Category Archives: Featured Articles
Things to Consider When Letting Commercial Property
Many landlords stick exclusively to letting residential property, particularly those who are new to it, however there is a lot of money to be made by letting commercial property providing you go about it in the right way.
To help you get started with letting commercial property below are some of the biggest things you need to consider.
Getting the right property
- Type of property – The first thing you need to decide when looking for a commercial property to invest in is the type of building you’re looking for. A lot of people instantly think of office buildings when they think commercial property but there are many other types of property you can get. Smaller commercial buildings that can be used by shop or restaurant owners can be a very wise investment, particularly if they’re in a good location.
- Size – The size of the property is obviously a big consideration. Generally the larger the property is the more you can expect to pay. A multi-story office building will obviously require a more substantial investment then a smaller building on a single floor.
- Location – A good location is vital when investing in commercial property. You need to do as much research as possible and find out what the tenant demand for different types of property is in that particular area. Commercial property can be a big money sink if you’re not able to secure tenants quickly.
Your responsibilities as a commercial landlord
- Health and safety – As a commercial landlord it’s your responsibility to ensure any property you let out is safe. Things like asbestos, fire safety and repairs to the building are all things you need to take responsibility for.
- Gas and electricity – Gas and electrical safety are your responsibility as a commercial landlord too. You will need to have both gas and electric regularly inspected by qualified engineers on a regular basis in order to ensure the building is safe. As far as electrical or gas appliances go – they would be the responsibility of the tenant.
- Maintenance – You will need to make sure the building is properly maintained too. This means if there is any damage to the structure of the building then it falls on you to ensure it’s repaired.
- Fixtures and fittings – Fixtures and fittings can be a tricky area when it comes to commercial property. Any fittings that were already installed when you let out the property will generally be your responsibility whereas those that the tenant fitted after will be theirs. It’s a good idea to make it clear upfront exactly what is your responsibility and what isn’t in the lease. Things like bifold blinds can add a lot of appeal to a property but they also need to be maintained to ensure they’re safe and work properly.
- Insurance – you need to make sure you are insured adequately for for specialist thatched property insurance or standard all risks/standard buildings cover.
A Guide to Buying a Thatched Roof Property
If you’ve ever considered buying a thatched roof property then you’re not alone. A lot of people dream of owning a thatched roof home due to their unique style and charm.
Before you take the plunge though, there are certain things you should be aware of so you can make an informed decision.
Below is some key information. You can also find some excellent info regarding thatched roof property insurance here – http://www.thatchedinsure.co.uk/thatched-roof-insurance-what-you-need-to-know/
Maintenance is key
When you own a thatched roof property, maintenance is extremely important. This means ensuring that the thatch is in good condition as well as having a full electrical inspection carried out. One of the major concerns for thatched roof owners is fire safety. Therefore having a thorough chimney inspection as well as an electrical inspection is key.
Get a lot of quotes for thatching work
It’s not unusual for thatched roof properties to need some work doing on the roof when you first buy them. Thatching work can be expensive and quotes can vary a lot so it’s always recommend that you get quotes from multiple people when you’re looking to have any thatching work carried out.
Consider privacy
If privacy is important to you, then this is certainly something to consider when buying a thatched roof property. Thatched roof homes tend to be in more rural areas but this isn’t always the case. If you want to add extra privacy to a property, then bifold door blinds are an excellent way to do this. When choosing blinds for your bifold doors, you should think about the decor of the property and pick something that works well with it.
Getting the right type of insurance
Due to the specialist skills required to build a thatched roof, it’s necessary to get a special type of policy for a thatched roof property. This is one of the things you must take into account when considering if a thatched roof property is worth the investment. It isn’t just the initial cost of the property you need to consider but also the cost of maintenance and insurance.
If you want to get thatched roof insurance quotes then you can get them quite easily from sites such as ThatchedInsure.
The main types of cover you can get with a thatched roof property insurance are –
- Building cover – Building cover is a fundamental part of any property insurance policy. It will cover your property for structural damage that might occur as a result of fire, flooding or extreme weather conditions. Thatched roofs can be very expensive to rebuild so it’s vital that you have building insurance in place to cover the cost of repairs.
- Contents cover – Contents cover is another type of insurance you can get with a thatched roof property policy. It will cover the contents of your home for theft.
You can also get unoccupied property insurance for a thatched roof property if you’re going to be away for an extended period of 30 days or more.
When looking for a thatched roof property insurance policy you should always make sure to shop around. Quotes can vary a lot so getting a lot of them is very important if you want to save money.…
A Guide to Minibus Insurance
People who own minibuses often use them for their job, as in the case of taxi drivers. However there are many people who own a minibus simply because of the extra room such a vehicle gives them.
If you do own a pleasure use minibus then you’ll need to get the right type of insurance for it. Below is a guide to minibus insurance, including the types of cover you can get and ways to keep costs to a minimum.
Types of cover
- Road risks – Road risks is the basic type of cover you need when insuring any vehicle. You can choose what level of cover you want to get depending on your budget and how much protection you think you need. A third party only policy is the cheapest option but it will not provide any real protection for your own vehicle; rather simply allow you to drive legally. A comprehensive policy is your best option if you want full protection.
- Windscreen repair – Windscreen and glass repair is a very useful type of cover that’ll you certainly be thankful for if the time comes that you need it.
- Breakdown assistance – Breakdown assistance is always important to have when you own a minibus. You may already have breakdown assistance from another company but it’s a good idea to see how much extra it would be to have it included in your policy since you might be able to save money.
Saving money
- Shop around – Getting quotes from many different providers is one of the best ways to save money on minibus insurance. Sites such as Insure Minibus make the process of getting quotes incredibly quick and simple.
- Make your vehicle secure – Making your minibus as secure as possible is a great way to save money on insurance. In addition to installing a tracking device and immobiliser, you should also make sure to park your minibus safely when it’s not being used.
- Pay annually – If you can afford to pay for your insurance annually rather than monthly then you’ll be able to make a decent saving on the overall cost.
Working as a Freelance Recovery Truck Driver
If you’ve ever considered working as a freelance recovery truck driver then you might have talked yourself out of it because you think the challenges will too great – whether it’s the initial investment required or being able to find enough clients.
Working as a freelancer comes with a lot of challenges but most freelancers find it to be worth it for the freedom it brings.
Below is a guide to becoming a freelance recovery truck driver.
What you’ll need
- A truck – Of course the most fundamental thing you’ll need to work as a freelance recovery truck driver is a truck. When it comes to buying a recovery truck, there are a few key things you need to decide. One of the most important things is the size of truck you’re going to buy. Recovery trucks vary a lot – some are capable of transporting multiple vehicles while other are designed for just one car. A bigger truck will mean you can transport more vehicles at one time but it will also cost more and be harder to drive. It’s often a good idea to start with a smaller truck so you can get used to it and see if you can make your venture a success before moving onto a larger vehicle.
- Clients – The most vital part of being successful as a recovery truck driver is the ability to find and maintain a client base. Many people find this to be the most challenging part of working as a freelancer.
- Insurance – You’ll also need to get truck insurance cover to cover you for the biggest risks that come with the job, such as road risks, liability claims and breakdowns.
Saving money on recovery truck insurance
- Get multiple quotes – One of the best ways to save money on recovery truck insurance is to get quotes from different providers. This will ensure that you don’t overspend on cover you could have gotten cheaper elsewhere.
- Get a limited mileage policy – If you only use your recovery truck at certain hours or at certain times of the year then you could save a considerable amount of money by getting a limited mileage policy.
Choosing the Right Premises for a Motor Trade Business
When you run a business, especially one in the motor trade, it’s always incredibly important to find the right premises. The right premises will depend on the type of motor trade business you run but there are certain factors that are always important.
Below are some key things to consider –
Size
Size will always be a key consideration when looking for a business premises. If you run a business such as repair shop then you’re probably not going to need as much space as a car showroom. You should think about how much space you’ll need to work comfortably, including your office, supply room etc. You should also take the parking space into consideration as this will be very important for your customers.
To buy or rent
Another key consideration when looking for a premises is whether you will buy or rent. In most cases, it’s a good idea to rent for a period of time first to check that you’re happy with the premises and there are no unexpected problems with it. Once you’re certain that you’re happy with it, you can then buy it further down the road.
Security
Security s certainly a key consideration when choosing a premises for your business. Look for key security features such as security lighting, an alarm and CCTV. You should also look for any access prevention measures that are installed, such as barbed wire or security spikes. Motor trade businesses always have to be wary of the risk of theft and damage to their vehicles so this is very important.
Blinds are a good way to improve privacy and therefore security at a commercial premises too. Check out https://www.blinds4bifolds.co.uk/ for different types of bifold door blinds.
A secure premises will not only reduce the chances of theft and vandalism but also help to reduce the cost of a motor trade insurance policy. Click here to get motor trade insurance quotes now.
Location
Location is always important with any type of property you’re considering investing in. When choosing a business premises, the location of it can be the difference between success and failure so it’s an extremely important thing to think about. Ideally your premises will be located in an area that has plenty of traffic passing by, that is easy to find and access.
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Getting Insurance as a Young Van Driver
If you are under the age of 25 and plan to purchase a van then you might be worried that you won’t be able to get cover at a reasonable price. It’s certainly true that insurance providers charge more to those under the age of 25. This is simply because younger drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions. However getting van insurance as a young driver isn’t impossible.
There are a number of specialist providers of van insurance for young drivers who can offer you cover at a reasonable rate.
Why get cover online?
If you’re looking for young van drivers insurance then there are a few good reasons to get it online. These include –
- Get the exact type of policy you want – When you look for insurance online, it’s very easy to add and remove cover options as you need. You can also easily find out more details about different cover options to help you decide if you need them or not. This is very useful since it’s easy to end up paying for additional cover that you don’t need or fully understand when taking a policy out over the phone.
- Save time & money – Another key reason to get insured online is that getting quotes is very easy. Getting quotes from different insurance providers is one of the best ways to save money and using an online insurance comparison service makes getting quotes a very quick and simple process.
- Get cover instantly – When you make your first payment for your policy, you will then be covered immediately and be sent your documents by email as well as by post. This gives you peace of mind that if you were to be involved in an accident or pulled over by the police, you would have proof of coverage.
What are some good ways to save money?
Below are a couple of drive ways to save money on young van drivers insurance –
- Increase excess – Increasing your excess is a very good way to lower the cost of your premium when you first take out your policy.
- Limit cover options – If you’re happy with a third party only policy then this is another great way to keep the cost of your insurance to a minimum.