One in ten buy-to-let homes will be unlettable in five years' time unless landlords take steps to improve their properties' energy efficiency, according to a recent report in The Telegraph.

New laws that take effect in 2018 will make it an offence to let out properties with the worst energy efficiency ratings. Such properties are much more common in the private rented sector than among owner-occupied homes or those rented out by councils or housing associations.

Tenants will also be able to demand improvements to insulation from 2016, when landlords will not be able to refuse tenants'

Have you designed a daring eco home? What about crafted a super-cool conversion?

Or maybe you’ve added a jaw-dropping extension? The 2013 Grand Designs Awards is now open for entries, and they’re looking for any homeowners who’ve completed a project, whether it’s a new-build or the transformation of an existing space. You don’t have to be an architect or designer (although, of course, they’re welcome too); the competition is open to everyone and completely free to enter.

The final submission deadline for entries is 9am Thursday 7 March 2013.  For further info visit the Grand Designs Awards

Scotland's housing market remains "muted", with only a slight rise in prices over the last year, according to a report from Lloyds TSB Scotland.

The average price of a property rose by 0.2% to £151,320 during 2012. But the number of sales fell towards the end of the year because of a small number of festive-period sales. The TSB's Donald MacRae said: "The Scottish housing market had adjusted to the recession with a halving of sales and a period of price volatility."

Lloyds TSB Scotland's report also found that the Scottish House Price Monitor, a quarterly index of average house prices adjusted

Private rents dropped for the third month in a row in January as increased mortgage availability eased some of the pressure on the sector, a lettings network has said.

Rents fell by 0.3% month-on-month to reach £732 per month on average, taking them back to levels seen in July last year, according to LSL Property Services, which owns chains Your Move and Reeds Rains.

Recent lending figures have shown increases in first-time buyer numbers following the introduction of Government schemes aiming to give people a leg up onto the property ladder.

The rental dip seen for the last three months has

We are currently accepting property entries for the March./April auctions, so if you're thinking about selling your property, contact us today for your free auction appraisal and to chat with one of our auctioneers in your area.

No matter whereabouts in the UK your property is located or what type of property, site or land it may be,  if you have been struggling to sell it on the open market or you're just needing to sell quickly, and are willing to drop your asking price in order to enter it into auction, then contact us today!

We will take away the dilemma of which auction house to approach

Symonds & Sampson have been recognised for the second year running as the leading auction house in the South West by the National Auctioneers’ Property Index Tables..

Auctioneer and Head of Agency at Symonds & Sampson, Mark Lewis, said “we are delighted with this recognition.  We work extremely hard to ensure that our auctions are a success and we offered properties for sale in Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and even Berkshire.  We have many exciting properties in the pipeline for 2013 and buyers are recommended to ensure that they are on our mailing list or follow the

There is a greater choice of mortgage products for customers able to stump up a deposit worth 25% of a property's value, according to new research from Moneyfacts.

BBC News reports that the research revealed that househunters with this amount of money at their disposal can select from 831 home loan products on the market at present. At the other end of the scale, however, the picture remains markedly different, with options limited for those unable to save for larger deposits.

It was shown that choice was particularly restricted for people without the capacity to offer a deposit worth more

Cleethorpes Pier was under the hammer with a guide price of £400,000. At 335ft (100m), the pier in North East Lincolnshire is one of the shortest in the UK.

Tina Waterfall, of auctioneers Swindells, said the pier - which was built at a cost of £8,000 - had twice been sold in the past for over £1m.

She said the pier could still be bought in the next 28 days if an increased bid was put in. Ms Waterfall said: "It's in the best state of repair it's been in for years. The pier and its pavilion, owned by a local businessman, could now be rented out to tenants if a suitable offer is not received, Ms

Rates on buy to let mortgages have fallen to a six-year low, new research by comparison website, Moneyfacts, has shown.

The average buy to let home loan is currently 4.69% - a level not seen since 2007. This rate is markedly lower than the 5.04% recorded 12 months ago and considerably below the 5.77% posted three years ago.

The National Landlords Association has responded to the falling rates by urging lenders to improve their deals.

David Cox, policy adviser at the trade body for professional landlords, said: "Our research shows one third of landlords have been unable to expand due to

We are currently accepting property entries for the next round of auctions of 2013!

No matter whereabouts in the UK your property is located or what type of property, site or land it may be,  if you have been struggling to sell it on the open market or you're just needing to sell quickly, and are willing to drop your asking price in order to enter it into auction, then contact us today!

We will take away the dilemma of which auction house to approach - given that are so many auction houses in the UK  it may be quite daunting in terms of knowing who will do the best job for you.  We can make