Category: Reviews

When you become a landlord, there are certain standards by which you are legally bound, duties you have towards your tenants which must be adhered to. And when people’s safety and the law are involved, it’s best to do some research and make sure you have everything in order.

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What Constitutes Rental Property?

Obviously any property that is let as residential premises for tenants’ main residence is included, whether let privately, through a management company or housing association, and even hostels. It also includes single rooms and bed-sits, B&Bs and holiday accommodation. The Gas Safety Regulations (1998) outline exactly what the landlord’s duty of care and responsibilities cover.

Responsibilities

Maintenance is key. You must ensure that all pipework as well as the appliances themselves are serviced and kept in good condition. This includes chimneys. Manufacturers’ instructions are your go-to to know how often everything must be serviced, but more often than not, an annual service is required unless a registered Gas Safe engineer is happy to advise differently.

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The exemption would be an appliance owned by the tenant and not the landlord, though connecting pipework would still be required to be maintained.

In order to prove the condition of the pipes and appliances, and that maintenance has been carried out correctly, keep records. Tenants should receive a copy of the up to date certificates within a month of completion of their contract.

Keep things simple and make it part of the initial formalities, such as going through an inventory. There is technology available to help you. Check out property inventory software from experts like Inventory Base https://inventorybase.co.uk/, and get things in order and maintained easily.

Where sharing a certificate within 28 days is not practical – for example a short-term lease – display a copy prominently in the property. Keep copies for two years.

For more information on what you need to know as a landlord, check out the information from the government on the Health & Safety Executive website.

You are not likely to be in the property at the time of any issues, so make sure the tenants are aware of how to turn off the gas and what to do next. Finally, be sure that anyone working on any part of the gas system in the property is registered Gas Safe.

Properly managing contracts is an integral part of business success and is crucial to creating sustainable outcomes and relationships.

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1. Set Clear Goals

When negotiating a contract, take some time to list the goals you are trying to achieve by enshrining the agreement in legal form. What do you want from your counterparty? What are you willing to give to your counterparty? What will the key negotiation points be? Which stakeholders within your organisation will need to have input into the agreement?

2. Avoid Giving Your Counterparty Ways to Avoid Their Commitments

If the counterparty asks for information or actions to be performed by your organisation in order to fulfil their commitments, make sure these actions and information requests are specific. Moreover, ensure that your team is ready and able to perform these requirements, thus avoiding costly renegotiations and failed expectations.

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3. Build Relationships

Your business relationships will be the most fruitful to all parties involved if you develop cooperative, collaborative and respectful relationships. Use a win-win frame of mind. Make sure to meet your own obligations in the negotiation stage (information requests, meeting agreed deadlines for contract drafting, et cetera can be easily managed in a Contract Management System) to set the tone for what you expect for performance of the contract. In addition, trusting relationships are more likely to create a forum to discuss potential pitfalls, saving future time and effort.

4. Contract Performance Assessments

If this is a repeat contract, what do the stakeholders within your organisation think of the counterparty’s ability to perform the contract? While some teams may think the counterparty is excellent, others may be frustrated in ways which could be easily resolved through small changes in contract terms. Engage with your stakeholders, who will often be pleased that their views are being taken into account. Use a Contract Management System like ECAS from https://www.contractswise.com/ to keep track of ongoing performance.

5. Risk Mitigation

What are the potential impacts of your counterparty failing to perform on their contract? How will this impact your business and what would you need to do to make up for this contract failure? How mission-critical is the performance of the contract? If you identify significant risks for your business, engage your relevant stakeholders within your organisation to isolate and put in place potential action plans to mitigate the risks.

It’s the time to be on high alert for all those hit by Hurricane Sandy or are looking to get home improvement at this point of time. The time is very important because during the times when some place is hit by disasters like Hurricane, people known as gypsies or storm chasers occur from nowhere and offer to do home improvement at your place for a very small amount.
The trick is very old but each time something like Sandy happens anywhere, people use the trick and many innocent or gullible people looking to get their job done for less, fall prey to them and then they disappear in the same fashion as they appear.

The BBB has advised people not to fall pray to their emotions when it comes to home repairs or improvement following a disaster. It has advised people to use only legitimate contractors for the job and has even advised them to seek two to three estimates from different contractors before starting the work to get the best price and quality for the job.

The BBB has even asked people to ask the contractor for his license and check his credentials before giving him the work and money. It has asked people to check the rating awarded to the contractor and to check if the company is bonded and insured for injuries during work.

The Attorney General of New Jersey, Jeffrey S. Chiesa has added that no matter the urgency of your repairs or how desperate your need for repairs, you should stop and check every detail about the contractor that you wish to employ for home improvement.

It has come to light that often people pay huge amounts in advance to the contractors to get their work done in urgency. But the state law does not specify that one must pay 50% or more of the entire project at the start of work. In fact the proper method of payment should be one third at the time of start, another one third at midway and the last one third at the completion of the work.

Another important thing that people should take care while getting their job done through a home improvement contractor is that he should be a qualified contractor with proper knowledge and tools to carry out the job on hand. It came to the notice of authorities that several people that did not have any experience of doing home improvement had taken up home improvement contracts with people hit by Hurricane Irene in the past.

The market is seeing a recent trend and affinity towards natural pet products. The owners of the pets have started reacting to the market in a different manner. Now a day, the pet owners care for their pets as one of their own members of the family, prompting them to pamper their pets in a similar fashion in which they take care for any other member of their family.

Such is the extent that the owners of the pets are turning towards feeding their pet animals with natural pet products. With the passage of time, the packaged food products for the pets are also becoming highly harmful, since they are mostly devoid of any natural mineral that is quite essential for the well-being of any living animal. The natural, eco-friendly and organic pet products are therefore becoming the perfect alternative for the owners of the pets, all over the world.

It is also a fact that the owners of the pet prefer to feed their pet, what they themselves are eating. This has also catered for the increasing demand of the natural pet products in the market, since the owners find it extremely useful for their pets to be fed with natural food just like the human beings.

The natural pet food products are also very good for the growth of the pet animals and they do not even pose as a threat to the animal. According to the survey reports, there is a steady rise in the demand of these kinds of pet food. It was estimated that in the year 2011 the market for the natural pet food product was worth 18.1 billion, while that is steadily tending to rise by 15 per cent by the year 2016.

According to surveys conducted, it has been found that 75 per cent of the population owing pets, consider the value, along with the price of the food product for their pets. The factors of taste and nutritional value associated with the product do not flash in the minds of the pet owners in majority of the cases. While it has been reported that the cat food of natural ingredient has rose to 6.8 billion in the year 2011, the market of that of the dog food is estimated to increase by 20 per cent, touching 10.6 billion, from the year 2006 to 2011. In many cases, the owners even tend to shun packaged food products for their pets.

Seeing this pattern, the big companies are starting marketing the animal food by focusing on the organic preparation process. Majority of the branded pet food manufacturers are now stressing more on the fact that their products are natural and not artificially created. The major retailers of the world are also turning towards selling natural food for the pet animals, since they are showing an increase in demand in the market.

However, the recent pattern of the pet-owners’ behavior has forced the pet food manufacturers to switch to selling natural pet foods. As the situation is indicating, the demand of such type of pet food is in the increasing side, and surely, the market for the natural and organic pet food will flourish in the coming days.

Team building exercises are highly popular events on many corporate calendars. Companies are trying to come up with ever more original and exciting activities to truly test their staff and give them a day to remember. Here are some popular choices:

Wild Goose Chase – Send your team out into the town or city to compete in a smart phone scavenger hunt. Complete with brain-challenging riddles, physical challenges and plenty of hilarious photo opportunities, this friendly but competitive digital hunt can be completed almost anywhere. It will only take half a day and contains moderate activity levels that can be completed any time of the year.

Team Pursuit – This is an activity that can be completed indoors in case of inclement weather. Groups work together to complete varied challenges, playing to their strengths and against the clock to earn points and climb the leaderboard. Great fun with low to moderate activity levels, team pursuits can be enjoyed by all over just one day or half-day session. Why not treat your hard-working employees to an after-work celebration of food and perhaps a few cheeky drinks with Mobile Bar Hire Leicester from http://www.elliottgeorgebars.co.uk/

Crime Scene Investigators – If your team is full of budding sleuths then they will love this popular team building activity. Many event companies offer this challenge where staff use their detective skills to follow evidence. It’s a great activity for boosting morale, engaging staff and collaborative working. The interactive experience needs you to solve the clues and work out ‘whodunnit’

Escape Rooms – These have grown hugely in popularity over the last couple of years, so if you haven’t experienced one then your team will love it. Whether you attend a set venue or use a mobile event, all colleagues must collaborate and solve riddles to escape the room they are trapped in. This challenge requires cohesive team efforts in a fun, challenging manner. It’s an indoor event that only takes a couple of hours so should be easy to fit into everyone’s busy schedules.

Castaway Challenge – If you’re looking to get a bit more active with some outdoor pursuits, then why not consider a corporate castaway event. Inspired by the survival TV shows, two teams attempt to survive the great outdoors in a series of physical and mental challenges where they must outwit and outlast the opposing team. Blindfolded obstacle courses, puzzle-solving while tied at the wrist to each other and many other fun and hilarious challenges are involved. This is a great team building exercise for promoting leadership, trust and logical, strategic thinking.

As we get older, our decisions begin to have larger and larger effects on the way we age. Making healthy choices a top priority is a premium strategy for maintaining a healthy mind and body. This not only helps us live longer, it also enhances our quality of life.

According to a Pfizer survey on aging, a surprising number of adults felt that aging turned out to be better than they’d initially anticipated. Seniors in good health seemed quite content about growing older. In contrast, those with health problems were less cheerful when asked for their thoughts on aging.

It’s never too soon to start making healthy choices. As 2013 approaches, so does the opportunity to make several resolutions to enhance the coming year. Why not get an early start? Here are a few suggestions on ways you can reboot your mind and body:

Quit smoking
No matter how old you are, your body will begin to repair itself the instant you commit to quitting smoking. A year of tobacco abstinence reduces your risk of heart disease by nearly 50%. After five years, an ex-smoker’s risk of stroke decreases to that of a non-smoker.

Care for your heart
Strive to do at least 30 minutes of cardio exercises per day. Be sure to choose activities you enjoy – this will increase your chances of making them part of your healthy routine. Biking, swimming, running and walking are all excellent ways to maintain premium heart health!

Maintain bone density
Our bones need exercise, too. Strength training helps improve bone density, which reduces your risk of broken bones and osteoporosis. Twice a week, dedicate twenty minutes of your time to strength training.

Bones can weaken due to nutritional deficiencies, so remember to consume plenty of fruits, veggies, and dairy products.  Check with your Doctor about supplements which may work best for your specific needs.

Keep your brain active and healthy
Studies are showing that keeping the brain active may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Reading, writing, and doing memory games are all great brain training exercises. Try using your non-dominant hand to do everyday activities.

Stay Social
Regular interaction with friends seems to lower your risk of developing dementia. Get together with your favorite people for a coffee or tea.  Sit down with your caregiver, and load up your social calendar with get-togethers and outings. You could even plan a road trip to go and see some old friends.

A little goes a long way — Be creative

You don’t need a lot of money to give your home a makeover. In fact, all you need is a creative mind and a little elbow grease. Being thrifty has its benefits and can articulate a sense of style and personality. Nowadays, retro is in fashion and one statement piece can be enough to design a whole room around. Head over to your local thrift store or garage sale and take a peak. You may find a smokin’ deal that catches your eye. You may even find it in your own basement or storage unit.

Find that statement piece

Finding the right statement piece takes a bit of skill, but definitely doable. Find something that says something about your personality. Do you like music? You can find old brass instruments for a jazz ensemble piece. Gather old sheet music and frame as many pieces as you’d like for a musical wall set. Find old paintings in thrift stores and add in your own personal touches. My favorite is adding monsters to thrift store paintings. In my house, I’ve taken old scenery paintings and added monsters somewhere in the setting which gives them uniqueness and also embraces a theme (you could choose any).

Got paint?

Painting is probably the cheapest way to alter your home. Whether it’s the entire room, every room, a single wall, or just a canvas, colors convey moods and connotations. Paint a room with a color that evokes who you are and show a little personality. I chose Ralph Lauren’s Blue Suede for my bedroom. I’m a fan of the color blue and almost everything I wear has blue in it. So, this paint makes me feel comfortable and adds texture to my walls. The walls actually look like they are coved in blue suede! We painted the molding around the edges of the floor white to add a touch of class and pop.

A hidden gem could be some old flooring!

If you’re like me, then you like the look and feel of hardwood floors. This is a little more difficult to pull off but with an electric saw and some careful measuring, we were also able to tear up our old nasty carpet and install vinyl flooring. We have a smaller bedroom, so all we needed was a couple package of vinyl flooring planks we found on Craigslist for around $200 (someone had purchased few too many for their project).

So, in one weekend my girlfriend and I had had completely revamped our ordinary bedroom into a classy, jazzy, and personal palace for a grand total of $275. Using the same technique and creativity, we also managed to customize our living room and kitchen on the weekends to follow. I love our home because we surrounded it with our artwork and ideas that define who we are.

Most of the sports today need to have specialized gadgets in order to update and develop better techniques for that sport, and swimming is not an exception to that. Almost every year, a variety of swimming gadgets are being manufactured in order to cater the needs of both professional and recreational swimmers.

Waterproof mp3s
One of the most purchased swimming gadgets in 2018 is waterproof mp3s. These mp3s are specially designed to function under water, and are perfect gadgets for music lovers who are also into water sports. Waterproof mp3s are perfect for beach, pools and even in the shower. The Underwater Audio iPod is a waterproof iPod shuffle released by Apple. This 4th gen iPod shuffle gained popularity among customers and got a pretty good sale for the year. This underwater mp3 has 15 hours of battery life and can accommodate and support multiple playlists.

Underwater phone case
Another swimming gadget that became a trend in 2018 is the underwater phone case. People nowadays cannot afford to be literally separated from their phones. That is why underwater phone case became popular. The Otterbox Defender Swim case is one of the most purchased underwater phone cases in 2018. What is remarkable about this gadget is that you can clip it to your swimwear so you can enjoy swimming without worrying about your gadgets. This waterproof phone case also has a touchscreen feature, which makes it easier for you to navigate your touch phones while you are having a great swim.

Triathlon
Triathlon also became a famous sport in 2018. And we all know that swimming is the most challenging part of triathlon. Because of that, triathletes are more determined to improve their skills in swimming. The CoachCam Underwater Video system had a lot of great reviews from triathletes who purchased it. Basically, this gadget is a high-resolution camera that has a combination of underwater lens and above the surface camera designed to help the athletes monitor their swimming strokes and techniques. Through this gadget, the strengths and weaknesses of the swimmers were highlighted, thus providing an opportunity for the athletes to make necessary improvement in their skills. This underwater camera is beneficial not only for triathletes but for amateurs who want to focus on improving their swimming style. No wonder, this gear made it to the top swimming gadgets of 2018.

Winter can provoke the spread of illness and infection as people shelter inside from the cold and bacteria thrives in heated stuffy areas. As the cold winter months drag on, as does prime season for colds and flu.

Ear infections can be especially troublesome for people that use a hearing aid, as swelling in the ear can prevent the device fitting properly. As well as pain and discomfort, an infection can also affect hearing quality and change the acoustics of the ear, which can be a major hindrance to the everyday life of a hearing aid wearer.

Follow these tips to prevent and treat an ear infection:

• When suffering from an ear infection it is important to let the ears breathe. The hearing aid should be removed often to let air get to the problem area and reduce the conditions that bacteria thrives in. During the infection, ears should not be covered with ear muffs or a scarf.
• Ears should be kept as dry as possible, resist the urge to syringe the ear or try and wash out the infection. Close attention should be paid to hearing aid and ear hygiene. It is important that hearing aids are kept clean, which can be done by using the soft cleaning cloth or small brush issued with the device. Ears should be regularly cleaned to prevent a build up of wax, but resist using cotton buds as these can damage and perforate the ear drum.
• If your ear infection lasts longer than 4 days and shows no signs of improving, consult your doctor. They will be able to determine if the infection is viral or bacterial. While nothing can be prescribed for a viral infection, ear drops and antibiotics can be used to treat a bacterial infection.
• When you’re not wearing your hearing aid it should be stored correctly. Hearing aids should be stored in a dry place, so be sure not to leave your hearing aid somewhere warm and damp like a bathroom.

Ear infections can be annoying and inconvenient so it is best to take all the possible precautions to try and reduce your chance of re-infecting or making the problem worse. By following these simple tips and guidance, you should be able to get back to using your hearing aid as normal. However, if you do suspect your hearing isn’t the same once an infection is over, you should book a hearing test as soon as possible to get things checked out.

Moving away from home for the first time to go to College or University is an exciting time in anyone’s life. Students who are moving into University furnished flats or Halls of Residence may find that everything they need to live comfortably is provided for them, but the increasing number of students attending College means demand often far outstrips supply when it comes to getting accommodation. Students moving into a privately rented property have to deal with far more in terms of organisation, securing the tenancy and furnishing the house.

Finding a House

Every town with a large student population has a lot of student accommodation available, but the competition for the best places can be intense. Students should start their search well before term starts. Universities and Colleges can help by providing a list of landlords and agencies which are happy to let property to students, and getting together with a group of friends can make finding a house easier and the rent cheaper too. Students who are prepared to rent for a whole year rather than just the duration of their course excluding summer breaks are a more attractive proposition for landlords too. Consider renting in areas which are not traditionally popular with students as there will be more accommodation available than in the streets adjacent to the Uni. A flat which is a 5 minute bus journey away may be far better than somewhere within walking distance in terms of facilities and décor.

Finance

Although some agencies and landlords are happy to let property to students with few checks, most will ask for character and financial references. In many cases, parents will have to act as guarantors on the rent as the student will have limited income of their own. All of this paperwork and reference checking takes time, so get the ball rolling as soon as you find a property you like. When several students are sharing together and lots of references are being requested, managing the process is essential so that everyone knows what is required of them and what the deadlines are. Keep in touch with all parties and the letting agent at least a couple of times a week so that problems are dealt with quickly and all that remains to do at the start of term is to pick up the keys and move in.

Furnishing

Some student flats are ready furnished, but it can be a better option to take an unfurnished property and furnish it yourself. Put the word out to friends, family and colleagues that you are looking for furniture, and you will get offers of beds, desks or even a painted wardrobe. If you have the budget to buy new, stick to classic designs and styles which will last through your college career and beyond. A good quality painted wardrobe will still be looking good when your own kids are ready to start their university studies. Websites such as Freegle or Freecycle, where users can offer their unwanted goods to others, can provide rich pickings for students and their parents trying to furnish a flat or house.