
Joseph Mullane
News editor, Joseph, previously contributed to publications like Today's Media and Chambers & Partners, where he specialised in covering news relevant to conveyancers and industry professionals. Recently, Joseph embarked on a personal project– constructing his own residence on his family's farm.
With planning approval secured for a charming three-bedroom timber frame house on a one-acre plot, the groundwork is already underway. He has set his sights on completing the construction by the following year.
Prior to this, Joseph had undertaken various home improvement projects, including a substantial renovation of his family's house and several DIY endeavours, such as shower installations, shed construction, and the creation of livestock enclosures and shelters for the farm's animals.
Beyond his passion for home construction, Joseph also has a deep love for rugby and has contributed to Rugby World, the world's leading rugby magazine.
Joseph previously worked as a History teacher but moved into news journalism, in particular journalism that covered areas he was personally affected by including homebuilding and the construction industry.
Latest articles by Joseph Mullane

Octopus GO customers furious after ‘not enough’ notice given before price hikes
By Joseph Mullane published
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
By Joseph Mullane published
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

Homeowners arrested after cowboy builder claims they 'harassed' him over 'unsafe' rear extension
By Joseph Mullane published
Builder left family’s extension “unsafe and incomplete” after taking £44,000 of their money

Former workshop site in Marham gains consent for four self-build homes
By Joseph Mullane published
A former workshop site in Marham is being marketed with a guide price of £480,000 and outline consent already in place for four self-build plots

Can you be forced to pay for recycling bins under new rules?
By Joseph Mullane published
As England’s new simpler recycling system rolls out, households are questioning whether councils can now charge for recycling bins or if they remain part of standard waste services

No driveway, no problem? New rules could unlock at-home EV charging
By Joseph Mullane published
Planning rule changes could soon remove the need for permission to install pavement-based EV charging solutions, opening up at-home charging for homes without driveways

Why appealing a planning rejection just got tougher for homeowners from April
By Joseph Mullane published
Homeowners face tougher planning appeals rules from April as the government limits second chances and tightens what can be considered after a refusal

£9,000 heat pump grant boost announced for some UK homeowners
By Joseph Mullane published
Oil boiler homeowners in rural and off-gas-grid areas will be eligible for a higher £9,000 heat pump grant under an expanded UK government scheme

Rogue trader falsified asbestos reports to scam homeowners out of thousands of pounds for removal
By Joseph Mullane published
Rogue asbestos trader altered lab results and misled homeowners into paying for unnecessary removal work, a court has heard

The 6 best home security systems of 2026 that offer smart, simple and reliable protection
By Rebecca Foster, Joseph Mullane last updated
The best home security systems offer much more than a traditional burglar alarm and provide comprehensive monitoring

Washing line neighbour dispute sparks talk of council action over 'ruined view' claim
By Joseph Mullane published
Neighbour dispute over garden washing line escalates after complaints about outdoor laundry spark mention of possible council involvement

Largest zero energy bills homebuilding plan yet launched in UK
By Joseph Mullane published
Octopus Energy have launched a 300-home development in Wisbech, set to become the UK’s largest scheme offering zero energy bills for at least 10 years

London housebuilding 94% below target as sector is said to have 'collapsed'
By Joseph Mullane published
Industry figures and developers warn London housing delivery has fallen dramatically short of need, with starts reported at just 5,891 in 2025

New UK wiring rules affect where you can install electrical systems in or around your home
By Joseph Mullane published
New UK wiring rules affect where key electrical systems such as EV chargers, batteries and smart wiring can be installed inside and around the home

Can you be fined for putting recycling in your general waste bin?
By Joseph Mullane published
England’s new Simpler Recycling rules aim to reduce landfill and contamination, but what happens if you toss recyclables into the general waste bin?

Mary Berry's garden pest tips for April that use kitchen leftovers as natural deterrents
By Joseph Mullane published
Simple kitchen leftovers can be used as natural deterrents for common garden pests this April, as part of Mary Berry garden pest tips for low-chemical, seasonal gardening

Home battery systems banned from lofts under new wiring rules
By Joseph Mullane published
New UK wiring regulations published by the IET and BSI restrict where home battery systems can be installed, ruling out lofts and other higher-risk areas

The councils that are exempt from new recycling rules until 2040 (and later)
By Joseph Mullane published
While most councils prepare for England’s biggest recycling overhaul in decades, a growing list of authorities have secured exemptions allowing them to delay new food waste rules until as late as 2043

As planning permission application costs rise, could getting pre-application advice save you money?
By Joseph Mullane published
Planning consultants say early pre-application advice could help homeowners avoid costly planning mistakes, but others warn it is no guarantee of success

Why compostable coffee pods can’t go in food waste bins under new recycling rules
By Joseph Mullane published
Government guidance under Simpler Recycling confirms that compostable coffee pods are not accepted in household food waste collections across England

EV chargers, solar batteries and smart systems in your home must comply with these new electric rules from April 15
By Joseph Mullane published
Major updates to UK electrical standards to improve the safety of lithium-ion use in homes will affect household energy systems, smart wiring, and data networks, from April 15

This £310k overgrown plot could be transformed into two homes with sea views
By Joseph Mullane published
An overgrown coastal plot in Sennen, Cornwall, offers space for two detached homes and sweeping views over Sennen Cove

New five-plot custom-build scheme lets you create your own home in Essex
By Joseph Mullane published
Brambles Yard in White Colne offers five custom-build plots allowing buyers to personalise homes within a low-density countryside development

Mansion tax to hit 165,000 homeowners — 45,000 more than expected
By Joseph Mullane published
High-value property tax set to hit 165,000 UK homeowners, with many likely to appeal

How much does planning permission cost? A planning expert explains
By Simon Rix, Joseph Mullane last updated
How much does planning permission cost? Before setting out on your self build journey it’s important to be aware of the costs you’ll incur from the outset, as planning consultant Simon Rix explains
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