Valentine’s Day is coming! Last year we offered a proper old-fashioned local paper Valentines message board – we were in lockdown, we were all a bit miserable, and we thought it might raise a smile.
We were so happy to be right – we had over 100 messages, some beautiful, some hilarious, and each one warm and happy-making.
So of course we’re doing it again!
Totally free, a message for your Valentine – just fill in your words and we’ll print them for your secret love to find.
Want Gorgeous Girl to know you think she’s wonderful every single day? Do it! Want to tell Shnookums you love his toes? Of COURSE you do! Want to tell EF that with or without marmalade you love his grumpy face more each day? Come on in!
Let’s feel the love, and spread some smiles for Valentine’s Day. Deadline is midnight Tuesday 1st, so be quick – click below to fill in your message. Go go go:
Form now closed – they’ll be published in the February issue, out on the 4th.
In a frenzied sellers market, many of us are wondering if now is a good time to move. Two local estate agents share the truth about the local housing market – and whether they would be honest about your home.
Nearly one-third of homes in England and Wales sold for more than their asking price in 2021 — twice the average over the previous decade — underlining the strength of the ‘sellers’ market’ during the pandemic as well as the impact of stock shortages.
What will the property market look like in 2022? With the ongoing pandemic affecting choice of location as homeowners compete for properties better suited to home-working, and interest rates set to rise further, there are plenty of factors affecting the market.
So we gathered two experienced local experts to talk specifically about what’s happening in our own marke in north Dorset, to see what’s selling and who’s buying, and most importnatly, some insider tips on how to make the whole process as painless as possible. Sarah Cull from Strutt and Parker’s Salisbury office has been an estate agent in the South Wiltshire/ North Dorset area for over twenty years. Laura Lewis of Edwards Estate Agents is the experienced head of the Wimborne office, with an insightful knowledge of the middle of the county.
Have there been fundamental changes? Has covid caused any permanent changes to the housing market, or are things returning to ‘normal’?
“I think everyone’s aware the property market has been extremely busy over the last year, with record numbers of transactions and record- breaking prices being achieved” acknowledged Laura Lewis “Local prices have increased 10.2% in 12 months. Covid has
definitely changed what buyers look for in a home – the way we live and work has altered. The home has to become the office too, and the office and outside space is highly prioritised.” Sarah Cull agrees the changes feel like a ‘new normal’:
”it’s all just business as usual – masks for appointments, a handy bottle of sanitiser in the car door etc. Some things have definitely changed – Virtual Viewing tours which were so useful at the very beginning of the pandemic are now firmly a permanent part of any marketing package.”
What do you see 2022 bringing? Will the ‘rush to the country’ slow down, are certain types of houses more in demand? Sarah: “We are still seeing an extreme shortage of houses, and many keen buyers which will continue to drive prices. The impact of the Omicron wave is yet to be seen but we very much feel that country living will remain ‘en vogue’.” Laura agrees: ” There is currently the lowest ever available stock on Rightmove for sale per estate agency branch. With this, the imbalance between supply and demand means we are seeing multiple buyers per property. Homes which offer space to work from home, generous gardens and desirable locations are very much in high demand and we can’t see this changing!”
What are the popular features?
What makes a house easier to sell – not the basics of ‘number of bedrooms, big kitchen, nice garden’, but something that you know adds a powerful attraction?
Laura: “Buyers are loving garden rooms at the moment, they a great bonus room with flexibility. It offers extra space to work, relax, escape the family or use as a home gym. I also think a vaulted ceiling in a home is a show stopper!”
Sarah: “I totally agree. Outside space is still a big seller; home offices, outside kitchens and beautiful gardens can all really help to sell a home.”
A house owner has a presentable but busy family home, and you call to say they have a new viewing; in two hours.
What would you hope they would do with that time to give the house the best chance? Sarah: “Make the beds, air the house, clean and clear any clutter, put the toilet seats down, get the dogs and any dogs beds out of the way and try to pop some fresh flowers on the kitchen table. “ Laura: “Buyers want to see their home in a house. If clients are selling a busy family home then they are likely to be selling to another busy family, who understand and have the same needs! So it’s ok to show where you keep the toys, it’s ok to have a high chair in the kitchen or clothes out in the utility.
We recommend that the house looks clean (if not always perfectly tidy!) and smells fresh.”
Will you point out a problem?
When initially valuing a house you can see a couple of glaring issues which your experience tells you will put buyers off. What do you do – will you be honest with the homeowner?
Laura: “I’m always completely honest. If there are any recommendations that can be made to help a property be more attractive to market, I’ll share them! Also, if there are any issues that cant be resolved, transparency is key with buyers.” Sarah: “As agents we are employed for our expertise and for knowing what buyers think and warm to – I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I kept those thoughts to myself.”
Is the market still moving super-fast? If so, what tips do you have for potential buyers who are finding the speed of the market difficult? Sarah: The best advice is to get yourself in a position where you can go ahead, have your finances lined up and a buyer in tow if you need to sell. There is a lot of competition still, with many properties going to ‘best bids’ and the ability to swiftly move forwards is paramount.” Laura: “The market is still moving fast and like Sarah, my best advice is for buyers to get themselves in the best position possible by finding a buyer for their own property first.
Get a mortgage agreement in principle, and be prepared to show the agent you wish to purchase from that you have the ability to buy.”
Location, location, location?
Are there specifically desirable locations within the Blackmore Vale area? Laura: “We are very lucky to live and work in such a beautiful and popular location. Both Wimborne & Blandford are very well desired and we have very high demand for prices here – and increasing prices”
Sarah: “Tisbury and The Donheads have been very popular locations of late, primarily due to the rail line and good road links, not to mention the great pubs, shops, beautiful countryside and charming village atmospheres.”
The Farm Consultancy Group is delighted that John Hunt has joined the Sherborne Office as Environmental Consultant, covering the South West.
John Hunt
After graduating from the Royal Agricultural College in 2011, John worked for Rothamsted Research in Devon as a Farm Experiment and Trials Manager for eight years, and then for the Westcountry Rivers Trust as a Senior Farm Advisor.
John’s remit with the Farm Consultancy Group is to provide farm and environmental advice, including Countryside Stewardship, the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), the Sustainable Farm Incentive (SFI) and woodland grants to support the FCG client portfolio. As a FACTS qualified advisor, John also specialises in nutrient management planning, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, soil health, and maximising the efficient use of fertilisers, livestock manures and slurries. In addition, John holds a BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection covering grassland and forage crops and is a member of the BASIS Professional Register. John said ‘I’m looking forward to working with a variety of different farm types across the whole South West. It’s a challenging time in agriculture and I believe this new role will help farms adjust to the new environmental schemes and maximise their potential.’
John joins the Farm Consultancy Group team of over 20 independent consultants and advisors across their eight offices, providing bespoke agricultural and business advice to farmers and land owners across England and Wales.
Blandford’s independent family brewer, Hall & Woodhouse, has made a number of pub acquisitions as part of its ongoing estate expansion, with more in the pipeline.
Hall & Woodhouse Brewery Blandford Forum Dorset
The company currently has a collection of 170 pubs that make up its managed house and Business Partner estate, stretching from Bristol to Exeter, London to Brighton. Early in 2021, Hall & Woodhouse sold a small collection of pubs in order to reinvest in assets which are better aligned to the business’ long-term strategy. Mark James, Property Director at Hall & Woodhouse, explained: “We continually look to evolve as a business by proactively managing our estate and investing in pubs of the future.
Our recent acquisitions add real quality, with many located in popular tourist locations across the south of England. These acquisitions will also significantly increase our bedroom stock. “We continue to seek out further high-quality acquisitions that complement and enhance our existing estate.”
Recent acquisitions include Masons Arms, Odcombe; Hit or Miss, Amersham; Old Ship Aground, Minehead; and The Dolphin Hotel, Bovey Tracey. The pipeline also includes further sites in Devon, Dorset and Surrey.
The new Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill needs some consideration from landlords before it passes into law, expected in March, says the team at Blanchards Bailey LLP
New laws aim to restrict landlords from seizing goods on lieu of rent – shutterstock
Restrictions were put in place during the pandemic – and remain in place – to stop landlords seizing goods in lieu of rent, forfeiting leases and stopping businesses in rent arrears from being made insolvent. The government also published a voluntary code of practice encouraging landlord and tenant to work together to resolve unpaid rent arrears.
Ringfencing rent debt
The government is now hoping to pass the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill which allows for ringfencing of rent debt built up by businesses who have been forced to close during the pandemic. It establishes a binding arbitration system which will decide what happens to that ringfenced debt. The current moratorium measures will continue until the Bill has become law, which is believed to be on 25 March 2022. There is also a new code of practice for commercial property relationships following the pandemic.
The Act
The Act provides that protected rent debts (including service charges and insurance) incurred by a tenant under a business tenancy which was adversely affected by COVID (where the whole or part of the business
or premises was subject to closure requirements as a result of COVID restrictions) can be referred by either the landlord or tenant to binding arbitration to resolve disputes.
The Bill will effectively extend the existing moratorium which will run from the date that legislation comes into force until:
1. six months from the date the legislation comes into force (when the parties must apply for arbitration) with a maximum time frame of 24 months for repayment;
2. Where a party has applied for arbitration, the date the arbitration is concluded or abandoned.
In addition to the current restrictions, the Bill will prevent landlords from issuing debt proceedings whilst arbitration is available or ongoing and enable the debt covered by certain debt proceedings to be considered in arbitration.
The Code
The new code makes clear that the preservation of the tenant’s business viability should not come at the expense of the landlord’s solvency and that, where it is affordable, a tenant should aim to meet their obligations under their lease in full. However, it also states that a tenant should not have to take on more debt or restructure their business in order to pay their rent. The code provides guidance on how parties should approach negotiation with the intention that, where possible they should resolve rent disputes before the Bill comes into force. The code states that tenants will need to show landlords sufficient evidence to substantiate their need for assistance with rent.
It also states that, if settlement cannot be reached, the parties should consider mediation in this interim period. If debt proceedings are issued prior to the passing of the Act, then either party may request a stay of the proceedings and, if the claim is not stayed and judgment is obtained, any judgment debt will constitute a ring fenced debt and may be subject to the arbitration process. For further advice contact our Litigation and Disputes Resolution team on 01258 459361
Brad Hansford, Meyers Estate Agent for Shaftesbury, was awarded ‘highly commended’ for New Agency of the Year at the prestigious awards.
Brad of Meyers
From an entry list described as: “the biggest in the history of the Awards” was awarded for his and his partner Tamsin Bell’s achievements in setting up a highly successful agency during some of the most challenging times in recent history.
Brad said “it is such an honour to be highly commended for this amazing award. I joined Meyers just before the Pandemic hit, so it has been a rollercoaster ride to say the least, but despite the challenges faced, we’ve successfully built a reputation for customer-centric operations in addition to supporting local charities and businesses. I am delighted that the Meyers’ difference has been recognised in this way.”
Mark Meyer, CEO Meyers Estate Agents, said “We are so proud of Brad and Tamsin’s achievement. As franchisees they have worked diligently to ensure Meyers is always at the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to buying or selling property in the Shaftesbury area and in a short space of time have created a superb and successful agency. However, they have still made time to ‘give back’ and contribute to several local projects including: The Blackmore Vale Partnership, The Headstrong Project and the GAP project. That’s the essence of what Meyers is all about – setting the bar higher to look after customers better and support the communities that support us at the same time.”
At the Negotiator Awards Meyers Estate Agents was also awarded bronze in the Community Champion of the Year category recognising the whole team’s contribution to raising £250K for more than ten local charities as well as creating the GAP project in association with the mental health charity Dorset Mind.
The Dolphin Centre in Poole is encouraging local small businesses and start-ups to trade at its Street Market.
The Dolphin Centre Poole
Introduced in September last year, the Dolphin Centre is encouraging applications from all Dorset makers and small businesses.
Based in the main mall area of the Dolphin, stalls can be booked for initial trials with single day stall hire currently available, encouraging online businesses that may be interested in exploring physical retail. Carmen Moore, Community Manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “The Street Market is a way for The Dolphin to champion all the wonderful makers and small businesses here on our doorstep..”
A business that has been trading at the Street Market since its inception is &gooey, owned by Andreia Sousa. Specialising in brigadieros, a traditional Brazilian truffle, Andreia has highlighted how her time trading at the market has brought invaluable experience. &gooey originally exclusively sold its products through its website, before Andreia decided to take the plunge and book a weekly trading slot at the Dolphin.
Andreia said: “Nothing is better than face-to-face contact with our customers. The Dolphin Centre offers reasonable rent and everyone was super friendly. We met so many other businesses with amazing people behind them – they’ve have been so kind to share advice and support one another, which is a beautiful thing to see.”
The Dolphin Street Market is part of a wider initiative to breathe new life into Poole’s high street.
Trading hours for the markets are from 9am-5:30pm every Saturday and Sunday, and costs start from £20 per day.If you are interested in learning more about the markets, please contact carmen@ dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk
In the last of their series on Trusts, family lawyer Clare Sanderson runs through the key reasons making a Trust may be right for your family.
Expert help on common domestic legal issues from the team at Porter Dodson LLP. Shutterstock
A Trust is a legal structure which distinguishes between the legal and beneficial ownership of an asset. The Trustees are the legal owners whilst one or more people receive the actual benefit. Trusts have been in existence for thousands of years – however they do still play an important role in modern day life. They are still frequently created by Will, or during a person’s lifetime. Trusts can also arise automatically by law and can be created by the Courts.
Although Trusts are often associated with tax and estate planning, they do not always need to be aimed at saving tax. There are a number of situations where Trusts can be particularly important:
To provide for a child or vulnerable beneficiary Due to their age or vulnerability some beneficiaries are unable to own assets themselves and therefore the Trustees hold the assets for their benefit. A Trust protects such beneficiaries against undue influence from other people, or against the beneficiary’s own immaturity. The Trust could end at a specified date, for example when the beneficiary turns 25, which is when they then take control of the assets, but for vulnerable or disabled beneficiaries it may continue for the beneficiary’s lifetime.
Asset protection
Placing assets into certain types of trusts can protect against creditors or marriage breakdown as the assets held do not belong to any particular beneficiary. Sometimes people gift their assets into trust but include themselves as one of the beneficiaries; these are known as “Settlor Interested” trusts which can have adverse tax implications so caution should always be taken. The assets are however technically outside of their ownership and therefore out of reach of potential third party claims.
Inheritance planning
Trusts can be used to ensure that a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their assets after death are met, particularly where there are children from a previous relationship or family tensions.
Where assets are left outright to a particular person there is the risk that they may then pass to unintended recipients, if that person remarries or became bankrupt.
A Trust allows a beneficiary to benefit from an asset but with limited control, so they are not able to dispose of it.
A Trust can be extremely important in the right circumstances, provided the document creating it is drawn up correctly. Professional advice should always be sought to ensure that the right Trust is created, and to avoid any unintended tax consequences.
If you are interested in discussing your own situation, please contact Clare Sanderson on 01823 625818 or clare. [email protected]
A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips. This Month: energy companies going bust and ‘green scams’
Q: My New Year’s Resolution is to make my home more energy efficient, to help me save money and to help save the planet too. What steps can I take and what should I look out for?
A: Citizens Advice has found that in the South West, 65% of adults are thinking about making their 3. homes more energy efficient in the next 12 months but 36% said they have already been targeted by a ‘green scam’. Scammers have no qualms about playing on our need to do our bit for the environment, so if you’re thinking of making your home more energy efficient, take your time doing research, getting quotes and reading reviews. And as always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 4. Being scammed doesn’t just leave us out of pocket; it can leave us feeling very vulnerable, isolated and really knock our confidence. If you’ve been scammed, or are worried about how to spot a scam, our advisers are here to listen and help.
Citizens Advice in Dorset has five top tips to stay safe when making your home more energy efficient:
Do your research. Before you buy anything, check the company or website you’re using. Read reviews on different websites, ask for references, verify the company’s details using external sources, and read any terms and conditions.
Check certified schemes. When looking for a trader to use, check certified schemes that recommend traders, like TrustMark – the Government’s endorsed quality scheme. If yours is an older home or a listed property, make sure that the scheme is appropriate and that you have permission for the work to be carried out.
Get written quotes and a contract. Try to get quotes from at least three different contractors to help you decide if you’re getting a fair price. Once you’ve decided, always get a written contract before you give a contractor the go-ahead. If something goes wrong it can help get what you paid for, or at least get some of your money back.
Pay with a secure method. Credit cards offer the most protection, followed by PayPal or debit card. If you’re paying for large home improvement works, see if you can pay in stages, and avoid paying for costs up- front where possible.
Be suspicious. Scammers and rogue traders can be very smart. Take your time to make sure you’re happy with your decision – if someone pressures you or contacts you out of the blue, it’s most likely a scam.
If you’ve been scammed, talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment. See Citizens Advice’s page on What to do if you’ve been scammed for more information.
To report a scam or ask for advice contact Citizens Advice consumer service. Offline scams, like telephone, post and doorstep, can be reported via the Citizens Advice consumer service or by calling 0808 223 1133. Report online scams to the dedicated Scams Action service either online or on 0808 250 5050.
Text scams can be reported to your mobile phone provider by forwarding it to 7726. You can also report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Q: I keep hearing on the radio that energy companies are going bust. I am worried about what will happen if my energy company goes bust. Will I still have gas and electricity or should I go and buy a dozen candles?
A: You’ll still have gas and electricity if your energy supplier goes out of business. There is a tried and tested safety net in place to ensure things keep running if a firm goes bust. If you can, take a meter reading, make a note of your account balance and keep hold of any bills. The gas and electricity regulator, Ofgem, will move you to a new supplier. This usually takes a few weeks. Don’t switch tariff or supplier until your account is moved to the new supplier. The Government is considering options to support customers if larger suppliers fail – but whatever happens any credit balance should be protected and you won’t lose your gas and electricity.
