Property Mail E-Magazine Issue 420

PROPERTY MAIL JANUARY 2018

CARDIFF’S NO1 PROPERTY MAGAZINE

FREE / ISSUE 420 16/03/22 - 12/04/22

INTERIOR DESIGN

NEW HOMES

FOOD & DRINK

PROPERTY NEWS

BESPOKE LIVING, DINING AND BEDROOMS

Unit 4 The Design Quarter Colchester Ave, Cardiff CF23 9XE 02920 465478 | www.aj-interiors.co.uk

Contents DISTRIBUTION

Reason Distribution Horrizon Distribution, J & M Distribution, TWT Logistics

ADVERTISING

Property Sales 8 12 11 10

Stephens & Partners Fortis Homes Lettings 2 Sales Maguire Homes

Mitchell Klein T: 029 2064 4734 mitchell@propertymail co.uk

PRODUCTION

Property Mail Magazine 65 Penarth Road Cardiff CF10 1DL info@propertymail co.uk

CHARITY PARTNER Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1167290

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Property Lettings

13

Stephens & Partners Fortis Homes Lettings 2 Sales

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12 11

20 24 22

Adam James Interiors Bo Concept Budd Electrical Garolla Doors Howells Solicitors Luxury For Living Lime Green MPN Windows Natuzzi Plumbstop SMC Kitchens Spaces The Tap End

Editorials 4 14 16

FOLLOW US

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facebook propertymail www.propertymail.co.uk

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Instagram @propertymailcardiff

Property Services

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Small Living Rooms Exterior Design Trustworthy Trades Style Up Your Bedroom Bedroom Planning Phil Vickery

Property Mail Magazine has made constant care to make sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content is published in a good faith.

Property Mail Magazine cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by this publication and errors for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers. Property Mail Magazine is a title of European Property Publications Ltd.

The Tower Probably the best views in Barry Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 8

Build: 879 m²

Windsor Lofts Barry £299,950

EPC: D

Ref. V6094

€7,500,000

One of Barry’s most prestigious development “The Tower”.

This very unique 2/3 bedroom apartment is situated on three floors, and is the only apartment to occupy the actual tower of the building.

Much care and consideration has been taken to capture the original features while also tastefully using modern designs to emphasise this great development.

2/3 Bedrooms | Private Roof Garden with 360 views | Large Kitchen/Diner | 3 Bathrooms | Amazing Views | Ideal Office /Studio/Living Mix

029 2022 7603 | info@stephensandpartners.co.uk

www.stephensandpartners.co.uk

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Landmark Place City Centre

£142,000

One bedroom, 12th floor city centre apartment ideal for first time buyers, landlords, or people looking for a fantastic city centre location. NO CLADDING ISSUES

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£210,000

One bedroom apartment situated at The Jennings Building which is located harbour side at the waters edge and sea front of Porthcawl Harbour.

029 2022 7603 | info@stephensandpartners.co.uk

www.stephensandpartners.co.uk

£269,950

This well presented three bedroom house is situated in an excellent location, within walking distance of supermarkets, local schools and close to the University Hospital Wales, City Centre & M4. Early viewing is highly recommended.

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Harbourside Porthcawl

Ffordd Ty Unnos Heath

Pontprennau Cardiff

£455,000

This four bedroom cosy & light detached family home is located towards the top of a very quiet cul-de-sac and due to its location it’s not overlooked both to the front and to the rear, making this an extremely unique home in any modern development

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Exterior Design

Lighter, brighter evenings are heading our way. Utilise your outdoor space to dine, relax and spend time together with loved ones.

By Liane Okotie, Designer & Sales Manager at Bo Concept in Cardiff

EMBRACING OUTDOOR LIVING

2. GO GREEN

4. PAINT IT PRETTY

Outdoor living spaces such as balconies and terraces have an infinite number of possibilities to enhance everyday living for everyone from the extrovert to the introvert, and yet, it isn’t uncommon for these potential outdoor havens to be lacklustre and underutilised. The good news is you don’t need an expensive makeover to get the most out of your outdoor space—with just a few small touches you can take your outdoor area from underwhelming to inspiring and finally create an outdoor living space that you and your lifestyle love!

Even if your outdoor space already has grass or even a couple of other forms of greenery, a few potted plants can be absolute game-changer. Consider filling corners with a couple of planters filled with plants, flowers or even vegetables.

Cement plant pots are always a go-to since they are generally unaffected by harsh weather, and they also meld well with a variety of décor styles. If you have a small apartment terrace or balcony and floor or table space isn’t abundant, remember to look to the walls and ceiling to incorporate plants. This may include hanging a few flower baskets to add colour or adding a few wall platers filled with lush greenery.

Paint isn’t only wonderful at giving weather-beaten furniture a new lease of life, it can also add some major flair when applied using a repetitive stencil.

A stencil is a great was to give patio stones or a tabletop a fresh and fun look. Paint a piece of marine plywood or scrap wood to create your own DIY abstract outdoor art and then show off your masterpiece by leaning it up against a wall. For the best results, be sure to use outdoor paint and a waterproof sealer.

1. THINK TEXTILES From the colour of your couch to the duvet strewn across your bed, you put a lot of thought into the textiles that help craft the interior of your home, but did you do the same for your outdoor space?

Swapping or adding fabric accents is the one of the easiest ways to infuse your outdoor living space with colour, add some texture, and create an aesthetic that is cosy and welcoming. This can be done by adding an outdoor rug, hanging some curtains to diffuse harsh sunlight, or simply adding a few throw pillows.

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3. ADD LIGHTING New lighting can help you see your outdoor living space in a whole new light – literally. To make your outdoor space feel more intimate and relaxing, add layered lighting options. This may include solar-powered lanterns, string twinkle lights or a couple of aromatic candles. For an option that is extra luxe, opt for a fire bowl. Nothing adds cosiness to a space quite like having a flame – especially on chilly evenings!

BoConcept Cardiff

64 Grand Arcade, St Davids Dewi Sant, CF10 2EF 029 2034 3704 | cardiff@boconcept.co.uk | www.boconcept.com

How to find trustworthy Tradespeople Here’s how to make sure you’re getting honest bang for your buck. By Luke-Rix-Standing.

U

nder normal circumstances, there aren’t many homeowners that would let strangers into their front rooms, serve them tea and biscuits, and leave them relatively unsupervised for hours, days, even weeks at a time.

The vast majority of tradespeople are honest, hardworking professionals of course, but everyone has heard a horror story about a repair job gone wrong somewhere along the line, and no one wants to leave their home to chance. So what do you need to think about?

Here’s a few handy hints to help ensure you get high-calibre hires, both for your project and for your peace of mind...

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GET THE BASICS RIGHT

Word of mouth is probably your g reatest weapon in the fight against questionable craftsmanship. Ask friends, neighbours and family members for local recommendations, ideally for similar jobs within a recent time-frame. Naturally your experience may differ, but the more first-hand experiences you can collate, the more informed your decision will be.

If you’re short on recommendations, your local council might be able to help.

Most councils have a list of approved local traders on their website, while the Trading Standards department should be able to answer any questions you might have concerning your rights, and

trading obligations.

Trade organisations are also a good port of call - if your proposed job fits snugly within a single discipline.

Most are self-explanatory - the Glass and Glazing Federation, for example, or the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors - and will have certain standards for their members.

If your trader claims to be a member of a trade association, it should be easy to double check on the relevant association’s website.

“MOST COUNCILS HAVE A LIST OF APPROVED LOCAL TRADERS ON THEIR WEBSITE,”

home solutions

“IT’S WORTH OBTAINING QUOTES FROM AT LEAST THREE WOULD-BE HIRES BEFORE COMMITTING.”

It might not make you popular with contractors, but the canny customer also shops around. It’s worth obtaining quotes from at least three would-be hires before committing, and comparing notes to see that you’re getting a fair price. Make sure you get a ‘quote’ rather than an ‘estimate’, and that you receive a copy in writing.

Some contractors charge for giving quotes, so ask about that in advance.

If you’re commissioning major construction work, there are a few more steps to take. Make sure you understand any permissions or approvals you might need (planning permission, conservation areas, neighbour’s rights, etc), before taking on a contractor, and interview potential hires personally before proceeding.

On longer, more complex projects you will need to be in near-constant communication with your contractors, so you need to feel comfortable with them personally as well as professionally.

You may also want to check for public liability insurance, which should provide legal cover for structural damage or injury sustained on the job. If they don’t have any, you might consider either looking elsewhere or getting your own.

If you have more complicated questions, or run into significant difficulties, Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) are wellplaced to offer further assistance.

Buy with confidence (buywithconfidence.gov.uk) is a notfor-profit directory run by the Trading Standards office, in conjunction with a range of local authorities. To be listed, professionals must have been plying their trade for at least six months, and undergo an audit by a Trading Standards officer. The work itself is not inspected, but previous customers are approached for references and all trader claims are officially verified.

CALL IN THE CAVALRY

Ratedpeople.com (ratedpeople.com) uses similar methods, and places a particularly high premium on customer reviews. You post your job and wait for traders to respond, before looking through a shortlist and selecting a trader based on the quote and previous feedback. Traders pay a monthly fee to appear on the site, and must pass background checks and an in-person interview, which blocks roughly one in four applicants.

There’s still an understandable anxiety around finding traders on the internet, but these days there’s a whole host of commercial and not-for-profit services that can act as intermediary and quality control.

Trustmark (trustmark.org.uk) is a notfor-profit social enterprise supported by the government, and claims to have the largest database of accredited tradesman in the country. Meant to act as a seal of approval for traders of a certain standard, all listed professional undergo checks on ID, credit status, qualifications, and insurance, and have had technical skills assessed by on-site inspection. Traders can be contacted directly through the website.

Of course, none of these services can guarantee you an entirely smooth project, but for the most part they do allow you to make a much more informed decision about your hire.

Checkatrade (checkatrade.com) acts as a sort of commercial dictionary for traders, and tens of thousands of them pay a monthly fee to be listed on the site, having provided references and passed a face-to-face interview. Site searches can prioritise by location, experience, and customer reviews, while traders are given seven days to resolve complaints before the feedback goes on their profile.

PROPERTYMAIL / 17

Ask The Agent Common Mistakes That Can Reduce The Value Of Your Property.

Get all your Flower, legal questions withofour resident&solicitor

By Nichola Owner answered and Director Stephens Partners Estate Agents Selling your home is a huge undertaking, so of course, you want to make the right decisions to achieve the proper resale value for it. Some of the decisions surrounding resale value are more involved than the basic preparation you do when placing your home on the market and of course, these specific decisions can be made months or years before you actually consider selling your home, so you may not even think about it until it’s too late and the value of your home has plummeted.

So, if you’re considering selling your home anytime soon, it’s time to start thinking about your property through the eyes of potential buyers. As property experts, here at Stephens & Partners Estate Agents we know all too well the common mistakes you may make that can reduce the value of your home. But we also know how to remedy them.

Setting the price unrealistically high Everyone would like to think their home is worth more than their neighbours’ home, especially after finishing a renovation or upgrade of some kind. However, the truth is that your home is really only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.

You have to be realistic about the value of your home when setting your price.

If you set your price at an unrealistically high number, it could sit on the market for months without selling. The longer a property is on the market unsold, the more unattractive it becomes to potential buyers.

You may inevitably end up slashing the price to meet expectations, which may make potential buyers question why the price has been reduced so much. It’s a position you don’t really want to put yourself in, so getting a realistic valuation from the start is important.

At Stephens & Partners Estate Agents, our experienced valuers will always provide you with an honest market appraisal to ensure your property attracts interest.

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Not deep cleaning your home before viewings Nobody wants to view a home that is dirty for two main reasons: one, it’s definitely not appealing, and two, it invariably means that the new homeowner will eventually need to spend time, money and effort cleaning it themselves. Major issues like carpet stains and grubby or mouldy tile grout can leave a poor impression on potential buyers when they view your home. In terms of carpet stains, you may be used to ignoring them every day but an interested buyer will notice them immediately. If an offer is forthcoming, your buyer may then look to negotiate on the asking price to cover the cost of replacing the carpet or having it professionally cleaned before moving in.

In terms of tile grout, ignoring it is detrimental to the sale of your home. It’s one of the most tedious chores, yes, but leaving dirt along your tile grout can create permanent discolouration, ruining the look of your tiles forever. Even worse, if the area is humid, mould and mildew can build up and can become a major problem.

When it comes to cleaning, being proactive is the best course of action. Make sure you regularly clean your home and deal with any spills before they set, which makes them much more difficult to remove later on.

Not properly maintaining your home Taking care of the mechanics of your home is important, especially when it comes to your plumbing and heating. These are directly related to your monthly utilities and can be costly to repair when a big problem arises. Sometimes these issues are unavoidable, but with the right maintenance and care in the long term, smaller problems can be taken care of with plenty of time before they get worse. Potential buyers are likely to ask questions about the state of the plumbing and heating and will be less likely to want to offer on a home that has a history of high utility bills or will need major repairs in the near future.

Not updating decor Old, outdated design trends will make your home look dated, which can lower the value of your home simply because potential buyers know they will need to spend money to update the decor once they move in.

Wood panelling is a major culprit in this regard, even if it’s restricted to small areas.

Viewers will be a little more inclined to offer on your property if the decor is modern and fresh.

Letting personal taste get involved When showing your home to potential buyers, you’re trying to get them to imagine their new life in their new home, so having your personal taste right in front of their noses can make this difficult for them.

Brightly painted walls in colours that are unusual, having too much wallpaper, or having unique or over the top design elements throughout your home is a major turn off. It just means more work once the new owners move in as they try and get the property back to a neutral state. Before putting your home on the market try and make it look as neutral as possible so it can appeal to a wider number of people.

Painting the walls and stripping wallpaper is a good start!

For no-obligation advice on buying or selling a home please contact our expert property team at Stephens & Partners Estate Agents on 029 2022 7603. We can be reached at info@stephensandpartners.co.uk

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Property Knowledge Legal Questions & Answers Get all your legal questions answered with our resident solicitor Mark Hobbs, Managing par tner of Howells Solicitors.

the lease on a first floor flat in Q Ia own Victorian house. I want to buy the

loft from the freeholder so I can build a bedroom and en suite and effectively create a new floor to the flat. There is a ground floor flat but access to the loft is only through my home. I have about 98 years left on my lease. If I was to succeed in agreeing a price with the freeholder, can you tell me how this would affect the lease? Is there anything else I should be taking into consideration?

A is likely to increase the value of your

The loft conversion you are planning

apartment, and the freeholder will wish the premium you pay to reflect this. It would be sensible for you to instruct a surveyor to advise you regarding the value of the loft space so that you do not overpay your freeholder. Your freeholder would also expect you to pay their legal and surveyor’s costs relating to your purchase of the loft space. In addition to the premium your service charge may increase as you would have an extra floor in the building. The terms of your lease would need to be varied to deal with matters such as an increase in service charge, and the demise of the loft space to you. As your lease has only 98 years

left, see if your freeholder will extend its term. This issue could be dealt with in the deed of variation changing the terms of your lease. You will need building regulations approval, listed building consent if the building is listed and possibly planning permission.

Q in value since we bought it 30 years

Our home has increased significantly

ago. We have paid off our mortgage. My husband and I are due to retire in the next couple of years, but we both have very small pensions. We would like to use the equity in our home but do not want to move. We have heard of equity release and lifetime mortgages and we wonder, is this where you sell part of your property and lease it back?

mortgage is a long term loan secured on your home. Again, there are no monthly payments. Compound interest is added to the loan, which increases accordingly.

The loan and accrued interest are repaid when your home is sold, either upon your death or if you go into long term care. However there are various types of a lifetime mortgage, for example, protected lifetime mortgages where an inheritance can be guaranteed, and interest payment lifetime mortgages. Take expert advice and make sure you fully understand all the terms and conditions before committing. Also discuss it with your family. Remember that equity release can affect any welfare benefits you receive.

A property rich and cash poor. A home Equity release is useful if you are

reversion plan involves all or part of your home to a reversion plan provider in return for a tax-free lump sum and a guaranteed lease of your home for your lifetime. There are no rental or monthly payments. Interest does not accrue. On your death or if you go into long term care, your property would be sold and the provider repaid. A lifetime

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Bathroom Design Small Space Design by The Tap End with Katie Imperato Showroom Administrator The Tap End Bathrooms, Pontyclun.

Q

Why did you decide to renovate your en-suite?

A

Since joining the team I have been enamoured with the creations that the designers put together for small spaces so when it came to having my own en-suite renovated at home, it was a no brainer, I knew I needed The Tap End treatment! What I love about working here at The Tap End is how we all work so well and throw round ideas. As you can see from the before photos it was over due a good renovation along with the fact we had a couple leaks so it was desperate.

It also had these horrendous purple mosaics on the shower wall and continued around the middle of the room as a border.

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Q

What sources of inspiration did you gather to inform your decisions?

A

I have always loved the large format tiles, especially the dark marble ones, which I originally wanted to go for but having recently decorated my bedroom a light grey/white I thought the contrast would be a bit too much with a black tile. So thought I would tie in my en-suite with the large grey tile and then just adding the black in with the tile trim and accessories.

Q

What is your favourite thing about your new en-suite?

A really! I love that I now have a bigger I love everything about my en-suite

shower and the Gunmetal brassware I have used and I am obsessed with the black tile trim! I am also really happy with the way my en-suite has been installed and finished.

Q differently?

What do you wish you’d done

A

To be honest I don’t think I would change anything in the en-suite, It’s a small room so I couldn’t really do much with the space. But what we have done as a team I absolutely love.

Q start to finish?

How long did it take to install from

A

The installation took around 12-14 days. The last part of the installation we were on holidays so gave the installers a bit of peace and quiet to finish off the en-suite. This includes the rip out, building of the stud wall, plastering the whole room, first fix, second fix, tiling

Q barking on a similar project?

What is your advise for anyone em-

A

Anyone who is going through a similar project my advice would be, take your time in choosing your layout and make sure you get it how you want and utilise the space you have. Make sure you include some products that have wow factor and don’t cut corners as you can really feel good quality when you use it. My en-suite now feels like an up market hotel every time I use it, perfect!

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PROPERTYMAIL / 23

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Home Design With Steve Bloom, founder of Space fitting furniture.

Imagine entering your luxurious, calm and relaxing bedroom, after a long hard day.

To achieve this ambience in your bedroom, you need practical, functional storage solutions together with soft textures, a balance of colours and a touch of elegance.

Versatile and efficient storage management, along with clean lines and uncluttered surfaces, will bring peace and harmony to your bedroom. Sophisticated wardrobe arrangements featuring customised internals to suit your needs, will ensure everything is well organised. Thinking about what best compliments your specific requirements is crucial, whether you need hanging or folding, shoe storage or even accessory trays to keep jewellery, belts and ties neat, tidy and out of sight. Whatever your spacial requirements, there are plenty of choices to suit, including sliding, hinged, curved or bifold doors, with complimentary handles to give that refined aesthetic.

Lighting is a fundamental consideration in order to get the balance right between functionality and tranquillity.

Soft lighting to calm and relax will help you unwind and make the space feel cosy. In contrast, brighter, practical lighting above key areas, such as, wardrobes and dressing area is also important. An abundance of lighting options are available for the bedside, including funky wall lights, contemporary pendants and quirky table lamps.

Neutral tones, with white walls and soft textures will help to create a stress- free, homely environment. For a dramatic boutique- hotel feel, a composition of darker colours creates depth and will enrich the bedroom’s atmosphere.

Tactile, rich materials along with pillows and throws will give extra warmth and sumptuous luxury. Try not to over clutter the space, as it is still important to keep clean lines and minimalistic approach, creating comfortable surroundings.

Whilst a minimal and fresh scheme keeps it serene, incorporating feature elements can add glamour. Whether this is a statement mirror, unique lighting or a piece of art, it will showcase your own personality and distinctive look.

Tying these elements together in one cohesive space should create the ultimate hideaway to escape and unwind.

24 / PROPERTYMAIL

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PROPERTYMAIL / 25

Property Knowledge Property Questions & Answers

viewing a property, what Q When questions should I ask the Estate Agent?

A viewing can be crucial in helping to Asking the right questions on a

determine the seller’s motivation and whether you face competition for the property.

Most viewings take place in the company of an Estate Agent, who it must be remembered is working on behalf of the seller. It’s their job to enable you to make an offer on their client’s property.

Ask direct questions that are difficult to avoid answering and never be afraid to ask anything that matters to you - you’ll be amazed at what answers you will receive. Some of the questions you may wish to ask include the following: 1 The reason why the Vendors are selling?

2 Has the seller found somewhere to go?

3 Has there been any issues with noise or neighbours?

4 Has there been any insurance claims for subsidence or anything similar?

5 Has the property ever flooded?

6 What items are included in the sale price?

7 Are any of the adjoining neighbours intending to extend their properties?

8 Are there factors apart from price, that are important to the seller?

Consumer Protection Regulations mean that the Estate Agent and the Seller are legally obliged to provide you with information which could have a material impact on your purchase. There is a tendency to say that everything rests on price, but this isn’t necessarily always 32 / PROPERTYMAIL

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the case. It may be that it’s not just the highest price that they are seeking for the property, but the dependability of the buyer and at the present time, flexibility on move dates also ranks highly. Sellers are nervous about getting pushed out of their home into rented accommodation by a demanding buyer, and many of them need time to find somewhere suitable to move on to. Therefore, it may well be that the highest bid does not successfully secure the property, but possibly the party close to the highest bid with flexibility on time.

How many times should I view a Q property before deciding to make an offer?

A largest financial commitment in a

Purchasing a property is often the

person’s life and yet many home buyers will spend longer test driving a new car or buying a TV. According to new research, in the UK purchasers agree to buy a home often after just one viewing and sometimes after spending 30 minutes or less in the property. In the present market circumstances, if people don’t make an immediate offer, they could miss out.

Roughly, two in five home hunters who purchased a property in the last six months, did so after just one viewing, according to the latest market research.

A further 43% required two viewings before deciding it was the right one for them, with just 12% of home buyers returning for a third viewing.

At the present time, homes are going under offer incredibly quickly in the current market conditions, whereby demand is exceeding the supply of properties available.

Homebuyers themselves are also acting at speed, with the vast majority just taking one or two viewings before making an offer. Home hunters are not necessarily buying the first property they view, as market research has shown that two in five homebuyers claim they viewed five or more other properties before they found the right one.

The property market is going through an exceptionally busy boom period with best bid situation and viewers will therefore be feeling under added pressure to decide quickly - making every minute of the viewing that more important. But despite this, buyers can often be guilty of failing to ask important questions during the viewing that will assist them in making a valued judgment before offering.

It may well be that the property you wish to purchase has received multiple offers of the full asking price, whereby the Estate Agent will probably request best and final bids by a certain day and time, with proof of funding (mortgage agreed in principal and copy of a bank deposit).

When this situation occurs, the average price achieved over the asking price is currently between 5% and 10% of the original asking price.

Property Knowledge Quick guide to new rules for renting out your property.

Get all yourHopkins, legal questions withofour resident solicitor

By Daniel Owner answered and Director H&M Properties Some have heard of this act, many have not. However, to cut a long story short, the Welsh Government are updating tenancies and the rules of renting in Wales. Some of the rules are already in place and some are on the horizon.

The latest update Welsh housing minister has announced that the new rules will come into force 15th July 2022.

These updates are possibly the most significant changes to renting in Wales and will change the landscape for tenants and landlords for good.

So, what are these changes I hear you shout?

New Contracts Central to the Act are the new ‘occupation contracts‘, which will replace the current confusing array of tenancy and licence agreements.

There will be two types of occupation contract: Secure Contract – for community landlords Standard Contract – for private landlords Joint Contracts The new approach to joint contracts will enable contract-holders to be added or removed from occupation contracts without the need to end the contract for all, as is currently the case.

Succession Rights Succession rights are broadly enhanced, enabling both a ‘priority’ and ‘reserve’ successor to succeed to

the occupation contract. This will potentially enable two successions to the contract to take place, for example a spouse followed by a child.

Retaliatory Eviction The Act protects a contract-holder from the practice of retaliatory eviction (where a landlord responds to request for repair by issuing an eviction notice). A landlord will no longer be automatically entitled to possession where the Court is satisfied the possession notice was issued in response to a contract-holder’s request in respect of disrepair or FFHH. Abandonment Procedure Landlords will have access to a new abandonment procedure, enabling them to repossess an abandoned property without needing a court order, after serving a four-week warning notice and carrying out investigations to satisfy themselves the property is abandoned.

“Blimey” I hear you all saying. But there’s more…

The Bill will increase security of occupation under standard occupation contracts by; Extend the minimum notice period for a notice given under section 173 (which is equivalent to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, and applies in relation to periodic standard contracts) from two months to six months; Restrict the issuing of such a notice until six months after the occupation

date of the contract (the 2016 Act currently sets this at four months); Remove a landlord’s ability to serve a section 173 notice until six months after the expiry of any previous section 173 notice which the landlord has served, to avoid the practice whereby some landlords issue a section 173 notice ‘just in case’ they wish to use it; Remove a landlord’s ability to issue a notice during the term of a fixed term standard contract to end the contract at the expiry of the fixed term (meaning that a landlord who wishes to remove a contract-holder who remains in occupation at the end of the fixed term will be required to serve a section 173 notice to bring the periodic standard contract which will automatically arise at the end of the fixed term to an end). This would be subject to the extended six month notice period and guarantee a minimum twelve months’ security at the beginning of the periodic standard contract; Prevent the inclusion of landlords’ break clauses in fixed term standard contracts of less than 24 months, and prevent the activation of any break clause until at least month 18 of a fixed term contract, as well as setting the notice period under a landlord’s break clause at six months; If you have any questions or would like help with your rental properties please don’t panic, just get in touch.

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food & Drink

Phil Vickery Phil Vickery on making do when money was tight, the secret of canned food and annoying other chefs WRITTEN BY LAUREN TAYLOR

This Morning’s chef tells Lauren Taylor about his latest cookbook celebrating store cupboard and frozen food.

You wouldn’t think a top chef would dare serve a Michelin inspector instant custard power – but that’s exactly what Phil Vickery did.

“I did a steamed sponge pudding, and I served it with Bird’s Custard – and I got a [Michelin] star for that meal. OK, I adapted it – I put a few vanilla seeds in it and bits and pieces – but essentially, it was a thickened starch-based custard – and he loved it!” says Vickery, 60.

Not only that, but in the same meal in 1999, he served something out of the freezer, too. “I had a frozen baby cockerel, because I couldn’t afford to throw them away – I froze and defrosted them – and the head of Michelin had that cockerel as well.”

The chef, who’s been a mainstay on ITV’s This Morning for 23 years, first started

36 / PROPERTYMAIL

using canned and frozen ingredients in the early Nineties when he took over as head chef of a hotel in financial difficulty.

“That hotel owed a huge amount of money to the bank, all the staff had gone, it was the recession and the bank were going to shut the doors in six months, so I just couldn’t afford to buy expensive ingredients,” he says. So, he delved into the store cupboard and used what was there instead. “I never cooked halibut, I couldn’t afford it, I never cooked turbot.”

Even when a famous chef came to lunch with a renowned food critic, Vickery served them soup made from water, stock cubes, tinned butterbeans, onions and garlic, with a sprinkle of thyme and olive oil on top.

“That food critic said, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s the nicest butterbean soup I’ve ever had – can I have another bowl?’ So I thought, ‘Hang on a minute, if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for my customers’.”

What was originally conceived out of financial necessity made him “view things in a different way”, and he’s been cooking this way for years at home. His new book, The Canny Cook, celebrates all things canned and frozen, and the cheap, sustainable, easy meals you can make from them.

On This Morning, Holly Willoughby, Dermot O’Leary and co. give rave reviews of Vickery’s dishes using store cupboard ingredients (“They don’t fake that!” he says). You might have seen him rustle up rhubarb crumble with strawberry jam and instant custard, or corned beef hash, on the show – “As long as you explain it, it’s fine,” he says, but he’s been criticised by fellow chefs for ‘deskilling’ the industry.

“I don’t give a toss,” he says. “I’ve been called some awful things on Twitter…

Some people say to me, ‘You’re the s***test chef on This Morning. I just laugh at it.”

Purists may well sneer but, even today, he believes high-end restaurants use far more canned produce than diners realise. “Chefs are quite dishonest as well, [if you asked] ‘What are you storing this stuff for?’ They’d never tell you,” he says.

Early stages of the pandemic saw the public panicking to refill their cupboards with tinned ingredients – and even now we’re over the worst of it, “People are squeezed, budgets are squeezed, and it’s just a perfect way of utilising what’s around”, Vickery says. “And you can make very good dishes – simple stuff, without having to spend too much money. [So] don’t turn your nose up at some things you can buy canned or frozen.”

While some preserved ingredients can simply be thrown into whatever you’re cooking to save time and money (he recommends swapping half the meat in a lasagne for a tin of lentils), others need a bit more love.

“I hated frozen cauliflower,” he admits, “but I bought some in Iceland, a bag, a kilo, I roasted it in the oven – to get rid of the moisture – and I put salsa verde and chopped anchovies on it out of a can, and it was amazing! And that was a pound.”

He continues: “I bought 360 grams of individually frozen yellowfin tuna

steaks (£2.99) from Aldi, wanting to hate them. Oh my goodness, I made ceviche, I made a poke – it was fabulous.”

There are a few things he doesn’t recommend buying frozen – scallops or monkfish, for example, but cod, haddock, salmon and tuna all freeze perfectly well, he says. His recipes include canned crab meat and lobster, and although “you can definitely taste the difference – it doesn’t taste as good as fresh lobster – it gets pretty close to it for a fraction of the price”.

Waitrose, he says, does canned squid in black squid ink sauce (£1.10) – “That can will flavour two portions of rice, and that black ink sauce, honestly it’s fabulous,” he says. “And squid can be as tough as old boots, but in a can? Fantastic. So the canning process can actually soften things, like pears and tinned peaches, too.”

While we all probably have tins of beans, tomatoes and sweetcorn languishing in our cupboards, Vickery suggests trying canned potatoes, asparagus, pumpkin and peppers, and even canned or vacuumpacked hotdogs.

Children of the Seventies and Eighties might want to recreate school dinners with Vickery’s Spam fritters recipe, inspired by his childhood. “As a kid growing up, my mother refused to

cook on a Sunday evening, because she cooked all week, and Spam was a treat.” And you probably wouldn’t expect to see a recipe for fish fingers and waffles (exactly as it sounds) from a Michelin-starred chef.

Still, Vickery’s everyman charm is what This Morning fans love, and he’s no stranger to cooking disasters on live telly. “I drop stuff, burn myself, the oven’s not on, I’ve tipped stuff or forgotten to put stuff in, but people love it – tea towels catching fire is quite normal,” he laughs.

Vickery turned 60 last year, and while he does consider what he eats, he definitely isn’t about to give up his favourite chilli-flavoured Doritos, and enjoys a pint of beer every single night, saying: “Life’s too short – you’ve got to have some sort of enjoyment!”

The Canny Cook by Phil Vickery is published by Kyle Books, priced £16.99. Photography by Kate Whitaker. Available now.

Phil Vickery’s squidgy Creme Egg brownie recipe How do you make a brownie even better? Add a Creme Egg! Perfect this recipe for Easter – or scoff it now.

“All the ingredients except the fresh orange zest are from the store cupboard,” says Phil Vickery. “Just remember to allow the brownie to cool a little after taking out of the oven – or, better yet, chill in the fridge – or it will be too soft to cut.”

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 1mark 4. Line a 20 centimetre square baking tray with greaseproof paper, or oil well.

Melt the golden syrup, butter, 2sugar and chocolate together in a

bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

the bowl from the pan, 3thenRemove stir in the flour, eggs and orange zest. Mix well but do not overmix, or the finished brownie will be chewy.

Pour into the prepared tray, then 4carefully place the eight Creme Egg halves into the top of the mix, pressing down slightly.

Pop into the oven and cook for 535–40 minutes.

from the oven and leave 6to Remove cool, then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if you like.

38 / PROPERTYMAIL

INCREDIENTS (Serves 8) For the cake: Squidgy Creme Egg brownie recipe 2tbsp golden syrup * 110g salted butter, softened 150g caster sugar * 150g bitter chocolate 75g plain flour, sifted * 4 eggs, at room temperature Finely grated zest of 1 large orange

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