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House buying, renting & selling

Archives for September 2009

is this board an indication of the housing market
Having watched, replied and posted on this board in the last couple of months I have now witnessed a massive shift in the content. It has taken a sharp turn from cries for help and desperation to sell to normal questions about buying and selling. Given the hits that this site gets, could this be a could indication of the…
Results on survey report
Hello, I just need a little advise regarding the survey report for a property which I am hoping to buy. The main urgent action highlighted on the report states that I should repair the roof covering. The report states: the roof has been lined with building paper which has rotted and requires repair/renewal. Whilst this can…
Letting agents break of contract fees
Hello, I am about to join an established house share that has signed a one year agreement. As the person leaving has not fulfilled the one year the agency are charging a £200 fee, which i find extortionate. The agency failed to tell the current tenants about this fee until recently and there appears to be some wording…
Problems in new house...who is responsible
Hi All, We moved into our new place last month. It's a lovely house but we've found the following issues and am wondering whether we have any redress: * The front doors are jammed shut. We pointed this out to the previous owners when when we moved in. Thy assured us that they'd been opened a couple of days ago. However,…
Will it work?
I want to convert my 28 bedroomed promenade Hotel into 12 seaview rooms for limited liability partners and 16 letting bedrooms. The idea is that rooms can be lived in or let out by the partners. I have a number of reasons for doing this the main being that I want to retire as a teacher and cannot sell the hotel, even…
Strange offers and prices on repo
I spotted a repo house on rightmove a few weeks ago. It was Sold STC but has now become available again: 30 September: Status changed from Sold STC to Available 20 July: Price changed from Offers in excess of £79, 950 to Offers in excess of £72, 000. Status changed from Available to Sold STC. 09 June: Price Changed from:…
Water charges
Hi, I have a small london flat and I haven't been paying for water for the last 3 years! I kind of knew I probably should be, but I never got any letters. So, can anyone tell me how far back the water people are allowed to ask for back charges? Or do I have to bite the bullet and accept 3 years of charges in one go. What…
House survey prices
Can anyone give us some idea of how much house surveys will be - we were quoted £475 for a house buyer report - I have no idea how that compares. :confused: Thanks
final meter readings and utilities
I can't remember how to do this ... we are moving out of our house and I know we need to take final meter readings. We have told gas, electric, phone people when we are moving out - do we leave the details of the companies we use with the new owners so that they can call with their first readings or does supply get cut…
CGT and Temporary second property
Hi all, I'm after some advice on capital gains tax and a second property Let me explain the scenario: My brother and I were left 200k inheritance in a joint account to use how we please. I've spent my half on buying a flat, and he's leaving his in the account while he goes travelling. I want to move to a house, and I've…
Quotes on New build?
Hi, this is my first post - sorry if it's in the wrong place or if it's a silly question - but my question is this. I am soon to move into a New-build flat through a housing association on a rent to buy scheme. I've been attempting to get some home contents insurance quotes online, but because it is a new-build, the…
Tower block repairs
Hi all, not sure if this in in the right section. I dont have all the information about this so I am after a general opinion. My wife has just got of the phone from her uncle who is in quite a distressed state, he is in quite ill health anyway but this has really made things worse. He owns a flat in a tower block of about…
What sort of rent do people charge 18-25 year old children
I have been charging my son £200 rent per month since he started full time work at 18.He was 21 last july and we have told him his rent will be £250 per month from 2010.He thinx that is far too high and none of his friends pay anything like that So I am wondering what other people charge there children? p.s we do live in…
Lost deeds Mortgage extension over and additional fees
We have had an absolute nightmare getting our house sorted, to cut a very long story down we made an offer on house we are buying in early March which was accepted, everything going ok but as time dragged into June we thought something was wrong and were told the deeds for the property we are buying had been lost, people…
Leasehold/Freehold Query
Hi I just wondered if anyone could help me with the following query. I own a flat and I'm currently renting it out. I have a 100 year lease on the flat and pay ground rent of about 125 pounds a year to a company (the freeholder?). This has all been runnning smoothly for about 7 years. Today, however, I received a letter…
Intrusive and disrespecful landlords - please help!
Really old thread. Goodbye.
Query about executor of late fathers will & probate?
Hi All My father's estate has recently been wound up and probate granted. I'm not completely happy with the work of the executor though. He had wanted to sell my father's house but I insisted that I would keep hold of it until I wanted to sell it. He was supposed to have informed the land registry about probate and I…
Tenant evicted when landlord is repossessed
This is my draft submission to the consultative document issued by the Dept for Communities and Local Govt on tenants being evicted with no notice as the landlord did not have a BTL mortgage. The first the tenant knows about the repossession is when the bailiffs turn up on the doorstep to evict. All comments welcome. Civil…
Conveyancing - additional documentation and need for a second solicitor
Can any explain this to me? My Mum has just seen our solictor and was told that another document is required detailing that the private lane at the back of the house (which we are selling) has been used by us. This document needs to be witnessed by someone other than our solicitor. Why is there a need for a second…
HElp, landlord and new business partner trying to run us out.
Hi all, this is my first post, not sure if this is where to put it but we're at our wits end and really need some advice from anyone out there who can help. We used to run a restaurant and wanted to sell up as our dad had a stroke and was unable to manage the business anymore. Our landlord told us he found a buyer who was…

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MSE News

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Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
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Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
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Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
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Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
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Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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House buying, renting & selling

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