When it comes to small homes, every inch counts. The trend for minimalist living has been growing in popularity and is a concept that is especially practical for compact apartments and smaller homes. Less is often more!  But creating a cosy, charming interior is an art form where some planning is needed. It’s all about being thoughtful and creative in finding space you didn’t know you had. Here are some tips to keep in mind when utilising precious space in a small home.

Edit and Curate

They used to be techniques reserved to art galleries and fashion boutiques, but the words to define living in small spaces are: edit and curate. Take stock of the things throughout your home that you don’t need or use regularly and find a new home for them by storing them, gifting to others, selling or donating to charity shops – a great first step when trying to create more space. Throughout your home, the aim should be to keep your unique personality and style shining through, without creating clutter.

Thoughtful furniture

Be thoughtful with placement of furniture and only keep what you intend to use often – too much furniture will further limit your space and get in the way. Arranging couches and settees away from the walls and in a cosy grouping will help make your living room feel bigger overall.  Swap bulky coffee tables for armchair perches that sit on the arm of chairs, keeping your cup of tea handy. Multi-use furniture works a treat in small homes, such as an ottoman with shelving compartments acting as a foot rest, soft coffee table and a storage space for books or DVDs. Create a cosy corner nook, with additional hidden storage beneath the seats as an extra bonus.

Space saving, multipurpose storage

Kitchens can be kept clutter free by utilising wall space and storing utensils, pots and pans on shelves and hanging racks. A thin pull-out kitchen cupboard, with multiple shelves or racks, keeps supplies within easy reach and well organised whilst taking up just a sliver of space. When bookcases are too bulky, try shelving made out of slim pieces of moulding which are slim enough to use up space behind doors. Small hallways needn’t be neglected – create a space to drop keys or place the landline phone by cutting a reclaimed table in half and securing to the wall with brackets. Storage benches and wall mounted hooks also take care of jackets, shoes and other hallway clutter. Efficient built in storage in the bedroom uses every inch available, using space above headboards and under-the-bed drawers, again cutting the clutter that’s so easy to accumulate when you are tight for space.

Think above the eye line

We sometimes lose sight of the space that is not at eye level and don’t make the most of ceilings, top of wardrobes or the space above doors. High mounted or hanging shelves, beautiful storage boxes on top of your wardrobe, think of using the space all the way to the ceiling in interesting and useful ways.

Mix up the décor and keep it light

Colour coordination can actually trick the eye into thinking a room is smaller than it is, especially when dark colours are used. A light base on your walls accessorised by a few pops of colour in your soft furnishings can create an airy feel with bags of charm and character. Lighting is important too and can help create the illusion of more space. Compliment overhead lighting with strategically placed lamps to illuminate the corners of your rooms and attach lighting fixtures to walls to save on even more floor space. Mirrors can also trick the eye, helping to reflect natural light when well placed.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

It’s our unique mix of affordable, value for money services and the experienced local team of Caledonia Bureau property professionals who will help you make your next move happen. 

Brian Reid

Brian Reid, Senior Valuer at Caledonia Bureau has many years property experience covering a variety of areas and is well versed in all aspects of both property sales and letting.

About Work: “At Caledonia Bureau in Clydebank you’ll find a highly professional experience, meet an exceptional experienced friendly team who can assist in the buying and lettings market. The office has been in the area for over thirty years and really is the number one and go to agent in West Dunbartonshire. We have gained the trust and loyalty of many customers over the years and are enjoying providing a quality service in return. With our company growing every year we strive to continue to satisfy our clients’ needs and make buying selling and letting as simple as possible.”

About Switching Off: “ Like to keep fit and enjoy running with my dog Bailey and all other sports including football and golf..”

Emma Boyle

Branch Manager Emma Boyle is highly experienced and knowledgeable in both residential and lettings and has been with the company for over 14 years.

About Work: “What I enjoy most about my job and thrive on is providing a reliable, friendly and highly professional service. I pride myself in ensuring a smooth transaction when it comes to purchasing, selling or renting your home. This can be such a daunting time for some customers, my role is to make sure you feel at ease and guide you throughout every little step of it. The Clydebank market is buoyant at the moment with high demand for both sales and rentals in all areas.

About Switching Off: “I relax by spending time with my family or socialising with friends, watch out if there’s a Karaoke. I do try and squeeze in a fitness class when I can but truth be told I have the pleasure of my children keeping me fit… me running after them”

Garry McCulloch

Garry McCulloch is a vastly experienced and successful valuer with over 20 years’ experience under his belt, covering a wide geographical area including Greater Glasgow and Renfrewshire.

About work: “Having worked in the industry for many years my objectives have always been to provide the highest standards of customer care and satisfaction whilst maintaining integrity and professionalism from instruction through to sale. I wanted to work for a highly customer focused company and for a long time had followed the growth and admired the personal approach and forward thinking ethos of Caledonia Bureau.

About Switching Off: ‘ I love to spend time relaxing with my family and extended family members…our horses. There is nothing more enjoyable than a gallop along the beach on a lovely sunny day…… when we get them!”

Why you should choose Caledonia Bureau Clydebank for your next move

Caledonia Bureau is a name in property you can trust. For over 30 years we have been providing property expertise for sellers and landlords and we go into 2017 on a high after a great 2016 and on the back of some outstanding results for our clients.

We are truly passionate about property and know how to present your home to the market to maximise buyer interest and generate the best possible price.

Featuring your home with the UK’s top ranking web portals including Rightmove, Zoopla, S1Homes and Primelocation, all the places we know buyers, tenants and investors are searching gives our clients that added advantage.

Not only do we market your home through external channels, our own buyer and investor databases give you access to thousands of potential, targeted buyers locally. We also present your home for sale to the 400 plus landlords who trust us to manage their properties.

Our team are on hand six days a week to guide you, but sometimes we know you might prefer a less hands on service, which is why our online client eProperty system shows what we’re doing for you and can be securely accessed any time from anywhere.

And when you find your next home our Independent Financial Advisor is on hand to guide and advise you through the mortgage process.

Call now to book your FREE appraisal 0141 952 2284 or pop into our office at 2 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank G81 1TU.

As we approach Health and Safety at Work Awareness Day 2017 on April 28th that promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally, we would like to highlight that at Caledonia Bureau, we promote and create a safety and health oriented culture focusing on accident prevention and general wellbeing.

In light of Health and Safety at Work Awareness Day, we thought it apt to provide some helpful tips and recommendations on one of the UK’s most popular pastimes – DIY in the home. Many simple home maintenance jobs do not require a great deal of time, money or specialised knowledge – for example, a corkscrew is incredibly useful for removing rawlplugs without bringing a huge chunk of plaster out of the wall – an invaluable piece of information, we’re sure you’ll agree!

However, before you get started on any project in the home, whether you’re redecorating a room or embarking upon an more adventurous renovation project, it is important to plan, prepare, do your research where required, and take your time. An expensive home improvement nightmare and potential personal injury is something we would all rather avoid, so here are our top 5 tips to successful DIY in the home to make your life easier and safer!

Invest in good tools

First thing’s first, make sure you have a good set of essential DIY tools for the jobs you may want or need to do around the home. Think about the job ahead and gather all useful tools into a handy box. Keep your toolbox somewhere accessible so you can easily grab it when need be.

Plan and prepare

The reason most people choose to partake in DIY tasks is to save money. Paying contractors can be expensive, and needlessly so for small jobs that most of us can manage. But planning and preparation are key, lest we cause more damage than improvement and end up having to pay someone to fix our mistakes.

Being organised also ensures we’ve thought everything through, have all the essential equipment, and have budgeted accordingly. Planning and preparation also allows us to work out what order to do things in. There’s nothing worse than getting half way through a job and then realising you’ve started with the wrong part of the task, you don’t like your choice of paint colour (tester pots are key!), or you have to go back to the shop to pick up more supplies.

And most importantly, start your DIY project as early in the day as possible in case you need to go back out for supplies or call a plumber or electrician to aid with specialist skills.

Start with simple or urgent jobs

It’s best to tackle the quick and easy projects first. Not only will you gain confidence and be super chuffed with yourself), you’ll learn valuable skills that you can carry through to your next DIY project.

If there is something in your home that requires urgent attention, deal with it as soon as possible to avoid further damage that could prove costly if left too long. Make a list of all the tasks that you need to deal with and tackle them in order of urgency.

Ask questions

Never be afraid to ask questions – it’s better to feel silly for a second, rather than having to call out a contractor to fix a mistake. There’s always someone else who knows more, so tap into their knowledge and wisdom for your own benefit. Sometimes the most simple piece of advice can save so much time and money. You can get advice from DIY books and websites, on forums, from friends and family, and from staff in DIY stores.

It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the room you’re planning to decorate or the thing you need to fix or replace. Take these pictures with you when you go to the paint or hardware store. If you can carry the item that you need to replace or fix, even better. This will save you many a wasted trip.

Stay safe

Above all, be sure not to injure yourself or anyone else! Before embarking on any DIY project in the home, you must take the proper safety precautions.

• Most importantly, take your time and know your limitations. Never be too proud or embarrassed to ask for help or advice – we all have different skills and talents!

• Be careful on ladders. One of the main culprits of DIY accidents is the ladder. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, ensure the ladder is stable and erected on a flat surface, and never lean to one side or try to balance on one foot. Always keep your mobile phone in your pocket in case you lose your balance and fall.

• Never dismiss the importance of wearing protective clothing, such as safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask. These items are essential when working with potentially hazardous materials (such as glass, fumes, or spray paint) or when working in a dusty environment.

• Ventilate your home efficiently when painting, using toxic fumes, or working with materials that generate fumes or dust. Always avoid smoking and lighting a gas stove in such instances.

• Be very careful if you’re removing textured paint or Artex because they may contain asbestos. When handling and disposing of asbestos (even if you’re unsure if that’s what the material is), contact your local environmental health department for advice.

• Always switch off the power supply and remove fuses and circuit breakers when you’re working with electrical appliances or connections, and wear rubber-soled shoes

• Use the correct tools for the job. This will save time and reduce the risk of injury or causing damage to your home.

• Always cut away from you when using knives. When cutting along a surface, use a baton as a guide and to prevent the knife slipping and cutting your fingers.

• Keep tools in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets. Be sure not to store them in a place where they may fall and harm you when you go to retrieve them.

• Keep a chemical fire extinguisher in your home. You must never use water to extinguish a fire from an electrical appliance. Ideally, gas and complex electrical work should be left to a registered professional – not only for safety, but to cover yourself in insurance costs should anything go wrong as a result of faulty work.

• A power drill with a plastic non-conducting body is the safest kind. Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewellery because these could get caught in the drill, always unplug the drill prior to fitting parts, and remove the chuck key before switching it on.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

Spring – a blooming wonderful time of year! It’s all about freshness and the emergence colour, with the warmer, lighter days approaching after a long winter. We’ve already given you some top spring cleaning tips on the blog. Once you’ve given a successful dusting down and airing out, here are some home décor ideas to bring the season of spring indoors, adding a sprinkling of cheer to the home.

1.     Freshen up with flowers

With the first sight of snowdrops, crocuses and bluebells popping their heads out of the ground, spring is synonymous with flowers! One of the simplest ways to add some springtime colour to the home is to bring in some cut flowers – whether it’s getting creative with your own arrangement or simply placing shop bought flowers in a pretty vase. Tulips, lilacs, freesias, hyacinths and peonies are all in season right now and, of course, there’s an abundance of daffodils – most bunches cost as little as £1. Form a new springtime habit and pick up a bunch every weekend to enjoy the rest of the week. Small vases of cut flowers from the garden also make delicate table decorations.

2.     Purify with plants

Potted plants in colourful ceramic pots are another way to bring the outside in and connect with nature at springtime. Leafy, green plants not only have a calming and relaxing effect indoors but also help to keep air clean and fresh. Cacti, succulents like aloe vera, snake plants, spider plants, orchids and other air purifiers will not only add a welcome burst of green, but help you with your spring cleaning, too. Take a look at The Joy of Plants for some inspiration.

3.     Bring out bright, light fabrics

Faux fur throws and heavy tog duvets used in winter can be swapped for light, natural fabrics when spring arrives.  When it comes to textiles, throws, duvet covers and statement cushions, think sunny yellows and pastel shades with floral and nature inspired prints. Nothing looks fresher than a backdrop of brilliant white with a splash of springtime colour.

4.     Spritz springtime scents

Remember to appeal to your sense of smell too! Again it’s working with scents inspired by nature. Light and fresh citrus, floral and herbal notes will help boost your mood and create an uplifting springtime atmosphere. Go for quality, natural candles or diffusers for essential oils are lovely too – try a blend of grapefruit, ylang ylang and lavender for something that’s both clean and relaxing. Take a lazy afternoon for DIY scent making, creating some homemade potpourri from dried flowers, lavender home sprays or citrusy simmer pots – there are lots of recipes online.

5.     Table dressing

Spring time means more socialising! Impress guests at brunch, lunch or dinner, setting the table in a suitably spring-like fashion. Crockery with cherry blossom or sweet pea motifs, table centrepieces of colourful fruit, mason jars full of flowers, crisp white linen table cloths and striking, patterned runners – the perfect setting to enjoy a springtime menu of green salads and roast lamb. If the weather allows, take your table outside and enjoy the spring sunshine!

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

Helensburgh has been recently voted one of the most desirable places to live in Scotland by The Sunday Times and we at Caledonia Bureau can completely understand the appeal the area has. Being home to one of the seven Waitrose supermarkets in Scotland, boasting great schools and good commuting links, Helensburgh has fantastic appeal for families who want to enjoy the quiet suburbs of a busy city like Glasgow.

With a heritage of beautiful sandstone villas as well as local conversions and terraced houses, Helensburgh offers options for buyers within various budget ranges.

At Caledonia Bureau, we have recently successfully sold an extremely rare attached mews cottage within a desirable Helensburgh address. The property is situated within a third of an acre plot offering a high degree of security, privacy and total tranquillity. Accessed through cast iron gates to a mono blocked parking area.

Please see full details of this now SOLD property here.

To further add to the appeal of the area, the successful revamp of the town centre have been shortlisted in the 2016 Scottish Property Awards in the Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year category and was a regional finalist in the 2016 Civic Trust Awards according to Helensburgh Advertiser.

The local property market reflects the buyers’ desire to live Helensburgh, with average prices increasing in the last 12 months by 2.9% to a current average value of £215,557 according to Zoopla.

With mortgage rates at an all time low, these are fantastic times for home owners to look at their next family home. All Helensburgh properties we take in our books have excellent viewing calls and go off the market in record times.

We highly recommend homeowners who consider selling in Helensburgh, to contact Caledonia Bureau Director, Scott Caldow on helensburgh@caledoniabureau.co.uk who will appraise your home and help create the best marketing package for a quick sell at the best price. Scott, who lives locally, understands every mile of the area, has been selling homes in the West of Scotland for more than 20 years and has a proven track record of successful sales and delighted clients in Helensburgh area.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

Recent research from insurer AXA, mentioned in Landlord Today suggests that almost half of all landlords plan to quit the rental market as they face the controversial phasing out of landlord mortgage tax relief by 2020.

A hot topic for those with rental property, and one we have discussed on the blog before, the upcoming changes may result in profit losses for many landlords, particularly higher earners who fall into the top level tax bracket and have enjoyed up to 45% tax relief up until now. The new research carried out by AXA has found that more than 40% of landlords believe they will be worse off as a result of the changes to tax relief.

The changes come in from this 2017/18 tax year, when tax relief will be split so that landlords can claim 75% of allowable expenses, and will receive relief at the basic-rate (20%) on the remaining 25%. This will change to a 50/50 split between in 2018/2019 and then 25% (allowable expenses) 75% (expenses at 20%) in 2019/2020. In 2020/21, the switch will be complete, with tax relief applied at the basic-rate of 20% only.

The research found that two thirds of landlords feel unduly stigmatised for running rental businesses, with this new legislation the latest in a run of legal changes that have directly impacted landlords and the rental sector in recent years.

As we have previously advised on the blog and as this research suggests, landlords should be looking to reorganise their portfolios and transfer assets where possible in preparation of the upcoming changes. One in five (21%) landlords surveyed reported that they plan to sell all their rental properties, 10% will reduce their rental portfolio and 7% plan to switch to commercial property ownership, which is perceived by some property investors as a more secure option. 8% of landlords asked say they will transfer ownership of their rental property to their partner or a family member in a lower tax bracket as a way of exploiting their personal tax allowance, which is simultaneously due to increase to £12,500 by 2020.

As many as two thirds of landlords may be in the position of having just one or two rental properties, not operating in the rental sector as professional property tycoons with larger portfolios, and it may be difficult to forecast just how these changes will impact directly.

As this is a complex issue, the team at Caledonia Bureau are more than happy to sit down to discuss your current position and how we can help you manage any changes ahead, helping to make sure your investment stays profitable. Get it in touch with us today or pop in for a chat at one of our local branches to see how we can help.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

From Easter egg hunts to circus acts, from crafts to balloons, bunnies and bouncy castles, there’s plenty on in Glasgow and the West this Easter! Here are some of our top picks for Easter events, sure to bring plenty of family fun this year.

Easter Wonderland at Glasgow Quay

An Easter eggstravaganza with a rainbow balloon twist! An inflatable wonderland awaits at Glasgow Quay this Easter, the first event of its kind with over 20,000 balloons creating a uniquely magical experience. Activities include a giant walk-through balloon garden, a kid’s magic show, balloon making workshops, and of course, a classic Easter egg hunt with lucky dip prizes to take home. The event runs from the 4th – 17th April 2017 at The Quay Glasgow, G5 8NP, tickets £3 – £8. More info at the Quay Website.

Easter at Loch Lomond Shores

Lots of family fun to be had this Easter at Loch Lomond Shores! As well as the usual attractions – Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre, Birds of Prey Centre, bike hire, walking trails and beach activities, to name a few – a special programme of events is on offer for the holidays. It all kicks off with Springfest, one of the largest food and drinks festivals in the country, on 1st and 2nd April followed by Big Kid Circus, who bring their antics to the shores from the 5th – 9th April. The Regal Storytellers will offer free storytelling sessions on the 4th & 10th April, Animal Man’s Mini Zoo will be popping up on the 11th April and then the big furry one himself will make an appearance on Easter Monday, 17th April, at a Meet the Easter Bunny event from 12 – 3pm. Loch Lomond Community Cinema showings of Beauty and the Beast and the regular farmers market also to take place. The programme of events runs from 1st – 17th April at Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, G83 8QL. More info at Loch Lomond Shores.

Spring Holiday Activities at Glasgow Museums

Glasgow Museums run a brilliant programme of events during the Easter school holidays – and all for free too! Running from 1st – 17th April, events, activities and workshops will take place to keep the kids happy and entertained at museums across the city including egg decorating at The Gallery of Modern Art, animal superhero mask making at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Easter card crafts at The Riverside Museum. More info at Glasgow Museums.

Clydebank Easter Craft Fair

Kids will go crazy for Easter crafts and competitions on offer at Clydebank town hall, April 9th 10:30am – 3:30pm. There will be something for all the family, including face painting, a petting zoo and the chance for parents to pick up Easter themed goodies and gifts from craft stall holders. The Easter Bunny will even make an appearance, hopping around the building paying everyone a visit. Easter prizes will be on offer for children taking part in fun competitions on the day. The town hall café will also be serving up tasty Easter treats as well as offering craft activities to keep everyone entertained. More info at What’s On Glasgow.

Easter Egg Event, Glenburn Resource Centre, Paisley

Head along to a fun-filled Easter egg event at Glenburn Resource Centre on Sunday 9th April. Follow the trail of clues and answer all the questions to get your Easter egg at the end! Paint and decorate your own eggs at the arts and crafts stall, have fun at the reptile corner and take your pictures with friendly mascots on the day, plus unlimited use of the bouncy castle! There will be face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon models plus great local business stalls for you to browse. Parents can have a warm cup of tea or coffee while the kids have fun. Join the fun on 9th April, 11:30am – 3:30pm, Glenburn Resource Centre, 19 Donaldswood Road, Paisley, PA2 8EA. £5 per child. More info here.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

With the warmer weather, Easter and summer holidays approaching, mums and dads might be looking for a bit of inspiration to keep the kids entertained! Here’s a round-up of some fun family activities and attractions in the Dumbarton area.

Loch Lomond

The bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond offer lots for a fun, family day out in a beautiful setting. There’s a load to explore, including sandy beaches, woodland walks, bike hire and picnic and BBQ areas. Reopening over Easter weekend, kids will love stepping aboard the historic Maid of the Loch, the last of many paddle steamers on Loch Lomond, which dates back to 1818 and now sits moored at Balloch Pier. Set sail on the Loch by hopping on one of the scheduled cruises or water bus services available, taking in the stunning scenery and spotting wildlife on the way, before hopping off at Loch Lomond Shores for a spot of shopping or a visit to the Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium. Nearby, The Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre is home to over 35 Birds of Prey and Owls, including Kestrels, Buzzards, Falcons and Orla the Golden Eagle! Bigger and braver kids will have fun causing a splash with the water sports and activities offered by Loch Lomond Leisure Scotland such as kayaking, wakeboarding, row boats, water skiing and water trampolining! In the surrounding areas, there is Balloch Castle Country Park, with its impressive Balloch Castle, a gothic A-listed building restored in 1808, once the home of the Earls of Lennox. There are also nature trails, walled gardens and guided walks on offer in the grounds.

Dumbarton Castle

Learn about the long, rich history of Dumbarton castle – which sits atop a huge volcanic rock with views over the firth of Clyde. Described as one of Scotland’s greatest strongholds, once the heart of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde and home to Mary Queen of Scots, visited by Merlin and sacked by Vikings. The volcanic plug fills the crater of a volcano active 350 million years ago! Climb the 500 steps to the top and be rewarded with stunning views of the Clyde, Loch Lomond and Argyll. Special events programmed for the summer months.

Dumbarton Castle, Castle Rd, Dumbarton G82 1JJ. Kids £2.50, Adults £4.50, Concessions £3.60. Summer opening times Mon-Sun 9:30am – 5:30pm. Limited accessibility for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

The Meadow Leisure Centre

Kids of all ages can make a splash at The Meadow Leisure Centre. Fly down the flume slide in the swimming pool, or head along to ride the wild waves on offer every other Friday night from 7-9pm. Special inflatable sessions take place 1 – 3pm, fortnightly on Sundays – kids must be able to swim 50m to attend this. Juvenile sessions also available every afternoon in the fitness suite.

The Meadow Leisure Centre, Meadow Road, Dumbarton, G82 2AA. Swim Family pass 2 adults, 3 kids £7.75. Mon – Sun, see website for opening times.

Dumbarton Maritime Museum

Dumbarton Maritime Museum is suitable for all ages, offering a hands-on educational experience on the local shipbuilding history. Enter the world of the Victorian ship designer and find out how to design your own ship, have a go at carving a real wax hull model and test out different ship designs in the experiment tank with its mini wave machine. See the worlds very first commercial ship experiment tank – the length of a football pitch! Guided tours and café available too.

Dumbarton Maritime Museum, Castle Street, Dumbarton, Glasgow and Strathclyde, G82 1QS. Kids go FREE, £3.50 adults, £2.50 concession. Mon – Sat, 10am – 4pm.

Unit 23 Skate Park

Skater kids from 9 – 18 years (and older!) will be well at home at Dumbarton’s Unit23 Skate Park – the largest indoor skate park in the UK! There’s over 56k sq ft to explore on wheels, with a huge variety of ramp and rails to ride, including highlights the Little Devil Bowl and the foam pit plunge! High adventure available for both experience skaters and those just getting started, with friendly expert supervision on hand. Private coaching sessions available at weekends between 10am and 12 noon, when the park is closed to the public.

Unit 23 Skatepark, The Old Bond, 45 – 50 Castlegreen Street, Dumbarton G82 1DJ. Hourly entry fees (£9 for 2 hours, non-members), annual membership £40. Mon – Fri 12pm – 10pm, Sat – Sun 12pm – 8pm.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

Spring is traditionally the season when we get rid of the old and start a new page. The sunshine will remind you of the dust gathered on your windows and the garden will beg for some attention and love.

No matter how big or small our homes are, we all need a space to relax and unwind – and a tidy home makes for a more peaceful oasis from the stress of every day life.

We have put together 5 useful tips heard from professional cleaners to help you up your spring cleaning game.

1.     Have a strategy. The worst thing that can happen is you having to clean twice because you’ve put muddy wellies in the shower after cleaning the bathroom spotless. Some people swear by starting with the bedrooms and leaving bathrooms and kitchen last. Whatever you decide, having a game plane makes a difference.

2.     Have a method. Professional cleaners will start cleaning your kitchen in a general clockwise direction. Start with a corner of a room and work your way across it. Select the right tools for each room, use laundry baskets and a caddy for your cleaning products that you can move from room to room, it will save you endless trips.

3.     Use the right tools for the job. Having a set of essential tools and products needs not be expensive. You can make your own homemade basic cleaning products and go back to grandmother’s recipes by using vinegar, baking soda and other cheap household products to kill germs and remove lingering smells.

4.     Make yourself a checklist – and delegate! Spring cleaning for a family home mustn’t be a one man (or woman) job! Make sure all the family gets involved. Once you have a list of things to tackle, delegate small repairs, making a box of toy donations, decluttering an old shelf or just putting laundry in the basket – people of all ages should be allowed a small contribution to the task list.

5.     Don’t forget to have fun! Put some upbeat music on, sing and dance around. A good game can be “Beat the clock” where you put the timer on and try to convince kids to accomplish their task before the timer goes off. The house will sparkle in no time at all and the whole family will feel better for it.

What are your spring cleaning tips? Don’t forget to share your tips with us on Facebook and Twitter.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

Changes to taxation on allowable expenses for rental properties are coming into effect from April 2017, which all landlords should be aware of and be planning ahead for. Allowable expenses for landlords include mortgage interest, repair costs and interest on loans for furnishings.

As mortgage interest is usually the biggest allowable expense for those who own rental property, the gradual introduction of basic rate tax relief on mortgage interest is of most concern, effectively meaning that landlords will be taxed on their turnover and not just their profit going ahead. To protect from potential losses, here are 3 points all landlords need to consider when it comes to the new buy-to-let taxation.

 1.     The numbers

Up until now, landlords have been able to subtract their mortgage interest from total rental income before submitting their final income to the tax office annually, organised by which tax bracket they fall into. Basic rate taxpayers have received 20% tax relief, and those at a higher rate have seen 40% relief, while top-rate taxpayers could claim 45%.

Over the coming years, a decrease in how much mortgage interest you are allowed to offset against your rental income will be gradually introduced, heading towards 2020 when all landlords will have the same tax relief at the basic rate of 20%. These changes will come into effect from April of each year at the start of the new tax year and are applicable to all UK landlords.

In the 2017/18 tax year, tax relief will be split so that you can claim 75% of allowable expenses, and will receive relief at the basic-rate (20%) on the remaining 25%. In 2018/19, this will change to a 50/50 split between the two. In 2019/20 you will only be able to claim 25% of allowable expenses, receiving 75% of expenses at 20%. In 2020/21, the switch will be complete, with the only tax relief being the basic-rate of 20% on your allowable expenses.

These changes will be of most concern to higher earners. Landlords who have been well within the basic rate tax bracket will see no change, but those who are near to the limit of the basic-rate tax band are also likely to end up paying more tax. Landlords on higher incomes will find themselves losing much more in mortgage interest payments.

This calculator from the Rental Landlords Association will help you work out if you’ll be paying extra tax and how your finances might look heading towards 2020.

 2.     The options

Think about reorganising the income you receive from property you let. If you have multiple properties, it might make sense to consider selling some and remortgaging others to reduce the borrowings and fix rates longer where possible. Rearranging your finances, by assigning rental income to a spouse who earns less, can act to exploit their personal tax allowance, which is actually due to rise to £12,500 by 2020. Your estate agent will be able to advise whether an increase in rental charges is reasonable in comparison to the local market, again helping to solidify your income.

Some landlords may consider becoming a limited company since corporation tax is simultaneously being cut to 18%, with interest for limited companies being classed as a business expense and therefore fully deductible against income. This may be a particularly good option if you have multiple properties but there is still some weighing up to do in advance, as you will need to sell your property to any new company created, triggering other costs such as stamp duty and capital gains charges. You also need to consider how you will access your income from the company, whether as a dividend or a salary, a further complicating and potentially costly step.

3. Expert advice is available

As this is a complex area, landlords should seek expert advice before making any lasting decisions. At Caledonia Bureau we are more than happy to sit down to discuss your current position and how we can help you manage any changes ahead, helping to secure your property finances as best as possible. Get in touch with us today or pop in for a chat at one of our local branches to see how we can help.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.