Latest articles by Joseph Mullane
More than 54,000 UK solar panel owners could face £100 HMRC fine before the end of January
HMRC warning for solar panel owners as thousands may incur £100 fine this month for late online tax returns
How a UK heating scheme using old mines is attracting global attention
One year on, the Gateshead mine water heat Living Laboratory is drawing researchers from the US and Europe as evidence grows that warm water beneath disused coalfields could help decarbonise home heating
No energy bills for a decade: Scotland’s first Zero Bill homes open in Dundee
Dundee becomes home to Scotland’s first Zero Bills properties, giving residents up to 10 years of free energy
How 10ft parking poles have angered homeowners in a North Berwick conservation area
Residents say tall parking signage approved through the planning system has altered views, privacy and street character in one of East Lothian’s most sensitive historic areas
James Corden abandons £8.5m countryside home project amid ongoing planning issues
After years of planning delays and Section 106 obligations still awaiting sign-off, James Corden has sold his Oxfordshire estate, ending a long-planned self-build project
How you can get up to £30,000 for a stairlift, ramps, and other home upgrades through the Disabled Facilities Grant
Struggling with home access? Discover ways to upgrade your space without draining your savings
Transform a historic water reservoir into your architect-designed home in North Berwick
A rare opportunity to convert a historic landmark into a stunning coastal residence with breathtaking views
Could community solar panels save Brits from rising energy prices?
Solar power schemes nationwide could cut bills, increase energy independence and help communities share the benefits of clean energy, but barriers remain to widespread adoption
Are mortgages going down in 2026? What homeowners need to know
Mortgage rates are falling at the start of 2026, giving buyers and remortgagers a chance to secure historically low deals before rates rise again
Steve Backshall and Helen Glover reveal ferocious Storm Goretti damage to Lands’ End home
Steve Backshall and Olympian Helen Glover claim their Cornwall home was battered by Storm Goretti amid widespread UK storm damage
King Charles plans £6.5m sustainable extension at Dumfries House
Dumfries House faces major architectural changes as royal charity seeks planning and listed building consent for a sustainable east wing extension
Warm Homes Plan launched: how homeowners can access grants, loans and upgrades
The government has now formally launched the Warm Homes Plan, confirming how homeowners can access grants, low‑interest loans and fully funded upgrades
Homes at imminent risk on 'one of the fastest' eroding coastlines in Northern Europe
Great Yarmouth Borough Council says 14 Hemsby homes are at risk of imminent collapse amid Storm Goretti and severe erosion
Martin Lewis reveals how you can get a £6000 council tax refund
Martin Lewis reveals how savers have unlocked up to £6,000 in council tax refunds, and explains on his latest podcast and TV show how you can try it too
When and how you could soon claim Cold Weather Payments worth up to £25 a week
Freezing temperatures could unlock automatic £25 payments for eligible homeowners this winter
Mansion Tax raises fears over publicly identifying high-value homes for burglars
Warnings emerge that the new Mansion Tax could expose high-value homes to burglars by making property valuations and addresses more easily accessible
These planning reforms are coming in 2026
The government has proposed a raft of new planning reforms — here's what self builders and renovators need to know
How to turn your Christmas tree into firewood in three easy steps
Your Christmas tree doesn't just have to be for one day of the year, so rather than sending it to the tip, reuse it and keep your home warm at the same time
Heatmap shows this area to be largest Japanese Knotweed hotspot in the UK
One English city was shown to have the highest recordings of Japanese Knotweed in 2025, with the highest risk areas all having one thing in common
Planning and Infrastructure Bill becomes law, so will this make self-building easier?
The government’s Planning and Infrastructure Act introduces reforms aimed at reducing delays, lowering costs, and providing clearer pathways for self-builders and small housing projects
Stonemason’s death sparks renewed calls to ban artificial stone kitchen worktops
The death of a UK stonemason has intensified calls for stronger protections and a potential ban on high-silica engineered stone used in kitchens
£1,000 reward offered after 20ft metal gates stolen from property
Police are investigating theft as the homeowner offers a reward for the missing gates
Warm Homes Plan delayed, leaving millions of homeowners in the cold
The UK government’s £15bn scheme to improve home energy efficiency will not be published until January, leaving households unsure about support for insulation, heating, and ventilation upgrades
