Everything potential landlords need to know about the UK rental market

"Renting Out Your Property For Dummies" is the essential roadmap to successful property letting. This easy-to-read guide walks readers through every step of renting out their property - showing how to avoid legal problems, find and keep the best tenants, maintain the property and maximise their rental income. As well as lots of helpful advice, it contains a wealth of sample forms and standard letters that can be used when dealing with their own tenants. Crucially, it is fully up to date on all the latest legislation including the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

"Renting Out Your Property For Dummies" covers: How to prepare a rental property for prospective tenantsTackling rent, deposits and tenancy agreementsDeciding whether to manage the property yourself or to hire an agentEssential information on financial management and record-keeping

If you think that you'll never get a first foot onto the UK property ladder, think again! This readable guide shows you how to buy your first home without having to borrow more than you can afford. Clued-up first-time buyers will understand the pros and cons of a wide range of alternative routes to home ownership, from the legal intricacies of buying with friends to part-rent part-ownership schemes. It's the biggest financial decision of your life and it's tough at today's prices, but if you're prepared to compromise a little then there are plenty of options.

The book that cuts through the clutter of decluttering Modern life has produced so much clutter that the thought of packed closets, attics filled with storage bins, and rental units specifically used to store odds and ends produces its own stress. The decluttering movement offers solutions for those interested in reducing the amount of stuff in their life and embrace a more minimalist, tidier lifestyle. Professional organizer Jane Stoller helps you bypass the stress of a tidying project by offering simple, proven methods for organizing every space in your life--even your mind! Build a new mindset for minimalist living Declutter your home, office, and digital life Develop new routines for a tidier life Establish minimalist practices From adopting a decluttering mindset to finding new homes for unwanted items, this is the book you'll need to keep handy after the big cleanup!

An authoritative guide to reducing household exposure to hazardous chemicals

Thousands of household products contain toxic ingredients. Today, more and more people are seeking more natural cleaning methods to reduce their exposure to harsh chemicals. From the kitchen and bath to the living room and laundry, "Green Cleaning For Dummies" provides readers with green solutions to every common cleaning chore. Focusing on organic, nontoxic, sustainable alternatives to conventional cleaning products, it's packed with suggestions and tips for effective cleaning, and even offers green solutions for sprucing up patios, garages, vehicles, and the exterior of a house.

"The" consumer guide to small-scale wind electricity production

Maybe you're not T. Boone Pickens, but you can build your own home-sized wind-power empire right in your back yard. "Wind Power For Dummies" supplies all the guidance you need to install and maintain a sustainable, cost-effective wind generator to power your home for decades to come.

This authoritative, plain-English guide walks you through every step of the process, from assessing your site and available wind sources to deciding whether wind power is the solution for you, from understanding the mechanics of wind power and locating a contractor to install your system to producing your own affordable and sustainable electricity.Guides you step by step through process of selecting, installing, and operating a small-scale wind generator to power your homeDemystifies system configurations, terminology, and wind energy principles to help you speak the language of the prosHelps assess and reduce your energy needs and decide whether wind power is right for youExplains the mechanics of home-based wind powerShows you how to tie into the grid and sell energy back to the power companyOffers advice on evaluating all of the costs of and financing for your projectProvides tips on working with contractors and complying with local zoning laws

Yes, you can do it, with a little help from "Wind Power For Dummies."

What’s the favorite four-letter word of people who are less than fully organized? “Help!” So many technological, social, and economic changes affect your life that you need organization just to keep up, let alone advance. Many people have two jobs – one at the office and one taking care of things at home. If you have a family, you may count that as a third job. Caring for elderly relatives or have community commitments? You can count off four, five, and keep right on going.

No matter what life stage you’re in, getting organized can make every day better and help you achieve your long-term goals. Organizing For Dummies is for anyone who wants to

• Polish his or her professional reputation
• Experience less stress
• Increase productivity
• Build better relationships
• Maximize personal time

Organization isn’t inherited. With the human genome decoded, the evidence is clear: DNA strings dedicated to putting things into place and managing your time like a pro are nonexistent. Instead, organization is a learned skill set. Organizing For Dummies helps you gain that skill with topics such as:

• Understanding how clutter costs you in time, money, and health
• Training your mind to be organized and developing a plan
• Cleaning house, room by room, from basement to attic (including the garage)
• Creating functional space for efficiency and storage
• Time-management strategies for home, office, and tavel
• Scheduling, delegating, and multitasking
• Making time for your family
• Managing your health – physical and financial
• Finding time for love
• Organizing and cashing in on a great garage sale

Getting organized is about unstuffing your life, clearing out the dead weight in places from your closet to your calendar to your computer, and then installing systems that keep the good stuff in its place. Organizing is a liberating and enlightening experience that can enhance your effectiveness and lessen your stress every day – and it’s all yours simply for saying “No” to clutter.

You deserve a home that meets your specific needs and desires! If you find yourself dreaming of the perfect patio, the ideal kitchen, and inviting rooms where you love to spend time, it might just be time to start building! With Building Your Custom Home For Dummies, you won't have to feel intimidated as you plan, finance, and oversee construction on your new oasis. You'll learn what it takes to build a custom home, including which pros to call and when. This updated edition also covers the latest in real estate and home construction trends, including smart homes, green building, and banking options. It's more important than ever to live in a home that's truly how you want it, truly your own. Now is the perfect time to get started--if you're still in the dreaming stage, this book will help you identify your style and articulate your vision. If you're further along in the process, you'll benefit from checklists and pointers on reviewing architects' plans, evaluating contractor bids, flipping the home you build, and more. The latest guidance on building a beautiful home on any budget New ideas for high-tech homes with low carbon footprints Step-by-step instructions for securing financing, hiring architects, and finding reliable contractors Advice on how to invest your home-building budget wisely and plan for the future Building Your Custom Home For Dummies takes you from finding the perfect homesite through laying the foundation to framing and finishing--in the friendly Dummies style you can trust.

The fun and easy way to repair anything and everything around the house
For anyone who's ever been frustrated by repair shop rip-offs, this guide shows how to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of household appliances-lamps, vacuum cleaners, washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, blenders, radios, televisions, and even computers. Packed with step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, it's a must-have money-saver for the half of all homeowners who undertake do-it-yourself projects.

Buying a property abroad is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. But don't worry - your Spanish dream needn't become a nightmare. From finding an estate agent and arranging a mortgage to negotiating the best price and moving in, this book is packed with practical advice on every aspect of the Spanish property market. It leads you safely and simply through the legal, logistical, and financial minefields, helping you maximise your time and your money to enjoy a hassle-free property purchase.

No-one obsesses over property quite like the British, even though buying and selling a home can be a personal headache and a financial lucky-dip. British newspapers groan under the weight of property supplements; TV reports constantly track house prices; young people fret about getting on the property ladder, while established homeowners worry about how to increase the value of their home or the market crashing. Buying a property is rarely straightforward and can be very time-consuming. There are numerous choices to make, from the style of building and location, to proximity to schools and other amenities. Most of all, there are plenty of opportunities to make the wrong decisions. Selling your home is also fraught with stress; from deciding to move and evaluating your property's worth to finding an estate agent and putting your home on the market, every step comes with it's own difficulties. Plus the advent of the Home Information Packs has also created a new headache for potential vendors. Buying and Selling a Home For Dummies, 2 nd Edition covers everything from finding a property and getting a mortgage to preparing your home for sale and moving on. It is also one of the few guides to cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland as separate entitles from Scotland, and to cover the Scottish property market. This updated guide also contains coverage of HIPS (Home Information Packs), which were made compulsory in September 2007 and apply to all properties with three or more bedrooms.

Organize, declutter, donate--downsize and simplify your life Downsizing For Dummies provides you with strategies to downsize your life by moving to a smaller home, decluttering, simplifying your budget, and saving more money. You'll find tips to help decrease your cost of living, lower your home maintenance costs, protect and leverage your assets, and decide whether downsizing is right for you and your family. After downsizing your life, you'll save time on household chores and gain the freedom and flexibility that come with having fewer possessions. What will you do with all the time you save? Downsizing For Dummies will help you understand the benefits of living simply! Discover ways to declutter and simplify every corner of your life Weight the pros and cons of moving to a smaller home Save time and money by cutting down on your chores and home maintenance Experience a reduced stress level when you create space at home and work This book is for anyone who is ready to live clutter-free and to downsize. It's the perfect Dummies guide for homeowners looking to save money, plus real estate brokers who are working with clients who are downsizing, and designers and builders of new homes who want to stay on top of the downsizing trend.

Whether you're a devout neatnik or a free spirit who likes to draw designs in dust, "Cleaning & Stain Removal For Dummies" is for you. It helps you make quick work of dirty work with all kinds of practical tips and techniques, plus trade secrets used by the pros. You'll learn how to use the proper equipment and tackle specific cleaning challenges, includingFloors, walls, and ceilingsThe kitchen and bathroomsFurniture and furnishingsAppliances and equipmentWindowsBicycles and carsClothes and laundryDecks, driveways, and patios

There are whole sections on removing stains and tackling 101 common problems that you'll use as a reference when faced with life's inevitable spills and mishaps. Author Gill Chilton, a columnist who writes home tips for "Family Circle," doesn't just give tips to make cleaning easier, but provides tips to make life easier, including: A room-by-room guide to what needs to be done, and how oftenDaily and weekly lists so you can stay on top of thingsQuick fixes before unexpected guests arriveHow to get the most results in the least time

A perfect gift for young people going off to school or setting up a house for the first time, for adults suddenly forced to take responsibility for a modicum of cleanliness, or for experienced housekeepers who want to learn short-cuts and money-savers, this is the book that helps people get off to a clean start

Sell your house in any market Whether you're selling your home yourself or using a realtor, this helpful guide offers all the information you need to make an otherwise-stressful undertaking go smoothly. In Selling Your House For Dummies, you'll find plain-English, easy-to-follow information on the latest mortgage application and approval processes, the hottest websites used in the house-selling process, and revised tax laws that affect the housing and real estate markets. From the author team behind America's #1 bestselling real estate book, Home Buying Kit For Dummies, this book offers Eric Tyson and Ray Brown's time-tested advice, recommendations, and strategies for selling your house given current market conditions. From staging your home to utilizing technology to sell your house directly to home buyers, this trusted resource is packed with tips and ideas to make your home the most appealing house on the block. Prepare your property for the best offer Stage and market your house successfully Negotiate and successfully close the sale Make sense of contracts and forms used in the house-selling process Get the tried-and-true advice that will help you sell your property!

* Choose, manage, and pay off your mortgage * Match your mortgage to your financial goals * Qualify for a mortgage even when money is tight Quickly make sense of mortgages Taking out a mortgage to purchase real estate is a huge decision, one that could affect your family's finances for years to come. This easy-to-follow guide explains how to secure the best and lowest-cost mortgage for your unique situation. Whether you select a 15- or 30-year mortgage, you'll get all the tips and tricks you need to pay it off faster shortening your payment schedule and saving your hard-earned cash. Inside * Fine-tune your finances * Qualify for a mortgage * Secure the best loan * Find your best lender * Refinance your mortgage * Pay down your loan quicker * Must-knows about foreclosure * Top mortgage no-nos

Want to have homebuyers knocking down your door? "Home Staging For Dummies" delivers all the secrets to making your home stand out, sell faster, and bring in more money It shows you how to make improvements room by room and generate a higher profit in the most cost- and time-effective way.

Featuring eight full-color pages of instructive before-and-after photos, this completely practical guide demonstrates how and why to eliminate clutter, make repairs, arrange furnishings, and pave the way for buyers to make an emotional connection to your house. You'll get a handle on what buyers want and how to show it to them, find plenty of do-it-yourself tasks that add real value to your home, and get tips on producing photos of your home that will have buyers craving to see more Discover how to: See your home as prospective buyers will see itKnow what needs doing and what doesn'tMaster the three-step home staging processAdd real value to your home without breaking the bankDecide whether to DIY or call in the prosCreate curb appealMake a great first impression with a beautiful entrywaySpruce up your kitchen, bathroom, living, and dining roomsTurn your bedrooms into a buyer's dreamWhip your mechanicals into top shapeAvoid staging nightmares

Get top dollar for your home -- all you need is a little help from "Home Staging For Dummies "

Vegetables from your own farm to your own table We all love good food, and the fresher it is, the better! And what could be fresher than farm-to-table terms than vegetables you've grown at home? The new edition of Vegetable Gardening For Dummies puts you in touch with your roots in a thousands of years old farming tradition by demonstrating how easy it is to grow your own. And there's no need to buy a farm: all you need to become a successful cultivator of the land is this book and a small plot of soil in the yard, or a container set aside for some tasty natural edibles. Add water and some care, love, and attention--et voila! In a friendly, come-relax-in-my-garden style Charlie Nardozzi--leading horticultural writer and guest expert on shows such as Martha Stewart Living Radio--shares the nutritious results of a lifetime of vegetable-growing experience to delve into the nitty-gritty of micro-farming. It's not rocket science--quite the opposite--but you do need a bit of patience before you can reap your first glorious harvest. This book shows you how to master that, as you get down and dirty with the enjoyable work of building soil, starting seeds, controlling pests, and maintaining your garden. And as your early efforts turn to green shoots, you can dig deeper into information on special tips and tricks, as well as hundreds of vegetable varieties--many of which are beautiful to behold as well as tasty to eat! Plan out your garden Know your veggies, from tomatoes to chard Keep your plants happy and healthy Harvest, store, and preserve your crops Whether your thumb is a fertile green or you've never put plant-to-pot before, this book will bring out your inner farmer: you'll find everything required to transform your garden into a self-renewing larder--and complement every meal with a crisp, healthy, home-grown treat.