Stephen Oakley - March 2020

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

PROPERTY NEWS

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MARCH 2020

GROW YOUR OWN!

HARVEST YOUR OWN CROPS - IN YOUR GARDEN IMPROVE YOUR INTERIOR ADD STYLE AND COLOUR TO YOUR HOME

MOVING FOR A NEW JOB? FOLLOW OUR ADVICE FOR A SUCCESSFUL MOVE

TIME TO SPA! TREAT YOUR BODY AND MIND

BE FASHION READY FASHION ESSENTIALS FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY

CONTENTS COVER STORY

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Grow your own Time to dig up the lawn and grow your own vegetables

PROPERTY

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Improve your home’s interior Add new life to your home by adding style and colour

6

Moving for a new job?

Top tips when moving for a job

15 16

Your role as a landlord Understand just what your tenant expects from you as its landlord

Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market

FOOD

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Spring is in the air Featuring a luscious lamb dish for the family to enjoy

LIFESTYLE

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Bond is back!

Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as 007 arrives in April Be fashion ready Don’t be caught out and about without your fashion essentials!

TRAVEL

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Time to spa There’s nothing like a day of pampering to put you in the right frame of mind to face the world. But where to go?

SPORT

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The US Masters A preview of the 84th US Masters which tees off this April

WELCOME TO THE MARCH ISSUE!

T

he days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter; a good sign that we are moving towards thoughts of warmer weather and longer, balmy nights.

OK, we may be getting a little carried away but the warmer weather will be very much welcomed by all.

When it comes to property, years ago it was highly unusual for homeowners not to have a vegetable patch. Post-war austerity and a limited amount of produce in the shops meant it was the only way to get fresh veg and vitamins into the daily diet.

The arrival of the supermarket changed that but now the wheel

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PROPERTY NEWS

has turned full circle and ‘homegrown’ is fast becoming the norm again. But how do you grow your own? Find out inside.

But if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of life or just want to treat someone special, then take a peek at our spa feature. The health benefits of visiting a spa cannot be overstated, particularly for mental well-being, so we look at what you can expect on a spa visit.

As ever, there is plenty of support and advice on property inside this issue which is sure to keep you reading. So, enjoy and we’ll see you next time.

Linda McKeown Editor

The words DIY – or doing it yourself – can often instill fear into any homeowner, but it doesn’t have to be that way. A lick of paint and new finishing touches can make a property go from oh to wow.

EMPHASISE THE FOCAL POINT IN THE ROOM Find the room’s focal point and look to emphasise this feature. This could be a fireplace, feature wall or a bay window.

Don’t have a feature? Then create one!

Doing this is much easier than you may think; paint a wall a different colour and accessorise with artwork or shelving.

ADD A LICK OF COLOUR

Perhaps the easiest – and most affordable – way to bring a room to life is to add a coat of paint. However, don’t rush it! Focus instead on working on small and manageable sections to avoid the feeling of biting off more than you can chew. It’s important to feel that you are making progress, rather than being left with the feeling that your decorating is never ending.

To kick-start the painting in any room, remember to focus on all edges first, including windows, door frames, light switches and other nooks and crannies, before applying the main section of paint.

Also, don’t forget to put down old sheets or blankets to help protect surfaces from paint splashes; it’ll save you time and potential heartache as you won’t have to spend time cleaning the carpet if you have any mishaps.

Before you start any work, it’s vital that you set a budget and prepare a list of things you need to complete the job

ADD NEW LIFE TO YOUR HOME

Update your interior by adding style and colour; it’s one of the easiest ways to freshen up the look and feel of your home

ensure that you measure all the spaces you have, so that you can be confident that there won’t be any sizing issues once you get your new goods through the door!

SHOULD YOU DIY OR GET A PROFESSIONAL IN?

Whether you do it yourself or enlist the help of a professional depends on several different factors; your budget, experience and available time!

Top tip: Buy testers in the paint that you like and paint small samples on the walls to see which fits best with the plans that you have for the room

HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS Using the best – and the right – tools, such as brushes, paint and rollers are key to getting the finish just right. Now that doesn’t mean expensive is always best; we recommend for going midrange – so not the cheapest and not the most expensive.

THE FINISHING TOUCHES Once you have finished all your painting and decorating of walls, ceiling and woodwork, then it’s time to focus on the final touches. Adding vases, scatter cushions and throws to a living room will encourage more warmth. However, remember not to go the other way and add so much that the area looks cluttered. Keep your eyes peeled for inspiration from things you see day to day – whether that be in magazines, on TV or in homes you’ve been viewing online!

Perhaps the easiest – and most affordable – way to bring a room to life is to add a coat of paint

YOUR BUDGET

Before you start any work, it’s vital that you set a budget and prepare a list of things you need to complete the job.

It’s easy to become over excited and spend money on things that you don’t need. Shop around for the best deals and

The positive factors of hiring a professional interior designer and/or decorator is that it can save you time (and stress), as they will be qualified in knowing the latest trends and what designs will work well for certain spaces. Search for decorators in your area and keep an eye out for those with positive reviews; word of mouth can be a godsend so ask for recommendations via your social media channels.

Even changing simple things like door handles on your interior doors can really change the feel of a property. It can be quite pricey to refurnish a home, so to help keep costs down look to update any of your old furniture with a re-varnish or a coat of paint too.

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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REAP WHAT YOU SOW 4

PROPERTY NEWS

With plant-based diets on the increase, now might be the time to dig up the lawn and grow your own vegetables

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ears ago, it was highly unusual for homeowners not to have a vegetable patch. Whether it was just a strip running alongside the lawn or turning the whole garden into a backyard allotment, post-war austerity and a limited amount of produce in the shops meant it was the only way to get fresh veg and vitamins into the daily diet.

However, the arrival of the supermarket changed that, and now we can buy what was once termed ‘seasonal’ produce year-round, thanks to advanced farming methods, high-speed global transportation and rapid refrigeration.

But now the wheel has turned full circle and ‘home-grown’ is fast becoming the norm again, either out of necessity or because, in this health-conscious world, there is a hunger to know the food on our plates is free from any artificial interference.

CAN YOU DIG IT?

Well, if you’re staring at a blank canvas, congratulations, you’ve avoided the back-straining bit. If, however, you want to convert part, or all, of your garden then the best time to start the groundwork is autumn, allowing nature to take its course over the colder months. But if you want to start off with light produce, spring is as good a time as any to start.

And start small. Don’t dig it all up and discover you’ve taken on more than you can chew.

If you are lifting lawn, cut it into squares, stack it and it will decompose, producing loamy soil and this can be added to the top. Alternatively, you can bury the turf a spade’s depth down and it will feed the soil.

If you are looking to plant in a vacant patch of ground, consider covering the area with a black weed-suppressing membrane and, even after weeds have died, do not turn the soil over for at least a couple of weeks and then let the winter weather break down the clods.

By spring, the soil will hopefully be fine and powdery – unless it is clay-based, meaning it will be colder and wetter.

Therefore, planting needs greater patience although, on the flip side, clay soil can hold on to nutrients better.

Lighting is crucial. Don’t plant in full shade – some veg can cope with dappled shade, but most like the sun. Also pick a spot sheltered from the wind if you can.

WHEN AND WHAT TO PLANT

The key to vegetable growing is timing.

Wait for spring, making sure the grass is growing and birds are nesting before you start to get busy.

It may be best to start with plants that go in and out of the ground within weeks – carrots or salads are best.

Many experts feel it’s best to start with potatoes, which condition the soil as they break it down. And the early months of the new year are the best time to buy the first and second early varieties so they can be placed somewhere cool and light to ‘chit’ (produce small shoots). Then they can be planted mid-April for lifting before potato blight becomes an issue in late July and August.

A good variety to start with is Foremost, an old favourite introduced more than 50 years ago. The round, white-fleshed tubers are firm and waxy when young and retain their fine taste.

Carrots can also be sown in April, and if you put the seeds in four-inch drills, this will negate the need to thin the seedlings. Amsterdam Forcing are recommended as they are smooth, colourful and bulk up early.

START PLANNING Converting an area populated with mature shrubs is best done over late summer to let the soil start the recovery process in the autumn, and its round about October that weeds should be tackled – but not with quick-fix weed killer!

Home-grown is fast becoming the norm again

It’s best to divide your vegetable patch into areas, reason being they become easier to manage and you won’t trample through the patch when you harvest.

Raised beds are popular – particularly with chalk or heavy clay soils – but try to keep the sides low so you don’t put off any slug-munching beetles and amphibians. Building raised beds also preserves soil structure and, if you have room for more than one bed, it will make crop rotation easier and deter diseases and soil-borne pests.

Start small. Don’t dig it all up and discover you’ve taken on more than you can chew

AND REMEMBER…

You’ll only get out what you put in. So, give your veg the best start by making sure the soil is right. A pH test kit will help you get the right balance – neutral soil is best so add lime to acid soil or sulphur to alkaline.

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN

MOVING FOR A NEW JOB

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PROPERTY NEWS

Whether it be a career change or a promotion, one day you may be required to up-sticks and leave your comfortable surroundings…

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ith high-speed internet the world has gotten smaller; however, it may still lead to big changes when it comes to your career. One of these may be a move to a new city or town. This could mean uprooting your family or, if you are single, making new friends. It will also mean you need to find somewhere permanent to call home, with little knowledge of the local area.

This is what makes high street estate agents such as us so great compared to online only agents. You can speak to real people, with real knowledge of the local area, including the best schools, shops and transport links.

With this in mind, here are some tips when moving for a job…

WHEN TO MOVE?

Who knows the local area better than the people who already live there? Why not check out social media for any groups to make friends with like-minded people, or sports clubs etc, for the children. These can always be great ways to get to know more information about the local area as well as making some new friends.

FINDING THE RIGHT PROPERTY

After you have spent some time in the local area and you know it is a good match, then it’s time to get out looking at properties. Hopefully, loaded with useful information from your local estate agent and your new friends, you will have an idea of If you are moving to whereabouts you our area and would want to buy! like any advice or just

a friendly chat, please simply ask one of our helpful and friendly sales team

Once you have found the perfect property in your new city or town, you will need to decide when to move. There may be a few factors involved in your decision such as start date for your new job, the commute from where you currently live, and the time it takes for the sale/purchase to go through.

BELONGINGS You will need to decide what to do with your belongings. Will you bring a full house load with you straight away, or will you put them into storage? You will also need to check the costs involved in a hire van compared to the costs of putting belongings into storage. Would it be more effective to sell your furniture and start afresh in your new home?

CHECK OUT THE COMMUTE

Before looking for the perfect property, spend some time getting to know the local area

LOCAL GROUPS

Before looking for the perfect property, spend some time getting to know the local area. Find the best routes to work and schools by using Google Maps or tapping into the local knowledge of your new colleagues. The last thing you need is to move somewhere where the commute doesn’t end up being much shorter than if you hadn’t moved – which is more than possible in some big cities.

PRICE OF PROPERTY

Remember prices fluctuate massively throughout the UK, so before getting your heart set on a property, it will be worthwhile investigating the market to see what you can afford in your new area.

You can find sold house prices easily enough on Rightmove and this will give you a good idea of what you can afford.

ENJOY THE PROCESS It will always be daunting moving to a new town or city. However, if you are organised and know what you are looking for, there are ways to make it relatively stress-free. Getting to know your surroundings is only the first step; finding a new local pub full of likeminded people or a favourite restaurant early in the process will give you a nice base to move forward.

If you are moving to our area and would like any advice or just a friendly chat, please simply ask one of our helpful and friendly sales team who are more than happy to help.

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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NO TIME TO DIE: DANIEL CRAIG’S FINAL MISSION AS 007 Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as 007 arrives in April, fourteen years after rebooting the series In 2006 there was outrage when a blonde-haired, blueeyed Daniel Craig stepped onto our screens as the iconic 00 agent James Bond. With No Time to Die confirmed as his fifth and final film, it’s time to look back at the best – and worse bits – of Craig’s time as 007.

BEST: CASINO ROYALE With his debut, Casino Royale, Craig made the role his own expelling the memory of the cheese-laden disaster, Die Another Day, starring Pierce Brosnan. A grittier, darker version of Bond with a stellar supporting cast including Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green and Judi Dench, Casino Royale was everything a new audience was hoping for and left us wanting more.

WORST: QUANTUM OF SOLACE What could have been a fantastic sequel to Casino Royale fell flat with a forgettable villain, (no, really, try and remember the villain without having to Google it) and a generally uninspiring storyline. Luckily Craig made Bond his own, because other than that, this movie with the confusing title fell flat.

BEST: SKYFALL Luckily Quantum of Solace proved to be a one-off with Bond back to his best in 2012’s

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PROPERTY NEWS

Skyfall. Sam Mendes took over directing duties and an all-star supporting cast including Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney backed up the wonderful chemistry between Craig’s Bond and Dench’s M. Audiences loved it and it was the first Bond film to hit $1 billion dollars worldwide.

WORST BOND GIRLS If anyone thought it couldn’t get much worse than Denise Richards as the ridiculously named Dr. Christmas Jones in Brosnan’s final Bond film, then they were wrong. It wasn’t that Olga Kurylenko wasn’t pretty in Quantum of Solace, it was that – much like the villain – she was utterly forgettable, and Lea Seydoux in Spectre has so little personality and chemistry with Craig, that she simple looks bored on screen.

BEST VILLAINS Mads Mikkelsen, Javier Bardem and Christopher Waltz; three A-list actors with some serious bad guy chops.

Mikkelsen was terrifying as Hannibal Lecter on the small screen, Bardem was scary in No Country for Old Men and Waltz’s horrid Colonel Landa in Inglourious Basterds is one of the greatest bad guys ever put onto the silver screen. They were perfect villains for the more grown up Bond movies.

WHO WILL BE THE NEW BOND? Craig’s Bond may have had his ups and downs, but generally he should be pleased with how he has helped to reboot an ailing franchise. Now with a new reboot looming, let’s check out the favourites to take his place…

• • • • •

Michael Fassbender Richard Madden Tom Hardy Idris Elba Tom Hiddleston

No Time to Die is released on 3rd April 2020.

DID YOU KNOW? American popstar Billie Eilish has recorded the title song for No Time To Die – making her, at just 18 years old, the youngest artist in history to write and record a Bond theme!

LUSCIOUS ROASTED LAMB

If time is in short supply, make the most of seasonal lamb with this ever-so-easy, lazy roast

GREEK ROAST LAMB Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 45 minutes Serves: 8 Nutrition: 685kcal per serving

INGREDIENTS 1 large leg of lamb, 3kg/6lb 8oz 6 garlic cloves 1 bunch oregano zest and juice 1 lemon 6 tbsp olive oil 1½ kg new potatoes 400g can chopped tomato large handful pitted baby

kalamata olives

METHOD 1. Heat your oven to 240C/fan 220C/gas 9. Pound the garlic, half the oregano, lemon zest and a pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar, then add the lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Stab the lamb all over with a sharp knife, then push as much of the herb paste as you can into the holes.

2. Tip the potatoes into a large roasting tin, then toss in the remaining olive oil and any remaining herb paste. Nestle the lamb amongst the potatoes, roast for 20 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Roast for 1 hr 15 mins for medium-rare, adding another 15 mins if you prefer your lamb medium. Ensure to baste the lamb once or twice with the juices during cooking and toss the potatoes.

3. When the lamb is cooked to your liking, remove from the tin and leave to rest.

Throw the rest of the oregano in with the potatoes, scoop from the tin and keep warm.

4. Place the roasting tin over a medium flame, add the canned tomatoes and olives to the pan juices, then simmer for a few mins. Serve the lamb with the potatoes and sauce plus a simple salad.

This recipe, and more, can be found at www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/greek-roast-lamb Image for illustrative purposes only

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Don’t be caught out and about without your fashion essentials!

TAKE COVER…

IT’S WHERE THE MONEY’S AT!

WINDOWPANE CLASSIC UMBRELLA

SOPHIE ALLPORT BEES OILCLOTH PURSE

Made from 100% recycled PET fabric, this large-check patterned umbrella features a bright yellow interior which gives the classic umbrella a modern touch. It’s pricier than others but with combined maple wood shaft and handle, we think it’s worth it. £75 https://londonundercover.co.uk t

BE FASHION READY COLOUR CHANGING UMBRELLA Make walking in the rain fun with this colourchanging umbrella.

Features an automatic push button; perfect for little hands! £12 www.kidly.co.uk

Love all things bee with this zipped wallet made from pale green bees matt oilcloth. Featuring a zipped coin section, it’s both waterproof and wipe clean. £25 www.thesquarepegonline.co.uk t

BATMAN EMBOSSED MEN’S WALLET Perfect for any Batman or Marvel fan, this officially licensed bi-fold wallet features a comic strip on its lining and is finished with a decorative metal logo for added authenticity. £18 www.freemans.com t

TOTES SUPERMINI UMBRELLA

CHILDREN’S INITIAL PURSE

The simple design of the Totes Supermini means that you can pop it in your bag with ease, so that you’re armed and ready to shield yourself against the rain, wherever you go. £10 www.johnlewis.com

The velvet and glitter combo of this purse is sure to make your little one feel all grown up – and the addition of their initial will make it even more personal. £12 www.johnlewis.com

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PROPERTY NEWS

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IT’S IN THE BAG… ACCESSORIZE RETRO RAINBOW CROSS BODY BAG

Kit out the man in your life with this smart and stylish flapover bag from Next. 100% Polyurethane. £28 www.next.co.uk

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This bright, cross-body bag is the ideal size to stash the essentials in!

Added pizazz comes in the form of faux leather stripes in vibrant colours – and with a touch of glitter! £12 https://uk.accessorize.com

RIVER ISLAND BROWN FLAPOVER BAG

Editor note: you can enjoy 10% off your first purchase when you join their mailing list

KATE SPADE SYLVIA STRIPE SLIM CONTINENTAL WALLET

This stylish classic wallet from Kate Spade has plenty of pockets and compartments to hold your cards and cash. £59 www.katespade.co.uk

WATERMELON MULTICOLOURED BOX CLUTCH HANDBAG Add a splash of colour and fun to your day with this cute novelty watermelon clutch. In a bright red and green finish, it features a detachable gold chain strap, magnetic fastening as well as being fully lined. £19.99 www.bluebanana.com t

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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BETTER

BY SPA Luxury or a modern-day necessity?

Spa breaks are becoming the norm to treat mind, body… and your mum!

I

f your vision of a spa session acceptable – and we can carry that involves a face pack and a slice of feeling of being taken cared for with cucumber over each eye, then we’re us for a period of time. And very often raising a carefully-trimmed eyebrow that can help us cope better in despair. with stress.”

Similarly, if it involves waddling Obviously, breaks can No 1 on most spa around in a fluffy come with a bit of a price visitor’s wish-list is a white towelling tag when set against day massage and most robe clutching a sessions, but they are experts agree glass of prosecco, totally different beasts. massages reduce then you’ve been A one-day experience will stress and alleviates watching too normally offer only a muscle tension many reality single treatment whereas docu-soaps on TV. breaks provide the chance to step off life’s Although these are the images that treadmill with a number of carefullyhelp scientists pour scorn on exoticselected elements, giving breathing sounding treatments they offer, there space to totally unwind, relieve aches is one inescapable fact: there’s and pain, improve general physical nothing like a day of pampering to condition through diet and exercise… put you in the right frame of mind to and probably help you get a decent face the world. night’s sleep.

The health benefits of visiting a spa cannot be overstated, particularly for mental well-being. Shackled by responsibilities and day-to-day pressures, the first thing that’s sacrificed is ‘me time’, partly because you think it’s self-indulgent but largely because of the cost.

But is good physical and mental health really a luxury? Can you put a price on feeling good? As Virginia Sadock, a professor of psychiatry at New York University says: “Going to a spa is a way of being taken care of that is psychologically and culturally

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PROPERTY NEWS

BEDFORD LODGE HOTEL & SPA, NEWMARKET Bedford Lodge offers a Mum & Me Spa Day as well as a Mum & Me weekend break where you can let your cares wash away in the sumptuous hydrotherapy facilities with five different water experiences. Includes manicure or pedicure and afternoon tea. bedfordlodgehotelspa.co. uk/special-offers

The health benefits of visiting a spa cannot be overstated, particularly for mental well-being

All of this means that No 1 on most spa visitor’s wish-list is a massage and most experts agree massages reduce stress and alleviates muscle tension, and the benefits are more than skin deep. As Prof Sadock says: “Physical contact is necessary to our well-being, and even if the touching is from a professional there to pamper you, that touch will have a beneficial effect.”

Although it is widely believed sitting in a sauna is a great way to cleanse the impurities in the body, what actually pours from the pores is just sweat, not toxins such as alcohol or mercury which are filtered by your liver and kidneys.

But they are good for you, increasing circulation as a result of the elevated heart rate and widened blood vessels

that accompany exposure to intense heat.

Which brings us to the other staple of the health spa: the face mask. Many charge a premium to slather exotic ingredients on your face. However, dermatologists say the most important thing to remember about a mask is that as long as it actually contains ingredients that would nourish the skin if they were in a moisturiser or balm, they’ll probably have some benefit.

So if all that gives you an idea how to treat mum and ensure the person who has given you a lifetime of TLC is pampered herself – or if you feel the need for two or three days of R and R – here are a few suggestions.

BLUE HARBOUR HEALTH CLUB AND SPA, LONDON Their special Ladies’ Day package includes a choice of one 30 minute treatment from a full range of massages or a facial, a Travel Through Time afternoon tea, and full use of the spa facilities. spabreaks.com/venues/blueharbour-health-club-and-spa-at-the-chelseaharbour-hotel

RINGWOOD HALL HOTEL & SPA, CHESTERFIELD Soothe body and mind at The Garden Secret Spa, Derbyshire’s first 5 bubble rated spa. Set in a former 19th Century manor house, you’ll have full access of the facilities in packages ranging from the Vintage Hideway to the Ultimate Odyssey. ringwoodhallhotel.com/gardensecret-spa/

THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA, BATH One of the most popular spas in the country and the only UK hotel with access to naturally heated thermal waters. Just yards from the worldfamous Roman baths, the Gainsborough has a range of spa days with 20 per cent discount for online bookings thegainsboroughbathspa.co. uk/pages/spa-day

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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TEE-TIME

THE US MASTERS 2020 PREVIEW

The 84th US Masters tees off this April with golf superstar Tiger Woods aiming for a record-equalling sixth win

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he US Masters is the first of the four major golf tournaments in pro-golf. First played 86 years ago in 1934, unlike other tournaments The Masters is always played at Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia.

The tournament is by invitation only and the winner is automatically invited to the other three majors.

Traditions unique to the US masters include the opening tee shot and the Champions Dinner

The Augusta Golf Course was previously a plant nursery and each hole is named after a certain tree or shrub including Tea Olive, Pink Dogwood, Yellow Jasmine, Redbud, Azalea and Chinese Fir amongst others. The idea for the course came from Bobby Jones, a well-known amateur golfer, and was originally designed by Alister Mackenzie, who designed over 50 courses across four continents.

GOLF LINGO Albatross: A score of three less than par Birdie: A score of one less than par Eagle: A score of two under par Bogey: A score of one over par

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PROPERTY NEWS

Jack Nicklaus has the most Masters’ wins with six, followed by Tiger Woods with five and Arnold Palmer with four. The estimated prize fund is $11.5 million with nearly $2 million going to the winner, as well as the distinctive and iconic Green Jacket – which by tradition is presented to the current winner by the previous winner.

The Masters consists of four rounds of 18 holes each, with the competitors playing in groups of three for the first two rounds. After 36 holes of play, a cut-off score is calculated to reduce the size of the field. To ‘make the cut’, a player must be in either the top 50 places or within 10 strokes of the leader’s score.

Over the final two days, a further 36 holes are played; and should there be no winner after the fourth round, all tied players enter a sudden-death playoff beginning on the 18th hole, followed by the 10th and repeating until one player remains. The most recent sudden-death playoff was in 2017 between Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.

Traditions unique to the US masters include the opening tee shot and the Champions Dinner. A custom since 1963, the tournament is officially started when one or more legendary players tees off from the first hole, and the Champions Dinner is held each year before the tournament starts. The dinner is hosted by the current champion who picks his own menu for the company only of previous champions.

Three players are joint favourites moving towards the start of the tournament; World No. 1 Rory Mcllroy, World No. 2 Brooks Koepka and the back-in-form Tiger Woods. If Woods wins, he will match Jack Nicklaus’s record of six US Masters.

YOUR ROLE

AS A LANDLORD If you’re looking at letting out a property, it’s important to understand just what your tenant expects from you as its landlord

THE UTILITIES

The gas, electricity and water companies should be advised whenever the property is empty so that meters can be read and accounts prepared. During ‘void’ periods, the utility services must be transferred back into your name, by you.

Of course, the tenant is responsible for the gas, electricity and water/sewerage bills generated by their usage during the tenancy, and for changing the gas and electric accounts into their name when they move in. They’re also responsible for the standing charges. However, their liabilities in this respect clearly finish on the date they vacate the property.

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all electrics and electrical appliances supplied in the property are safe for use

TELEPHONE & COUNCIL TAX

Generally speaking, telephone companies will only deal with the account holder named on the account.

You must tell the telephone company that you are leaving the property and advise them what you want to do with your existing number. The tenants are then responsible for arranging any line reconnections and meeting any costs associated with this.

When it comes to council tax, this is not your responsibility while the entire property is let. However, if you still reside at the property while acting as a landlord, then you will remain responsible for the Council Tax charge.

PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all electrics and electrical appliances supplied in the property are safe for use. If any portable appliances are going to be left in the property, a portable appliance test should be carried out by a qualified electrician on an annual basis.

GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATE

It’s your duty as landlord to ensure that all gas supplied appliances are maintained in a safe condition and are inspected at least every 12 months by a GAS SAFE engineer. A Gas Safety certificate should only be issued by a GAS SAFE engineer.

SMOKE ALARMS

The law requires landlords to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. This includes smoke alarms being fitted in all hallway, stairway, and circulation areas that form escape routes from the property. They should be located every 7.5 metres of hallway, and within at least three metres of all bedroom doors.

Properties where HMO licenses apply, a higher specification of smoke alarm installation may be required which is generally mains powered. Landlords are directly responsible for determining whether their properties are eligible for HMO status, and failure to adhere to the regulations may result in a civil penalty and render your insurance invalid.

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Project3_Layout 1 30/10/2015 12:20 Page 1

£645,000

Clickers Yard Court, Olney

Recently constructed by Bastion Homes a stunning brick built four bedroom detached family home with a single garage enjoying a partly walled south facing rear garden. Careful attention to detail is reflected within the construction features that highlight bastion’s recognised quality using only the finest materials appointing this home to a very high specification.

Grange Road, Felmersham

£550,000

An opportunity to acquire this refurbished four bedroom family home situated in an enviable position in this most popular Ouse Valley village. The accommodation is spread over two floors and consists of two separate reception rooms, newly fitted kitchen, utility/boot room and cloakroom to the ground floor. Upstairs there are four double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a newly fitted family bathroom. There is also access from the landing onto a large balcony. Outside there are private front and rear gardens, a driveway for several cars and a double garage. The property is offered with no upward chain.

stephenoakley.co.uk

01234 711800

enquiries@stephenoakley.co.uk

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

£875,000

High Street, Olney

A rare opportunity to acquire an extended and recently refurbished stone built, four bedroom period property, situated on the Western side of Olney’s ever popular high street. Downstairs is a bay fronted living room with wood burning stove, a beautifully fitted kitchen/dining room which is open plan to a large family room with bi folding doors opening on to the west facing rear garden, there is also a utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs is a master bedroom with ensuite shower room, there are three further double bedrooms, all with fitted storage and a recently refitted family bathroom.

Benefits include double glazing throughout and gas radiator central heating.

Meadow Cottage, Ravenstone

£485,000

The property features a lounge with wood burning stove, kitchen/diner, garden room/occasional ensuite bedroom, study and shower room on the ground floor. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms, both with ensuites. Outside, the gardens are to the front and rear, and have been landscaped to a high standard. The rear garden backs onto open countryside and is South facing with summerhouse, raised beds, greenhouses and patio area. To the front, there is parking for several vehicles and a double garage.

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Yew Tree Cottage, Weston Road, Olney

£795,000

A four bedroom detached period property situated on a generous plot in one of the town’s most sought after locations.

The property enjoys protected elevated views over the adjacent river meadows and the purchaser will automatically become a part owner of the adjacent land. Yew tree cottage dates back to the early victorian period and was originally a two up, two down cottage. The current owners have transformed the original property, renovating and extending the property at various stages.

£625,000

Woodpits Lane, Olney

An established five bedroom and superbly presented detached property benefitting from two ensuite bedrooms and a double garage with parking, in a quiet location within the market town of Olney. The property is in excess of 2,100 sq ft and has a 25ft kitchen with utility room, living room, dining/family room and cloakroom on the ground floor. Upstairs there are five double bedrooms two with ensuites, a very well presented family bathroom and the master bedroom has the benefit of a juliet balcony. Outside there are landscaped gardens to both the front and rear, double garage with off road parking for several vehicles. Further benefits include gas fried radiator heating and double glazing.

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01234 711800

enquiries@stephenoakley.co.uk

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ÂŁ1,150 pcm

A LE G R T EE D

Foxhill, Olney

We are delighted to offer this semi-detached house to the rental market. The property comprises of an entrance hallway, cloakroom, lounge, dining area, kitchen with white goods, bathroom and three bedrooms. Externally there is a garage off-road parking, front garden and an enclosed rear garden. The property benefits from double glazing and gas central heating. Pets within reason are allowed.

ÂŁ2,750 pcm

High Street, Olney

A unique opportunity to occupy via a tenancy one of the towns most prominent properties. This brand new 5 bedroom town house has been skilfully redeveloped to mimick the original building and now provides a spacious family accommodation featuring a wonderful open plan kitchen/garden room , lounge, 3 bathrooms and a open plan games room. In addition there is a private garden and a double carport.

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01234 711800 Drayview, 35 High Street, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EB

enquiries@stephenoakley.co.uk

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