Renting in today's market can feel overwhelming, especially with new legislation and rising costs making the process more competitive than ever, and even reliable renters are missing out. But with the right preparation and support, it doesn't have to be as stressful.

In this episode, Lexie and Sara are joined by Bruce Evans from RentGuarantor to discuss everything UK renters need to know in 2026. This conversation is packed with practical, honest advice for anyone looking to rent. They explain what a guarantor actually does and share insider tips on preparing for viewings, spotting red flags, and how to make yourself stand out as a strong tenant in a competitive market.

Whether you're a first time renter, moving to the UK from abroad, a student looking for accommodation, or simply navigating a tricky financial situation, this episode will help you feel more confident and prepared.

RentGuarantor provides professional UK-based guarantor services, helping renters who may not have a suitable friend or family member able to support their tenancy. The company works with tenants, landlords and letting agents to help more people secure a home while offering greater financial reassurance throughout the tenancy. Check out their website, linked below.

Are you currently renting or looking to rent soon? What's been your biggest challenge or surprise? Let us know in the comments 💬

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:01 Who Needs a Guarantor and Why
• 07:11 The Biggest Mistakes Renters Make
• 10:03 The Power of Personal Connection and Being Prepared
• 11:27 Getting Ready to Rent: Your Preparation Checklist
• 14:43 Affordability Checks Explained
• 19:05 What Does a Guarantor Actually Do?
• 24:48 The Hidden Costs of Renting
• 28:43 Viewing Properties Like a Pro: Red Flags and Top Tips

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👉 DOWNLOAD THE FREE NO NONSENSE GUIDE TO RENTING A HOME 📖
🔗 https://www.moveiq.co.uk/tools/renting/guide-renting-home/

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🔗https://www.rentguarantor.com/

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Just picked up the keys to your first home? Congratulations! But before you start unpacking, there are a few essentials people often forget about.

Lexie and Sara are sharing their honest, real life experiences of moving day and those crucial first 24 hours in a new home. They discuss why you should pack a "move in bag" like you're going on holiday, the importance of cleaning empty rooms before you fill them, whether you should hire a removal company or go it alone, and why changing the locks and recording meter readings matter more than you think.

Moving home is often listed as one of life's most stressful events, but it doesn't have to be. With a bit of planning, realistic expectations, and a sense of humour, your first night in your new home can actually be fun.

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before moving into your first home? Let us know in the comments 💬

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:36 The Emergency Move-In Kit: What to Pack First
• 04:22 Food, Cleaning Supplies, and First Night Essentials
• 05:57 Community Tips and the Boring Things People Forget
• 07:55 Furniture Dilemmas: Sofas and Beds
• 10:35 Managing Expectations and Going With the Flow
• 13:09 Removal Companies vs DIY: What's Worth the Money?
• 14:22 Creating Your Sanctuary Space
• 16:12 Clean First, Then Organise
• 17:33 Kids, Pets, and Admin Tasks

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Property advice is rarely one size fits all, but that doesn’t stop the same old claims being repeated again and again.

In this episode, Sara and Lexie put some of the most common property beliefs under the spotlight, from asking prices and online valuations to renovation, deposits and the so-called spring market.

Do you really need to renovate before selling? Is the asking price a true reflection of value? Should buyers stretch their budget as far as possible? And are new builds really problem-free?

They also share some of their own experiences, including viewings that went badly wrong, buyers who would not even step through the door and why Christmas can sometimes be a surprisingly good time to strike a deal.

The key takeaway? Good property guidance depends on the property, the market and your own circumstances. Blanket statements should always be treated with caution.

What piece of property advice do you hear all the time but completely disagree with? Let us know in the comments 💬

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:18 Who Should You Trust for Property Advice?
• 03:42 Social Media Influencers and Property Advice
• 05:58 Do You Need to Renovate Before Selling?
• 08:16 Is Asking Price the Real Value?
• 10:54 Smart Pre-Sale Spending: Layout, Staging, and Kerb Appeal
• 15:52 Off-Market Properties and the Damp Myth
• 17:44 Buyer Myths: Deposits and Mortgage Brokers
• 19:31 Online Valuations: How Accurate Are They?
• 20:47 Stretching Your Budget and Market Timing Myths
• 25:53 New Build Assumptions

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Panelling, colour drenching, fake grass, and words on walls... which home trends have stood the test of time, and which ones have aged like milk?

In this episode, Lexie and Sara discuss which home design trends seemed like a brilliant idea at the time but didn't quite work out in the long run. From the grey everything era to crushed velvet and open shelving, they give their opinion on what's hot, what's not, and what you should think twice about before jumping on the bandwagon.

What's the biggest home trend you've regretted? Or have you nailed a trend that still looks amazing years later? Let us know in the comments 💬

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:13 The Paneling Trend: Love It or Hate It?
• 02:47 Colour-Drenching and Bold Paint Choices
• 08:12 The Pinterest Perfect Home: Reality vs Aspiration
• 11:22 Weird Things Found in Homes
• 15:13 Fake Grass and Open Shelving: Practical or Problematic?
• 19:18 Kitchen Trends: Dark Cabinets, Shakers, and Gloss
• 23:49 Final Thoughts: Finding Your Style Beyond Trends

Enjoyed this video? Want to see more? Subscribe to the channel with the link below. That way, you won't miss any future uploads!

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What's really happening in the property market right now? And what do the experts on the ground actually think?

In this episode, we’re at the Propertymark One Conference in London to speak with estate and letting agents from across the country. We heard real world insights on everything from the Renters' Rights Act to rental demand, seller expectations, and the first time buyer market.

We’re covering all the hot topics and challenges facing the market in 2026- from offers falling through to energy efficiency. If you want to know what's happening with the gap between asking prices and sale prices, whether landlords are genuinely selling up and leaving the sector, or how agents are managing sellers with over optimistic price expectations, then this episode is for you!

Are you buying, selling, or renting right now? What's your experience been in your local market? Let us know in the comments 💬

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:35 The Renters Rights Act: Early Impact and Landlord Caution
• 02:12 The Pricing Gap: What Sellers Want vs What Buyers Pay
• 03:25 Market Challenges: The Toughest Conditions Since 2008?
• 03:57 Are Landlords Really Selling Up?
• 05:22 Managing Seller Expectations on Price
• 07:58 The Rental Competition: How Many Tenants Per Property?
• 10:02 First-Time Buyers: Who's Getting on the Ladder?
• 11:26 Rental Prices and the Bidding Ban
• 12:43 Energy Efficiency: Does It Really Matter to Buyers?
• 14:58 Essential Advice for First-Time Renters

Enjoyed this video? Want to see more? Subscribe to the channel with the link below. That way, you won't miss any future uploads!

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Thinking of tackling that home project yourself? Or should you get help from a professional?

In this episode of the Move iQ Podcast, Lexie and Sara discuss the honest truth about DIY, laying out the skills needed to actually pull off home improvements, why people choose to DIY in the first place (spoiler: it's not only about saving money), and when it makes sense to roll up your sleeves versus when you should step back and call in the experts.

Have you tried a DIY project that went brilliantly or hilariously wrong? What's the one thing you'd never attempt yourself? Let us know in the comments 💬

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:18 The Reality of DIY: Skills and Disasters
• 03:33 Why People DIY: Cost, Pride, and Motivation
• 04:44 When DIY Makes Sense: Cosmetic Projects
• 06:30 Time, Patience, and Hidden Problems
• 07:19 Where to Draw the Line: Structural, Plumbing, and Electrical
• 11:59 Finding Trustworthy Professionals
• 14:13 Creative DIY Success
• 16:52 Getting Help from Friends and Family

Enjoyed this video? Want to see more? Subscribe to the channel with the link below. That way, you won't miss any future uploads!

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Feeling overwhelmed by retrofit? You're not alone. But what if confidence, not confusion, was the starting point?

In this final episode of the retrofit series, Phil Spencer and Daniel Kittow from Vibrant Energy Matters bring everything together - showing how homeowners can move from uncertainty to clarity, one step at a time. They discuss the human side of home energy upgrades and how it's not just about the tech or the savings, it's about feeling confident enough to take action. They explore what holds homeowners back, why retrofit feels so overwhelming at first, and how getting the right support can completely shift your mindset from doubt to decision. Plus, they explain why starting small is absolutely fine, what low cost changes you can make yourself, and how investing time in research now can lead to zero bills and real financial freedom later.

Have you started your retrofit journey, or are you still doing your research? What's your next step? We'd love to hear from you! Share your retrofit experiences, questions, and home upgrade stories in the comments below 💬

Brought to you in collaboration with Vibrant Energy Matters
👉 Find out more: https://www.vibrantenergymatters.co.uk/

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:27 Why Homeowners Feel Confused and Overwhelmed
• 01:10 The One-on-One Support Approach
• 02:40 Building Confidence, Not Expertise
• 03:17 Overcoming the UK Mindset Shift
• 04:02 The Planning and Financing Process
• 05:02 Flexible Plans and Quick Wins
• 05:38 Final Thoughts: Invest Time in Your Home's Future

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#RetrofitUK #EnergyEfficiency #HomeUpgrades #ZeroBills

Does retrofit actually pay for itself, or is it just another expensive home upgrade? Is it possible to future-proof your home and save money?

In this episode, Phil Spencer is joined once more by Daniel Kittow from Vibrant to tackle the money question: is retrofit worth it financially, and how do you make the numbers work in your favour? They explore the real returns on energy upgrades, why retrofit can outperform traditional investments, and the common financial mistakes homeowners make when planning improvements. Plus, Dan shares why jumping in with the big ticket items first might actually be the smartest move, what grants are still available, and how energy efficiency can help you pay off your mortgage years earlier.

What motivates you most: lower bills, increased comfort, or protecting your home's value? We want this series to reflect real homeowners, so please do share your retrofit experiences, questions, and home upgrade stories in the comments 💬

Brought to you in collaboration with Vibrant Energy Matters
👉 Find out more: https://www.vibrantenergymatters.co.uk/

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:28 Does Retrofit Really Pay Off?
• 02:44 Beyond Money: Energy Security and Comfort
• 03:09 Asset Protection and Property Value Increases
• 04:06 Quick Wins vs Long-Term Investment Strategy
• 05:12 Common Mistakes: Why Order Matters
• 05:57 Start Big, Not Small
• 06:50 Financial Mistakes Homeowners Make
• 07:36 The Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant Explained

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#RetrofitUK #EnergyEfficiency #HomeUpgrades #ZeroBills

Heat pumps, solar panels, and smart tech – are they the future of home energy, or just an expensive headache?

In this episode, Phil Spencer is joined again by David Sanders from Vibrant Energy Matters to discuss what upgrades are available to make your home more energy efficient. They explore whether heat pumps and solar panels are right for every home, how the technology has evolved, and why getting the order right matters just as much as the tech itself.

They discuss how heat pumps actually work, the impact of combining solar panels with battery storage, and the role of smart tech in making your home more efficient without needing to be a tech expert. Plus, David shares what he's installed in his own Victorian terrace and the common mistakes homeowners make when going it alone.

If you’ve installed a heat pump or solar panels, what's your experience been? We want this series to reflect real homeowners, so please do share your retrofit experiences, questions, and home upgrade stories in the comments below 💬

Brought to you in collaboration with Vibrant Energy Matters
👉 Find out more: https://www.vibrantenergymatters.co.uk/

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:25 Heat Pumps and Solar: Are They Right for Every Home?
• 02:28 How Heat Pumps Work and Their Efficiency
• 04:17 Heat Pump Myths: Noise, Cost, and Installation
• 06:22 Solar Panels: Still Worth It?
• 07:56 Battery Storage: The Game Changer for Solar
• 09:41 Smart Tech: Making Energy Management Simple
• 11:56 Common Mistakes and the Need for a Long-Term Plan

Next time, we're looking at the money question – how to make retrofit pay off in the long run, and which upgrades actually deliver savings. Enjoyed this video? Want to see more? Subscribe to the channel with the link below. That way, you won't miss any future uploads!

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#HeatPumps #SolarPanels #RetrofitUK #EnergyEfficiency

In this latest episode of our retrofit series, Phil and David from Vibrant Energy Matters look at why millions of UK homes need improving, what “smarter” retrofit guidance could look like for homeowners, and why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. They discuss the VESA Report that Vibrant provides and how better, whole-home advice can help people move forward with confidence.

What would make you feel confident enough to start - clear costs, trusted guidance, or knowing what comes first? Let us know! Share your retrofit experiences, questions, and home upgrade stories in the comments- your input will help shape future episodes and support others on the same journey💬

Retrofit isn’t just about technology - it’s about trusted advice.
Brought to you in collaboration with Vibrant Energy Matters
👉 Find out more: https://www.vibrantenergymatters.co.uk/

👉 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS ⏳

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:48 The Information Overload Problem in Retrofit
• 01:57 What is the VESA Report?
• 02:41 How VESA Goes Beyond EPCs
• 04:12 The Importance of Doing Things in the Right Order
• 05:08 Understanding Different Retrofit Motivations
• 05:33 Vibrant Energy's End-to-End Approach
• 06:12 The Critical Optimization Stage
• 07:08 How Landlords Can Benefit from the VESA Report

Keep an eye out for our next episode all about heat pumps, solar panels and smart tech - making modern upgrades make sense. Enjoyed this video? Want to see more? Subscribe to the channel with the link below. That way, you won't miss any future uploads!

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#EPC #RetrofitUK #UKHomeowners #EnergyBills