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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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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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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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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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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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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.…
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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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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…
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S21/ Govt deposit scheme
Hi, Son wants to sell his rental/BTL property NOW (many reasons). Tenants have been in since 2019. Have tenancy agreement. He tooka months deposit but never registered it. with Govt deposit scheme (twit - why not). He understands that as he didn't register having received the deposit within 14 days of tenancy commencement…
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Buyers is delaying / refusing to exchange
We have agreed the sale of our property (leasehold flat) and all outstanding items have been resolved. The buyer (cash buyer) is moving back from the States and is apparently 'desperate' to move yet she keeps delaying exchange and completion. She has recently had surgery in the states and has refused to complete until she…
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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…
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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.…
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Inspection certificates
I’m currently selling my flat to first-time buyers. It’s a two-bedroom Edwardian maisonette with a share of freehold. We’re mid-transaction (survey completed), and the buyers’ solicitors have raised a couple of additional requests: EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) I understand this isn’t a legal requirement…
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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…
