As you continue to search, find, offer and move over the Christmas period, so we will be open and available to work with you. We will all rest on the Bank Holidays; other than that members of the team will be here continuing with our first class service assisting you with your property sale, rental or management. In the event of an emergency with any of our managed properties, on any day, please call the management phone on 07824 467518
Now is the time to make sure your property is ready for the winter
01 Check that there is plenty of oil, gas and/or other fuels needed.
02 Check that boilers have been serviced and are in good working order.
03 Chimneys/flues including Aga and Rayburn flues should be swept annually.
04 Check that septic tanks have been emptied.
05 Check that white goods are in good working order.
06 Check that pipes are insulated with lagging where sensible.
07 Pay particular attention to outside taps and it may be worth turning off the water supply all together to outside taps or at least ensuring they are insulated.
08 Check that you are aware of the location of the stopcock and that it works.
09 Check the guttering to ensure it is free from blockages and leaves as this reduces the risks of leaks.
10 If there is a persistent cold spell it is advisable to keep the heating on low constantly to prevent pipes freezing. If you are going away remember to leave the heating on to prevent pipes freezing.
11 Bleed radiators; keeping the heating system healthy is important as low pressure can cause a problem.
12 Maintain good ventilation in the property otherwise damp and mould will develop.
14 If you are going away it is wise to inform somebody who could check on the property for you.
15 Immediately report or attend to any leaks you may have detected however small; it may seem insignificant but a small drip will often lead to a larger problem.
16 Ensure you have torches with full batteries to hand.
If you smell gas – Call the Gas Emergency Services on 0800 111 999. If you are in immediate danger evacuate the building and then call the Gas Emergency Service.
Water leak – Turn off water at the mains. Isolate that particular supply channel if possible. Switch off electrics if the water leak is near lights or power outlets.
Electrical fault – Check that fuses have not blown, circuit breakers are in the ‘on’ position and that there has not been a power cut in the area.
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Fair
19th November to 22nd December, Cathedral Inner Close, Winchester
Petersfield Christmas Festival Market
5th December, The Square, Petersfield
5th December 10am – 5pm, Milland Village Hall, Milland
Cowdray Farm Shop Christmas Tasting Weekend
November 27th & 28th, Cowdray Farm Shop, Midhurst
Midhurst Christmas Street Party
3rd December, Market Square and surrounding roads, Midhurst
Letting your home while you are overseas continues to be a sensible option; you have a steady income, the house is not sitting empty and some of the costs can still be off set against tax. These are just a few of the many advantages.
As the process of letting a property can be complicated, and has to be done in line with ever changing legislation, using an experienced and professionally governed property agency can reduce the stress and ensure all legislation is covered.
If a property is Fully Managed by The Country House Company, full care is taken of the property from initial valuation, preparing the property to let and finding the right tenants, through to rent collect, visiting the tenants at least twice a year and taking care of the tenancy renewal.
Once a tenant is settled in a property our Fully Managed service will ensure that all safety checks are complete including electrical, gas, legionella and smoke and carbon monoxide testing. Where relevant, we check that boilers and Agas are serviced, chimneys swept, oil tanks filled, septic tanks emptied, alarms serviced, and more.
A Fully Managed property will be inspected at least twice a year and a full report is issued to the landlord following the visit, so you are confident that the tenant is looking after the property and complying with the terms of the tenancy agreement. We have a dedicated Management phone which is with a member of The Country House Company team 24 hours a day so all parties can report a problem at any time.
Most importantly we are flexible in our services. We appreciate that every property and landlord circumstance is different, so we can tailor a package to suit you and your property.
If you would like to discuss our services further, please call Marishelle Butler, Head of Management, on 02392 632 275 or email marishelle@countryhousecompany.co.uk
- A charming 3/4 bedroom period cottage in a stunning rural location with far reaching views. Farringdon, Alton, Hampshire £3,250 pcm excl
- A handsome 5 bedroom family home with large garden, stables and paddock in rural setting close to great transport links. Purbrook, Nr Hambledon, Hampshire £3,250 pcm excl
- A period, 5 bedroom farmhouse in rural estate environment with large garden, lovely views and granary. Southwark, Hampshire £2,750 pcm excl
- Attractive 2/3 bedroom rural cottage, recently renovated with garden, summerhouse, greenhouse and views. Colemore, Petersfield, Hampshire £1,950 pcm excl
- Character, 2 bedroom cottage converted from stable block with open plan accommodation, stables and paddocks. Bramdean, Hampshire, £1,700 pcm excl
For full details on these properties and others available to let through The Country House Company, please call 02392 632 275 or see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
In the past 5 years there have been over 150 new regulations affecting landlords and in some cases breaches of these regulations carry a criminal record, hefty fine or prison sentence. These regulations change quickly, and it is vital a landlord is kept up to date by a professional agent.
The fully managed service at The Country House Company will:
- Manage the expectations of the landlord and the tenant. The landlord knows exactly what to expect and rely on and the tenant has a tenant charter clearly outlining their responsibilities and relationship with us.
- Initiate and make sure all safety checks are complete including electrical, gas, legionella (where required) and smoke and carbon monoxide testing.
- Ensure that boilers and Agas are serviced, chimneys swept, oil tanks filled, septic tanks emptied, alarms serviced, plus more.
- Inspect your property at regular intervals. You will know that the tenant is looking after the property and complying with the terms of the tenancy agreement. As a tenant you will be reassured that we are here to help you.
- The landlord and tenant will be able to contact us at any time to report a fault with the property and repairs will be carried out quickly and efficiently by trusted and qualified contractors.
At The Country House Company we have a specialist team, all professionally trained and experienced in property management and we have a dedicated out of hours Management phone enabling landlords or tenant to contact a member of the management team at any time.
For full details on having your property Fully Managed please contact Kate Morton on 01730 771222
Available for sale through The Country House Company is this stunning 4 bedroom Grade ll listed semi-detached cottage situated in the heart of the village.
This stylish home, formerly two cottages, has been the subject of sympathetic refurbishment by the current owners and presents an elegant arrangement of accommodation with an abundance of superb period features throughout.
On the ground floor is a light and spacious sitting room with open fireplace, exposed timbers, and door to the garden. There is a formal dining room with decorative panelling and a cosy snug with inglenook fireplace, timber floors and exposed beams. The bespoke kitchen links to both the snug and the dining room with door outside.
From the snug stairs rise to the master bedroom and bedroom 4 (currently a dressing room) plus a contemporary shower room. A second staircase accessed from the lobby leads to two further double bedrooms and family bathroom.
The property is slightly elevated with a large pretty cottage style garden and attractive private sun terrace. In addition to the rear of the property there is private parking and a garden store.
The cottage is positioned in the middle of South Harting, a thriving village in the heart of the South Downs National Park situated between Petersfield and Chichester. The village has a pub, school, shop, and post office as well as many clubs and societies.
Petersfield, and its comprehensive range of facilities including Waitrose and a mainline station with train service to London Waterloo in around an hour, is only 4.5 miles away. There is a range of great schools including Ofsted Outstanding TPS as well as Ditcham Park School and Churcher’s in the private sector.
The A3 provides good regional transport links to the M25 and beyond and the larger centres of Winchester, Guildford and Chichester are all within reasonable driving distance, as are the harbours and creeks of the South Coast.
For full details please see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk or call Kate Porter on 02392 632 275
The past eighteen months has been a busy time in the property market with demand higher than it’s ever been in working memory for many in the property business.
Whilst there has been a supply issue in both the sales and rental markets, we are hopeful that this should resolve itself when everyone starts going about their business as before.
In property there is rarely ‘normal’. It is either flying high or flying low – or heading in either direction. But whether a buyers’ or sellers’ market our job, as your agent, is to get the best result for you when it is right for you and your family.
With this in mind, it is wise to plan ahead and make sure you are ready to sell once the time is right for you. We can give professional advice on the potential market value of your home, the current levels of activity in the area and the preparations that need to be completed before the house can be marketed.
With current demand levels for properties high and stock low, if now is the time for you to move, there is a greater possibility of securing another home if you are already on the market. Plus by planning ahead, you increase the chances of moving quickly when the time comes.
So don’t be a panic seller or buyer, or let the market dictate your move – be a property optimist and take control.
Call Kate Porter, Head of Sales, for further advice on your home. Tel 02392 632 275 email: katep@countryhousecompany.co.uk
Available for sale through The Country House Company is this stylish 3/4 bedroom, semi detached family home in Horndean, Hampshire. This lovely home is beautifully presented throughout and has been sympathetically extended and updated by the owner since its construction in 2013.
The accommodation is light and spacious throughout and includes a well fitted kitchen/dining room and sitting room with coal effect gas fire. This room opens to a bright and airy garden room with glazed double doors outside. Completing the ground floor accommodation is the formal dining room, currently used as a fourth bedroom, and a cloakroom.
Upstairs on the first floor is the master bedroom with en suite shower room, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom with high specification walk in shower cubicle.
To the rear of the property is a private driveway and attractively landscaped garden with lawn and sun terrace. To the front of the house is an additional private off-street parking bay.
The village of Horndean lies approximately 8.5 miles from Petersfield with local amenities close by, to include an infant school, junior school and technical college, churches, a supermarket, library, and general store. For commuters there are excellent links to the A3 and at Petersfield, Havant and Rowlands Castle, rail services and links to London. For leisure pursuits there is glorious countryside locally with footpaths and bridleways.
For full details please see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk or call Kate Porter on 02392 632 275