We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

House buying, renting & selling

Archives for November 2016

Conveyancing selection
Hello everybody, I had our offer accepted and I need to choose solicitor/conveyancer. Initial I chosen the cheapest Nigel Broadhead Mynard 'NBM' . The estate agency came back saying that they had very bad experience with them. I asked them if they have a recommendation the suggested Cook Taylor Woodhouse Limited (in theory…
Valuation showed Damp and Woodworm
Hi I've had an offer accepted on house and mortgage approved in full. I've read the valuation they've valued it at the price we offered. The valuation report identifies some damp and woodworm should i go back to the vendor and ask if its covered under their house insurance or for them to fix it or reduce the price of the…
Buying from parents - PLEASE HELP
My father-in-law has converted a barn and would now like to sell it to my wife and I. We cannot afford the full price of the property (£450,000) and my father-in-law needs to make some money on the sale so we would like to buy 50% with father-in-law retaining the other 50%. Would we be able to get a mortgage for 50% of a…
Need help with land registry please
We have had the company who took ownership of the build of our house on when the company building the estate went bust they have told us that we own part of the pavement as the land registry registered our land incorrectly we did not know the pavement was ours and they have said we are liable if anyone falls on it so we…
Party Wall questions
I have some questions on Party Wall notices for a rear (rectangular) extension on a 3 bed semi. The property has a side alley leading to a garage that will be demolished to form a patio. Before serving the notices I am going to discuss my plans with the neighbours to assess their intentions. For the attached neighbour Mr.A…
Wrong price on Exchange document
Hi All, Tried to find a similar scenario but no luck. I was due to exchange today on house sale and house purchase. The chain is 3 long and I'm in the middle. My sale exchange was all fine, then last minute the paperwork was sent from the house I'm buyings solicitor and the price originally agreed, not the negotiated price…
New Build - Completion Date Changed After Notice
Hi All, I am buying a new build flat and having some issues with the completion date. Its small developer and not well known. So no point in sharing their name. My solicitor confirmed in writing on 20 Nov that the completion will happen on 3 Jan 17 (Six weeks notice as per the contract). Just received an email from the…
What to do with spare land?
Hi everyone, Wasn't sure where to post this, but hoping for some suggestions! We have a rather unusual garden set-up. We have a small courtyard area behind our house, and then two larger plots a short walk from the house (other gardens in-between). One of these areas we use as a vegetable patch, pond and some fruit trees…
Land Registry delay
I sold my old house earlier in the year, the sale completed six months ago. However, the Land Registry records have not been updated, and the most recent sale recorded is the one to me some 15 years previously. In some ways I think this isn't my problem, and that if anyone should be chasing it up, it's the people who…
Marriage Value when I own a share of freehold
Hello - I hold the share of freehold with one other flat in a converted house. I am looking to sell soon but the estate agent advised me that I need to extend my lease to increase property value. My current lease is 65 years whilst the other freeholders lease length is 95 years. I am relying on the goodwill of the other…
Stamp duty/tax on a second property with shared ownership
I am a bit confused about the tax rules around the purchase of a second property and am looking for some clarification. I own my house outright. My partner did own a house, but sold it a couple years ago. Currently we both live in my house. We are looking to buy a house together which we will jointly own. I would like to…
Buy seperately or buy together ?
Am currently in a rented house in Bristol with my partner for which we pay rent of £900PCM. I have been left some money and we were looking to buy together in the future. With my money I was exploring the option of also buying a Buy To Let, however with changes (S24) of landlord tax relief etc this option is looking less…
Indemnity policy
Hello Going through moving process & Filling in the forms for solicitor, We have discovered that we need a indemnity policy; we do not have necessary certificate for electrical work done since 2005. Anyone else had to do that at all? Thanks in advance for any replies/advice. Sheila:)
Shared drainage woes
We are a terraced house. rain water from our roof and the next door neighbours comes down a shared drainpipe, which goes underground on our side of the boundry. Lately the water was overflowing very badly every time it rained. We were constantly flooded by the base of this pipe. We thought it was maybe blocked with leaves.…
Please help! Land registry of lack of?
Its been a slow 5 weeks which nothing has happened. The house is a deceased sale so we are dealing with a probate company and an exc of will. The house isnt registered and the vendor has had to draw the boundary out and send it back to register the land for the deeds etc. The house was self built about 25 years. Will all…
Waiting for our mortgage Decision in Principle
Hi everyone, I'm hoping by posting on here we can get some advice! Me and my boyfriend are currently going through the process of selling our first home and buying our next home (we are upsizing). We currently have a mortgage with Nationwide, and we want to port our existing one over to the the new house, and borrow the…
New front door.
Hello, I'm looking to do some home improvements one is a new front door we bought the house in June and it's a double glazed door but 10+ years old and looks shabby we want a new black composite door does anyone know a good place to get one we've looked around and seen it's around £600-£1,000 depending n the door and if we…
Completion delay - liability for costs
I wonder if anyone could give a legal opinion on who is liable for costs in these circumstances. Buyer A purchases house from Buyer B, who is purchasing from Buyer C. Exchange of contracts takes place two weeks before completion. Delays ensue on completion day, due to A's funds not reaching B's solicitors account by the…
Help to Buy ISA Bonus - Land Purchase
Hi, Have recently opened a Help To Buy ISA and looking to use it (including the 25% bonus) as a contribution along with other savings to purhase a plot of land and self-build a house. The GOV website states the HTB ISA and bonus CAN be used to purhcase land but not the construction costs to build a house if land is already…
Limited company charges VAT on third party fees
Hi, I have an accounting question in relation to house building, this is the most relevant sub-forum I could find but if not please move accordingly. The architect I am using is a VAT registered limited business and needs to charge VAT for services. On their last invoice they included the service charges and a planning fee…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

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.

View All

House buying, renting & selling

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

House buying, renting & selling

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free