- Don't turn off your boiler to prevent frozen and burst pipes. To save energy and keep your heating bills reasonable, simply set it to come on for an hour in the morning and the evening. This also helps to stop dampness developing.
- Take your valuables such as jewellery, laptops and cameras with you or store them in a safe.
- Fully lock your flat door on both mortice and yale locks.
- Ensure your windows are fully closed with any latches engaged. Where possible, also lock your windows.
- Tell your landlord if you are away for more than a few days, giving them a chance to keep an eye on the property.
- Consider putting one or more lights on a timer switch to make the flat appear inhabited over the holidays.
- Disconnect any electric plugs which won't be used.
- Empty the fridge of any food that will be mouldy by the time you return in 2013.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Holiday-proof your flat
Heading home for the holidays or looking to spend time somewhere warmer? Here are some handy tips to ensure your flat and your belongings stay safe over Christmas and New Year.
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Are you saving enough?
To many students, savings are something to be thought about later, after they finish university. And while financing your daily life through student loans, allowances and pay from part-time jobs seems hard enough, that later is now.
A new survey by HSBC suggests that millions of households in the UK have so little savings they could hardly survive until the weekend if they had to rely on them. On the other hand, information from Barclays Bank confirms that more than 50% of students hold a savings account of some sort.
Whether these are left over from students' childhood days when parents, grandparents and other family members topped them up on birthdays and at Christmas to create a little nest egg or the product of a conscious decision before going to university, most of these savings accounts aren't topped up enough.
The recommended 'salary cushion', according to HSBC, is the equivalent of three monthly salaries. However, the bank's study found that 19% of households have no savings at all and 12% have less than £250. Even for student households, these are scary figures.
So what should you do? Start saving, even if it's as little as £3 per week, the equivalent of a pint! Here's a handy guide to various savings products, but don't forget to check your own bank's options first. Being a customner already can help give you access to better deals and, you never know, you may just be able to work up to a little nest egg yourself.
A new survey by HSBC suggests that millions of households in the UK have so little savings they could hardly survive until the weekend if they had to rely on them. On the other hand, information from Barclays Bank confirms that more than 50% of students hold a savings account of some sort.
Whether these are left over from students' childhood days when parents, grandparents and other family members topped them up on birthdays and at Christmas to create a little nest egg or the product of a conscious decision before going to university, most of these savings accounts aren't topped up enough.
The recommended 'salary cushion', according to HSBC, is the equivalent of three monthly salaries. However, the bank's study found that 19% of households have no savings at all and 12% have less than £250. Even for student households, these are scary figures.
So what should you do? Start saving, even if it's as little as £3 per week, the equivalent of a pint! Here's a handy guide to various savings products, but don't forget to check your own bank's options first. Being a customner already can help give you access to better deals and, you never know, you may just be able to work up to a little nest egg yourself.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
The best energy deal for your flat? We can help!
Just in time for the colder months, a number of energy suppliers have announced price rises - a concern for many tenants, whether they are students or professionals. But does this mean that you should cancel your contract and look for a new supplier immediately?
Maybe not that quickly. Whilst there is a lot of advice available on choosing energy suppliers, consumer advocates Which? have found that only ten percent of the UK population are able to identify the cheapest deal when looking at energy suppliers' tariffs. Why do they struggle? Mostly because price plans are presented in a complicated style, making it hard to assess what is or isn't a good deal. Consequently, the number of people reading comparisons right increases to nearly nine out of ten as soon as price plans are presented in a simpler fashion.
What does it mean for your rented property in Edinburgh? First of all, take a look at how much energy you are using and what for and check whether you could use less or use energy more efficiently. Then take a look at your bills and shop around for the best deal. This may take a few hours, but will be well worth it when the bills arrive.
If you're looking to move, ask to see the property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). A reputable landlord will be happy to show and explain it. Check the state of doors and windows, too as this will give you an idea of whether there are especially drafty areas.
Last, but not least, review your energy contracts regularly.
Maybe not that quickly. Whilst there is a lot of advice available on choosing energy suppliers, consumer advocates Which? have found that only ten percent of the UK population are able to identify the cheapest deal when looking at energy suppliers' tariffs. Why do they struggle? Mostly because price plans are presented in a complicated style, making it hard to assess what is or isn't a good deal. Consequently, the number of people reading comparisons right increases to nearly nine out of ten as soon as price plans are presented in a simpler fashion.
What does it mean for your rented property in Edinburgh? First of all, take a look at how much energy you are using and what for and check whether you could use less or use energy more efficiently. Then take a look at your bills and shop around for the best deal. This may take a few hours, but will be well worth it when the bills arrive.
If you're looking to move, ask to see the property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). A reputable landlord will be happy to show and explain it. Check the state of doors and windows, too as this will give you an idea of whether there are especially drafty areas.
Last, but not least, review your energy contracts regularly.
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Unwanted house guests?
What does it take to make a guest's visit turn sour for you?
Here are insurance company Sheila's Wheels' top ten:
1 Leaving mess lying around (38%);
2 Never tidying (33%);
3 Not offering to contribute to bills (29%);
4 Eating someone else's food from the fridge (28%);
5 Never saying thank you (28%);
6 Avoiding washing up (26%);
7 Hogging the television (26%);
8 Making loud noises (23%);
9 Everyone having to change their sleeping routine (22%);
10 Talking during films (22%).
Apparently, the worst culprits are adult children moving back in with their parents. What would you like to add to the list?
Here are insurance company Sheila's Wheels' top ten:
1 Leaving mess lying around (38%);
2 Never tidying (33%);
3 Not offering to contribute to bills (29%);
4 Eating someone else's food from the fridge (28%);
5 Never saying thank you (28%);
6 Avoiding washing up (26%);
7 Hogging the television (26%);
8 Making loud noises (23%);
9 Everyone having to change their sleeping routine (22%);
10 Talking during films (22%).
Apparently, the worst culprits are adult children moving back in with their parents. What would you like to add to the list?
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
How to manage student finances
The new academic year has only just started, so there's never been a better time to ensure your fnances are sorted this year - check out moneywise's guide: http://bit.ly/OasWTz
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
How to survive uni in 2012
Edinburgh University Student Association have published an Undergraduate Survival Guide for 2012! You can read it here: http://bit.ly/S7plAI. Whilst it's currently only available online, a number of people have already requested a download version, so check back regularly for an update!
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Sunny & dry weather? No, thanks
While we were all enjoying yesterday's sunshine, 'our' trees in Teaghlach Wood in Perthshire would have breathed a sigh of relief when today turned out to be a little cloudier.
Believe it or not, when the whole country was complaining about the never-ending rain over the past couple of weeks, our trees couldn't have been happier. Trees4Scotland's Angus Crabbie explains: "Trees really do love rain as it helps them grow, especially when they're young."
And while we were rejoicing about finally dusting off the barbecue again, forests are looking forward to the next rainy day to continue to develop.
There is a more serious side to this story as well: While trees need rain to grow, reforestation in general is one way to prevent landslides etc as the roots help avoid soil erosion - a natural contribution to our flood defences.
Cullen Property has teamed up with Trees4Scotland to offset the carbon footprint of our managed flats. To find out more or to get involved, please email us.
Believe it or not, when the whole country was complaining about the never-ending rain over the past couple of weeks, our trees couldn't have been happier. Trees4Scotland's Angus Crabbie explains: "Trees really do love rain as it helps them grow, especially when they're young."
And while we were rejoicing about finally dusting off the barbecue again, forests are looking forward to the next rainy day to continue to develop.
There is a more serious side to this story as well: While trees need rain to grow, reforestation in general is one way to prevent landslides etc as the roots help avoid soil erosion - a natural contribution to our flood defences.
Cullen Property has teamed up with Trees4Scotland to offset the carbon footprint of our managed flats. To find out more or to get involved, please email us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)