-
Martin Lewis Blog: 'House offer accepted, now they want £20,000 more! What should I do?'
A passer-by stopped Martin in the street recently to ask his opinion on her house buying dilemma. You can check out his view in a video he posted: Martin Lewis: 'House offer accepted, now they want £20,000 more! What should I do?' What would you do? Stand your ground? Walk away? Pay the extra? Negotiate? Tell us your…
-
New to the House Buying, Selling & Renting board? Start here
✅ This board is for... * Questions about buying or selling a home * Questions about renting a home * Questions about being a landlord 🚫 This board is not for.. * Debating the state of the economy * Debating house prices in general * Political debates Note: In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place…
-
Tenancies in Eng/Wales: Guides for landlords and tenants
post 1 This thread is intended to provide information to both landlords and tenants relating to Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales. Updated April 2020 to include the Coronavirus Act 2020 and July 2020 to include the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020. Topics covered: Post 2: Repairing…
-
Leasehold shock: what can I do?
It’s a perfect storm. I was very ignorant about leasehold when I bought my flat in 2004. I didn't know a thing about leasehold -- how could I? I was a German citizen, moving to the UK so my children could attend the schools I'd chosen. Yes, it was my fault for not seeking advice and informing myself. I acknowledge that. It…
-
Samuel Leeds property investor.
Views? Has anyone experienced this guy or made any money?
-
Solicitor Fees - Please help. I am a tenant that voluntarily left after section LBA & Section 21
Hi all, I’m trying to get some guidance on a tenancy/legal cost dispute with a letting agent’s solicitors and would really appreciate any advice. Background: I rented a property for around 3 years and had no major issues during the tenancy. In 2025 I began experiencing financial difficulties and was in contact with the…
-
Do we complete on the same day as sellers?
Our sellers are buying a new build which has been slightly delayed however we are now nearing exchange and I know we will need to agree a completion date. Do we complete on the same day they complete? First time buying so didn't know if it was done this way or if they complete and we complete a few days later when they…
-
“Has anyone used an online ID1 form verification service in the UK?”
Hi everyone, I’m currently dealing with an ID1 form for a property-related matter and honestly finding the whole verification process a bit confusing. From what I understand, you usually have to go through a solicitor or similar professional, but getting appointments sorted is taking longer than expected. I’ve recently…
-
Sold Primary Residence after a period of absence - CGT help please
Hi, We bought our home in 2004 but moved house in 2022 (I needed to get a more suitable property due to my disability). Our old house was in need of some repair, so there was a year or so where work was ongoing, followed by another 2 1/2 years where it was on the market and just not selling (due to the downturn in local…
-
Deed of gift solicitors
Just looking for some advice about setting up a deed of gift. My dad recently inherited a home from his late father and as a result is going to give me his current house (which will soon be empty). I was going to inherit it upon his death but he’s going to pass it over now. Do we just need one solicitor to draw up the…
-
10% Share of Shared Ownership
I’m looking at purchasing a shared ownership flat at a 10% share (fully aware of the pros and cons). Has anyone successfully secured a mortgage on a 10% share with a 10% deposit. This is marketed by the housing association, but in initial conversations with a mortgage broker it sounds like it would be difficult to get a…
-
Replace carpet or not?
Briefly our situation is this. We inherited this house a couple of years ago. Now trying to sell it. Its a 1930's semi detached on a desirable road going out of town. Other similar properties in the area which have been modernised go for £600,000 or above. Ours has not be modernised and needs some work but is structurally…
-
Do lease holders need to be a 'company?'
Hi, 10 years ago 3 flat owners bought the freehold of a block of 9 flats. We had to form a company with Companies House in order to do so….we are having a nightmare with trying to change a wrongly registered DOB - been trying since last December Keep being threatened by Companies House because we haven't/can't file the…
-
Increasing value for House Sale
Hi everyone. I have a couple of questions about selling my house to maximise its sale price. I know an estate agent would be ideal to ask but i'm in the doing it up stage to make it look nice for a sale and am about 2 months away from starting the process so just wondered if these things were worth spending money on.…
-
House Insurance Scam
The last insurance I took out on my property I was scammed by the insurance company at the end of the first year they took a second years premium from my credit card without my permission or knowing anything about it or agreeing to it, I contacted my credit card and got the money back but then the insurance company…
-
Vague lease wording - is a License to Alter required? If so, extra £3k costs
Hi everyone, my partner and I bought our home as first-time buyers last year, a long-term leasehold maisonette, and we now hope to refurbish the bathroom. The alteration section of the lease reads as follows: (13) Not at any time during the said term without the license in writing of the Lessor... to make any alteration in…
-
Second home council tax – part-year UK use while living abroad?
Hi, I have a property in the Sefton Council area which is currently classed as a second home, so I’m paying the council tax premium. I spend part of the year there (around 10–12 weeks at present), while also living abroad, but I’m now retired and gradually planning to base myself more in the UK. The house isn’t empty—I use…
-
renting furnished or unfurnished for 6 months or so
Hi looking for a nice flat for around 6 months possibly a slightly longer makes sense to me to go furnished, due to time frame. however, does anyone think i'm limiting the market unnecesarily? i mean could i just buy a roll up mattress on the floor and a cheap chair table/desk which i wouldnt even take with me at the end?…
-
Secure tenancy or shared ownership?
Hi, I have the opportunity to apply for a shared ownership on a new build. £20,000 for a 10% share. I am currently living in a housing association property which is a secure tenancy, and I have the right to acquire. Am I best off staying where I am? I am 37, two children (15 and 2), in a relationship but not married.…
-
unreasonable landlord
my daughter and her partner rent and their landlord has sent a letter setting out what I think are unreasonable demands, they are scared to say anything as think he may chuck them out if they do so am asking for thoughts on following he says garage is only for car and not to keep gardening tools or lawnmower in, he says…
-
How to move house when my house needs work?
I've suffered from ill health for years and this has meant my house needs work done. But I also want to move, and I've seen a house I like. What is the best way to deal with this? What does it cost to put my possessions in storage? I've never done that before so have no idea of the cost. How can I buy the house I want…
-
Stamp duty when staircasing to 100%
Hi. I have what is probably a simple question but whenever I search the government website or elsewhere, I find conflicting or needlessly over complicated info. I simply cannot figure this out based on the information and examples that the government provide. I own 50% of a one bed flat that I bought as a first time buyer.…
-
Private CCTV in communal area
I would appreciate any advice regarding the use of private CCTV in a communal area. The situation involves a housing association property comprising six flats. A resident in one of the ground floor flats has installed a CCTV camera in his window, which appears to cover the front garden, entrance, and gate. My partner is…
