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The Top 3 'Most Liveable' Cities

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The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released its table of the liveability rankings of cities across the world. Some noteworthy changes to 2012’s copy include; the drop of London 9 places to 51st, due to the riots that plagued the city last August and the ongoing clean-up since then, and the placement of Vancouver in third. The latter came with a disappointed outcry from Canadians, as Vancouver had been ranked the best city to live for almost a decade, until the EIU dropped it two places in 2011. The EIU claimed the drop was due to increasing amounts of congestion throughout the city and surrounding areas. But for 2012, the top the 3 cities to live in the world were: 1. Melbourne, Australia Officially the most liveable city two years in a row, Melbourne is a diverse and exciting place to live. It is known as the cultural capital of Australia, as well as being the capital of the state of Victoria. It boasts a huge music and art scene, which launched the Australian impression...

Got a Holiday Flat or House in London or Weymouth?

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If you have a Holiday flat or house in London, this could be the right moment to make some extra cash. With the Olympic Games starting the 27 th July and ending the 12 th august 2012, many visitors are looking for a place to stay. Especially if you are close to the Olympic Games complex (Stratford), this could be quite profitable. The overall market prices in London have already risen by 16% from 2011 to 2012 according to some Real Estate Agencies . House prices have risen by 1.4% since 2010  in almost all areas of England.

Top problems when renting holiday properties and how to deal with them

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Renting out your holiday property is not just about finding a possible tenant with the expectation that they will pay their rent on time. After careful cleanup and preparation, property owners should anticipate problems while the tenant is staying in your property. The following are the most common problems which owners have to face. We have also given some advice as to how you can effectively deal with the problem: Late payment Many tenants pay for their holidays very late which could easily cause a lot of problems to the owner, especially if it is there main source of income. But you can easily avoid this problem with the right paperwork and reminders. The document should clearly indicate the date of payment and its consequence. A friendly reminder a few days before the payment deadline should also help you to receive the rent on time. Renters locking themselves out It’s always a possibility that a renter will lose their keys for your holiday property. To avoid ...

Time Saving Alternatives to Grass

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Growing grass in your holiday property requires time, patience and money. If you do not take care of it, through regular maintenance it can be filled with weeds and grow tall degrading your property. The task of cutting the grass can become very tedious especially if you are not living in the property for the entire year. Fortunately, there are alternatives to grass that help save time and are easy to maintain. Below we have listed some of the best solutions for your lawn; Clover At first glance, clover may look like it’s a type of weed that will only make your lawn look bad. But to an experienced landscaper, clover could be easily integrated or mixed with grass and the look of the lawn remains the same. It’s a perfect alternative especially when you don’t plan to step on the lawn as clover can beautifully cover your ground. Artificial Grass Forget about cutting your lawn frequently and instead install artificial grass in your holiday home. Placing the material is relative...

Purchase a New Property before Stamp Duty Change in March

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Everybody pays taxes and they are very important because they ensure that public services run as expected. Without taxes, the government would not be able to provide the country with free services and assistance. For this reason, most people do not complain on the taxes they have to pay regula rly. Fortunately, the government provides some leeway for individuals and families looking for opportunities to s ave on taxes. The perfect example for families to save on taxes is the stamp duty holiday which is set to expire on the 24 th of March this year. This offer is a stamp duty exemption for individuals and families purchasing properties for the first time. The stamp duty holiday is only valid for properties valued less than £250,000. This is a very rare opportunity for first time buyers because they get to enjoy a well-priced property without paying thousands more on stamp duty. Aside from the stamp duty holiday, homebuilders are also providing additional perks for first time ho...

Opus Energy signs wind power agreement with Danish energy organisation

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Opus Energy and Nordjysk Elhandel (NEAS) a Danish energy company have entered cooperation in the balancing and trading of wind power production from wind turbine generators within the United Kingdom. The agreement will allow companies to receive cleaner energy and will also increase the opportunities for you to add a wind turbine to your property and gain an extra income through power generation. Charlie Crossley Cooke, Opus Energy’s Managing Director has explained that wind power generation is expanding in the UK and Opus Energy want to secure the highest possible set-up in the production management for wind power generation. The agreement with NEAS will help Opus Energy to access state-of-the-art services in balancing and scheduling of wind power and the competencies in trading wind energy. This will provide British wind power generators with the best service and maximum value for their associated certificates and production. Currently there is over 5,970 MW installed capac...

Tips for Renting Out Your Holiday Property in UK

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Renting out your property during the holiday season is an ideal source of extra income, especially if your property is located in a popular tourist destination. You don’t have to exert a lot of effort but you are assured of an income because your property is practically working for you. But before renting out your property in UK, there are some things you have to remember to ensure that you will earn a considerable fee while protecting a very valuable asset. Check the Terms and Conditions of Your Mortgage If you’re still on mortgage, check if you are already allowed to lease at least part of your property. Some mortgage companies do not allow leasing their properties to protect the asset. More often than not, this information is readily available from your real estate agent. While checking the terms and conditions of your mortgage; also check out the additional tax you should pay and the exemptions you might enjoy. Visit directgov.co.uk for this type of information...