By Heather Hilder-Darling
The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.
How well does your home broadband perform?
Guy Cocker, my guest today, reveals the multitude of frustrations caused by unreliable broadband speeds.
Unreliable internet means missing out on gigs and festivals - and with a summer of events and sport ahead of us - we don't want to miss our favourite shows. I can't wait for Wimbledon!
From buffering to lags, a lack of broadband speed causes issues for people on a daily basis. When multiple people are in the home at the same time, unreliable broadband can result in bickering, homework getting delayed, and for those working from home, project deadlines being missed.
EE unveils their most advanced broadband, with new FULL FIBRE 1.Gbps, delivering the fastest speeds and best reliability.
Our personal and professional lives depend on fully operational broadband. Research (RWB) shows that 30% of us have daily issues with speed.
Heat affects internet speed, servers and routers giving yet more misery to users.
If you're finding it difficult to work from home, or impossible to hand in assignments and projects to your school/college/employer, maybe it's time to make the change?
June 2023
The decline of UK hedgerows is contributing to the alarming loss of plant and animal species. A typical hedgerow encompasses over 2000 diverse species of plants and animals.
The People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and ARLA farmers across the country are working together to redress the balance. We can also help at home, and make a difference by encouraging our children to get involved too.
My guests are Oliver Williams, Farmer, and Lizzie McLaughlin, Head of Commercial Content Solutions at Agriconnect, who both promote the idea that we can all get involved, whatever the size of our garden, and become 'Custodians of the Land'.
You don't need to be a farmer to become a landlord to a thriving population of diverse wildlife. You can create wildlife-friendly gardens and green spaces within your own garden, balcony, or local outdoor areas. Some simple ideas include introducing bee hotels, bee boxes, bee bricks and manage outside space to encourage the return of bumblebees, insects and hedgehogs.
How can you help to secure a brighter future for the remarkable wildlife we risk losing?
Simply - join in the conversation.
June 2023
Is house-building politicized? How are developers future-proofing new homes?
Join me as I chat with Neil Jefferson, MD Home Builders Federation, about how the cost of living crisis and a potential recession has changed the way we look for, and buy, new homes in the UK.
Market analysis found that the cost to bring most old properties in line with modern standards can be upwards of £70,000. Research reveals that more than 53%* of us would consider buying a new build to increase energy efficiency and lower our utility bills.
Heather Hilder-Darling
28 February 2023
*Research carried out by Yonder Data Solutions between 3 - 5 February 2023 with sample of 2,088 UK adults.
Have you been affected by recent flooding?
A new report by LV= GI and independent think-tank Localis, has revealed that as many as 25,550 new homes are set to be built in areas that are already urbanised or where more than 1% of homes are already at risk of flooding.
LV= together with Interior Designer Gaby Blackman and Flooding Expert Dr Jess Neumann have designed a 'Flood Proof Home' of the Future.
Dr Neumann tells me, "The homes of the future could well require features such as underground drainage networks, built-in flood defences and even amphibious foundations..."
Let's find out about buoyant foundations, a U-shaped garage roof and features to protect our homes of the future.
Heather Hilder-Darling
23 November 2022
Feeling the cold already?
Today's topic 'Heat Yourself Not your Home' comes at a time when 71% of Brits are looking at alternative methods to heat themselves as temperatures begin to drop.
Consumer and finance expert Alice Beer has worked with Silentnight to create a guide if you're looking to keep warm and save money this autumn.
As concern rises about 'heating or eating', people are looking at how to warm themselves, aside from switching on the heating.
Alice says, "One of my favourite tips in the guide is to heat yourself... Things like electric blankets or heated throws are perfect for this as they cost just pennies to run..."
New figures from Silentnight have shown that almost 39% have turned to wearing more layers in a bid to stay warm. So apart from saving money by turning down the thermostat, could the electric blanket keep the nation warm?
As part of the campaign, SleepyPeople.com is running a penny sale on winter warmer products on Friday 14 October at 09.00h.
Heather Hilder-Darling
October 2022
Don't know what to do with the kids this half-term?
Holly Smith, the Coupon Queen and Money Expert, joins me to chat about how it's now cheaper to go on a fun-filled family staycation than to stay at home.
According to a new study by Butlins, it costs the average family £348.25** to entertain the kids with various child-friendly activities over the course of four days at home. The research found that single trips to the theatre, swimming pool, soft play centre, fairground and pantomime all add up to the triple figure total.
With families under pressure from the cost-of-living crisis, many have already cut down on takeaways and meals out to afford trips away.
Holly provides money saving tips - from supermarket coupons to family days out to getting away for as little as £50!
Also, check out your Council website for ideas of activities for children during half-term.
Heather Hilder-Darling
October 2022
** Based on average UK costs for individual activities for a family of four in the UK
Do you like talking kitchens?
My guest, Char Eid of Charbox Designs, has a descriptive word for a kitchen - a Social Centrepoint - and he's right in the way we style and use our kitchens today.
As the 'heart of a home', the kitchen has evolved to spill out onto the garden for many homeowners, with a selection of styles, colours, kitchen ranges and pricing that make the eyes water.
Char enlightens me as to how his creativity, plus the homeowners' preferences and budget, can open, literally, lots of doors. From the smallest kitchen, to the most expensive kitchens, you'll often find Char at Hove Kitchens, listening to clients and working with them to design the kitchen of their dreams.
To make the best use of space in your kitchen, Char's 3 top tips in the design of your social centrepoint include:
1. Aesthetics
2. Functionality
3. Comfort
Kitchen design involves more than just a layout - tiling, lighting, appliances, styling - and Char's available to help to design yours from start to finish.
Heather Hilder-Darling
October 2022
In today's podcast, Martyn Bridges, Director at Worcester Bosch, shares his easy tips to save 10% off our energy bills.
The increase in gas prices this October has as many as 90% of us worrying about heating our homes. The cold, dark winter ahead has spurred boiler manufacturer Worcester Bosch to encourage us to heat our homes wisely. We should use our boilers carefully so as to avoid the risk of freezing pipes or paying more than we have to, by reducing our costs by £0.80-£0.90 per day.
Martyn's Top 3 recommendations:
1. Have you lost the instructions for your boiler's timer/programmer? Download the manufacturer's instructions from the website
2. Turn the room's heating thermostat down by 1 DegC
3. On your combi-boiler, turn the two temperature dials, for water and heating, down to around 65 DegC
As the cold weather begins to bite, whilst cutting back on socialising, shopping or planning holidays, many of us believe the rise of the energy price cap will have a significant impact on our financial situation.
Click for further details on how to save money on your energy bills, Energy Saving Trust.
Heather Hilder-Darling
October 2022
As we grapple with increasing living costs, do you know our homes lose around 10% heat through windows?
I chat with Simon Rogers, Director, Sussex County Windows about how homeowners and Landlords can improve the thermal efficiency of homes and property.
Simon also reveals how double and triple glazing has improved since the early days.
Heather Hilder-Darling
October 2022
As Brighton & Hove City Council backtracks on plans to clamp down on short-term lets, Compliance & Lettings Guru, James Duffy of Callaways Estate & Letting Agents, explains the basic differences between short-term lets and assured shorthold tenancies.
The reduction in stock within the Private Rented Sector (PRS) is causing a shortage of properties for longer term tenancies, pushing up rental prices. Additional burdens of taxation and legislation are making Landlords turn their backs on the PRS.
In today's episode, we examine the appeal and problems associated with short-term lets for Landlords.
Landlords - James shares his 3 top recommendations if you're considering changing from long term to short-term lettings:
1. Make sure your property is suitable for the short-term lettings market (location, condition and specification)
2. You will need extra resources between occupancies as your 'guests' are likely to have higher expectations for their weekend/holiday break
3. Check your Head Lease and mortgage conditions - or you could find yourself in breach of terms and conditions.
Heather Hilder-Darling
'Let's Talk Property'
September 2022
The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.