The Property Adviser

16 July 2009

Check the loft before you buy or rent a property

As part of the property purchase or rental decision-making process, when viewing a property with a loft don’t forget to check up there to ensure that it is well insulated.

And whilst you are checking this, make sure that any downlights installed the ceiling below are protected from contact with loft insulation, building debris and other flammable material.

We often find that people simply move the insulation away from downlights (see above picture), which defeats the object of having insulation and allows condensation to form in the loft. Furthermore, if your loft is not adequately insulated a lot of energy will be wasted in winter, not to mention drafts from the attic.

A solution to this problem is to fit insulation guards or fire hoods above downlights

. They cost around £10 per unit and protect the lights from the insulation covering above and prevent them from overheating. A simple solution to improve safety, as well as keeping the loft fully insulated and energy bills down.

Downlight guards and fire hoods are available at DIY stores, electrical or lighting specialists.

Pictures below: fire hood and insulation guard

If you are based in Berkshire and need help to install downlight protection guards in your loft, please contact our electrical services company Chez-Vous Property Services now.

Labels: buyers, information, tenants, tips

18 June 2008

Don't forget to ask what the neighbours think

Friends of mine had found their perfect house. A renovated 3-bedroom Victorian property with original period features: slate roof tiles, Victorian fireplaces, large sash windows, etc.

Before making an offer the friends asked for my professional opinion. The property had been completely refurbished to an excellent standard and it looked sound. And on the face of it, at that moment in time, the neighbourhood looked good too.

When I search for property I always do a lot of research, including asking neighbours what they think of the area.

So after the viewing I suggested that this is exactly what we should do. Although the friends were not very comfortable with the idea, we nevertheless stopped to speak with a couple of locals and asked if they were happy living there. Well, we discovered more than we bargained for - cars regularly stolen (including theirs!), police chases, burglaries... These particular locals concluded that they wished they had never bought their houses and feared they would be difficult to sell.

My friends could not believe their ears. These little conversations probably saved them a lot of hassle - potential car theft and burglary, expensive insurance, not to mention stress and worry. Needless to say, they didn’t make an offer on that house, but they now realise that the neighbours can be a source of valuable information.