Moginie James... at home | Winter 2010


Q&A Q A 030


ASK THE EXPERT


Once again, we grill Cardiff’s most informed experts on the latest hot topics in the property game...


........... If you have a question for our panel email it to - mjathome@intcap.co.uk ...........


I sometimes go a bit overboard on the colour scheme for Christmas, getting tempted by


all the options available - I desperately want to create a sophisticated look this year – any tips on how I can achieve this?


Q A


The landlord of the property I have been renting for the past five years has said that


he intends to increase the rent by 20% - do I have any right to object to this?


South Wales representative of ARLA, Kate Hayden, of Moginie James says... You will


need to check what type of tenancy you currently have. Where you have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement on a fixed term, your landlord cannot normally increase the rent within this period unless there is a clause stating so, typically the rent can only be increased once a year and there may be a clause in the agreement declaring what the percentage of the increase could be. However, there is no legal limit on how much rent can increase by, but landlords will generally charge a ‘market rent’.


Views expressed are those of Kate Hayden and not necessarily of ARLA.


Interior Designer Yvonne Jones of Chameleon Interiors says... Just think simply - streamline your ideas, and maybe consider using silver and gold, rather than every colour available!


Dress your natural tree with silver and gold baubles - no tinsel - and plain white lights... silver and gold are always in fashion, so you can bring them out annually and just add a few new items each year which will not break the bank. Spend your money on one area... maybe just the tree or your mantelpiece. Remember the old adage “less is more” but do ensure that your decorations are stunning.


Q A


I need to purchase a new boiler for my home and my current mortgage lender offers payment


holidays. If I take a month break will this be seen as a missed payment with future lenders?


Financial Adviser Neil Soundy of NSFS says... There will be no effect on your credit rating utilising an


agreed payment holiday facility. However the disadvantage is that the missed payments will be added to your mortgage debt and will incur increased payments for the remaining term of the mortgage. A possible alternative at a higher monthly cost is to pay for the boiler via a 0% credit card – and the good news is that due to increased efficiency of a new boiler you will save on your heating bills.


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