Wouldn't it be great to have a friend already living in the area you are moving to?
Someone who could provide trusted advice on the up and coming areas, school catchments, local shops and restaurants, or real world commuting.
Relocation Agent Network members have been selected because they can bring that personal touch to their professional services. Our national network of hand-picked Relocation Agents work together to deliver expert advice whatever your budget.
Sounds expensive? Actually it costs you nothing, and is a standard part of the enhanced service offered by your local Relocation Agent Network member. Our difference is in the service, not the price.
To find your local Relocation Agent Network Agent click here https://www.relocation-agent-network.co.uk/search/default.aspx
With headlines proclaiming Britons were likely to pay 80% more for household energy costs this autumn, the Government has taken swift action with its proposed energy plan, the Energy Price Guarantee.
We’ve summarized here some key highlights of the plan, as well as actions homeowners and renters can take to control their costs.
What’s covered by the Energy Price Guarantee? And what’s not?
The bill announced by Prime Minister Liz Truss is intended to cap and control the rate of increase, in the face of shortages and supply risks related to the war in Ukraine and the global energy supply chain. The proposed plan addresses the rates that energy providers can charge but does not cap the cost of utility bills per se. As summarized by the BBC and other news sources:
· A typical household's energy bill will rise to £2,500 a year from 1 October (from £1,971) vs a previously projected £3,549 a year
· The "energy price guarantee" will last for two years to lessen that cost
· The government-mandated rate is fixed, but homeowner and renter bills will continue to be based on actual usage – there is no ‘cap’ on total billable amounts
· The plan applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, with a comparable plan being developed for Northern Ireland · Proposed one-off £400 fuel bill discount payments for households will go ahead in addition to the ongoing reduced rates
· The rates apply to most energy sources for heating and electricity, including heating oil
· There is no application process and individuals do not need to contact their energy providers
· The government plans to offset energy providers’ costs
What are the rules for renters?
· The Energy Price Guarantee is applied per unit of gas or electricity used for any household with a domestic electricity connection
· The cap will be applied if your landlord has a domestic electricity contract with a licensed electricity supplier
· Your landlord may be reselling the electricity to you based on your usage, in which case:
· They must comply with the maximum resale price rules - no profiteering on price
· The maximum resale price for electricity is currently set at the same price as the price paid to acquire it
Your landlord may charge an ‘all inclusive’ rent, where a fixed cost for energy usage is included in your rental charges, in which case:
· They are encouraged to come to an agreement with tenants on the Energy Price Guarantee in line with the arrangement in their tenancy agreements
· The landlord’s fixed charge may already provide tenants with similar protection from the impact of energy price increases
· The intent is for a plan to ensure landlord compliance and recourse for renters
How does the price cap work?
In all cases, the Energy Price Guarantee will replace the existing energy cap, which sets the highest amount suppliers are allowed to charge per energy unit. These energy units are displayed as kilowatt hours (kWh) on utility bills.
The estimated ‘typical’ household bill of £2,500 a year assumes 12,000 kWh of gas used per year, and 2,900 kWh of electricity per year. Note that there really is no ‘typical’ user or rate of use. The actual bill will reflect size of home, number of energy users in the property, rates of use and so on. Big energy users can expect to pay more than £2,500, and people who use less energy will pay less.
Consult the www.gov.uk link below for sample energy costs based on property size/usage
How Can Homeowners and Renters “Go Green” and Keep Their Costs Low?
Even with the rate caps, the cost of energy is going up. Homeowners and renters alike can take simple actions to reduce energy usage and further control their energy costs. Here are a few suggestions:
Major appliances are major energy users
Use an extra spin cycle in the washer…it reduces drying time. Consider line drying whenever possible
Wash in cold water and save the high energy cost of heating water
Don’t overpack the fridge – blocked air circulation makes the appliance less efficient
Turn off the lights and the laptop
Lights out is simple enough, but also unplug laptops, TVs, chargers
Your favorite gadget is using energy whenever it’s plugged in
Water Down
Maybe not fewer showers but definitely consider shorter ones
One dishwasher cycle is more eco-efficient than multiple sinkfulls of handwashed pots and pans
Don’t Overheat
Keep your winter thermostat at 22 and get cozy blankets
Program your smart thermostat to turn down the heat when you’re not home.
For more information:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58090533 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support/energy-bills-support-factsheet-8-september-2022
Drivers & Norris has been hand-selected by Relocation Agent Network to be London Islington's Local Expert when it comes to buying, selling, and renting.
Contact us today at 020 7607 5001 to find out more.
The Beacon Festival is a Music festival in Oxfordshire (Watlington) that is a family-friendly event, offering two days of music, fantastic food and fun activities for children, alongside supporting local charities and organisations and raising over £25,500.
Charities supported:
As a Relocation Agent Network member, we helped to collect items for the nation’s foodbanks. Relocation Agent Network collected items of food, and other supplies, between 13 and 17 June 2022, with the aim of making a difference to people living and going hungry in our local community.
Drivers & Norris was nominated and won the 2021 Best Agent Greater London Region Award by Relocation Agent Network.
The 2021 Best Agent Greater London Region Award is an annual prize that gives the winner the opportunity to be crowned the Network’s ‘Best Agent in the Greater London Region’. It is awarded to the agent who consistently demonstrates the Relocation Agent Network principles, including quality customer service, support for fellow members and professionalism.
Andrew Scott, Relocation Agent Network’s Managing Director commented, "Our Best Agent Regional Awards recognise those agents that demonstrate truly exceptional customer service and support for other members. Many congratulations to Drivers & Norris for their well-deserved nomination".
Prepare Now for a Successful Property Sale
Rightmove, (righmove.co.uk) a leading UK property website, reports* that “the number of new listings coming to market is also historically at its highest in March, though the high levels of buyer demand seen in the month mean that March is still the strongest month to sell.” Put simply, buyers are headed to the market. If you are looking to sell your home this year, spring is the prime season for buyers.
The market is busy, and the number of available properties is still low relative to buyer demand. Whilst some sellers may have concerns that their sales price will be adversely impacted by ‘too much competition’ in the marketplace, Rightmove data shows that, over the last 5 years (excluding 2020), the highest levels of enquiries per property come during March when the UK property market is at its most active.
A Few Tips
Buyers may be eager to see what’s on offer, but they also have high expectations when property is selling at premium prices. Before you put your property up for sale, invest the time now in preparation for achieving the best possible result.
Learn the Market. Look at recent sales and current listings. Compare your property to like properties and learn what they are interested in.
Clean Up and Clear Out. Now is the time to declutter – it makes the home more attractive and saves on your removal costs down the road. Discard and donate to local organizations, there is always a need. And after you have simplified your home’s interior look, invest in a deep clean of the property. First impressions really do make a difference.
Upgrade the Outside. Rightmove commented, “Gardens are likely to be high on the list of priorities for home-movers, as outdoor space continues to be a strong consideration factor when deciding on a next home.” No need for a total re-do of the garden, but consider touches that are proven to have a high rate of return, such as new plantings, a fresh and bright coat of paint on the door, upgraded external lightingand a power wash. Invite would be buyers in by having the best kerb appeal on your street.
Think Commercially, not Emotionally. You love your home and have made it special. But when it’s time to sell, it’s all about the transaction. Buyers will have questions and challenges. Don’t take that personally. Everyone in the transaction is looking for fair value. Be realistic in your expectations and use reliable data to make your pricing and sales decisions.
Become a ‘Power Buyer’. With[CM1] the market moving so quickly, you may be tempted to search for a new home before listing your current one on the market. Instead, become a ‘Power Buyer’ by making sure you have your current property on the market or preferably sold subject to contract before beginning your new home search.
Choose the Best Agent
For most people, property is by far their greatest financial investment. Make sure you manage your sale with care and the best available information by engaging a top-quality estate agent. They can help advise you every step of the way.
If your plans this year include a relocation, for business or for personal choice, there is no time like the present to start preparing.
The firms and agents in the Relocation Agent Network (RAN) are certified professionals in sales across England, Scotland and Wales. Whether you are moving in town or across the country, RAN agents offer local expertise to prepare you for the best sales outcome, and connect you with like professionals in your destination.
Make the most of the Spring market…prepare your property for a successful sale. The signs are strong for the coming months.
Making a donation to the food bank meant keeping people safe
Managing Director Scott Hailou and team at Drivers & Norris are no strangers to fundraising or campaigns to support their local community. Due to the coronavirus pandemic Scott took the decision to make a donation rather than a collective drive for food on behalf of Drivers & Norris to the Islington Trussell Trust food bank.
Team Drivers & Norris continuing to offer compassionate and practical support
Scott comments “we continuing to offer compassionate & practical support to people in crisis in this difficult time”#InItTogether #StrongerTogether. Residents and tenants of Drivers & Norris are being supported with regular calls of support and reassurance, shopping and home deliveries for the elderly and those in isolation. These simple acts of kindness by the team maintains a better daily state of mind to keeping safe and enhancing their mental wellbeing.
We are always thinking of further ideas to support our local community
Ideas in supporting the NHS are being put to the Drivers & Norris landlords with vacant properties. The aim is to house the emergency front line workers in providing reduced or rent free accommodation for a month whilst the covid19 is at a high risk, this will enable the NHS families at home to keep safe.
Drivers & Norris has been crowned Agent of the Year by the Relocation Agent Network.
The London based agent won the platinum award at last Friday’s awards bash, hosted by TV presenter Huw Edwards and which followed a well-received members’ conference.
RAN managing director Richard Tucker said: “This year’s Relocation Agent Network national conference and exhibition gave our members a fantastic opportunity to learn from the UK’s top business minds, as well as from each other.
“Our awards dinner was a fitting end to the day, with evening host Huw Edwards making it a great celebratory occasion.”
#AgentsLoveMudChallenge Complete and we raised £2500 for Agents Giving We battled against the elements: mud, rain, water, sun and managed to finish the 7K course. Yayyy:) All of us are in pain, full of bruises, but it was all worth it for a good cause.
In the UK right now, more people than ever are going hungry. Each year Relocation Agent Network and its members team up with Agents Giving, to support our local food banks to help provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty.
Drivers & Norris are delighted to have ten accredited Relocation Agent Specialists.
The accreditation was awarded by Relocation Agent Network and is achieved by completing a comprehensive online training programme, The Importance of Service.
A national network of independent estate agents (of which Drivers & Norris is a member), Relocation Agent Network introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.
To be successfully accredited, participants must complete three phases of learning, which begins with four training sessions on the importance of customer service. This is followed by three online seminars covering the Relocation Agent Network Referral Process and how best to help customers who are relocating around the UK. Finally, participants must convert their theoretical learning into a practical skill set by delivering assistance to three relocating customers.
By working with fellow members across England, Scotland and Wales, Relocation Agent Network members provide an exclusive relocation referral service to customers. For those relocating to London, Drivers & Norris guides their customers through the daunting task of moving to an unfamiliar location. This includes local area information on schools and amenities, popular neighbourhoods and (of course) finding the right property for them. The introduction of a Relocation Agent Specialist to the Drivers & Norris team, ensures that this process is made even smoother.
Managing Director Scott Hailou said, “We take staff development very seriously and the Relocation Agent Network accreditation is a great example of what can be achieved when staff are supported properly to improve their skill set. Of course, having five Relocation Agent Specialists in the team is also great for our relocating customers.”
Relocation Agent Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker said, “Selected by us as the best independent estate agent to represent the Network in the Islington, Drivers & Norris have proved themselves as the area’s Local Expert. So with the addition of in-house Relocation Agent Specialists, they have gone one step further to provide relocating buyers and sellers with the very best customer service.”
Relocation Agent Network is a national network of specially selected estate agents. All members are handpicked after thorough checks identify them as the best estate agent to represent Relocation Agent Network in their area. The Network provides coverage throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Relocation Agent Network is a division of Cartus, the premier provider of global relocation services.
Advice Guide: Selling Your Home
Advice Guide: Buying a House
Advice Guide: Renting
Advice Guide: Relocating
Advice Guide: Moving with Children
Our staff participate in a wide variety of local, national charitable causes and events, raising money, but also providing time and hands on support. We are proud of the support we have given various good causes and are always eager to look at new opportunities to provide assistance.
Examples of Charities and events we have supported in 2018:
Our staff participate in a wide variety of local, national charitable causes and events, raising money, but also providing time and hands on support. We are proud of the support we have given various good causes and are always eager to look at new opportunities to provide assistance.
Examples of Charities and events we have supported in 2019:
Drivers & Norris are proud to announce that they have helped to collect more than 15,000 items of food for the nation’s foodbanks. Organised by Relocation Agent Network – of which they are a member – the #RANFoodbank10k event included estate agents from across England, Scotland and Wales. This is the second year that Relocation Agent Network has hosted such an event, which coincided with Agents Giving’s ‘Support Your Local Foodbank’ event on 20 June. Agents Giving is a UK-based charity that works with estate and letting agents and their suppliers to encourage and support fundraising activities. Scott Hailou, said, “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to visit our office and make a donation. Without them, Relocation Agent Network would never have exceeded their 10,000 target to reach a staggering 15,000 items.”
Oxfordshire’s Best Family weekend music event is held in Watlington in June.
A not-for-profit event that provides probably the best location to watch live music not just in Oxfordshire but probably in the UK. It is not just about the music at our event, the whole family is catered for with a dedicated kids Zone, a variety of workshops and skills demonstrations. Supported by various food outlets, a well-stocked real ale bar, cider bar and guest bars offering options to make the night extra special.
Charities supported;
Our clients manage the moves of the world’s best known companies. Our job is to make sure those moves are supported with personal care, local expertise, and the highest quality of compliance and business services standards. With over 35 years of experience, innovation, and leadership in the relocation industry, we’re uniquely qualified to deliver solutions that support the success of our clients and their customers.
We make relocation management easier by coordinating and delivering a suite of solutions when and where our clients need us. Our services are at the core of relocation success for employees, their families and for companies with workforce mobility needs around the world.
