones Lang La Salle Philip Overend explained how the legislation will have an affect on properties with poor energy efficiency.

From April 2018, it will be unlawful for landlords to let homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of below grade E.

"The forthcoming tightening of the current building regulations, along with new versions of more stringent EPC software (calculates the energy rating), will make it even harder for landlords to achieve the higher EPC bands," Mr Overend claimed.

According to the expert, landlords need to begin reviewing their portfolios and commissioning upgrades to insulation and heating systems where necessary. Those concerned about the cost of renovations may want to research the Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme or consider a loan from the Carbon Trust.

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NOW REDUCED TO £525 PCM

House to let – Bridge Street, Slaithwaite

Property type: 2 Bedroom Terrace Property
Location: Slaithwaite
Rental: £525 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A lovely two bedroom character property set in the heart of the popular village of Slaithwaite with stunning riverside aspect.

Set only a few minutes walk from Slaithwaite train station and all local amenities this lovely home is sure to be snapped up soon and would make an ideal professionals home. Set over three levels (please see floorplan) the property briefly comprises; Entrance lobby, lounge with double doors out to good size, south facing balcony (room for chairs and table) which is set over the beautiful River Colne. A staircase leads down from the lounge to the modern dining kitchen where there is an additional store room and W.C.. From the entrance lobby a staircase rises to the top floor where there is a double bedroom, single bedroom and modern house bathroom with whit three piece suite, partial tiling and shower over bath. The property is complete with gas fired central heating, double glazing and has on street parking directly outside and further along the street. This property really should be viewed internally to fully appreciate the well presented accommodation on offer.

• 2 Bedrooms
• Modern throughout
• South facing balcony – good size
• Set over three levels
• GFCH / DG
• On street parking
• 10 minutes (approx.) from M62
• Walk away from Slaithwaite train station
• Bond £625.00

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999, or for further images please click here. 

1 bed in Honley

House to let – Station Road, Honley, Holmfirth

Property type: 1 bed terrace
Location: Honley
Rental: £450 pcm
Min term: 6 months

Currently undergoing a full programme of modernisation, this lovely home must be viewed internally to appreciate the high quality, contemporary accommodation on offer.

Arranged over three floors, the accommodation briefly comprises: dining kitchen, lounge (17’8″ x 12’8″ max), bedroom and bathroom. The property features double glazing, gas fired central heating, alarm system and a patio garden. Honley is a convenient location and offers ease of access to local amenities and arterial road networks.

• 1 double bedroom
• Set over 3 floors
• New kitchen and bathroom
• Contemporary finish
• Unfurnished
• GFCH, DG and alarm system
• Patio garden
• Convenient location

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999, or for further images please click here. 

2 bed in Honley

House to let – Westgate, Honley, Holmfirth

Property type: 2 bed apartment
Location: Honley
Rental: £525 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A high quality, two bedroom fully re-furbished, luxury apartment set in the popular village of Honley (photos show on-going works).

This super apartment is set on the main Westgate street in Honley (above Parfitts Bakery), however it is accessed via Concord Street, where there is also on street parking. Due to be completed the first week in November 2012, this property really must be viewed to fully appreciate the spacious and flexible living accommodation on offer. Briefly comprising;  Entrance hallway with staircase to first floor. To the first floor there is a stunning kitchen with adequate room for dining table and various appliances including tall fridge/freezer. The lounge is accessed through a small hallway and is of a good size and has two large double glazed windows allowing plenty of natural light into the room. This floor is also home to a brand new contemporary bathroom which has travertine effect tiling throughout, shower over bath and stylish down lights. A staircase rises to the first floor where there are two good sized, light and spacious double bedrooms and a Jack and Jill style W.C.. This floor also has additional eaves storage and loft space. The property will be completed to a high level and the quality of workmanship is already clear to see. The property has a brand new gas fired central heating system and double glazing.

• 2 double bedrooms
• Set over 2 floors
• Brand new kitchen and bathrooms
• High quality renovation
• Convenient location
• GFCH and DG
• Available now

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999, or for further images please click here. 

1 bed in Netherthong

House to let – Netherthong, Holmfirth

Property type: 1 bed cottage
Location: Netherthong
Rental: £600 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A fine example of quality, country living. Set in beautiful grounds this stylish one bedroom cottage is set over two levels with good sized dining kitchen and off street parking for two cars.

Set in the grounds of Moorgate Farm, The Annexe briefly comprises; entrance hallway/utility room, and large dining kitchen with integrated appliances. A staircase rises from the ground floor to the upper floor which is home to the lounge complete with furnishing, eaves storage and long distance views. A split step leads up to a modern house bathroom, study/office space and large master bedroom with stylish en-suite. The bedroom has double bed, various chest of drawers and wardrobe. This lovely home has double glazing, gas fired central heating and has been maintained to a high standard.

The property enjoys long distance views from all aspects and is set in magnificent gardens of which the tenants will have use of to the rear of the property. There are two allocated, off street parking spaces.

• 1 bedroom cottage
• Well presented throughout
• Set in superb grounds with access to annexe garden area
• Dining kitchen with integrated appliances
• Good size accommodation
• Furnished
• Allocated parking for 2 cars
• Long distance views

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999 or for further images please click here. 

Rents Going Up!

HomeLet is the UK’s largest supplier of tenant referencing to the lettings industry. The August 2012 issue of HomeLet Rental Index had some interesting points that we thought were worth highlighting and bringing to our clients attention.

Rents around the UK have increased to the highest price ever seen – Ian Fraser, HomeLet’s Managing Director, had this to say.

“With the average cost of renting a house in the UK increasing by 2.1% over the past year to £806 a month, tenants are paying more rent than ever, and we can see demand for rental homes in many areas remains high. This is beneficial for landlords and letting agents – however, for tenants they really are being stretched more than ever – which provokes the question of how long are tenants going to be able to afford these continually rising living costs?

Data from this month’s report shows less of the tenants we referenced were previously homeowners, and an increased percentage of them previously rented another home. This could be further proof that renting has become a way of life for many. The August report also reveals the average ago of the UK tenant has consecutively decreased over the past three years to 32. This is contrary to the average ago of a first time buyer that has increased to 37 (source: The Office of National Statistics (ONS)).

Combining all this information reinforces how a higher amount of people are turning to the private rented sector when moving to a new home. In addition, people appear to be staying in rented homes for longer as they cannot afford the high moving costs and mortgage fees. People’s difficulty in purchasing a house, along with the resulting increase in demand for the private rented sector, has pushed up rental prices and led to a shortage in rental stock.

It’s not surprising the Government has announced a housing crisis and pledged to invest in buy-to-let properties. However, this will be a long-term process and in the meantime it will be very interesting to see how soaring rents and diminishing supply will impact tenants before these changes take effect”.

The August 2012 report also looked at the North/South divide, focusing on the North East v Greater London. The figures they provided show:

• That after three consecutive annual decreases in rent – this time by 3.3% - the North East remains the most affordable UK region to rent a home, at £524 a month.
• Apart from a marginal dip of 0.2% in May 2012, the South East is the only region to have seen average rents consecutively increase since January.
•  East Anglia saw the largest annual increase in rents after the average cost rose by 8.8% to £763 a month since August 2011.

[Information provided by HomeLet]

Forward Ladies!

Look who Amy met at the Forward Ladies meeting in Sheffield yesterday? 

Claire Frisby from Look North!

Our Managing Director Amy Wray went to a 'Forward Ladies' business event earlier this week in Sheffield, meeting with other like-minded business women who believe that customer service is key when setting up in business, especially as so many companies do not offer exceptional service any more. Key speakers at the event included Helen Colley, founder of Farmhouse Fare; and Deidre Bounds, founder of Eye to Eye.

Amy has always made a point of making time in her busy schedule to attend events like this to remain up to date with current training and ensure that Applegate remains focused on their primary goal of being the best. Here at Applegate Lettings, our levels of customer service are particularly revered - we pride ourselves on providing our landlords and tenants with as much information as possible and keeping our team up to date on current legislation to enable us to provide the best possible service. We admit that sometimes it is hard to maintain these levels of service being as busy as we are and it's easy to lose sight of the original ideals but by attending events like 'Forward Ladies', we believe we're maintaining the standards we have set for ourselves.

Amy found the event to be really helpful and inspiring and took away some super ideas which you will see incorporated into Applegate in the coming months.

A fantastic day!