The Main Stage at A Place in the Sun Live is the heart of the exhibition, with interviews and top tips from television presenters Amanda, Jasmine and Jonnie as well as other experts from the world of overseas property on buying your home abroad.

The Buying Advice Seminar Theatre brings together developers, agents, consuls and lawyers in panel Q&A sessions, so is the place to go armed with your questions about buying abroad. There’s a packed schedule of sessions throughout each day, covering different countries and topics to help you make the most out of your property overseas.

There are also series of country-themed villages and pavilion areas within the show with dedicated seminar theatres, where you can get specific advice on the most popular destinations to buy a property abroad.

The French Village in association with the experts on France, French-Property.com and sponsored by Halo Financial has its own dedicated seminar theatre and is surrounded by agents selling property from all four corners of France. Plus there are experts on tax, healthcare and all the other important topics you need your questions answered on before buying a property in France.

The Portuguese Pavilion in association with the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will showcase properties from the Algarve, Silver and Green Coasts. The Pavilion is hosted by bilingual Portuguese property owner Christina Hippisley, who will be joined by other experts from the Portuguese property industry, who can answer all your questions about what its like to buy a property and live in Portugal.

The Florida Pavilion at A Place in the Sun Live is a dedicated area featuring hundreds of properties for sale from both coasts of Florida and features its very own dedicated seminar theatre. There will be a collection of licensed realtors along with experts that can advise you on rentals, currency and legal issues.

The Italian Pavilion in association with the Italian Chamber of Commerce visits our Earls Court show for the first time and is home to a selection of agents and developers from across Italy. There will be a dedicated seminar theatre with sessions from experts on the property market in Italy, where you can learn about everything from the buying process to the intricacies of the Italian tax system. Come prepared with your questions to make the most of your day.

Click here to get your free tickets worth £12 each:

 http://www.aplaceinthesun.com/etickets/homesandtravel.html

You may have as many free tickets as you like, but you must complete and print a ticket for each person.

The percentage of VAT for first time buyers in Cyprus will be reduced down to 5% for new homes that have a 15% VAT levy

Now is a great time to buy a property in Cyprus as a new law passed in October 2011 provides for a reduction in VAT on new-build properties for those wishing to permanently swap the British winter gloom for Mediterranean sun.

The timing is especially apt with the launch of the latest residential component at Eléa Estate. This is part of the first phase of the newly integrated family-friendly golf development. The mix of 2- and 3-bedroom Garden Villas (semi-detached) and luxurious detached 3- and 4-bedroom villas provide a new affordable entry price starting at €695,000, approximately £575,000 (excluding VAT).

The launch of a further 13 new villas in phase one follows hot on the heels of the seven exclusive golf fronted, 4- and 5-bedroom detached villas launched earlier in September 2011.

The new law passed by the government provides a reduction in VAT and benefits those considering a home at Eléa Estate as a main and permanent residence. The percentage of VAT for first time buyers in Cyprus will be reduced down to 5% for new homes that have a 15% VAT levy.

The legislation applies to homes of up 275m², although the reduction in VAT only applies to the first 200m². The normal rate of 15% VAT will therefore be chargeable on the other 75m² where the home measures 275m². This represents potential savings for buyers.

Eléa Estate’s centrepiece is a par-71 golf course which has been designed by the six-time Major winner, Sir Nick Faldo and 20 properties in phase one are close to the 13th & 14th tees

Golf membership is included with property ownership for immediate family and the annual dues are included for the first year.

The 2- to 3-bedroom Garden Villas also being launched are ‘linked’ (semi-detached) and provide a hassle-free ‘lock-up and leave’ option for holiday homeowners.

Pierrick Prillot, Real Estate Sales & Marketing Director at Eléa Estate says: “We are excited to be kick-starting the New Year with the launch of these new villas, especially as simultaneous steps have been taken by the Cypriot government to help boost property sales.

“This will simplify and speed-up the buying process in Cyprus. These new holiday homes at Eléa Estate offer a great lifestyle with an excellent level of service.”

These new homes will be set on a peaceful hillside and have been designed by Ergo7, under the guidelines of resort planers and lead architect Hart Howerton. There are currently eight types of villas to choose from which offer elegance combined with the best modern living and designs that can be modified to suit the individual buyers’ needs.

All designs take into account Cyprus’s climate and feature a similar amount of interior and exterior living areas. All properties consist of two levels with private pools, covered parking and have the added benefit of lower ground living space. Balconies, roof gardens and terraces have been a feature of Mediterranean homes for many years and these are incorporated to provide light and natural shade.

Each detached villa has a large infinity swimming pool, set in private landscaped gardens with indigenous species of plants. The property specifications include; a fireplace, under-floor heating, lift, en-suite bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes, optional sauna, pool heating and a room with flexible space suitable for a home cinema, study or playroom. Homes can be placed in the Eléa Estate rental pool and full home and garden maintenance will also be available.

Eléa Estate Club House

Eléa Estate will be a fully integrated five-star luxury development and amenities will include a boutique hotel supported by a range of dining options and a ‘village’ with shops and restaurants creating a friendly community feel. For those not keen on swinging a golf club on the signature golf course, an extensive spa is to open offering the ultimate pampering experience in the future.

The mix of 2- and 3-bedroom Garden Villas (semi-detached) and luxurious detached 3-4 bedroom villas provide a new affordable entry price starting at €695,000, approximately £575,000 (excluding VAT).

The launch of a further 13 new villas in phase one follows hot on the heels of the seven exclusive golf fronted, 4- and 5-bedroom detached villas launched earlier in September 2011.

Prices for the newly launched Villas in phase one start at €695,000 (approx. £575,000) for a 2-bedroom Garden Villa. Three bedroom Garden Villas start at €847,000 (approx. £700,000) and three bedroom detached villas are available from €1,521,000, (approx. £1,259,000). See: www.www.eleaestate.com for more information

British architects and landscape designers enjoy a hard-earned reputation as world leaders, yet prospective clients often find the right practice hard to identify. No wonder – Britain has 33,000 architects and no limit to the numbers calling themselves landscape-designers.

The RedBook Agency offers a way to spotlight the finest talent in the UK.

The agency will offer architects and landscape designers:

• A way to enter new sectors or to expand a practice in new directions
• An easier way to meet the best new clients from all those who approach them
• A means of winning valuable new projects for the practices represented, through intelligent and highly targeted marketing, and PR and leveraging the Agency’s extensive contacts.

The benefits include:

• matching new clients to architects and landscape designers and ensuring that expectations are happily met on both sides
• No joining fees or other upfront expenses for practices represented by Red Book
• Recognition as one of the UK’s finest talents

Prospective clients looking for a creative partner often have to rely on word of mouth which can be a slow process, yielding only one or two names. And who can be sure whether an architect or landscape designer recommended informally will provide the best possible match of vision, personality or budget?

Sandy Mitchell of RedBook

By using RedBook, clients receive tailored, independent advice on a wide range of the very best practices, so that they can then make an informed selection of architect or landscape designer. All prospective clients will be interviewed by Red Book’s team in person at the outset to assess their needs and commitment – and to form an initial view of the appropriate match.

The RedBook team members will then liaise with practices—giving them a brief on the client’s project—to ensure the client and the project truly appeals. Only then is the client put in touch with the practice.  Neither the client nor the practice is under any obligation to accept a particular introduction from the Agency.

RedBook will represent up to 30 of the UK’s finest architecture practices while the landscape design practices will be limited to 20.

The practices represented by RedBook cover the spectrum – from designing visionary contemporary buildings to restoring historic houses, from creating cutting-edge landscapes to traditional town or country gardens – and they include the most experienced practitioners as well as brilliant young ‘stars of tomorrow’.

Exacting membership standards

The practices work in every corner of Britain, and vary greatly in size of practice just as they do in their fees. Yet all these practices share two qualities: exceptional talent and the highest degree of peer-respect.

To make certain this exclusive ‘club’ retains its exacting membership standards, RedBook relies on a top flight advisory panel to select practices of the right calibre. The panel includes Clive Aslet, an expert on British architecture; Jeremy Musson, the architectural historian; Dominic Bradbury, architecture and design commentator; Sir Roy Strong, the design expert and garden expert Stephen Anderton.

Clients will pay only a small registration fee up front. RedBook’s revenue is earned from the practices represented, who trust the agency to introduce clients they will enjoy working with.

There are no joining fees or other upfront expenses for practices represented by RedBook.

For more information, contact Sandy Mitchell at RedBook on: +44 (0) 20 7060 6222 or e-mail: sandy@redbookagency.com

Demand for homes in Detroit is high among property investors

The property investment market is ‘motoring’ in Motown following a pledge by President Barack Obama to provide massive financial support for the regeneration of the State of Michigan’s biggest city, Detroit.

A growing number of UK investors, disenchanted by the performance of the ailing stock market, are putting their money into buy-to-let bricks and mortar, snapping up distressed properties in Detroit.

“They are attracted by discounts as high as 70 per cent and net yields of up to 17 per cent,” according to Mike Coyle of international property investment specialist High Yield Bricks which is handling the sales.

Detroit, which has attracted more than half a million high tech workers, has suffered from a shift in urban sprawl to the suburbs. The resulting housing crash has left Motown, the heart of its motor industry area, short of affordable housing.

Investors are snapping-up newly-refurbished homes like these currently on offer in Detroit

Now, inspired by President Obama’s promise of billions of dollars to invest in industries which will create thousands of new jobs, property investors are cashing-in through ethical investment whereby foreclosed and uninhabitable properties are being converted into homes.

“With more than 9,000 low-income working families already on the waiting list, demand is high,” reports Mike. “Investors can be assured by the way Detroit’s city authorities are managing the newly-refurbished homes through their Housing and Urban Development scheme. It includes extensive checks on the financial security of would-be tenants and the underwriting of rental payments so that investors do not have to collect money from individual tenants.”

The prices of properties available depend on size and location. Typically a three-bedroom detached home with a monthly rental income in excess of US$850 can be purchased through High Yield Bricks for as little as US$32,000.

Purchases can be completed and annual capital growth is expected to average five per cent over the next five years.

For more details download a free investment guide at www.highyieldbricks.com

Los Tres Reyes - The Three Kings - are essential to the Spanish festivities

One thing is certain if you spend Christmas in Spain – it is going to be considerably cheaper than it would be in the UK. It’s not that the Spanish do not celebrate the Christmas period but on the whole they haven’t gone mad with the commercialism of the event. For Spaniards, Christmas has retained its religious focus with traditional nativity scenes present in most homes, decorations throughout the towns and villages and a general feeling of peace to all men.

The ‘stars’ of the Christmas period in Spain are The Three Kings, Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar. Father Christmas and Rudolf play much smaller parts and in years gone by were unknown. The Three Kings are the same ones that we know in the UK. They saw the Star in the West and followed it to Bethlehem bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is representations of these gifts that are exchanged on 6 January in Spain.

British expat Dean Wilkinson has lived in Spain for 12 years. He has often spent Christmas there as opposed to trekking back to the UK for turkey and perhaps a little more commercialism than he wishes to stomach. Dean explains: “Spanish Children don’t expect gifts on 25 December. Some may receive a few but it will be more of a token gesture while they wait for the big event on 6 January but for British and other European expats, 25 December remains the main event.

An alternative place to celebrate 25 December

“Being in the UK is so much more frenetic and stressful at Christmas than in Spain where the pace of life is so much more relaxed and gentle. The thought of trekking round the M25 or queuing in supermarkets in the UK is not something I miss. I am very lucky to have purchased an apartment in the hills on the Costa del Sol. I’ll be enjoying the company of good friends, delicious Spanish food and some ice cold beer on Christmas day this year,” explains Dean.

The festive calendar in Spain follows this format:

• The 21 December marks the shortest day and in many cities this is celebrated with big bonfires where the crowd will be seen jumping through the flames to protect themselves against illness.
• 22 December is a big day in the Spanish diary as this is the date that the annual Christmas Lottery is drawn – the event takes all day and is a much bigger lottery draw than anything that would be seen in the UK. This is known as ‘the fat one’ (El Gordo) and there is great excitement and ceremony over the whole occasion.
• Then 24 December is known as Nochebuena. This is a very important family gathering in the social calendar. Food, cava and festive sweets make this evening stand out and this night is as big in Spain as New Year’s Eve.
• The 28 December is known in Spain as El Dia de Los Santos Inocentes – this translates to Holy Innocents and is our equivalent of April Fools Day. In Spain you can find whole communities engaged in frivolous activities such as making the Mayor sweep the streets.
• New Year’s Eve is a big celebration throughout Spain much as you will see throughout the world.
• Then the Christmas period culminates with the Feast of the Epiphany on 6 January when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. For Spanish children this is the most important day of the year when they wake up to find that Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) have left gifts for them in their house. Three Kings are their favourites, especially Baltasar who rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts. During the day of 6th The Three Kings continue their good work and are seen distributing gifts to children in hospitals all over Spain.

This could be your Christmas home in Mallorca!

Marc Pritchard, Sales & Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, who lives on the island of Mallorca explains why the festive season in Spain is so special: “I love the deep traditions of a Spanish Christmas. My advice is to come out and experience the tradition for yourself – and sooner the better!

“We have property available from €114,920 at the moment; there has not been a better time to buy in Spain for many years and spending the festive season in the sun with the joy and fun of the Spanish is really something very special.”

For more information contact Taylor Wimpey España via www.taylorwimpeyspain.com

In the UK, HM Revenue & Customs publishes a booklet on residency (HMRC 6, previously IR20) but it is only guidance and not law, and it has been famously challenged by some taxpayers and so far HMRC have won (mostly)

Expatriates are used to counting days to establish their tax residency. Many countries including the UK have the ‘183 days a year rule’, while the UK also has the ‘90 days a year over four years’ rule. It is not always as simple as day counting, however, and many countries also stipulate other situations which would make you liable for tax in that country.

Next year the UK intends to introduce a statutory definition of tax residence. The consultation document says that the government considered but rejected a test based solely on the number of days spent in the UK because “it believes that where someone is resident is more than just a question of where they spend their time”.

Its proposed tests therefore seek to prevent someone becoming non-resident simply by reducing the number of days to below a set level and impose a requirement to reduce their other connections with the UK. The rules are far clearer and will provide more certainty BUT they are still complex and confusing to the non-tax specialist. So while they are no longer subjective and vague, the new rules remain complex.

• The number of nights which you can spend in the UK refers to the number in a UK tax year ending midnight 5^th April.

There are separate rules for Leavers, Arrivers and those working full time abroad, so it will be important to follow the rules for your situation.

There are five newly defined connecting factors which are: family in UK (spouses/civil partners and children under 18); UK accommodation; substantive employment in the UK; UK presence in previous years and more time in the UK than another single country.

Are you a Leaver or an Arriver?

Under the Leaver rules, British expatriates who spend less than 10 nights a year in the UK will never be considered UK resident even if they have connecting factors. At the other end of the scale, anyone who spends over 182 nights a year in the UK, or whose only home is in the UK, will always be classed as UK tax resident regardless of how few other connecting factors he/she has (subject only to be overridden by any appropriate double tax treaty).

Otherwise whether or not you are UK tax resident will depend on the number of nights you spend there and the number of connecting factors you have.

Here are some examples under the new rules (the number of days is per UK tax year):

• David and Sarah have sold their London home, are no longer working and will move to Andalucia in Spain where they will live permanently other than visits to the UK. Their adult children remain in the UK. They have one connecting factor (over 90 days in UK in previous two years). They can spend up to 119 nights in the UK provided they are in hotels, not staying regularly elsewhere, without being UK tax resident. This would commence from 6^th April after they have left the UK.
• John and Anne have been living permanently in their property in Bergerac, France for 10 years and shook off UK tax residency. They are both retired. They kept a flat in Manchester because Anne likes to visit her adult children and grandchildren regularly spending over 90 days there each year. They have two connecting factors (UK accommodation and over 90 days) but unlike David and Sarah are classed as Arrivers, not Leavers. They can spend up to 119 nights in the UK without being classed as UK tax resident (had they been ‘Leavers’ it would have been limited to 89 nights).

There is a special rule for people who go to work full time overseas, leaving behind their families in the UK. They will be deemed to be non-resident as long as they spend less than 89 nights in the UK and work in the UK for less than 20 days (defined as less than three hours work in a day: a difficult one to prove/disprove).

• Andrew has been living and working in the Algarve for 15 years where he owns a property. During this time he did not keep any property in the UK and only visited briefly. He will now start to carry out consultancy work in the UK for one week each month and has signed a long-term lease on a flat so he has somewhere to stay. He falls under the Arriver rules and can spend up to 119 days before being liable to UK tax on his worldwide income. He might be liable to UK income tax on the consultancy work undertaken in the UK.
• George is a retired divorcee who owns property available for his use around the world, including London. He spends time in all these countries as well as sailing around the Caribbean. However, he spends more time in England than any other single country and has young children who live with their mother in the UK. He has three connecting factors (UK accommodation; family in UK; more time in UK than any other country) and as a Leaver will be UK tax resident if he spends more than 44 nights there.

The above examples are simplified and you will need to understand exactly how each of the connecting factors work and the number of days you can then spend in the UK to establish your specific situation.

Remember that you will also need to take your local residency rules into account. It is important to seek advice on your personal situation from a firm experienced with international tax residency issues such as Blevins Franks.

Contact details: Article written by Blevins Franks.

To contact Blevins Franks for additional information go to: www.blevinsfranks.com or call them on 0044 (0)20 7336 1116 or email taxadvisoryservices@blevinsfranks.com

Stewart Andersen

Editor

www.homesandtravel.co.uk

Monday 21 November sees the start of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, and while most of us are up to speed on what to do if we smell gas, what happens when there are no obvious signs of a poisonous and potentially fatal leak? (While the Awareness Week lasts only seven days, don’t forget about taking care when it’s over).

An engineer in the process of fixing a boiler

Carbon Monoxide (CO) remains the most common cause of fatal poisoning in Britain today, killing 50¹ people per year. This colourless and odourless silent killer can be released by gas equipment that has either failed or has been damaged, preventing the fuel from burning properly.

As the weather begins to get brisker, more of us are beginning to think about reaching for the ‘on’ switch on our boilers, but after lying dormant for nearly six months, the possibility of a leak starts to rise. This Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, npower, which services and repairs boilers, is encouraging people to have their boiler professionally serviced in order to spot problems before they become a matter of life and death.

Having your boiler professionally serviced just once a year could significantly reduce the risk of CO poisoning, along with having a carbon monoxide alarm fitted.

Despite the warnings, results from an npower survey of 2,000 people discovered that two thirds of homeowners are failing to have their gas appliances serviced.

In fact only half of homeowners are booking their boilers in for their annual check-up, even though a third of the UK’s boilers are over 10 years old. However, it’s not just boilers that are a potential hazard. Cookers and gas fires are also being neglected.

The risk is so high

Chris Thewlis, head of operations for npower, comments: “Carbon monoxide leaks can be difficult to spot. Older appliances are definitely more at risk from CO leaks as they are more likely to be inefficient and malfunction, wasting money and risking health. It’s particularly worrying that people are not booking in their annual services for their appliances, especially when the risk is so high.

The interior of a typical boiler

“Millions of UK homes could be at risk from a CO leak. But with the help of a carbon monoxide alarm, people will be alerted to the fact that there is a problem and will be able to act. It’s not just big leaks that can be detrimental to health; smaller leaks, which emit lower levels of carbon monoxide, can cause serious damage to your health over time.

“Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is about getting homeowners to understand the daily risks of CO poisoning and to show that by following a few simple steps such as regular servicing and a good quality carbon monoxide alarm, the risks of CO leaks can be greatly reduced.”

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide alarms from npower come pre-fitted with batteries so no installation or mains power is required. The kite-marked alarms, which are fully approved by all European standards, come with a six-year guarantee and an automatic sensor adjustment with a continuous self-test function to ensure complete accuracy. The CO alarm should be positioned in the same room as the gas appliance or boiler and replaced after six years.

Homeowners can also reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by making sure their home is well ventilated and by looking out for signs of a leak, which can include discoloration around the edges of the gas appliance; if there’s a boiler, look out for a yellow rather than a blue flame and increased condensation.

npower advises that homeowners follow the following steps to help reduce the risk of carbon monoxide in their home:

1. Installation

Ensure that your appliances have been professionally installed by a gas safe registered engineer.

2. Regular service

Make sure your boiler is serviced at least once a year by a gas safe registered engineer who can test for damage or malfunctions. npower offers a thorough, 30 point gas boiler service and safety check. Appointments are available at evenings and weekends and can be made online.

3. Ventilation

Ensure your house is well ventilated as carbon monoxide will be produced in greater quantities if flues and vents are blocked.

4. Carbon monoxide alarm

Invest in a carbon monoxide alarm, which can detect the early signs of a leak and help you to deal with the problem quickly and effectively.

5. Look out for signs of a leak:

• Discolouring around the edge of your boiler
• A yellow rather than blue flame
• Increased condensation where the boiler is installed.

Symptoms

1. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to a cold or flu and can include:
2. A headache
3. Feeling nauseous and dizzy
4. Feeling tired
5. Vomiting
6. Abdominal or chest pain
7. Shortness of breath

Some symptoms can occur a few days or even months after exposure to carbon monoxide, such as memory loss and problems with coordination, and anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their doctor.

To make an appointment with an npower engineer, or to buy a carbon monoxide alarm, telephone 0845 070 4860 or visit www.npower.com/hometeam.

¹ http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/carbonmonoxide1.shtml

The Residence at the award-winning Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath

Combining leading-edge sustainable design, a boost to the Cornish economy and a shared ownership model which makes 5-star living more affordable, The Residence at the award-winning Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath is an exciting new development designed in harmony with its own and the wider environment.

Green: Each retreat uses timber from sustainable forests, provides hot water courtesy of a heat pump and is fully insulated, delivering energy efficiency to Government code level 4 – 44% better than 2006 BRE (Building Research Establishment) requirements. By swapping flights abroad for holidaying in the UK, owners will also be reducing their carbon footprint.

Affordable luxury: Hot tubs, plush furnishings, scenic views of rugged Cornwall, plus the trappings of a hotel – food delivered from Gwel an Mor’s exclusive restaurant and everything cleaned and ready for your arrival – made affordable thanks to the shared ownership model, where up to 12 people own a piece of the freehold title.

Boosting the local economy: Cornwall has two problems: one that its reliance on tourism leaves its economy struggling in the winter months and two, that a high proportion of housing stock, as much as 60%*, are second homes, and this bumps up prices for locals. The Residence combats both of these issues, employing local staff year-round and providing plenty for guests to do when the sun’s not shining, while delivering an affordable solution for people looking for a second home and one that doesn’t affect local housing.

Year-round destination: With a wood burner to keep warm, a club house with swimming pool, spa and gym, a farm and The Terrace restaurant, The Residence offers something at any time of the year. Soon owners will also be able to enjoy tennis courts, 9-hole golf, fishing lakes, a rock climbing wall, indoor children’s and teenagers entertainment centre, event venue and equestrian school.

Investment opportunity: This is not a timeshare, buying into The Residence means actually owning a slice of prime Cornish real estate which owners are free to sell, transfer or bequeath at anytime.

*Office of National Statistics

For more information, go online at: www.ecoholidaylodges.com

Whether you are building a new home or looking at energy saving measures in an older property, do consider the alternatives

“There are three main microgeneration or renewable technologies suitable for providing heating and hot water for domestic properties: solar thermal, heat pumps and wood biomass. Each technology has its pros and cons and may be more suited to one type of property than another.

Solar Thermal

This technology harnesses warmth from the sun and uses it to heat water. Solar power can provide hot water throughout the year and so reduce the energy needed through conventional methods, such as gas. A traditional boiler or immersion heater will also be required when solar energy is low during the UK’s winter months.

Before choosing solar thermal, you need to consider whether you have a suitable, sunny place to put the solar panels. Five square metres of space, facing east to west through south, and receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day is ideal. The panels don’t necessarily have to be mounted on a pitched roof; they can be fixed to a frame on a flat roof or hung from a wall.

Heat Pumps

Whether buried in the ground and extracting heat from the earth or attached to an outside wall and taking warmth from the air,

every unit of electrical energy put into the heat pump system will generate between 3 and 4 units of heat out, making them extremely energy efficient.

A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe, absorbing heat from the ground and concentrating it into a higher temperature capable of heating water for a conventional central heating system. An air source heat pump works along the same principles although does not offer the same efficiency or capacity of heat delivery. Air source is more suited to smaller homes however, as the ground source version does require considerable outside space.

Wood pellets, chips or logs can be burned to power central heating and hot water boilers, or a stove to provide warmth in a single room. Biomass is often an ideal solution for rural properties that may have access to managed woodland and the space to store the boiler and associated equipment.

Key factors to consider are that you need dry storage space for the wood, a flue installed that is specifically designed for wood fuel appliances and a readily available source of wood material. Also, while energy and CO2 emission savings are significant when replacing oil-fired or electrical heating systems, this may not be true when replacing gas or solid fuel systems and could even increase fuel costs.

For all these technologies, you may be able to receive payments for the heat you generate through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), scheduled for launch imminently, or a grant towards the installation costs through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment Plan. Details can be found on our previous blogs and the Energy Savings Trust website: www.energysavingtrust.co.uk.”

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government approved training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as house builders and specifiers.

A caller in Spain wondered what shoe size Prince Charles wears so they could send him a pair of shoes as a present

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is today reminding British travellers of the role of its global network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates as staff continue to be approached for weather forecasts and ticket bookings.

Other enquiries received by Foreign Office staff include:

• A man rang the Consulate in Sydney to find out what clothes he should pack for his holiday
• A Brit in Sofia asked the Consulate if they could sell his house for him
• A man called the Consulate in Florida to report that there were ants in his holiday villa and asked for advice on what he should do
• A lady complained to the Embassy in Moscow about a loud buzzing noise in her apartment – she wanted someone to visit her flat and advise the authorities to stop the noise
• A man asked a Consulate in Greece for information on how to go about putting a chicken coop in his garden
• A man asked Consular staff in Dubai to meet his dog on arrival at customs and help the dog through the customs process, as he would be on holiday when the dog arrived
• A caller asked staff in Malaga in mid-September where she could get a Christmas lunch as everywhere she had phoned was already booked up
• Staff in Greece were asked for tips on the best fishing spots and where to purchase good bait

Jeremy Browne, Minister for Consular Affairs, said: “We will always try to help where we can but there are limits to the support that we can provide. It is important that people understand the level of help we can offer. Our priority is to help people in real difficulty abroad and we cannot do this if our time is diverted by people trying to use us as a concierge service. We need to be able to focus primarily on helping victims of serious crimes, supporting people who have been detained or assisting people who have lost a loved one abroad.”

The FCO set up the Iberia Contact Centre in Malaga earlier this year to cope with the volume of non-consular enquiries received by British Embassies and Consulates in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Andorra. The centre filters calls so that Consular staff can focus their resources on situations where they can provide assistance.

Maria Leng, Consular official in Tenerife, said: “A lot of our time was being taken up with queries that we could not assist with but now the Malaga call centre is making a big difference by filtering enquiries. We can issue emergency travel documents or visit you in hospital but we can’t pick you up from the airport or make private arrangements.”

Full details of how the Foreign Office can provide support to British nationals when things go wrong abroad are outlined in the publication, Support for British nationals abroad: A guide: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

The FCO can:

• Issue you with replacement travel documents
• Provide information about transferring money
• Provide help if you have suffered rape or serious sexual or physical assault, are a victim of crime, are ill or in hospital
• Give you a list of local lawyers, interpreters, doctors or funeral directors
• Contact you if you are detained abroad
• Contact friends and family back home for you if you wish
• Provide help in cases of forced marriage
• Assist people affected by parental child abduction

The FCO can’t:

• Help you enter a country if you don’t have a valid passport or necessary visas
• Give you legal advice or translate documents
• Investigate crimes or get you out of prison
• Get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people
• Pay any bills or give you money
• Make travel arrangements for you