Latest articles by Joseph Mullane
Could you take on the challenge of converting this former tiny police office into your home?
A previous police office with approved planning permission for a detached two-bedroom home, has come onto the market in West Sussex
Deadly kitchen worktop dust warning sparks stone cutting ban
Regulator launches nationwide inspections and bans unsafe cutting methods after silicosis deaths linked to engineered stone dust
Leaving wheelie bins out too long could lead to legal action, expert warns
Legal expert warns that leaving wheelie bins out for too long could escalate from neighbour nuisance into formal complaints, council enforcement and even civil claims
These are the smartest spots to install plug-in solar panels around your home, according to an expert
A renewables electrical engineer shares the best places to position plug-in solar panels to maximise efficiency, including balconies, patios, garages and garden walls
Experts reveal the only way to go about Japanese knotweed removal if you find it in your garden
Japanese knotweed removal is essential as it can bring your build or renovation plans to a grinding halt. Here, we explain the damage this plant can do and how to get rid of it
Lloyds offers £5k-deposit mortgage – but bars Bank of Mum and Dad support
High street lender launches 98% mortgage for first-time buyers, but excludes parental or family support for the deposit
The items most commonly linked to lithium-ion battery fires in the UK have been revealed
Insurer analysis based on UK fire service data highlights the household items most commonly linked to lithium-ion battery fires as incidents continue to rise across the UK
Abandoned Devon workshop with plans for three new homes hits market for £375k
A former workshop building in North Devon with planning permission for three homes and a 1.5-acre yard has gone up for sale
Hidden heat pump insulation faults could be costing UK homes £74 a year
Poor insulation on heat pump pipework is being linked to avoidable energy losses in UK homes, according to industry figures presented at a major energy conference
Are you missing out on your right to recycle old electronics for free?
Retailer take-back schemes already give many UK consumers a legal, no-cost way to recycle old electronics, yet awareness remains low as Simpler Recycling reforms are changing how household waste is handled
Homebuilding costs rise £76K since 2020, as taxes and regulations are blamed in new report
A new report says a growing burden of taxes, levies and regulations is driving up the cost of building homes across the UK
Can you put shredded paper in recycling bins? The answer may surprise you
Homeowners are being warned that a common household habit could be undermining recycling efforts, as new Simpler Recycling rules aim to reduce confusion and contamination across England
Homeowners face strict steps to secure £500 EV charger grant before 2027 deadline
Homeowners may be eligible for up to £500 towards installing an EV charger, but only if they meet strict criteria and complete a defined approval process before installation begins
Thinking of plug-in solar? Expert highlights a key reason some UK homes may not be ready for it
Experts warn that while plug-in solar is making renewable energy more accessible in the UK, not every home is electrically prepared for it
No food waste bin yet? Homeowners advised to dispose of their scraps in these 6 ways
As food waste collections continue to roll out across England, some households are still waiting for caddies and are being advised on ways to manage kitchen scraps in the meantime
Japanese knotweed is affecting 7% of UK homes and reducing property values by around 5% in 2026
New research highlights the growing financial impact of Japanese knotweed on UK homeowners as millions of properties face reduced value and tougher selling conditions
Simple EV charger installs may be a thing of the past due to new rules, says industry expert
New electric rules are making home EV charger installations more complex, with one industry leader warning that there is now far less room for error
Heat pump tumble dryers set to become standard as traditional tumble dryers face ban
Traditional tumble dryers are set to be phased out under proposals led by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, with heat pump tumble dryers expected to become the standard in UK homes
New £2,500 heat pump grants to help cool homes announced
Scheme expanded to support systems that provide both heating and cooling in UK homes
This 15ft invasive plant that produces toxic sap continues to appear in British gardens – and it's coming into season now
Giant hogweed is re-emerging across parts of the UK this spring, with homeowners in high-risk areas being warned as growth accelerates into May
7 in 10 homeowners underestimate bathroom renovation costs — are you one of them?
New FMB research reveals a major gap between homeowner expectations and real-world bathroom renovation costs, raising concerns over budgeting mistakes and exposure to rogue traders
Octopus GO customers furious after ‘not enough’ notice given before price hikes
Octopus Energy EV tariff users react after being told their off-peak charging rates will rise from 1 May with less than two weeks’ notice
£44m government-backed insulation scheme fraud probe leads to four arrests
Dawn raids across England follow allegations that millions were claimed for insulation work under a government-backed scheme that has faced wider criticism over quality and oversight
