TrustMark Blog

Last week saw the annual Chartered Trading Standards Institute conference where hundreds of officers from across the UK had the chance to come together, share experiences of good enforcement practice and learn a few new tricks. There was even the opportunity to find out a bit more about how TrustMark is doing its best to marginalise rogues by supporting and promoting reputable traders.

At last we’ve entered the warmer waters of the summer months! Summer is a great time for the property market where you can really make the most of your home. By focusing on the appearance, the value will follow. As your most valued asset, maximising the re-sale value of your home could be the best way to jump up the property ladder.

At the time of writing my latest blog, it has rained every day for the last week and, according to the Radio 4 weather forecast, there is more to come. The British summer is still hiding which is somewhat disappointing since the nights start to draw in after 21 June. For those of us lucky enough to have a garden, the weather certainly causes more work at the weekend with the grass sprouting at an alarming rate and vegetation in need of cutting back during these ideal muggy and moist growing conditions.

I set up Arbour Design & Build 20 years ago to realise my ambition of establishing my own garden design, landscaping and maintenance Company with a strong attention to detail. All these years later, I stand in awe at how far we have come and the reputation I have built for delivering fantastic customer service and inspiring garden renovations.

We all rely on products that help us around the home to be perfectly safe. There is a raft of safety legislation and British and European standards that need to be complied with before products can be sold. Selling unsafe items is a criminal offence that Trading Standards Officers like me can investigate and there is a steady flow of prosecutions through the courts where the rules have been broken.

I have just given my back garden its usual spring clean to get ready for (hopefully) some al fresco dining and relaxation through the summer months. My self installed patio is now 15 years old and the stones get very dirty, but a few hours of attention with a jet washer normally makes them look spick and span.

Condensation dampness is a condition that affects many homes and properties, and often gets worse in the colder winter months, the so-called ‘condensation season’. But putting the necessary precautions in place now could prevent problems from getting worse when the weather cools down.

With the weather finally brightening up it’s also time to brighten up your home. But if you find yourself always reaching for those neutral tones, afraid to venture into the depths of the bolder colour section, ask yourself what you have to lose from introducing a bit of colour. Whether it’s a couple of cushions on the sofa, or a complete room makeover, using this summer as prime opportunity to inject some life inside your home as well as outside will do you more good than you think

Back in September last year, I wrote a blog about the new Consumer Rights Act legislation that came into force on 1 October 2015. I said back then that the new law should be clearer and easier to understand, meaning that consumers can buy goods and services with confidence and businesses, including TrustMark, can sell them with confidence too. So what exactly has happened over the last six months and has the new legislation made any difference?

April showers are almost over and the bank holiday weekend has arrived! Bank holidays are always prime time for homeowners to try out some dab hand DIY, and with the longer weekend, it’s a perfect opportunity to crack on with those jobs you never seem to get round to.