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House buying, renting & selling

Archives for August 2014

Subletting, deposit stolen, and additional trouble
I was subletting a room in a house that was rented from the landlord by a couple. (Very) long story short, the guy died and his girlfriend told me to pack up and go, and that she would return me the deposit and any leftover rent. I found a new place in a day, packed, moved, returned to clean the room and (predictably), she…
Buying a home timeline - Questions
I might be a first time buyer soon... I've looked around the site for a while now, and have seen this: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buying-a-home-timeline but there are still some things I cannot understand: 1.can the vendor back out of the sale at any time? even after I've paid my deposit? do I get my…
Offer Accepted - Waiting for Vendor to Find A Property To Purchase
Hi, We're FTBs and have just had an offer accepted. The vendor still hasn't found their property to purchase. Is this common, and what's an acceptable time to wait? Understand there is no right answer here, just keen to get other's opinions. Thanks,
Sole Selling Rights
Hi, Are Sole Selling Contracts more common place with EA's now? I have recently had my property valued, the EA said that their contract is now only an SSC for a minimum term of 2 weeks with a 14-day termination notice period (by either party). He said that they are unable to provide a Sole Agency Contract. Thought I'd see…
Is now a good time to buy?
Hi, I am looking to buy my first BTL property, preferably in Northampton and have a budget of £100,000. I have saved a deposit of just over £25,000 and have a written decision in principal from London & Country mortgages. I have done quite a lot of research in the area, well presented 2 bed flats within 3 miles of the town…
Deposit deduction
Hi, some much needed advice wanted. We have recently moved out of our rented property. We cleaned the place top to bottom and repainted every room. I took photographs (193 of them) and also made sure they corresponded to the ones in the check in report nearly 3 years earlier. LL came and looked over the place and said he…
Are 3 bed family homes easy to rent out?
We will buy a 3 bed semi, in a popular area of a popular commuter town close to all amenities with off road parking. We plan to live in it long term but there is a chance we may emigrate in a few years. I would rather rent it out than sell it. Are 3 bed semis/family homes with gardens a more difficult let than say a 2 bed…
What is going on!
Hi We sold our house back in June had offer accepted on mother in laws house mid July. All progressing well. We had mortgage in place etc by 2/8 hoping to be moving early sept. Now we heard from our solicitors on Thursday that our searches are back on the new place and all seems fine. However when I then asked of there was…
Home Insurance acceptable to Natwest
Hoping to exchange in the next week or so. The mortgage offer states: 'The property must have a comprehensive insurance policy (including fire and all other risks (subsidence, heave and landslip), with an insurer acceptable to us, for a sum equal to the full reinstatement cost' Think the best offer from a quick check was…
Rights as a lodger?
Hi All, I have recently moved into a shared house with the landlord and well we are having a few issues. First of all the availability of the house, 2 tenants have separate lockable rooms and the landlord has their own room with private ensuite (and now private living room). The issues:- * Landlord stated after moving in…
Anyone local to Haverhill, Suffolk (CB9)...
... and could offer advice on the town itself, schooling (Primary) and anything else you can add that might be relevant? Myself and my partner are possilbly relocating to Haverhill (work) however its been 12 yrs since my partner lived their and I have only been in Haverhill a few times, but partner is keen, as it is…
indemnity insurance delays!!!!!
Hi everyone. New to this site just wanted to know if anyone knew how long it takes to get indemnity insurance for driveway that is public right of way.? My buyer's buyer's solicitor at last minute decided he wanted this then went on hols!!!!!!! Have signed contract so have my buyers got completion date then after a week of…
contaminated land indemnity
Now selling our home it has appeared that there is a risk of it being built on contaminated land. Buyers solicitor has requested an indemnity. Indemnity policy was going to be taken out until our buyer has found they have breach the terms and conditions by contacting the local authority. We dont know what was said it the…
rental income, can my wife use her tax alowance?
we have just started renting out our old property, my wife isn't on that properties land register as I bought it before we met. we lived there for 15 years. my wife earns less than her tax allowance, so is it possible to use her remaining allowance to offset the tax on the properties rental income? or would she need to be…
Second home purchase
Looking to buy 2nd home for working away from home - what is a tax efficient way to do this. I am a basic rate taxpayer and my wife is a lower rate taxpayer. Would it be better in my wife's name only?
S21 notice date and moving out before expiration
Hi, A quick question re s21 notices and one I am unable to find an answer to, as a bit unusual. I have been served a s21, it expire on Thursday 4th September. I have found a new property, partially moved in and I am clearing out possessions and cleaning old property. The landlord was flexible with moving out (he wants…
Rights in getting property returned from letting agent
Hi, I'm a newly registered user, but a long time fan of this website, so I thought i would see if anyone could give me some advice. I have been served a s21, and I am in the process of moving out. The s21 runs out on Thurs, and I already have a new property. I am in the middle of clearing out the last possessions and…
Short term renting options
We have sold our home and had to sadly pull out of the one we were buying. Our buyers were slow but now apparently are moving quickly and probably will want in before school starts here or soon after. We are thinking maybe a couple of weeks. As we have not found another house yet and will view some this week, what are our…
Evidence of Funds before Exchange
should be exchanging in the next couple of weeks. My solicitor has asked to see evidence of funds to complete. Have a 150k mortgage offer and £101000 deposit in bank. Of course stamp duty is 2.5k. I have an authorised overdraft of 2.5k with my bank. Would my solicitor be happy with this as evidence if i send her bank…
Landlord has gave spare key to neighbour?
My son and his girlfriend have just moved into a flat. Today, the landlord let his son and girlfriend know that the guy two flats below has a spare key in case my son and his girlfriend ever 'get locked out' (a local maintenance guy also has a spare key) We have never met the man, but know he lives alone. All three of us…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
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
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
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 low-income 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.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
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
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
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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