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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…
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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…
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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…
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Can my student daughter now give 2 months notice and end her tenancy?
Looking at the new rules it looks like from May 1st she may be allowed to give notice and end her tenancy early. There are 6 in the house and they all finish uni by 1st July but their contract makes them pay until 31st August. I appreciate that it means the landlord wouldn’t have the income for 2 months but they each pay…
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Cash ISA for house deposit
I’m currently in the process of looking to buy a house with my partner and we want to use our cash ISAs (easy access etc so no penalties for withdrawals) towards our deposit. Am I right in thinking that we will be able to use the full amounts towards our deposit and there will be no penalties tax wise from HMRC for taking…
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Renters Rights Act vs My tenancy agreement - which will take precedence?
Hi all, My original tenancy contract, from 21 years ago, says that my rent can only be increased by inflation. "..the Landlord shall be entitled to adjust the amount of rent in line with the RPI…." But the Renters' Rights Act info sheet says "Landlords must instead use the process in section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 for…
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Taking the co-tenant to small claims court for rent arrears.
Hi all, I need some advice regarding unpaid rent by a co-tenant. A while ago, I rented a flat with a friend. Both our names were on the letting agreement, and my name was on all the bills. We have decided to split the rent and all the bills 50/50. My friend paid rent to my account with reference “Rent [month]”. After a…
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Home Insurance Headache
Been living in this property for 19yrs. And this is our forever home, not planning to sell ever. Took a home buyers survey when we bought. After the 2nd or 3rd remortgage, the new mortgage ptovider sent someone round to value the property - rest of them did it remotely. He asked to go in the loft.what he found was previous…
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Trees close too close to a house?
Hi all, I’ve not had a survey on the house yet but a few weeks ago I had an offer accepted on a house next to some lovely green space and some very large trees. The house was on the market for a very long time. I’ve become more aware of the trees now they’re in leaf. 2 are Norway Maples and one is a Field Maple. They are…
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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…
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ADS (Scotland) & divorce
I'm separating from my wife. She will retain the matrimonial home and the title deeds will ultimately be in her sole name. Will i have to pay Additional Dwelling Supplement if a purchase a new property?. Also do i have to wait for the deeds transfer to happen before i buy a property, or do i pay the ADS then claim it back…
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Help! Rent-a-Roof Solar Panel Dilemma
Hi. I’ve been house-hunting and found a great property – but with rent-a-roof solar panels. I’ve read lots that says “don’t buy”, but Freetricity advise this lease only has six years left (just over 20yrs in total). I’d hope not to be selling onwards during this time, so I’m not considering the expense of a buy-out. I need…
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Inheriting right to buy property brought last year
My dad died recently and we are waiting for probate. I have 2 siblings who each rent property from the council one works the other on benefits. I own my house and work. Theres no will so we will inherit the estate a third each. The entire state is worth under 325k. Theres about 50k cash and a house worth 160k. However dad…
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EPC misrepresented as A, actually a B
We are in the process of purchasing a new build which was advertised and represented to us during viewings as being A rated. We agreed a purchase price, which was partly driven by this rating. During the conveyancing process, we saw the EPC actually certifies the property as a B, albeit a high B. We gave the developer the…
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removal costs
It’s been quite a few years since I last moved. What are people paying for removals now? I’m based in West Midlands and moving 36 miles. Large 3 bed, 2 rec. I’ve already have storage close to the new property and will storing most of the kitchen ware and tools as new house needs new kitchen and shed. I’ve had one quote…
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Reclaiming stamp duty on second home
If you buy a second home, you pay a 5% stamp duty surcharge. Very clear about that. But the gov.uk website states that if you sell your previous main residence
within 3 years, "you may be eligible" to get this surcharge refunded. Does anyone know why they say "MAY be eligible"? ie What factors might affect this, either…
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Bank wanting zero balance on reward credit card
Hi, I'm in the middle of a mortgage application and the bank is currently holding it up because they want a zero/nil balance on two credit cards I use for my daily spending and then pay off each month. The cards are a paid (£300 annual) BA Amex Premium Plus (and a back up Barclaycard Avios Mastercard for where Amex isn't…
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Thinking of doing holiday lets
I am in the process of buying a property which I intend to live in for the time being , but I am considering renting it out for holiday lets in the future. From what I have read on these forums and elsewhere, there are lots of rules and regulations, financial and otherwise, that I should think about before I go down that…
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Section 21 & 8
Hi, I have a question my tenant has not paid for 2 months total (1 not rec, 1 rec and now 1 payment not received). I have requested direct payment from UC with no reply yet(anyone know how long this takes). My question is I want to evict them, I understand Section 8 is arrears related and S21 is no fault, any advice what…
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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…
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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…
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Communal problem -v- access
I know the devil is in the detail therefore I should read my lease but in general is there any overarching principles or general ways things work where there is a problem with a communal part of the freehold building but access to fix and repair it can only be done via one flat? Have a leak, may be communal soil pipe,…
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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.…
