Latest articles by Joseph Mullane
Renovation costs drop 25% since 2023, bringing 'good news' for homeowners and tradespeople
After years of high prices and supply headaches, UK home improvements are now significantly cheaper as materials stabilise and labour inflation eases
What went wrong at King Charles-backed £1.2bn eco village that sits empty 13 years after the homes were built?
An eco village in South Wales remains largely empty, showing the challenges of creating sustainable communities at scale
Why pink mould in your shower might not be as harmless as you think
Ever noticed pink ‘mould’ or slime in your shower in the morning? We explain what it is, what causes it, how you can get rid of it, and how to prevent it coming back
Standing charges on energy bills set to fall by £40 a year from April, confirms Martin Lewis
Energy bills set to ease as standing charges fall, with all households set to benefit
'Mortgage prisoners' lose appeal against TSB in High Court ruling
Court of Appeal confirms that borrowers cannot force lenders to lower inherited mortgage rates, a ruling that could affect homeowners looking to refinance or fund home improvements
Major changes to how EPCs are assessed are coming soon, and it’s set to impact millions of homes
The UK government is introducing a new Home Energy Model that will change how Energy Performance Certificates are calculated for millions of homes
Heat pump boom gains pace, but only one in 20 homes set to switch by 2030
Record heat pump sales show momentum is building, but millions of UK homes are still unlikely to switch to low-carbon heating by the end of the decade
Planning to build your own home? Building near a train station could almost guarantee planning permission
Building your own home near a train station could soon make planning permission more likely and increase the number of plots available for self-builders
Bricks that birds can nest in become mandatory in Scottish homes
New law embeds wildlife protections into building standards, with direct consequences for homeowners, developers, and anyone planning to build
World’s first Passivhaus church conversion features in Guy Martin’s 'House Without Bills' TV show
Guy Martin explores innovative Passivhaus retrofits, including a historic church conversion and a suburban home, showing practical ways to cut energy bills and carbon emissions
Tougher flood-risk building rules on the way as government unveils £10.5bn plan to shield nearly 900k homes
The government sets out funding and policy updates aimed at improving flood resilience across England
Rochelle and Marvin Humes share first update on dream house build after a two-year wait
Rochelle & Marvin Humes share first glimpse of their “forever home”
Millions of historic homes 'risk falling into disuse' as calls grow for automatic planning consent
Warning that outdated heritage planning rules are stalling energy upgrades to listed buildings, putting historic homes at risk of becoming cold, costly and uninhabitable
IKEA’s new smart home range makes upgrading your home easier than ever
With 21 new Matter-compatible products, IKEA is expanding how homeowners can integrate smart lighting, sensors and controls into everyday living
Why your home extension could cost more under proposed architect rule
Labour is considering plans that would make hiring a qualified architect mandatory for home extensions – a move critics warn could increase costs and bureaucracy for homeowners
Energy suppliers to be held accountable for faulty and delayed smart meter installations
Customers could receive £40 compensation for delayed installations, failed appointments or unresolved smart meter faults
Feed-in Tariffs: How 800,000 households with solar panels may earn less due to payments change
Solar households will still see payments rise each year, but at a slower rate, after the Government confirmed changes to how Feed-in Tariff payments are linked to inflation
Man who turned £500 boat into his home awaits planning decision
A Worcestershire dad transforms a £500 boat into an off-grid riverside home, while awaiting council approval to see if it qualifies as a legal residence
Man who claimed planning permission laws did not apply to him jailed for 12 months
Cheshire East Council took action after the homeowner had repeated breaches and ignored numerous court orders to remove two homes he built
Water bills rising by £33 a year, but could your home qualify you for a discount?
Household water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by an average of £33 a year from April, but millions of households could be eligible for discounted bills
The hidden kitchen organisation features four in five homeowners are adding without you noticing
Task-specific built-ins and clever storage solutions are reshaping UK kitchens as functionality becomes a top priority
Monty Don’s garden floods again — but he finds an unexpected upside
Even as Storm Chandra hits Longmeadow, Monty Don finds calm and purpose in the soggy conditions
What to do if you haven’t received your Winter Fuel Payment — and when you need to claim it by
Most Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, but if yours hasn’t arrived, there are clear steps to take – and a deadline you need to be aware of
