Tenants in London now pay more than double those elsewhere in the country, research has revealed.

A report by insurance provider HomeLet found that the average monthly rent payment in the capital was £2,109 in July, compared with £1,037 elsewhere in the UK.

Westminster remained the most expensive district, with a typical home priced at £3,360 per month, more than three times the UK figure.

Across the capital, tenants handed an average of 38 per cent of their gross household income to landlords in July this year, up from 31 per cent six years earlier.

Five cheapest London areas

Source: HomeLet

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With the cold snap of winter at our heels and Christmas coming up, you want to save money on your energy bills where you can. One of the best ways to do this is to change your energy supplier. It may surprise you to know that if you are renting your home, you are perfectly entitled to do this if you pay the bills directly.

Check your tenancy agreement

It’s always vital to check your tenancy agreement. If your landlord has a clause regarding energy suppliers, simply inform your landlord that you have found a cheaper alternative. They will most likely be pleased, even if they are not responsible for the bills.

Can your landlord charge you for energy?

Your landlord can’t charge you what they want for energy. There is a maximum resale price that landlords must adhere to. As a tenant, you should be charged the domestic rate per unit plus standing charges. Your gas or electric meter will record your usage and be the basis on which you will be charged, and that’s per unit.

Are you responsible for repairs?

When it comes to boilers, radiators, or your home’s fuse box, your landlord is responsible for repairs and maintenance. You or your landlord may be responsible for appliances, and the energy efficiency of your home largely depends on the specified energy rating awarded to them.

Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates will tell you how energy efficient your home is and give it a rating between A and G. A being the most energy efficient while G is the least energy efficient. If you rent through a letting agent, they will ensure this is taken care of before the property is available to rent. If you or your landlord add energy-efficient appliances, then this will improve your home’s energy rating.

Comparing energy supplier prices

Using a comparison website is a good way to find a cheaper alternative and could lead to cheaper energy bills. Listening out for a special offer or simply getting a few quotes could save you money.

How to switch energy suppliers

If you are considering changing your energy supplier, it’s important to check your previous bills. Comparison sites have an estimation tool. So, if you find out your usage from previous bills, you can get an accurate estimation to see how much you could save. Then get some more quotes and decide which energy supplier you want to choose. Remember to check with your landlord or letting agent. Once you have done this, it is a good idea to check your account balance with your old supplier. They could owe you money.

The benefits

The high cost of living still creates challenges, this forces us to reexamine how much we spend. It’s no secret that rents are rising. But the right energy-saving strategies, combined with the benefits of living in a good property, allow you to enjoy your home while refocusing your budget. Whether that's by cooking great fresh food, entertaining your friends, or enjoying energy-efficient, cosy, nights in.

Are you looking for a better home to rent? Get in touch with Streets Ahead

Your perfect is different from that of the next person. So how you prepare for the Christmas holidays is your call, but there is nothing like mixing a bit of tradition with some fresh ideas to keep Christmas feeling as festive as possible.

Christmas greetings

Are you up for going all out and adorning the front of your home with an intricate arrangement of lights that can be seen from the stratosphere, or do you prefer to decorate with an air of subtlety? Whatever you decide, create that gushy feeling that makes passersby and guests feel welcome. It’s all about doing it your own way, choose a ribbon, a wreath or a singing snowman, let your imagination do all of the hard work for you.

Stock your cupboards

Christmas is an expensive time of year. Start stocking your cupboards now with items that have a long best-before date. Maybe you have already made your Christmas cake or ordered your pudding. Planning ahead can make for a more delicious and easier on the wallet Christmas.

Add some authenticity

Maybe you would prefer to just blow up some balloons, or you are going to go for it by creating your own grotto out of wood. Somewhere in between is a good place to start. A bowl full of chestnuts, or get crafty and make your own bauble wreath. If you’re new to all this and need guidance, start with a DIY kit.

The scent of Christmas

With the aroma of great food mingled with the pines of a real Christmas tree and maybe a good punch—the scents of Christmas are everywhere. But if you want to enhance this and stretch it out in the buildup to the holidays, think about scented candles, scented sachets of soap, fragrance oils, or even infusing your bathroom with herbs!

The sounds of Christmas

Christmas songs are sometimes sources of contention. Some people love them, others do not! But there are other ways to add atmosphere to your home without involving carol singers. Talking reindeer or snowmen, will help create an atmosphere of magical Christmas memories, for all the family, and will be a huge hit with the children!

A wonderful outdoor area

A miniature Christmas tree placed near your outdoor dining area within reach of a characterful outdoor stove and nice lighting could even warm Scrooge this Christmas. Add a festive theme with holly placed under the pagoda or use it to simply complement outdoor candles. Hang nice LED lighting in case you love carol singers and want an exclusive performance from the comfort of your outdoor living area, with a nice glass of good punch.

Are you dreaming of getting the right home for Christmas? Contact us at Streets Ahead

Home is not just a collection of bricks and mortar, it’s a place that evokes and witnesses a lot of emotion, and this makes it unique amongst all our worldly possessions. The ability to contain our lives and those things that belong to us, such as paintings, memories, and feelings ushered in by the colour schemes of its interior, are some of home’s many special powers. The impact of the location of your home and its surroundings, for an eternity of reasons, from the beautiful countryside to friends, family, or love for a location, is profound.

Excitement

There are few things in life more exciting than moving to a new home. The list of reasons why you are so excited is uniquely yours, and your perfect property will reflect this. From the way you decorate it, to the stuff you own, that tells the story of your life. Your home should make you feel welcome from the moment you see it. Maybe you adore your new kitchen for a thousand reasons, including how it makes you feel. It’s character, the view of the garden, or its modern design.

Desire

This innate human emotion moves us all to act, and finding a home you really want will fill you with the desire to own it. If you view a property and you really like everything about it, and feel that you can improve it, by adding your own creativity, then the chances are you will want to make an offer. Buying the property that adds so much to the quality of your life opens the gateway to so many more positive emotions.

Love

Making the perfect home for your loved ones is one of the most powerful and greatest feelings in the world. Are you in the lucky position of buying a home for a relative to keep them safe or moving to the house for your family to grow? Sharing our lives with a partner in the right home is blissful and intoxicating, and the right property adds to this more than most people realize. You should also love your home; from the little characterful details to the fundamentals, good homes have a built-in power to inspire love.

Happiness

Homes have the uncanny ability to make us feel happy, and they can do this in so many ways. If you feel you have enough space and love the way your home looks and feels, then you are well on your way to creating happy lives within it. Happy memories are priceless, and when you get down to the basics of life, there is not much else that matters quite as much. There is a lot to think about when finding your happy place, from your home’s location to its energy efficiency.

Safety and security  

You want to feel safe, secure and satisfied that your home is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Relaxation is vital to keep you stress-free so you can think and plan your life clearly. This will allow you to enjoy those special moments that become enhanced by the features of a great home. From a mesmerising outdoor living space to relax in, a cosy fireplace, or a nicely decorated home that makes you feel good.

Discontentment

This can be as powerful as many positive emotions. If you are currently living in a home where you feel trapped because you are tripping over things, that is enough to make you want to move! Maybe it’s time to buy your first home because it’s you who is getting in the way, and you want to enjoy a greater feeling of independence! Are you moving to a better area or a home with a better garden? Maybe you need more bedrooms or have too many and want to buy something smaller.

Do you want a property that makes you feel amazing? Get in touch