September 17th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

A new study has estimated that up to £67.7 million in tenancy deposits may have been unfairly withheld from renters over the last two years. Around one in five tenants who left a property during this period said they had some of their deposit retained, equal to approximately 722,937 households.Worryingly, the vast majority of these renters feel the funds were kept unfairly.

The figures come from Go.Compare home insurance, which applied the results of its latest renters survey to ONS data on UK households. Based on the number of tenants who felt their deposit was unfairly withheld, renters have lost a fortune in wrongly retained deposits in the last couple of years. Now, an expert has shared advice on what tenants can do if they find themselves in this scenario.

The home insurance comparison site estimated that landlords typically retained around £125 of an overall deposit, meaning a staggering £90.7 million was withheld within the last two years. Disappointingly, three-quarters of these tenants said they felt the money was withheld unfairly, equal to an estimated 539,528 households and millions in lost funds.

Those on a lower income were more likely to feel that their deposit was unfairly taken. Over three-quarters (77%) of these renters stated this, compared to two-thirds of higher earners. Women were also slightly more likely to feel that the decision was unfair. A huge 79% of women who lost their deposit during this period felt this way, compared to 69% of men.

The study found that it’s older tenants who are more likely to lose the most. Nearly a quarter (24%) of over-54s lost over £1,000 when having some of their deposit withheld. In comparison, only 6% of under-35s who left a rental property during this time had over £1,000 of their deposit retained. This could be due to older tenants potentially paying higher rents at bigger properties, requiring larger deposits.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Deposit returns can be a source of friction when tenancies come to an end. Clearly, most renters who’ve experienced this feel their money was kept unfairly. If this is the case, it means landlords are wrongfully retaining thousands of pounds of deposits.

“To minimise the chances of losing your deposit, take photos of the property when you first move in and when you leave to show how you left it compared to the start of your tenancy. You can also ask your landlord to sign a checkout inventory that covers the condition of the fixtures and fittings. Make sure all outstanding fees for the property have been paid, too.

“If you do lose some of your deposit but feel it’s been kept wrongfully, you can dispute it via your deposit protection scheme. If your deposit wasn’t put in a protection scheme, you’ll need to go to small claims court. Consider going to Citizens Advice before deciding what action to take, as they could help you to assess your circumstances and decide on the best option going forward.”

More information about withheld deposits can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

September 17th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

Over a quarter (26%) of self-employed workers believe they have been turned down for a mortgage because of factors linked to their employment status, Afin Bank has found. In fact three quarters (75%) of workers said they were either currently thinking about or would consider switching to salary-based employment to overcome the challenges of getting a mortgage.

Afin Bank surveyed 500 self-employed workers across the UK and found:

• 38% believe their self-employed status had stopped them purchasing a new home
• 23% said their unpredictable earnings or fluctuating income had been a barrier to getting a mortgage
• 13% said insufficient proof of earnings or not enough years of accounts had stopped them getting a mortgage
• 13% of self-employed workers said an insufficient credit history had stopped them getting a mortgage
• 9% of respondents believe they had been turned down for a mortgage because the lender would not accept multiple income streams

Even among those self-employed workers that have a home loan, nearly a third (30%) say the process had been difficult, but they had eventually secured a mortgage. These struggles led to more than eight out of ten (86%) of those surveyed by Afin Bank feeling they are an underserved community when it comes to banking, mortgages and financial services in the UK.

Afin Bank says its research shows a worrying trend of lenders not keeping up with the shifting trends of self-employment in the UK, which has changed in part due to the impact of COVID.

James Briggs, Intermediaries Sales Director at Afin Bank, said: “While a lot of lenders claim to serve the self-employed, our research shows that support is patchy and difficult, to the point that a majority would consider returning to a salary-paying role to make it easier to get a mortgage.

“The definition of self-employment is evolving because of changes in working practices since COVID or because of uncertainty in the employment market. We have seen an increase in people on contracts, freelancing or with portfolio jobs managing multiple income streams.

“We want to support as many self-employed people as possible, so we don’t use a tick box approach and instead work to understand their circumstances to provide them with suitable mortgages.”

Afin Bank pointed to data showing that the number of people working for themselves is continuing to grow following a decline from 2020 to 2021during the peak of COVID, with almost 4.4 million self-employed workers in the UK at the end of Q2 this year.

Afin Bank launched in the summer with a range of residential and buy-to-let mortgages designed for customers that are poorly served by high street banks, such as the self-employed and foreign nationals living and working in the UK.

The bank is backed by parent company WAICA Reinsurance Corporation Plc (WAICA Re), one of the largest reinsurance companies in Africa, which has committed £62m to launch the bank.

September 16th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

The digital era has created opportunities for businesses to unlock greater success than ever before. However, the competition to get seen (and, more importantly remembered) is fierce.

Research suggests people may interact with up to 10,000 brands daily. So, how can you make sure that yours is one that sticks out for the right reason? Let’s find out.

1- Stand Out On Platforms They Already Trust

Given that people interact with so many brands, one of the first things they’ll question is whether they trust yours. Appearing on platforms that they already trust can make all the difference. Marketing services like Algebra can help you truly tap into the power of Google through paid ads and Google Shopping. The search engine remains the most used resource online. So, this one step instantly aids your cause. 

Depending on the nature of your business, utilising online directories can be another wise move. Not least if you can gain positive customer reviews.

2- Get Seen In Multiple Places

It is suggested that you’ll need about eight touchpoints to gain a conversion. Therefore, it’s essential that you build a multi-faceted approach that hits users from every angle. One of the easiest ways to do this is to automate social media posts. When content is published to every platform, you will reach larger audiences. Moreover, people that interact with your company on multiple platforms won’t be able to miss the content.

Where possible, try to capture user contact details too. This will allow you to send newsletters, SMS messages, and other campaigns for a powerful punch.

3- Be Consistent

Increased visibility in multiple places is one thing, but it achieves very little if your message is confused. Cutting corners in branding hits profits hard, and not least because people won’t choose you if they are unclear on what to expect. Using consistent tones and language will be vital. However, it’s equally crucial to have consistency relating to colour schemes, logos, and other visual features.

If you post content on a certain day of the week, keep it up. This way, you’ll become a feature of their ongoing schedule. perfect.

4- Give Consumers A Voice

One of the most effective ways to strengthen the connection is to create a two-way interaction. Digital marketing allows you to step away from the traditional one-way marketing efforts. Whether it’s encouraging user-generated content or using Survey Monkey to hear their opinions is up to you. Either way, though, you must actively listen to cultivate a community vibe and become a major part of their lives.

Better still, they will tell you what they want from the brand. Provide it to see conversions and long-term loyalty soar. 

5- Be Unique

Finally, your brand needs a unique presence. Authenticity is the only way to achieve this. You have a passion for the business and what it stands for. Make sure that this is a key part of your story at all times. It may alienate some outside audiences but it’ll also win over the right people. It’s far better to succeed in a niche audience than fail due to a generic approach and lack of stanford out qualities.

While building a brand that people can’t ignore doesn’t guarantee success, it will put you on a smoother path.

September 16th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

As the UK heads into peak wedding season, guests across the country are preparing to celebrate—while also keeping a close eye on their finances.

From multiple invitations to destination ceremonies, the cost of attending weddings can add up quickly. Christie Cook, Managing Director of Retail at Hodge Bank, offers practical, budget-friendly advice to help guests enjoy every celebration without breaking the bank.

“With many people attending several weddings over the summer, the financial burden can start to overshadow the joy of the events

“By planning ahead and being smart with spending, guests can celebrate the love without the stress of overspending.”

Set a Realistic Budget Early On
“Start by getting a clear picture of all the weddings you’ve been invited to, because travel, gifts, accommodation, and pre-wedding events all add up.

“Once you know how many you’re attending, assign a total budget and break it down per event. It’s perfectly okay to spend more on close family or best friends, and a bit less on distant invites. Prioritising helps keep your spending intentional.”

Give Great Gifts Without Overspending
“Gift-giving doesn’t have to stretch your wallet, consider teaming up with friends for joint gifts, shop off-registry for something personal, or give a cash gift that fits comfortably within your budget.

“Don’t be afraid to shop off-registry, a thoughtful, personalised gift often goes much further than a big-ticket item. If you’d prefer to give cash, set a limit that feels comfortable for your budget, not one based on pressure.”

Cutting Travel and Accommodation Costs
“Book early and look at ways to share costs with other guests, group bookings, car sharing, and staying just outside the venue are all simple ways to save

“Flexibility helps too: travelling off-peak or staying slightly outside the venue area can offer big savings.”

Budget-Friendly Tips for Destination Weddings
“If you’re attending a destination wedding, treat it like a mini-holiday – but as with any holiday, plan ahead. Book flights and accommodation early, use price alerts, and check if other guests want to share costs.

“While it’s tempting to splurge while abroad, setting a daily spending limit keeps things on track. Packing smart can also save you from unexpected costs, no one wants to buy essentials at airport prices.”

Outfit Hacks for Wedding Season

“Think of your wardrobe as a capsule collection, a simple dress or suit can be styled multiple ways. Renting or swapping outfits with friends is another great option that keeps costs low and looks fresh.”

Hen and Stag Do Spending Boundaries
“Pre-wedding parties can be just as costly as the big day itself, don’t be afraid to be honest about your budget.

“Choose one or two key activities to attend and politely skip the rest—your financial wellbeing comes first.”

Enjoy the Season Without Financial Stress
“Weddings are about celebrating love and friendship—not about how much you spend, with a little planning and a clear budget, you can enjoy the season fully while keeping your finances on track. Your future self will thank you.”

Being a wedding guest shouldn’t come at the expense of your financial wellbeing. With a clear budget and a few savvy choices, it’s entirely possible to enjoy celebrating your loved ones’ big moments without the stress of overspending.

September 16th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

September 16th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

A new study has estimated that approximately 3.1 million policyholders in the UK are at risk of having their home insurance cancelled or voided, all due to making simple errors. In the last year, around 7% admitted to doing something that could lead to their policy being cancelled, equal to millions nationwide who could be left without protection when they need it most.

The figures come from Go.Compare home insurance, which applied its latest survey results to ONS data to calculate the number of people at risk of losing their policy. The home insurance comparison site said several factors can cause a policy to be cancelled, including missing payments or failing to give accurate or up-to-date details.

The most common error is falling behind on home maintenance tasks, which just under 4% of policyholders admitted to. Insurers expect properties to be kept in good condition, and can cancel a policy if the home isn’t properly looked after.

Approximately 1.19% didn’t update their insurer about damages to the property, while 1.01% said they didn’t inform them about a change of circumstances, like a new job or occupant. A further 1.15% didn’t tell their insurer about home improvement works, and 0.23% simply didn’t give all the information they should’ve. The same percentage admitted that they’ve missed some payments.

Yet, most of these policyholders know these errors can cause their insurance to be cancelled. Over three-quarters (78%) admit they’ve knowingly done something that could get their policy cancelled, equal to 2.4 million policyholders nationwide. This is despite the fact that it could leave them especially vulnerable if their property suffers any damage.

Just under a quarter (22%) didn’t know the consequences of these errors, equal to 693,575 policyholders unaware that their home insurance could be cancelled.

Go.Compare said that having a policy cancelled can also have a long-term financial impact, as some insurers will ask if you’ve had a previous policy cancelled when determining your premium. The comparison site’s figures show that home insurance costs are almost twice as high for those who’ve had a policy cancelled.

The median price paid for combined buildings and contents cover is £230 for those who haven’t had insurance declined in the past, but jumps to £449 for those who have. Similarly, the median for buildings-only cover is £205 for those who haven’t had a previous policy cancelled, but £450 for those who have, while contents-only cover increases from £65 to £133.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Insurance policies often require certain conditions to be met to remain valid. So, in some instances, insurers can reject a claim or cancel your policy altogether, and you would have to cover any costs yourself. Yet, many policyholders are knowingly taking this risk.

“If your policy is cancelled, you’ll likely see higher insurance costs in the future, so it’s critical you do what you can to ensure your cover remains valid. For example, regularly check that all the information is up to date. Every policy is different, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the conditions and exclusions so you’re aware of any restrictions that apply to you.

“Keep your policy documents safe so that you can check them when you need to, and make a note of the key points if it helps. This way, you can be sure that you know how to keep it valid and avoid any unwanted costs in the future.”

More information about cancelled home insurance policies can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

September 16th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

Unlocking home equity can be a useful way to access funds based on the value of your home. The amount of mortgage you have outstanding impacts the amount you have access to, and there may be other limits depending on the type of scheme you opt for. However, using the funds for renovation, for example, can increase the value of your property. From unlocking certain loans to how equity impacts your future, here is what you need to know.

Establish The Value of Your Property

Aside from remortgaging and lending against assets, there are a few ways you can access the equity of your home. Of course, it begins with understanding what you have to work with.

Exploring survey and valuation services in your area can help you get a good idea of the value of the property so you can secure equity based on its value. For example, a home worth £150,000 with an outstanding mortgage of £70,000 has a potential of £80,000 equity.

Loans for Unlocking Home Equity

A home equity loan provides funds with a fixed interest rate and one off lending fee: 

• You can access a large lump sum of money that can be used to renovate the home.
• A fixed rate means you can anticipate repayments, making it easier on your finances.

Lifetime mortgage

A lifetime mortgage delays repayment until after death or moving into long-term care. However, the interest is added to the loan month by month, and the debt is settled when the house is sold at a later date.

Home reversion

You can sell a portion of your home to a company that will pay you a lump sum. You can stay at the property without paying rent, and you don’t pay back the money until the house is sold.

The potential risks

These schemes can be helpful, but they come with risks. Mostly, the risk is in the accrual of debt, which can add up quickly, reducing the home’s value and reducing future family inheritance.

Accessing the equity of your home through loan schemes is a good idea on paper.  However, there is still some risk, mainly in how the debt can rise because of interest, and a loss of total home value.

Avoiding Some of the Risks

Of course, there is never an absence of risk when accessing any type of funding scheme, especially when it comes to mortgages and properties. The biggest risk you face with some of these, no matter how useful, is losing your house. That could be a disaster that ends in foreclosure. While you can’t avoid risk, you can offset it somewhat. Obviously, ensure you have the ability to pay any loans you take out, and try not to take out the maximum available amount.

Always Seek Professional Advice

Even looking into one of these schemes is enough to make your head spin! There are so many terms, facts and figures that reading through them is tiresome and tedious. So what can you do? Fortunately, there are experts out there who can help you navigate the cold waters of financing. If you are unsure about anything, it is best to seek professional advice. When doing so, be aware of fees, though, and ask as many questions as you need to for the info you need.

The Future of Unlocking Home Equity

The average homeowner who has already released equity from their property has seen a 7.5% average rise in home value over the past five years. However, equity release can have a major impact on property value, which can in turn affect your future finances:

• You can use the money from equity release to renovate and increase the home value.
• However, more debt now can affect future financial applications.
• The type of loan you choose can negatively affect your budget and repayment terms.

Timing It Right

Is there a good time or bad time to release home equity? The short answer is no, there isn’t. Everyone has a different situation, and there are so many variables that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The important things to consider are your personal needs and financial goals. Ask if you really need to, what you will use the money for and whether you can realistically afford it.

Summary

Understanding your home’s value is the first step to unlocking home equity. From there, you can make decisions regarding which equity release product(s) to consider. 

September 15th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

If you are a freelancer just starting out or are having trouble getting things off the ground, it is important that you build your business foundations. Once you have your core pillars in place, you will find that it is smooth sailing from there. 

To grow your business, you are going to need to deploy a variety of strategies in different areas of your business to build and support your growth. Marketing is going to be a key part of this, but what most people fail to do is set themselves up in other areas, such as finances, skills, market positioning and customer support. If you only focus on marketing your business, even if you do attract clients, you are not going to have the foundation to serve them and scale your business. 

The right strategies will enable you to drive the right people to your business more efficiently and cost-effectively, build a loyal following with repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, make the right investments back into your business and scale your business easily. 

To support you on your business journey, here are some of the most important strategies you need in place to grow your business. 

1 Build your brand

You need to have a clear, solid and consistent brand that stands out in your market. Start by defining your niche, which is a specialist and specific area within your industry. Define your core purpose, mission and values, and craft your target audience through market research and conversations with people in your industry. This will help you pull together a story and personality for your business, as well as a visual identity. Your branding is what customers are going to see, and it needs to resonate with them and be memorable from your competitors. This needs to be clearly defined and created, so it can be used consistently throughout all of your products, services and marketing. If you don’t have one, or keep changing it, people are not going to get to know you or trust you. 

2 Organise your finances 

Finances are a vital part of your business. While you might want to set up your brand and hit the ground running, you are quickly going to come up against challenges if your finances aren’t in order, and even worse, you may face costly penalties if your finances are not organised correctly or compliantly. Finances don’t just help you build your business, but they fuel all areas, including marketing, as well as ensure you are legally compliant in your country. You need to have a clear budget and forecast to get your business going and growing. You need to consider how you can build financial resilience, manage risks and irregular income, avoid debt, and plan for your taxes. Taxes are one of the most critical parts of your business, and it may be that you work with a specialist tax consultant to support you in this area.  

3 Ensure integrated business operations

Depending on the size of your business and your budget, the operations of your business may differ. Regardless, it is vital that you have the right tools and systems in place so that your business, customer service and workflows all run smoothly and efficiently. Consider what tasks can be automated and outsourced, so you are not overwhelmed and no bottlenecks are created. 

4 Prioritise your customers 

Your customers are the heart of your business, and it is vital that you treat them as such. When you prioritise them, you are putting them at the centre of all your tasks, from product/service development to marketing campaigns. This is essential, as everything you are doing is for them. Speak to them, send out surveys, run focus groups and have conversations with your target audience and learn as much as you can about them, so you can really get specific with all areas of your business. Some businesses make the mistake of thinking they know best, which is only going to waste time and money. Not only should you integrate this into development and marketing, but also the customer support that you offer. Make sure you listen actively, learn their needs and solve their problems. Be consistent and always offer high-quality, valuable and efficient service. 

5 Strategically market your business

Marketing is how your business gets seen by your target audience. Without effort in this area, you are going to find business very slow and difficult to come by. However, marketing doesn’t just mean random ads and social posts. There needs to be a solid strategy behind it, built with all your market research incorporated into it. This will help you to really refine your strategy and speak directly to your target audience. If you don’t, you risk wasting budget and effort casting too wide a net. Instead, you want to drive intentional traffic to your website. You should define clear goals, find out what channels will meet your target audience and determine your unique value proposition. Develop your messaging according to your target audience and your business mission, and then craft specific campaigns across the relevant marketing channels, for example, social media. Leveraging these platforms and search engine optimisation (SEO) will help you to build a sustainable and organic stream of traffic.

6 Network and position yourself as an authority 

Networking is key in any industry. The more you put yourself out there, speak to different people, attend and host events and get involved in communities, you will find that your recognition, trust and authority skyrockets. Crafting your business image as a thought leader and an authority in your industry will not only give you recognition, but will help build long term trust and drive people right to your business. It will support all of your marketing campaigns and help you get more eyes on your business.

It is difficult to start and run a business, let alone be seen in your industry. Use these vital strategies to hit the ground running and build a business you can be proud of.

September 15th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

A new study has revealed that the UK’s broadband users could be missing out on up to £1.2 billion worth of savings, simply because they aren’t switching providers regularly enough. It found that users can save an average of £58 on their annual broadband bill by switching to the cheapest deal available for the same speeds when their contract runs out.

Despite this, over three-quarters (77%) of broadband users don’t switch as often as needed to maximise savings, equal to 21 million households across the country. As a result, the nation is missing out on a fortune of broadband savings.

The research comes from Go.Compare broadband. It estimated how many households could switch providers more often by applying its latest survey figures to ONS data. It then calculated the average maximum saving if they switched to a cheaper package offering the same speeds, based on its internal sales data.

The comparison site says that the optimum time to switch is at the end of a broadband contract, which will be around once every one or two years for most users. Based on this, it recommends that Brits start to compare deals around 30 days before their current contract ends.

But, only around a fifth (23%) of users routinely change their provider every year or when their contract ends, and almost a third (32%) admitted that they’ve never changed providers.Older users are especially unlikely to perform this routine switch, with just 18% of over-54s saying they do so, compared to just over a quarter (26%) of under-35s.

Surprisingly, lower-income households were found to be less likely to switch providers, despite the potential savings on offer. Two in five (40%) of those on a lower income stated that they’ve never switched providers, compared to a quarter of higher-income homes. This means that those struggling the most might be missing an opportunity to cut costs.

Matt Sanders, broadband expert at Go.Compare, said: “Things like introductory rates and mid-contract price rises are commonplace in broadband deals, so you’re more likely to see costs creeping up if you stick with the same provider for a long time. This means you can usually find a cheaper deal by comparing packages when your contract is up, without having to settle for slower speeds.

“The best time to compare deals is around a month before your contract ends, as this means you’ll avoid paying any early exit fees. Changing providers is much more straightforward these days, too, as Ofcom launched its ‘One Touch Switch’ process last September. When you buy a deal from a new provider, they’ll tell your current provider that you’re leaving, so there’s no need to be put off by the thought of switching being a hassle.”

More statistics about switching broadband providers can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

September 12th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

You know that feeling when you order something online and it arrives looking, well, pretty questionable? Like the logo looks like someone whipped it up in Microsoft Paint, the packaging is giving “Amazon box with a bit of tape,” and then you’re left wondering if you just wasted your money. Honestly, none of this is exactly confidence-inspiring, right? It’s like businesses that do that don’t even want to bother with elevating their business. So what’s even the deal with that in the first place?

Well, that’s what happens when businesses cut corners on branding. They think they’re saving cash, but really they’re whispering to customers, “Hey, don’t take me too seriously.”Okay, maybe it’s not that direct, but it still gives a clear message, and once people clock that, it’s hard to win them back.

Bad Branding Hits Your Wallet Pretty Hard

For starters, customers don’t sit there analysing your brand like it’s a case study. Why would they? They’re not making a pro and con list. Instead, they’re going with gut instinct. Does this look trustworthy? Does it look like someone’s put effort into it? Well, if the answer’s no, they’re already moving on to the next option before you’ve had a chance to pitch yourself.

Oh, and it’s not just about losing one sale either. In fact, cheap-looking branding can chip away at your reputation. In that case, you’re spending way more time and money trying to convince people you’re worth it. Basically, repairing trust costs a whole lot more than just getting the branding right to begin with. It’s just not worth it to mess up from the beginning, either.

Looking Polished isn’t that Expensive

Now, this isn’t exactly saying you need to splash out on embossed packaging or a designer who charges the same as a new car. Sure, that’s what luxury brands do, but expectations for them aren’t the same as they are for you and your business (well, most likely). But you do need to look like you care. And yeah, like what was already mentioned, customers notice the details. They notice if your logo looks the same on your packaging as it does online. They notice if your stuff feels put-together instead of slapped together.

But in all seriousness here, it doesn’t take a fortune to nail this. Even small touches can make you look ten times more professional. Something as simple as rectangle stickers on packaging instantly makes it feel intentional instead, and customers like stickers anyway, well, good-looking ones at least. It just shows you’re actually putting in an effort.

There’s the Hidden “Trust Tax”

Well, when your branding looks cheap, people assume your product is too. That’s pretty harsh, right? So, that’s the hidden cost no one talks about. You end up lowering your prices, offering discounts, or bending over backwards just to convince people to buy. It’s not exactly a great place to be. But flip it around, though, and good branding does the opposite.

You Can Spend Smart and Cheap

The whole “cheap now, pay later” thing applies big time in business. It’s a principle you’re just going to have to forever keep in mind because saving a few cents on branding might feel clever in the moment, but if it makes customers question you, it’s going to cost you far more than it saves. To sum this all up here, strong branding doesn’t have to drain your budget. It just has to make customers feel confident choosing you.