Buying, selling and letting - September, 2001

·    Ordinary lightbulbs use four times more power than energy saving lighbulbs. Because the common variety of lightbulb uses more electricity, they burn out quicker and need replacing more frequently than modern alternatives. Energy saving lightbulbs use smart electronics that enable them to produce a highly efficient light using just a small amount of energy. They save you money too, by lasting up to eight times as long.
·    Energy saving lightbulbs are available from your high street store in the usual bayonet and screw fixings. They come in all shapes and sizes to suit a variety of lampshade designs.
·    Long stick-shaped bulbs work best in central positions because they radiate light more evenly.
·    Like common bulbs, energy efficient bulbs are available in a choice of wattages. But be aware that the wattage is lower because they use only a quarter of the energy, and they can take a short time to reach their full brightness.
·    To make the most cost effective use of energy saving lightbulbs, use them in the areas of the house where you have the lights on frequently or for long periods. This is particularly the case for houses with outside security lighting, which is left on long term.
·    Be aware that special dimmer switches are required for use with energy saving lightbulbs and some timers are incompatible, so check your manufacturer's instructions first.

Get your layout right on the floor – If you’re hanging a collection of different sized frames and subjects, clear a patch of floor space and arrange the pictures there first. You can practise getting the grouping and colours right before committing yourself to hammer and nails.

Add emphasis with borders or blocks of colour – Putting a border around the frame or centring pictures on blocks painted a contrasting colour to the walls will focus attention on the pictures and help break up large expanses of wall space.

Use pictures to correct design ‘faults’ – A bright picture can warm up a cold room, long shapes can stretch a narrow room and tall ones heighten a ceiling. Using images with a faraway horizon or sense of depth can even make a room appear larger.

Use an element of surprise – Seeing a picture where you least expect to can be part of its charm. Hang pictures above a workspace where you can appreciate them when you glance up. Put a small picture in an odd corner, above a door, or near architectural features to emphasise them.

Keep frames and mounts uniform – If you’re hanging pictures in groups, consider framing and mounting each in the same way. This will pull even a varied group of pictures together and make a dramatic statement in the room.

Explore unusual frames – There are thousands of frames available, and choosing the right one can make or break a picture. As well as more traditional frames, think about round or narrow frames, wide frames for tiny pictures or even very deep frames that will hold small three-dimensional objects as well as images.

Remember that pictures don’t have to be on a wall – Try putting images on a table or desk with a piece of glass cut to fit over the top, adapt a screen to carry photographs or create a display from photo cubes or a row of small identical frames.

Make your own frames – Consult craft books for frame ideas – papier maché, clay and scraps of wood or cardboard all can be used to make frames. Cover a ready-made frame with a collage of small objects or a dramatic paint effect. You’ll need a minimum of skills and will end up with something one-of-a-kind.

Be creative with picture fixings – The way you hang pictures can often be as creative as the pictures themselves. Hang pictures from decorative hooks or disguise hanging wires with a length of ribbon. Suspend the frame from the ceiling or attach an extra board to the back of the frame to hang the picture a few inches in front of a wall. Attach a small light to the top of the picture, or hang where it will catch a spotlight.

Forget frames – Sophisticated copying methods mean you can now transfer colour images straight onto fabrics or paste colour copies on walls. Colour copies can even be laminated and hung in windows or used as placemats. Consult your local copy shop for a little off-the-wall inspiration.

Stamp duty is a charge levied by the Land Registry office to cover the cost of transferring the record of ownership of registered land or handling a conveyance. It’s payable on all properties valued at more than £60,000. Stamp duty is payable on properties under £60,000 if they form part of a larger purchase of several properties or a series of purchases.

How much is it?

One per cent of the purchase price for homes over £60,000 but below £250,000. For homes between £250,000 and £500,000, the rate rises to three per cent. For homes over £500,000, stamp duty is five per cent of the purchase price. A certificate of value must be submitted along with the payment, or else the higher rate of four per cent will apply regardless of the purchase price.

Who pays it?

The purchaser. If you have engaged a solicitor to act for you in buying your home, your solicitor may submit the payment on your behalf and charge you for it.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. Chancellor Gordon Brown recently announced that property located in one of 2,000 local wards deemed by the Treasury to be ‘deprived areas’ – and costing between £60,000 and £150,000 – will be exempt from stamp duty. This will save buyers one per cent of the purchase price. For a list of areas affected by this, visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

What else do I need to know?

For many home buyers, stamp duty is a cost they may not have budgeted or bargained for. If you are concerned about whether duty is payable on the property you’re purchasing, check with your solicitor or phone the Stamp Offices helpline on 0845 603 0135.