3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Four red flags for buyers to avoid a moneypit home – or face forking out £25k in repairs
HOUSE hunters who fail to notice a handful of red flags on a property could end up forking out nearly £26,000 in repairs.
Trying to get on the property ladder is already costly enough, with buyers expected to save for a deposit, pay stamp duty charges and solicitors fees.
Jeremy Leaf shares tips for buying a home
But prospective owners who fail to spot issues like mould, or faulty plumbing could end up forking out more in repairs.
The Sun spoke to Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent, who said buyers should go into property viewing with their “eyes open”.
“When you’re buying a house, it’s a big commitment and you’re going to get some nasty surprises,” he shares.
The expert has shared the four biggest red flags buyers should look out for to avoid paying up to £25,700 in repairs.
Japanese knotweed – up to £20,000
When viewing a property, Jeremy said wannabe homeowners should keep their eyes peeled for Japanese knotweed.
This plant grows quickly and can cause damage to buildings, plus it’s extremely difficult to eradicate.
Japanese knotweed, which was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, can only be removed with costly specialist treatment.
The plant can be identified from its distinct features, such as large, heart-shaped leaves, hollow bamboo-like stems that have a zig-zag growth pattern.
So if you suspect the plant may be present in the home you should ask the seller or estate agent.
That’s because the issue could cost up to £20,000 to fix depending on the severity of the issue.
Alex Peters, author of Checkatrade cost guides, said: “There are numerous ways to remove Japanese knotweed with average removal costs at £1,750 but this can range from £950 – £20,000 depending on the scale of the problem.
“Methods include domestic herbicide treatment, full excavation & removal, sifting and screening and on-site relocation.”
Asbestos – up to £3,750
Abestos was commonly used to insulate homes, but was banned in the UK 26 years ago because it was discovered to be a health hazard.
It can be identified by its fluffy texture when found in buildings.
Jeremy said that sellers can try and obscure it and make it difficult for a buyer to find.
In some instances, the property expert said that people looking to shift their home have parked old cars in front of walls in the garage to cover up the substance.
“People can go to great lengths to obscure defects and properties, if they want to,” he said.
To have asbestos removed, you will need a qualified surveyor to carry out an inspection, Alex from Checkatrade.
“This costs in the region of £200-£1,000 and they will identify the type of asbestos in your home and any associated risks.”
He added: “Average removal costs can range from £950 – £3,750.”
Jeremy said house hunters should closely examine plugs and switches in the home they are considering buying to see if they work correctly.
It may also be worth running taps and the shower to see if everything is working as it should be.
Alex said the best way to check out any problems is with an electrical safety check.
This is a sort of MOT for the electric systems in your home.
He said: “The average cost of an electrical safety check roughly starts at £100 – £250.
“It is wise to have an electrical safety check every 5-10 years and this should always be completed by a qualified electrician.”
Alex said that if you require extra work to be conducted by an electrician such as adding new wiring or mending broken electrical equipment, electricians could charge £55 per hour or £400 per day.
Meanwhile, the cost to repair a burst or leaking pipe could cost up to between £50 to £350 per day.
Mould – £1,200
Fixing mould in your new property could end up costing you £1,200.
So it may be worth keeping your eyes peeled for the substance to avoid forking out for repairs once you move in.
Alex said buyers should “always be on the lookout for mould” as it loves to appear in hidden areas.
The fungus is often found in areas that are damp, dark, and not easily visible.
These spots can include behind furniture, in loft spaces, beneath carpets or floors, behind curtains, and inside toilet tanks.
It is also worth checking out windows and cupboards where condensation and moisture builds quickly.
You can also ask the seller or estate agent if the property has experienced issues with mould in the past and if they have been resolved.
Alex said issues caused by mould are “numerous” and it is always “better to remove the problem as soon as possible to stop it from spreading and causing damage”.
5 Tips to Get on The Property Ladder
Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers.
1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving
Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out – holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway.
Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month.
2. Have a realistic property search
Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it?
3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes
The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they’re great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London.
4. Consider buying with another person
Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner.
You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven’t already.
5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order
A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs.
3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Lip reader reveals what cheeky Louis asked George from carriage as excited prince steals the show at Trooping the Colour
A LIP reader has revealed what Prince Louis asked his brother Prince George as the royals arrived for Trooping the Colour today.
Cheers erupted from the crowds as George, 11, with his cheeky younger brother Louis, seven, were spotted arriving for the King’s birthday celebrations.
Now, a professional reader has exclusively revealed to The Sun exactly what she thinks the young pair were talking about.
The expert claims Louis asks George “should I wave?”.
George then turns to his younger brother and is said to have replied: “It’s up to you, I you cant believe how sunny it is”.
Louis then says “let’s do it together’ before the brothers wave to the cheering crowds, claims the lip reader.
Meanwhile, Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte, 10, who were in the same carriage as George and Louis, stunned as they wore matching blue and white outfits.
Prince William, who is expected to have a starring role in today’s celebrations, was earlier spotted arriving in a car with his family.
He later appeared on horseback, alongside Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh.
William took part in the military parade, wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, a regiment of which he’s the colonel.
The monarch is still undergoing his weekly treatments for cancer so is not on horseback this year.
King Charles asked royals to wear black armbands in remembrance of those killed in the Air India plane tragedy.
Those wearing the bands were the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.
A palace spokesperson said this is “a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy”.
There was also a minute’s silence at the event following Thursday’s devastating crash which killed at least 241 people.
Many fans braved the early morning rain to queue for a good view – bedecked in Union Jack flags and crowns.
But the weather is thankfully clearing up as the morning stretches on.
PAPrince Louis delighted onlookers and he grinned and waved[/caption]
i-ImagesKate and the kids sat together, joyfully beaming at the onlookers[/caption]
George Cracknell WrightThe siblings pictured on the balcony later on[/caption]
3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Emma Raducanu pulls out of German Open as she sparks injury fears just days before Wimbledon
EMMA RADUCANU has pulled out of the German Open.
The Briton was due to enter the Berlintennis tournament starting next Wednesday, June 18.
GettyEmma Raducanu has pulled out of the German Open[/caption]
GettyShe cited back pain she has been struggling with since last month as the reason[/caption]
However, the 22-year-old has pulled out of the event as a precaution to rest her back ahead of Wimbledon.
On Friday, Raducanu was knocked out of Queens at the quarter-final stage in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 by Chinese No.1 seed Qinwen Zheng.
Raducanu, now ranked as the British No.1, revealed she has struggled with back pain since playing in Strasbourg in May, where she was eliminated in the last 16.
She said: “I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it’s just been something that’s been on and off.
“I have been managing it pretty well over the last few weeks, but I guess as the week goes on and I have played five matches now, even if two were doubles, I think it just tests it out.
“And I just felt it as the load goes up. They took me off court and taped it to give me some extra stability, and some painkillers.
“It has been lingering for the last few weeks and I have had back issues before. It’s just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it.”
The former US Open champion actually broke a little-known rule during her defeat to Zheng.
As her opponent took a long break in play to change her footwear, Raducanu was seen practising her serves.
However, in doing so she broke a rule, with players only allowed to practise serves before a match.
Despite Raducanu’s exit from Berlin, the tournament is still stacked full of high-ranking players.
Among them are World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and French Open champion Coco Gauff.
In fact, the only player missing from the top 10 women’s singles players in the world is five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek due to discomfort in her shoulder.
However, Raducanu is expected to play at Eastbourne later this month.
Wimbledon will then begin on June 30.
She has not yet made it past the fourth round in SW19.
But Raducanu will have the chance to win a new and improved prize pot after the singles prize money for the winner increased to £3million.
3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on World Cup of Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Action ON NOW as England’s Luke Littler and Humphries face Germany – updates
THE World Cup of Darts is well underway in Frankfurt as day three unfolds in this mouthwatering tournament!
Defending champions England will finally be in action today, as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler take on home favourites Germany in the second round of the competition.
Belgian pair Mike De Decker andDimitri Van den Berghwere BEATEN by the Philippines, as they fought back from 3-0 down to dump Belgium out 4-3.
Netherlands duo Danny Nopper and Gian van Veen looked impressive again, as they dismantled Hungary 4-0, in their quest for a fifth star.
3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on I blew £500k on cocaine, gambling & food and weighed 19st – but surprising side effect of fat jabs cured my addictions
RUMMAGING through her packed wardrobe Vivienne Joy struggles to find something that still fits.
Since starting Mounjaro three and a half months ago she has so far lost almost 2st and dropped two dress sizes – going from size 24 to 20 – which means she desperately needs new clothes, but she has no urge to buy a single item.
Vivienne Joy, 52, says fat jab Mounjaro hasn’t only cured her weight but also her addictionsVivienne, a mindset coach, battled one addiction after another, from shopping to gambling and even junk foodVivienne JoyVivienne, who lives in Retford with wife Emma, has gone from a size 24 to 20 in three and a half months[/caption]
It’s hard to believe that for the last five years she has been in the grip of a full-blown shopping addiction splurging £500 a month on impulsive purchases.
And Vivienne’s addictive tendencies didn’t end there – across 22 years, from the age of 18, she blew a six-figure sum on gambling and takeaways, as well as clothes and cocaine combined, and at one point she was in £250,000 worth of debt.
Vivienne, 53, replaced one addiction with another, yet within days of starting fat jabs in February, the need to spend recklessly to feel a ‘high’ totally stopped.
Now, she dares to hope that her addictive personality is finally ‘cured’ thanks to the jabs which adjust the levels of dopamine – the pleasure chemical – in the brain.
Vivienne estimates she’s even saved £1,500 a month since she started the injections.
She says: “For 34 years I moved from one addiction to another because I was always looking for that high, but I feel calm and in control since starting Mounjaro.
“I started gambling when I was 18 and must have got through around £500,000 in the 22 years that I was hooked – on several occasions I spent £1,000 a night on slot machines.
“I earned a lot, six figures at times, but I spent a lot and ended up with £250,000 of debt.
“And I was addicted to food throughout too, gorging on whole cakes, boxes of doughnuts and Sausage and Egg McMuffins from McDonalds.
“I used to party hard, taking cocaine regularly between the ages of 28 to 35 and although it wasn’t daily, I couldn’t find the off switch.
“My life was filled with compulsions. But now, finally, those cravings have stopped.”
The number of weight loss jab NHS prescriptions has surged in the UK, doubling to almost three million in the past year.
Demand for Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) – Vivienne sourced the latter through a private clinic spending £179 a monthbecause of obesity, high BMI and felt out of control around food – shows no signs of slowing, with the total bill costing the NHS £269million in 2024/2025.
It follows The Sun’s recent survey which revealed how 73 per cent of readers are considering using jabs to lose weight.
Scientists are already exploring the link between the injections and addiction.
Dr Daniel Gordon, from Olive Health,who prescribes the jabs privately to patients at his clinic in London, says: “Scientists think the drugs work by blunting our reward responses.
“Weight-loss jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro seem to quieten the brain’s ‘pleasure circuits’ that drive cravings and addictions.
“For example, in scientific studies, people with alcohol use disorder who took low-dose semaglutide drank significantly fewer units of alcohol per day and felt less of an urge to smoke.
“The early signs suggest these jabs could become a game-changer for tackling addictive behaviour as well as obesity.”
‘Game-changer‘
Vivienne, who lives in Retford, Notts, with wife Emma, 43, a dog behaviourist, turned to weight loss jabs after a stint on Slimming World in May 2024.
The early signs suggest these jabs could become a game-changer for tackling addictive behaviour as well as obesity
Dr Daniel Gordon, from Olive Health
She was a size 26 (having dropped to a size 24 by the time she started Mounjaro)and weighed 19st 10lbs but had battled with her weight her whole life.
“We’d been on an all-inclusive holiday to Greece and over indulged and decided we had to get a grip on our weight,” Vivienne recalls.
“Although I lost 1st 7lbs in nine months, it was torturous.
“I was fighting every step of the way not to indulge in my junk foods, like McDonalds and doughnuts.
“Emma started at 14st 2lbs and lost the same amount but she wasn’t having to battle temptation.
“All her lapses were down to me constantly suggesting takeaways, eating out and junk food – I unwittingly sabotaged her weight loss.
“She’s not an addictive person, she can take or leave most things – I can’t.”
Vivienne struggled with her weight from the age of 13 and while food was her most visible addiction, others soon began to develop and at 18 she started gambling.
She explains: “My parents loved bingo and slot machines and would go three or four times a week. On my 18th birthday I joined them and spent all day and night gambling.
“It didn’t seem problematic to start with, I was going socially with them. But then they died within eight months of each other when I was 30 and I started going alone, mindlessly feeding pound coins into the slot machine.
“I’ve always earned good money so it wasn’t a problem financially. I did have debts on credit cards and loans but I was able to service them from my wages”
Vivienne used to splurge £500 a month on impulsive purchases just five years ago and even racked up £250,000 worth of debt at one pointVivienne JoyVivienne’s shopping addiction spiralled when she was living with Emma[/caption]
It was when I was 37 and working as a regional company director for a beauty company that Vivienne was made redundant and she struggled to find a new job.
Within five months her debts became impossible to service and owing £200,000 in credit cards and loans she had to file an IVA which meant agreeing to pay off a portion of the debts whilst the rest were written off.
‘Dark time‘
“It was a very low and dark time,” Vivienne recalls.
“But once I found a new job I was so addicted that I went back to gambling. Because of the IVA I couldn’t get into debt again because I couldn’t physically get credit. But the fact I even gambled shows how strong my addiction was. When I was 40 there was a week when I spent £1,000 a night for three days in a row. I knew then it had to stop and I managed with the help of hypnotherapy.
“But it didn’t help with my root problem of always searching for that dopamine hit.”
Vivienne met her ex husband in a nightclub in 2002 when she was 29, and they married four years later.
“At that stage of my life I was partying hard at the weekends,” she admits.
“I’d started taking cocaine a year before. I was always the last one to stop, wanting to keep that dopamine hit going. I quit aged 35, after I stayed up all night taking it on a Wednesday and went into work the next day. No one noticed but I knew and felt ashamed of myself – it wasn’t the person I wanted to be.“
It was in lockdown that Vivienne turned to online shopping online as well as continuing her food addiction.
It was 2020, seven years after her marriage ended and she was living with Emma when her addiction spiralled.
We couldn’t go out for dinner or socialise and as usual I needed that dopamine hit from somewhere so I started online shopping. I didn’t do half measures
Vivienne
She explains: “We couldn’t go out for dinner or socialise and as usual I needed that dopamine hit from somewhere so I started online shopping. I didn’t do half measures.
“I’d scroll on my phone for hours. There was rarely a day that went past without a delivery arriving.
“I loved getting clothes for Emma too alongside kitchen gadgets, candles, crystals and even toys for our four dogs. Emma would gently suggest it was getting out of hand and I didn’t need more clothes, but I ignored her.
“But it was mindless, I bought two of the same jacket without even realising and I’ve got 20 pairs of similar shoes from Rocket Dog.
“It was the buying that gave me the buzz, often parcels would arrive and I’d have no idea what was in them. But back then I didn’t think it was an issue.”
Food has been Vivienne’s most constant addiction throughout her life and one she thought she’d never conquer.
She says: “I’d buy a cake and devour it in a day and if I bought a box of six doughnuts I couldn’t stop thinking about them until they were all gone.
“I once went to a Chinese restaurant in my dressing gown as I wanted it so much and immediately.
“Another time I went to three different McDonalds in one morning to get the sausage and egg McMuffin I craved.
I want to think I’m cured – I feel liberated, I can focus on my work completely
Vivienne
“That’s why I decided to try the weight loss injections because I didn’t feel in control.”
Vivienne says the jabs eliminated the ‘food noise’ completely.
She also no longer felt the urge to search for the ‘highs’ which, until then, had blighted her life.
“I no longer think about food or the need to get that ‘high’ like I used to in the same way. I feel normal now,” Vivienne says.
“I’ve lost a further 1st 9lbs in three and halfmonths – 2lbs more than I lost in nine months on Slimming World.
“And Emma has lost another 10lbs. I finally feel that losing weight isn’t a battle – I don’t really think about food. My goal is to lose eight stone leaving me at 11st 11lbs – that seems doable.”
Vivienne now saves the £500 she spent online shopping, plus £400 on takeaways and junk food and £100 on eating out. And a further £500 on other shopping, such as bulk buying things like deodorant and candles, as well as going out to theatre and then dinner.
“It’s saved us a fortune. I want to think I’m cured – I feel liberated, I can focus on my work completely,” she adds.
Warning about using fat jabs to cure addictions, Dr Gordon adds: “People should never use these medications as a self-prescribed treatment for addictions or cravings.
“They are potent prescription-only medications, with complex effects and some significant risks. They are not a replacement for proper psychological or addiction support.”
Vivienne, a mindset coach, knows addiction is deep rooted but believes the jabs have set her on the right path.
She feels hopeful for the future.
“I can’t rely on Mounjaro for the rest of my life – the root causes of my addiction will still be there,” she adds.
“But what it’s giving me is time to recalibrate my brain. I no longer have compulsive thoughts whirling around my head.”
Vivienne has so far lost almost 2st since starting on the jabsThe coach believes the jabs have set her on the right path
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients’ sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients’ mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Injury points finger of doubt at Smith’s Windies tour
Steve Smith has avoided surgery on a compound dislocation of his finger, but the star Australia batter remains in doubt for the tour of the West Indies.
3 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Inexperience no object: Opportunistic takes Raconteur Stakes at just his second race start
Three-year-old tyro Opportunistic may yet be one of the stars of the winter racing season, securing Bunbury’s Listed $125,000 Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at just his second race start.
