If you have an empty property over the winter months, it’s important to take precautions to prevent costly damage. Freezing temperatures, heavy rain, storms and damp conditions can all cause problems, particularly when nobody is living in the property to notice them. Whether you’re waiting to sell, renovating or managing an inherited property, here are some simple steps to help protect it. Protect Your Plumbing Frozen pipes can burst and cause significant water damage, especially if a...

No, log burners are not currently banned in Wales. However, there are rules surrounding where and how you can use a wood-burning stove, particularly if your property is within a Smoke Control Area. The rules are designed to reduce smoke and air pollution rather than prevent homeowners from having log burners altogether. What Is a Smoke Control Area? Smoke Control Areas are locations where additional restrictions apply to smoke produced from chimneys and the types of fuel that can be burned....

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax that may be payable on someone’s estate when they die. An estate can include property, money, savings, investments and other possessions. Inheritance Tax rules apply across the UK, including Wales. How Much Can You Leave Tax-Free? The standard Inheritance Tax threshold is £325,000 per person. This is known as the Nil Rate Band. If the value of your estate is below this amount, there will normally be no Inheritance Tax to pay. If your estate exceeds your...