LANDLORDS have been warned they could be losing out on mortgages.

Mark Weller, of Connells Lettings and Mortgage Services, said that while landlords usually made sure they were getting the best possible deal from the agent handling the letting of their property, they were often not so diligent when it came to their mortgage.

“There has been a huge increase in specific buy-to-let mortgages over the past few years and there are now some fantastic products on the market,” he said. “Landlords who have continued paying the same mortgage year after year could possibly save themselves a quite considerable sum every month by changing to a more cost effective product.”

For further information, contact Connells at 77 High Street, Ashford.

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THE Care Fees Advice service from Help the Aged offers free advice each year to the 70,000 older people who are forced to sell their house to fund care in a residential or nursing home.

Older people needing care whose capital is over £11,750 (including the value of their home) have to contribute to the cost. Those with capital (including the value of their home) over £19,000 must pay the full cost of care.

With fees costing around £16,000 a year for a residential home and up to £50,000 a year for a nursing home, the only option for many older people to fund such care is to use the equity in their property.

However, before going ahead, there are a number of issues that older people and their families and friends should consider. Help the Aged's Care Fees Advice service offers the following guidance:

A property may be disregarded from the financial assessment by the local authority.

The most common exceptions for an older person's home to be disregarded when paying for care are if:

* A resident's stay in a care home is only temporary and they intend to return to the property.

* A partner still lives there or it is occupied by a relative who is over 60, or is incapacitated, or is a child under 16 whom the older person is liable to maintain.

Even if the home is not disregarded permanently, it will be disregarded for the first 12 weeks of care.

If a resident's stay in a home is permanent, the local authority must disregard the value of a property for the first 12 weeks of care.

However, the resident will be expected to contribute other assessed income to meet the cost of care.

If their assessed income is less than the cost of care, the resident will be expected to contribute all of their income, less £16.80 per week personal expenses allowance.

Beyond the 12-week period, if you do not want to sell a property, you may be entitled to an interest-free loan from the local authority. This loan is available if other assets are less than £19,000 (excluding property).

For further advice or a factsheet on the treatment of property when funding care, call the freephone number: 0500 76 74 76.

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BUILDING starts soon at Church Road, Borstal, where Hillreed Homes has planning permission for 12 three-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes. Completion of the first properties is anticipated in the autumn.

The Maidstone-based company recently won the Kent Environment Business of the Year Award.

To register an interest in the new development and to receive a free full colour brochure, contact the head office on 01622 691561.

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AS removal company Bishop's Move starts its second year at the Spa Industrial Park, Tunbridge Wells, newly appointed branch manager Paul Hunter aims to build on last year's success.

It is estimated that 65 per cent of housebuyers moved home within the area between July and December, 2002. A further 25 per cent of buyers moved to the area from London. The containerised storage service available to both businesses and homemovers has doubled its turnover in the past 12 months.

Bishop’s Move can be contacted on 01892 530191; website www.bishopsmove.com

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WARD Homes has opened the doors of its new show home at the St Mildreds development in Canterbury.

The site comprises eight three-storey houses and 10 apartments within the walls of the city centre.

Janet Burnell, sales and marketing director for Ward Homes, said: “The Canterbury housing market remains buoyant and people are simply clamouring for homes within the city walls, particularly new build which is particularly scarce.”

Prices start from £175,000. The agent is Strutt & Parker (01227 451123).