SUMMER 2015
LADDER THE
Brought to you by Radian // ISSUE 10
Festival fever
Now the Summer months are finally upon us, we’ve put a list together of top festivals in our area. Page 4
Refresh for 2015! Looking to give your home a mini makeover this Summer? Page 8
We can hear church bells Page 11
Boredom Busters Here are some ideas to banish any boredom (and avoid the TV!) this Summer. Page 14
Guide to sinking funds
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Win FREE festival tickets
RE-MORTGAGING
RECIPES
Living in an apartment?
‘ASK OLI’
Must-have apps this summer
COMPETITIONS
TOP TIPS
welcome Tiverton Balloon and Music Festival
IT’S TIME TO DUST OFF YOUR BBQ! W
elcome to the Summer 2015 edition of The Ladder, your bi-annual update magazine from Radian. As a Shared Owner, Equity Loan holder or Leaseholder, we’ve included a real mix of info in this edition, from favourite recipes & home decor design tips, to guides to sinking funds, we’ve got it covered. Now we can’t rely on the weather, but we’ve all got in the summer mood whilst putting together this edition, and can’t wait to dust off the BBQ from the shed and hook out the flip-flops from the bottom of our wardrobe! As talk grew about where we hope to go on holiday this year to what we’re planning for the bank holiday weekend in August, we’ve come across some great local events and festivals we can’t wait to visit; we’ve even got tickets to the Victorious Festival in Southsea, Portsmouth to give away! Head to pages 4-5 for entry details. We hope you enjoy this edition of The Ladder, and as always, if you have any comments or feedback about our magazine, please get in touch. theladder@radian.co.uk
Miranda Foster Post Sales Team Leader 02
CONTENTS Remortgaging should you shop around?
3
Festival Fever!
4
Guide to sinking funds
7
Refresh for 2015!
8
Ask Oli - Home improvements
10
Updating your details
11
Living in an apartment? No problem!
12
Kid Zone
14
Must-have apps
15
Contact
16
remortgaging
SHOULD YOU SHOP AROUND? W
e all ensure we shop around to get the best deal when we take out our first mortgage, but what next when your current deal comes to an end? We’ve been talking to Tim Wheatley from Imperial Independent Mortgage Services Ltd to find out how you can make sure you are getting the best deal on your mortgage. Why should you be reviewing your mortgage?
When should I start to shop around?
When you take out a new mortgage, you normally get an introductory deal, for example, a low fixed or discounted rate, or a low tracker rate for the first few years of your mortgage. Introductory deals normally last for between two and five years, but once the deal ends, you’ll probably be moved onto your lender’s standard variable rate. This rate is usually higher than other rates you might be able to get elsewhere.
We would recommend that you contact a mortgage advisor or broker 3 months prior to your existing mortgage rate coming to an end. This ensures they can take a look at the market to see if switching to a new mortgage deal will save you money.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS INVOLVED? These are the fees which may be applicable when you remortgage, but remember that these upfront costs will probably be much lower than comparable ongoing savings you can make each month by remortgaging!
Early repayment charge (existing lender) An early repayment charge is a penalty applied if you repay your mortgage (or overpay more than is allowed) during a tie-in period. This is typically the length of time you are on an initial deal, e.g. fixed for two years.
Exit fee (existing lender) Also called a ‘deeds release fee’ or an ‘admin charge’, this is to pay for your current lender to forward on your title deeds to your solicitor.
Arrangement fee (new lender) In the past, this covered a lender’s administration costs. Now it’s the key part of the true cost of a mortgage, along with the interest rate. It can also be called a product fee, booking fee or application fee.
What are the benefits of doing this?
The main advantage of arranging your mortgage through a qualified professional mortgage broker is the wide range of mortgage products that they will have access to. A broker will have the experience, connections and technology to assess your financial situation and compare the different mortgage products and deals available and recommend a loan option that’s right for you.
Booking fee (new lender) Some lenders charge a mortgage booking fee to secure a fixed-rate, tracker or discount deal - it’s sometimes also called an application fee or a reservation fee. It’s unlikely you’ll be charged more than £100-£200.You’ll need to pay this fee (if your chosen mortgage has one) as soon as you submit your application. This booking fee is non-refundable.
Valuation fee (new lender) The good news here is that most remortgage packages give you this for free. If it’s not paid for you, expect to pay around £300-£400.
Conveyancing fee (solicitor) Legal work is required to remove the original lender’s interest from the property and register the new lender. The good news is that most remortgages include a free legal package.
Mortgage broker fee Some mortgage brokers will charge a fee for their advice and time in arranging the mortgage.
Admin fee If you are a Shared Owner or Equity Loan holder, then Radian will need to approve your mortgage. There is a fee of £60 including VAT for this. 03
are you going?
festival N
FEVER!
ow the summer months are finally upon us, what better way to spend a weekend than chilling outside? Most of us know about the larger festivals in our area such as Reading, Glastonbury and Isle of Wight, but have you ever dipped your flip-flopped toe in a smaller festival, or even a weekend event further afield?
HAMPSHIRE
WILTSHIRE
Somerley Beer Festival, Ringwood £10 adult tickets, u16s free Saturday 29th August
Larmer Tree Festival, Salisbury from £174 adult tickets from £63 for child tickets Tuesday 14th – Sunday 19th July
Car Fest, Overton from £60 adult day tickets £142 camping adult tickets Friday 28th - Sunday 30th August
Womad, Malmesbury £165 adult weekend £80 teenage (14-17) weekend free for 13 & under Friday 24th – Sunday 26th July
Victorious Festival, Southsea £25 adult tickets, £6 5-15yrs, £1 under 5s, £10 parking (day ticket prices) Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August
DORSET Jurassic Fields, Bridport £20 adult day, £15 adult evening, £3.50 child day, £2 child evening Saturday 11th July Bournemouth Air, Bournemouth
Whether you’re a festival fanatic or first timer, we’ve put together a selection of music, food & drink, and cultural events in our area for you to take a look at. So get out the pac-a-mac (it is a British summer afterall!), pick up the picnic basket and head to a field near you!
free event!
Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd August Summer Breeze on the Quay, Poole
free event!
from Thursday 23rd July, every Thursday til end of August
BERKSHIRE Windsor Festival, Windsor Various events
04
Field View Festival, Chippenham £45 weekend ticket Friday 6th - Sunday 9th August
DEVON Somersault Festival, Castle Hill £75 adult day ticket, £5 U10s day ticket, £135 adult weekend & camping, £75 11-17s weekend & camping, £5 U10 Thursday 23rd – Monday 27th July
CORNWALL Port Eliot Festival, St Germans £165 adult weekend, from £50 adult day, £70 8-17s weekend, from £25 8-17s day Friday 30th July – Sunday 2nd August Boardmasters, Watergate Bay & Newquay from £40 day tickets, from £149 camping tickets Wednesday 5th – Sunday 9th August
TIVERTON BALLOON FESTIVAL, TIVERTON £28 adult, £18 U16, £70 family ticket (3 day tickets) Day tickets £17 adult, £12 U16, £50 family
An annual hot air balloon, music & food festival, this one’s got it all! From learning circus skills to live bands, the Night Glow hot air balloon displays are not to be missed.
Friday 30th July Sunday 1st August
THE HAT FAIR, WINCHESTER
free event! Saturday 3rd Sunday 5th July
Originally a busking festival, the Winchester Hat Fair is the UKs longest running festival of outdoor arts. With its name from the tradition of the audience showing their appreciation by putting money in the hat at the end of the show, street performers, jugglers, dancers and many more take to the streets of the city to put on a show. What’s more, it’s free!
CAMP BESTIVAL, LULWORTH COVE £195 adult weekend £65 day ticket
Friday 30th July Sunday 1st August
The sister festival of the Isle of Wight Bestival, lashings of family fun, camping and live music from the likes of Clean Bandit, Bob Geldof and Only the Young is what Camp Bestival is all about! You can even enjoy a fine dining experience with a twist! Cuisine+Colour transforms the dining tradition into an artistic experience by serving dishes of colour made from natural ingredients; making a mess is apparently encouraged!
COMPETITION The Ladder team have managed to get hold of a set of family tickets to the Portsmouth Victorious Festival on Saturday 29th August and we’re giving them away to a lucky reader! For your chance to win the two adult and two under 16 day tickets, all you have to do is answer this simple question:
Where is ‘The Hat Fair’ held? Email your answer along with your full name, address and contact telephone number to theladder@radian.co.uk by midday Wednesday 22 July. No internet access? You can call our Team on 0800 145 6663 with your entry instead. Tickets are available for Saturday 29th August 2015 only and include 2 x adult tickets and 2 x under 16 tickets only. Tickets are not transferable & no alternative prize will be given. Any cancellation or changes to the published festival line up is not the responsibility of Radian. One entry per household. Entrants must be a Radian shared owner, equity loan holder or leaseholder only. Tickets must not be re-sold.
05
The new Radian Homes website has launched! radianhomes.co.uk Want to know more about your Shared Ownership home, making home improvement or repaying your Equity Loan? From July, this will be where you’ll find this information and more for Shared Owners and Equity Loan Home Owners.
postsales@radian.co.uk or call 0800 145 6663 for further information
handy guide to keep
GUIDE TO SINKING FUNDS A
sinking fund is a long term savings account that homeowners contribute to every month through service charges. It builds up every year and is used to pay towards any major works required, such as painting of communal areas. As payment for major works are required from the homeowner on completion, a sinking fund could mean that no additional payments are due when major works are needed.
Can I start a sinking fund at our property? Yes, if every homeowner in the building is agreeable Radian will work with you to agree suitable contributions, we’ll check the condition of the building and establish which parts may require work in the future. How do you work out how much I have to pay towards the sinking fund? We look at all of the component parts of the building (such as windows, roof, lifts, etc.) and approximate life expectancies for these. From this information our Finance team can work out how much is needed from each property to pay for the works when required. Other factors such as independent condition surveys, work previously carried out to similar properties, and inflation are also taken into account.
Will I be consulted about any works that are required? Yes. Radian are obliged to consult with you for any single item All new build properties have a sinking fund set up as of works that will cost more than ÂŁ250 per property. We will write a matter of course. Older properties, particularly those to you before we start any work to let you know what needs transferred from local authorities, do not normally have a sinking fund. This means that no monies have been put aside doing and give you the chance to have your say. If you have any by homeowners for any major works should they be required, comments, wish to nominate a contractor or have a query with the costs or works, you should contact Radian as soon as you so full payment will be invoiced once works have been receive your consultation letter. Information about consultation completed. Get in touch with us if legislation can be found at www.lease-advice.org. you want to find out if you pay into a sinking fund. What if I do not pay into a sinking fund?
07
refresh
FOR 2015 L
ooking to give your home a mini makeover this summer? Bored of looking at magnolia walls? We’ve put together ideas, hints & tips that can help you make your creative ideas come to life this season!
great online tools to give you decoration inspiration!
1
Pinterest.com – if you’re like us, you might find that a quick 5 minute search on Pinterest results in several hours mysteriously vanishing! Great for anything & everything from getting colour palette ideas, storage ideas and even some great ways to jazz up your existing furniture & knick knacks!
2
Homebase.co.uk – the highstreet home store have launched a great new tool called ‘Create Your Own Look’. The site enables you to upload a photo of the room you’d like to decorate, and then play around with hundreds of colours, wallpapers and ideas to see what colours work best!
3
YouTube.com – never wallpapered before? Not sure the best way to retile your kitchen? YouTube is packed with handy ‘how-to’ guides and videos, great for first time DIY-ers!
08
we love this!
bring ideas your to lif e! top 5 tips when decorating at home The Ladder team have spoken to Dave Edmonds, one of Radian’s Painter & Decorators. With over 40 years experience, he’s the go-to man for the job!
1
Get the best quality brushes you can afford. Dave recommends Purdy branded brushes. Cheaper brushes will save you money, but they can often moult which makes painting that much more difficult (& stressful!).
2
Looking for a perfect crisp edge when painting? Who isn’t! Frogtape is a must for a sharp, clean finish, especially when painting feature walls.
3
It might add a couple of extra hours to your decorating, but thoroughly preparing the room before opening the tin of paint is worthwhile. Remember to switch off any power to the room if you’re planning to take any light switches and plug sockets off the wall.
4
If painting an entire room, start with the ceiling first, followed by cutting in on walls. Get out the rollers to complete the walls and finish by glossing the skirting boards, doors and window frames. Perfect!
5
When cleaning any brushes or rollers, it might take a while but taking your time and thoroughly removing all traces of paint will mean you can use them again and again. Warm soapy water is enough cleaning power for emulsion, but you’ll need to get some white spirit when cleaning up gloss paint.
2.
1.
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ASK OLI, OUR RESIDENT EXPERT
what are considered home improvements? • Installation of double glazing & central heating (if not previously installed) • New fitted kitchen or bathroom • Addition of an extension/ conservatory/porch • Loft conversion • Addition of a garage/car port/ driveway/dropped curb • Cavity wall insulation
works that are considered repairs and/or maintenance are: • Redecorating your home (e.g. new
floor covering/decorating interior walls)
• Fitted wardrobes • New fence, patio or decking/garden landscaping/garden structures • Replacement central heating boiler • Re-wiring or re-plumbing • Rendering or texturing to the exterior of the property 10
Why do I need to let Radian know of improvements? As part of your Lease or Loan Deed, you must notify Radian of any improvements you intend to make prior to carrying them out. Improvements can be taken into account when you buy more shares (known as staircasing) if you are a Shared Owner or when you redeem (pay back) your loan (Equity Loan home owners), but only if they have been approved in advance. There are no fees involved when notifying us of your plans to make improvements, unless your improvements require approval of plans or detailed documents. There will be a fee of £30 inc VAT in these cases. What will I need to provide to Radian to show my improvements and who do I send it to? For Shared Owners you will need to contact your Neighbourhood Officer on 0300 123 1 567 who will approve any improvements.
For Equity Loan home owners, please contact the Post Sales team on 0800 145 6663. We will need to see details of what improvements you intend to make, along with the quotes and plans (if applicable). We will provide you with provisional approval at this stage. Once the improvements have been carried out, we will need evidence of this, in the form of photos, receipts etc. Do we need permission for repairs and maintenance? It is a condition of your lease/charge that you maintain your property, but you do not need our permission to carry out repairs and maintenance. These will not be taken into consideration when you redeem your loan or buy more shares.
WE CAN HEAR CHURCH BELLS... wedding s a e d i r u o v fa
sourced from Pinterest
A
re you getting married this summer? Firstly, congratulations! We know you’ve probably got a list as long as your arm of things to do for the big day, but don’t forget to update us with your new marital status and any name changes. Simply pop into one of our offices in Eastleigh, Petersfield, Ringwood or Windsor with your marriage certificate so we can take a copy, or send in a copy of your marriage certificate so we can update our records. A few of our team have tied the knot recently, so we’ve put together a list of other contacts you might have forgotten to update your details with – hopefully one less thing to worry about!
Docto
Memb
rs & d
entist
surge ries & loya lty ca Bank s & cr rds edit c Mobil a r d s e pho ne co Drive ntrac rs lice t nce & insura Coun nce cil tax comp & utilities anies ership
MOVING IN TOGETHER? psst... not applicable to leaseholders It’s possible to change your home into joint names as long as the person being added meets the eligibility criteria for the scheme you used to buy your home. To apply, first they will need to complete an application with their local Help to Buy agent, this information can be found by visiting www.helptobuy.org.uk. To assess your application we will need from the new owner: • 3 months payslips • 3 months bank statements • 2 forms of ID (photo and address) Once we have agreed this, you can instruct your financial advisor to arrange the mortgage in joint names and instruct a solicitor to carry out the legal work. There is a fee payable to Radian of £72 inc VAT.
Call the Post Sales team on 0800 145 6663 or postsales@radian.co.uk for more information and an application form.
11
LIVE IN AN APARTMENT?
no problem!
For great tips and inspiration, take a look at Pinterest, an online pinboard where you can search and browse for ideas. You don’t have to have a Pinterest account to look around the place either!
W
e’ve got lots of ideas to create your own little corner of garden bliss. Not green-fingered? Don’t worry, we’ve even got a some great life-hacks to make it much easier!
tips from the team...
1
Life hacks to make gardening easier. Stroke your tomatoes as they are growing! They say that lightly brushing your hands against tomato leaves stimulates a growth hormone in the plant encouraging radial (aka stockier) growth. Hello juicy toms!
2
Need something to do on a rainy day? Depending on the age of your children, collect stones and shells from the beach to paint and decorate. These will look great placed in plant pots on your balcony or in your garden.
3 4 5
Save old jam or chutney jars to use as tea light holders for your outdoor areas. Why not add some ribbon for effect? Did you know that using nettle water on roses helps them bud and grow?
Want to keep the pesky snails and slugs away from your tender veg plants as they pop out of the ground? Simply cut the bottom off a 1lt or 2ltr juice or water bottle and push this into the ground over the seedling, don’t forget to unscrew the top though! This will act as a mini greenhouse and let your seedling grow.
12
a g n i v ha bbq?
PREPARATION
TRY THIS HEALTHY & DELICIOUS TASTY RECIPE!
Summer Tomato Jam • • • •
Vegan Gluten free 1 hr to make Makes 2 pints
• • • •
1/4 tsp Ginger, ground 1 Lemon 2 lbs Tomatoes, ripe 1 1/2 cups Brown sugar, light
1.Add the tomatoes to a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to crush the tomatoes. 2.Transfer the tomato puree to a medium skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, lemon zest and juice, and ground ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and jammy – this will take about an hour. (To test, dip a cool, metal spoon into the jam. It should slide of the spoon in a thick sheet – not in watery droplets.) 3.Ladle the jam into the jars and seal. The jam is delicious right away, but tastes even better after a few weeks.
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stuck for ideas?
BOREDOM BUSTERS! W
ith the school holidays just round the corner, we know that the good old ‘British summertime’ might just throw a rainy day or two our way. With the kids indoors, here’s some ideas to banish any boredom (and avoid the TV!) this summer. BUILD A DEN Towels, pillow cases, duvets, sheets. Add a few pegs, possibly some string, and a torch. Done. Did you know from 29th May – 6th June 2015 was Build a Den Day with Save the Children? At Radian Homes we support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day each year so we’ll be keeping an eye on Den Day for next year!
GET SAVING LittleBird.co.uk is a great discount website for fun family days out, with the added bonus of up to 80% off daily deals! 14
SPEND THE DAY IN THE KITCHEN (with a twist!) Make some salt dough (strictly not for eating!) and make whatever your imagination creates! Any kids that love their arts and crafts will have great fun with this.
Ingredients
½ cup of salt ½ cup of water 1 cup of flour
Method
Mix it all together until the dough is dry and not sticky. Once you’ve made your decorations or ornaments, you can pop them in the microwave for a quick drying option. Zap them for 10 seconds at a time until they’ve gone hard, then grab the paint, glitter, ribbon or whatever takes your fancy & get decorating!
follow your lo cal cafes, parks, and kids entertainmen t venues on social media pages, they often post dis counts or competitions you won’t find anywhere else !
KIDS COMPETITION
summer fun kit
The editorial team at The Ladder have put together a Summer Fun kit for kids of all ages, ranging from board games to outdoor games kits. Worth £50, all you have to do is enter our simple competition:
How much flour is needed to make salt dough? Email your answer along with your full name, address and contact telephone number to theladder@radian.co.uk by Wednesday 22 July. Entrants must be aged 16 or under. One entry per child. Parent/guardian of the entrant must be named on our distribution list for The Ladder Summer 2015.
Did you know? Our Radian Homes and Radian websites are mobile-enabled. This means you can find all the information you need where ever you are! Our websites also now feature a Live Web Chat option for you – why not take a look next time you’re online? Taking a look at the websites on your phone or tablet?
MUST HAVE APPS THIS SUMMER F
or those rainy days, we’ve searched through the stores for apps that can keep you, the family and your friends entertained.
QUIZUP free
Who knows more about food, flags or football? Challenge your friends, family and the world to a 1-on-1 quiz, with a huge range of categories to choose from.
HEADS UP!
£0.78
Ever posted a celebrity’s name onto a friend’s forehead, then tried to mime who it is? Heads Up brings the excitement to your device. Get through as many famous names, characters and creatures under a time limit – the app even films the mimes!
Don’t forget to save the web page to your home screen for quicker access next time!
QUIVER – 3D COLORING STARBUCKS, GOURMET BURGER KITCHEN, NANDO’S free free Bringing colouring alive – children will love this app! After colouring in specially designed and printable sheets, point your smartphone at them and watch the on-screen magic play.
AROUNDME free
If you regularly purchase a morning coffee or an afternoon frappuccino, or make a monthly visit with friends to your local highstreet restaurant, remember to download the store’s app as they often have loyalty rewards that result in a freebie!
Adventuring to somewhere new? This travel app finds your location on a map, then tells you what local businesses are nearby – from restaurants and cinemas, to petrol stations and banks.
DRAW SOMETHING free
If you’re late to app party, you may have missed this gem? It’s great fun to play – even if you’re a stick-man standard artist! Simply draw a picture, send it to a friend and challenge them to guess it. 15
Contact Us For more information call our team on
0800 145 6663 Email us at
theladder@radian.co.uk www.radian.co.uk www.radianhomes.co.uk
Or write to us at: Radian Home Ownership Team Collins House Bishopstoke Road Eastleigh Hampshire SO50 6AD
CONTACT Post Sales
Leasehold Services
Main Contacts
Radian Head Office
Services including resales, staircasing, loan redemptions, remortgaging, downward staircasing and further borrowing.
Services including consents and lease variations, service charges, lease extensions and enfranchisements or any other general leasehold advice.
Reporting defects, rents and service charges, housing officers and management, all other general enquiries.
Collins House Bishopstoke Road Eastleigh Hampshire
0300 123 1 567 leasehold.advice@radian.co.uk
0300 123 1 567 radiandirect@radian.co.uk
0800 145 6663 postsales@radian.co.uk resales@radian.co.uk
SO50 6AD
Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION OR AN ARTICLE YOU’D LIKE US TO COVER.