Reducing My Flood Risk

Protecting your property is a key part of helping to reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business.

What can I do?

For details of the range of things that you can do to protect yourself see the National Flood Forum’s information booklet Ready for flooding. This includes advice on preparation for floods and flood recovery; it provides advice on insurance and can also help you to prepare your own individual flood plan.

Property Level Protection (PLP) measures can be categorized into the following two groups:

• Flood resistance measures, which can form a barrier against flood water, helping to keep it out of your home,
• Flood resilience measures, such as replacing carpets with waterproof tiling and raising electricity sockets in order to reduce the impact of any floodwater that does enter your property may have, as well as aiding the recovery process.

Each building, flood situation and person is unique, so it is very important to choose the right resistance/resilience measures to fit your circumstances. The Property Protection Advisor funded by Defra as part of their work to reduce the impact of flooding, provides an estimate of the costs of resistance measures for different types of home.

Navigate to “WHAT IS PLP?” using the side menu, for more information.

Used appropriately, PLP can help to provide you with peace of mind and is an important part of helping to protect your property. However, always seek professional advice before making alterations to your home. It is also important that flood products are properly maintained and checked regularly so they are ready to use when needed. A guide for householders on the process of helping to protect your property can be found at the Six Steps to Flood Resilience.

Defra has published the ‘20140519 – PLP Advice for Local Authorities‘ guide for Local Authorities.  The JBA Consulting report is a resource for scheme promoters at Local Authorities and the Environment Agency, as well as for homeowners and community flood groups, to support the appraisal, planning, installation and monitoring of property-level protection (PLP) schemes.  The guide presents good practice and examples of successful schemes to encourage wider uptake through communities taking similar effective action.”

You can record evidence that your PLP measures have been installed properly by completing an EA Flood Risk Report before, during and after the process. A BSI Kitemark has been developed for some flood protection products which offers a level of confidence through the knowledge that these products have undergone strict testing. Further information on flood protection can also be found at the Flood Protection Association.

The National Flood Forum publishes Blue Pages, a directory of products and services designed to help protect against flooding.

Use the side menu to launch the Property Protection Adviser and generate a report for your individual property or community as a whole. The report will identify the indicative cost of measures, as well as providing useful links to further information and advice.

Please note that any information that you provide will only be used to inform your report and will not be passed on to third party organizations.

See also

Repair and Renewal Grant

Source:- http://www.nationalfloodforum.org.uk/property-level-protection-community-tool/

Hans Place, SW1XA beautifully refurbished and meticulously designed six bedroom town house located on one of the most sought after garden squares in Knightsbridge.

£15,500,000For sale

For sale

Property details

A substantial, freehold, Grade II listed period town house that has been elegantly refurbished and meticulously designed to provide spacious lateral living. The house enjoys wonderful light and has southern exposure.  The property benefits from five bedrooms of which three have en-suite bathrooms, a shared bathroom on the top floor and two additioanl WC's. There is generous bespoke storage throughout. The staff flat affords a fourth en-suite. 

Located on one of the most sought-after garden squares on the Chelsea-Knightsbridge boundary, the property is arranged over six floors and is south-west facing. The ground floor and first floor boast unusually generous lateral space with large and well-proportioned rooms, all with Southern, Eastern or Western exposure.  Situated at the end of a terrace, the house is widely regarded as occupying the prime position on Hans Place, as it captures sunlight throughout the day. Further more, the property  comes with two keys - one to Hans Place Gardens and one to Cadogan Gardens (with a tennis court).

The lower ground floor of this property contains a gym, a bespoke wine cellar, utility room and a staff flat -- all fully refurbished and modernized.  The staff flat has an in-built kitchen, living room, bedroom and fourth en-suite bathroom and its own access.  (In the past, it has been leased-out as a rental property, providing a rent at £550 per week.)

The ground floor has a large, stunning, oak-panelled living room with superb floor to ceiling heights as well as a substantial fireplace featuring a magnificent Red Delhi sandstone stone surround. The kitchen and dining room are positioned at the front of the building with two large skylights built into the kitchen’s ceiling, drawing light down to the gym in the basement. The breakfast room just off the kitchen provides a perfect, bright snug.

The first floor comprises an impressive, cove ceiling master suite that occupies the whole of the East wing and benefits from a ladies’ dressing room, generous cupboard space and a large en-suite bathroom. The large formal drawing room, also on the first floor, has spectacular floor to ceiling French windows with Juliette balconies overlooking the garden square. The room spans the west wing and provides access to a well-maintained roof terrace.

Bedrooms two and three occupy the second and third floor respectively, both benefitting from en-suite bathrooms, southwest exposure and substantial storage. Bedroom three has a separate dressing area.

Bedrooms four and five occupy the fourth floor and benefit from a shared bathroom and a separate dressing room. This space is ideal for guests or teenage children.

The entire property has been upgraded, double-glazed, re-plumbed, re-wired, sound and heat insulated and modernized over the past three years by the owner. 

The property benefits from a stylish, large single garage with an electric car charging unit.  The garage has additional space for storage and the electric door has been widened to provide enough space for a large executive car or SUV. There is further potential to extend the basement by an additional 400 sqft, subject to the necessary planning permissions.  The house benefits from extensive additional cellarage and two attics, providing unusual storage space for central London.

Hans Place is supremely located between Harrods and Sloane Street with fabulous shopping and restaurants only a short walk away.  The original house was built in 1792.  Two floors and the impressive east wing were added in 1904 by the Earl of Suffolk, and the home reflects  the height of Edwardian English design with a contemporary, tasteful twist.

Please note: Viewings for all properties are arranged directly on the Sellmyhome website

Source:- https://www.sellmyhome.co.uk/properties/hans-place
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50+ Renting Tips

Rental rights, energy tips, letting fees & more

People in over a third of households in England and Wales are now renting, and it can be mega-costly. We've 50+ tips to help you rent a home cheaply and safely.

50+ renting tips, including...

• • 1Ensure you've got contents cover
  • 2Check your deposit's protected
  • 3Tricks to get your deposit back
  • 4Save £100s by switching energy companies
  • 6Grab FREE sofas, beds, TVs and more

• • 10Your landlord should ask before entering
  • 13Check whether you need your own TV licence
  • 15Save 60%+ on rent - be a property guardian
  • 19Try special picture strips instead of nails
  • 34Double-check the inventory

Huge thanks to Crosse + Crosse Solicitors, Clarke Mairs LLP & all forumites who suggested tips. This guide has been written with English and Welsh law in mind, though much of it will apply to Scotland and NI. See the Scottish Government & NI Direct sites for more.

Ensure you've got contents cover from as soon as you move in

If you rent, your landlord is responsible for buildings insurance, so you should only be getting contents cover (essentially, it's for stuff that'd fall if you turned your home upside down).

Property Guardians

 
• Contact us

Property Guardians

There are hundreds of thousands of empty properties in the UK which stand vacant for a variety of reasons. They include flats and houses, offices, churches, sports halls and more. Ad Hoc provides a service that is of benefit to both property owner and those looking for low cost accommodation by putting these buildings back into use.

Who can become an Ad Hoc Property Guardian?

Anyone looking for affordable accommodation who is responsible and employed can apply to become a Property Guardian. As a Guardian you would be allocated a room or property in an area to suit you, with prices ranging from £150 to £500 per month. Communal areas such as kitchens are shared.  You simply live in the building as your home, effectively house-sitting for the owner.

Being a Guardian differs from a tenancy and the rights and responsibilities are different.  This will be explained to you in detail at your induction and you will receive a Guardian Handbook detailing Ad Hoc house rules.  The main difference is that we operate under a licence agreement and are able to terminate this with only 28 days' notice.  We do, however, always try our best to rehouse our Guardians.

What does Ad Hoc offer?

• Residential or commercial buildings to choose from  
• Live in a former office, church, care home, library or even stately home or a standard flat
• Low cost - from just £35 per week including bills
• Flexible contracts, no tenancy agreement - just 2 week's notice required from you to leave the property
• UK-wide locations

Source:- http://adhoc.eu/great-britain/property-guardian/

Rent A Garage From Us

I see you can rent a garage from your local council, whether you are a tenant of theirs or not!  This is just an example.

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Rent a garage from us

We have garages available to rent at various sites across Cambridge, available to residents, leaseholders and commuters. Some areas are more popular than others, so there may be a waiting list.

Rent currently starts from £9.36 per week plus VAT. Cambridge City Council tenants are not required to pay VAT.

Four weeks' rent and a £50 deposit is required on the day you sign up, and all private tenants are required to pay by Direct Debit.

Our map (below) shows where our garages are and how many garages we own in each block. The information is also in our list of garages [PDF].

If you have any questions about renting a garage, or need any repairs for your garage, contact our customer service centre.

Apply

Download an application form [RTF, 301kB] and return it to the north area housing office or south area housing office.

If you are offered a garage you will be required to sign a Garage Agreement, which outlines your responsibilities on usage of the garage. We will not issue an agreement to Cambridge City Council tenants or leaseholders who are in arrears with their rent or service charges.

Priority will be given to existing council tenants and applicants with restricted mobility.

Garage rental costs

Tenant details	Priority	Weekly cost
Residential tenants of Cambridge City Council (for storing modes of transport only)	1	£9.36
Residents / council leaseholders living within half a mile walk from garage (for storing modes of transport only)	1	£9.36 + VAT
Other residents within the city boundary (for storing modes of transport only)	2	£11.36 + VAT
Public bodies and charities (for storing modes of transport only)	3	£15.63 + VAT
Anyone from the categories above using a garage solely for storage Residents outside the city boundary (for modes of transport or other storage) Businesses inside or outside the city boundary (for modes of transport or other storage)	4	£17.63 + VAT

Using your garage

You may use the garage for domestic use to keep a private mode of transport in, as well as to store bicycles, personal household or garden items. However, if you use the garage solely for storage purposes, you must pay the higher rate rent (see table above). Large-scale vehicle repairs are not permitted.

You are responsible for your garage, which includes reporting any repairs that are needed. Your garage agreement may be terminated if we receive complaints about noise or nuisance caused by you or visitors.

We will carry out any necessary repairs to the garage; routine repairs are usually carried out within 28 days. Any damage caused by misuse of the garage will be repaired, however the cost of the repair recharged to you.

Ending an agreement

If you wish to end your Garage Agreement, you must give at least one full week's notice in writing to your local housing office.

You agree to return your garage clean and clear of all items and return the keys to your garage to us promptly. If you fail to meet these conditions you will be charged for any clearance costs.

If you break any part of the agreement we will issue a Notice to Quit (this will end your agreement) and take possession of the garage. You will also be charged for forced entry, clearance, and a lock change. If you incur any costs they will be deducted from your deposit.

Map of garages - see website

Source:- https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/garages-for-rent