By now, EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) are a familiar part of the rental process. They were introduced by the Labour government as part of HIPs (Home Information Packs), which were criticised for introducing unnecessary bureaucracy to the property sector. Since EPCs came into force in 2008, we’ve become used to arranging energy performance assessments and adding them to the particulars of rental properties.
“Everyone’s kicked a football at some point in their lives,” Nicky Malson says. “It’s something everyone can relate to.” It’s also something a lot of people take for granted, just like a trip to the swimming pool in summer or a jog in the park or a kickabout with friends.
The rising price of crude oil is affecting the price of all sorts of things, from the food on your table to the clothes you’re wearing. But the most direct effect has been on transport costs. The mainstream media bemoans the plight of two-car families, but people on lower incomes have been hit much harder. Here’s how to save money on your transport costs.
Clutter is the enemy, and people who can't rid themselves of clutter are letting their weakness take over their lives. Or so a lot of telly programmes, self-help books and women's magazines would have you believe.
Apparently the key is to be ruthless: shove it all in a binbag, throw it away and don't look back. Bish-bash-bosh. Job done.
Her books are full of fast women and beautiful cars, glossy cheekbones and prominent hair. Wendy Holden's novels usually involve a down-to-earth Plain Jane getting the man and the money, but the real joy for readers is in the bitchy, glamorous settings. She even manages to cram in more puns per inch than "black belt in tongue-fu" Kathy Lette.