Homes & Gardens

What to Consider Before Adding Colour to Your Home

Choosing a new colour for your home is much more than just picking something that looks good in isolation. You need a tone that reflects your style and complements the architecture. Before you start splashing paint on the walls, there are a few factors to think about that can help you make an...

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South West house sales at highest in six years

The number of house sales in the South West has reached its highest point since 2007 according to a survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The survey showed that sales in December were more than double that f the lowest point of the downturn.

Prices are also rising with a net balance of 56 percent more chartered surveyors reported growing prices in the...

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RICS

housing

houses

market

Plymouth

Beware cowboy builders taking advantage in flood-hit areas

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service is warning people affected by the recent floods to be aware of rogue traders and cowboy builders.

Previous floods and severe weather in the UK have seen rogue traders offering a range of flood and damage recovery services as well as tarmacking, driveway cleaning, roof cleaning, guttering and garden maintenance.

Devon and Somerset...

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Bigger team to tackle rogue landlords in Plymouth

Plymouth’s expanding its team to get tougher with rogue landlords in the city and improve support for tenants.

£68,000 of funding has been awarded to the City Council by the Department for Communities and Local Government. A new support worker will be recruited to help tenants who are suffering at the hands of unscrupulous landlords and the inspection programme will be extended....

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Bin collections over the holidays

Plymouth folk are being reminded to keep up the good recycling work over Christmas.

With most people due to enjoy a few well-earned days off, the Council is asking people not to forget to recycle their wrapping paper and other items while they relax.

The bin collections have been changed to allow the crews to enjoy time off with their families, so residents should check their...

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Plymouth City Council

What to do if you've suffered flooding

As river levels rise following last night's torrential rain, the Environment Agency has issued advice about what to do if you've suffered flooding in your home.

*Take care. There may be dangers in the water such as sharp objects and raised manhole covers.

*Flood water may have caused structual damage to buildings.

*Flood water can contain sewage, chemicals and...

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Devon residents saving thousands on their heating oil

Members of a scheme to tackle rising energy prices have saved a staggering £23,000 off the cost of their domestic heating oil, this year.

Devon County Council says it’s a great example of communities working together to get a better deal on their heating bills.

The Devon Oil Collective works on the principle of buying heating oil in bulk through consolidating its members’...

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Be flood aware this Christmas

People who are set to be away for the festive period are urged to check the flood risk for their local area and, if necessary, take steps to protect valuable items left at home.

Drivers are also urged to check the latest flood updates ahead of their journey - and urged not to drive through dangerous floodwater. The warning comes after a joint Environment Agency and AA survey found more...

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House prices forecast to keep rising in 2014

House prices in the South West are set to rise again as demand continues to exceed supply, surveyors have forecasted.

According to new figures released today by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) house prices in the South West will increase by a further 7% over the next year.

Rental costs are also set to rise by a further 2% which will carry over into the cost of...

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house prices

Plymouth

South West

Christmas recycling tips and bin collections over the holidays

Shoppers can pick up some top tips about recycling over Christmas at roadshow that takes place on Thursday 19 December.

Council staff will be giving guidance on how and what to recycle at a roadshow outside Drake Circus Shopping Centre, on the Marks and Spencer side.

There will be information on how to cut waste, a quiz with a hamper as a prize and information from the Love...

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20,000 homes in Plymouth are eligible for home heating assistance

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, calls out to local residents to prepare for winter

As British households prepare to face the cold winter, new research reveals that 20,000 households in Plymouth are eligible for assistance from their energy supplier with heating their homes. The findings from Home Heat Helpline show that a total of 3.6 million households across Great Britain...

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