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House buying, renting & selling

Archives for May 2017

Survey?
Hello, We are FTB and have had our mortgage offer accepted. We would like to get a survey done on the property, more for peace of mind really, Are we able to ask our mortgage provider for a copy of the valuation? Will this tell us anything about the structure of the house? if not, where could I find a surveyor? Is a survey…
Is this contract exchange?
Hey guys..!! Apologies for creating a separate post for this. Just received an email from our solicitors stating that even though we are waiting for the planning consent, she has drafted a contract report which she has sent us in the post. IT contains documents for us to sign and return thus stating our readiness for…
Cheap repairs in high-end property
I have recently started renting a high end(-ish?) flat. There were some agreed works to be carried out ahead of my moving-in to refresh some of the rooms showing general wear and tear. These works have been "carried out", but to what I feel is a very low standard relative to the rent. For context, annual rent is about…
private road - public liability
If someone (taxi) drives down a poorly maintained private road, and their car is damaged by a pothole, can they make a valid claim against the owners of the road?
Waiting to buy, what am I supposed to be doing?
I'm a first time buyer, viewed property out in official offer via solicitors and was accepted and mortgage approved by Halifax on 17th May. My mortgage was arrange through a mortgage advisor and he also sorted out various insurance policies for me that were needed. After this was all confirmed as received by the bank,…
Landlord Eviction Help?
Hi, we are hoping that somebody may be able to offer us some help or advice on our current situation.. To try and keep it short.. Last year we rented a property on a twenty four calendar month agreement through a letting agents. 11 months into this contract we were approached by the landlord who asked us if we wished to…
Any law on tenant referencing? (How many applicants at once)
I'm new here and signed up because we have just been dropped as potential tenants for a property. We found a private landlord on Gumtree (many people probably just face palmed at the very mention of that website) - We got in touch and liked the sound of it and we agreed to do a tenant reference and transfer the fee to his…
Help To Buy ISA... Don't make my mistake....
Hi everyone just a word of warning, don't make my mistake and mention the fact you have an HTB ISA to your conveyancer too late, we get the keys Friday I paid the deposit yesterday and I only mentioned it today (Wednesday) and its too late to claim any government money. Such a kick in the teeth.
Retrospective Planning Permission
Hi all, I'm new here as a forum member but have been using the site as a resource for years and will endeavour to contribute on subjects I know something about in future! So onto a subject, I know nothing about, planning permission! I live in a first floor maisonette in South London and we have recently completed a loft…
Installing double glazing in leasehold flat
Hello, in a bit of a quandary here I purchased a leasehold flat when I was younger and naively installed double glazing without the freeholders consent. I extended my leasehold last year without any problems...what are my options now in regards to the double glazing and the conveyancing if I wish to sell the flat on? 1.…
Letting Agent Credit Checks - Help Please
So, having confirmed, and sorted out the situation with my former IVA guarantor, I've been looking at my own credit score and I'm surprised to see some defaults. Two of them are very concerning, as I don't recall them, and of course, I'm getting them looked at but do Defaults could up on Letting Agents Checks? I'm going to…
How to compare schools in a new area
We are planning to relocate back up north and as we have a 2 year old, decent primarily schools is high on our priority list when making a shortlist of areas to look at. But how do we know, without visiting each one somewhat prematurely, which are the best? I know visiting will be important at some stage but when my…
Lambert Pugh
Has any one had any dealing with them recently? They are amazingly slow and non responsive! not sure how they get good reviews
Getting covenant clause removed - timescale?
I've now been waiting 8 weeks for a reply from the Homes and Communities Agency about removing one clause in a restrictive covenant (which, if it can't be removed, probably means about 12 houses on the same estate are breaking the covenant). Solicitor says she's been chasing them, but when I rang today it seems she hasn't…
Current rules on offering on house before selling your own? (Scotland)
We are in the process of getting our flat ready to go on the market (minor touch ups) and are confident it will sell as 2 similar to ours in our estate sold within a month recently. We are in a slightly better position than those as we are on the end of the block (no neighbours to one side), off the main road, and our…
Standards Tenancy Agreements
Hello. Does anyone know the best place and indeed if it is possible to obtain a standard tenancy agreement document? Currently rent out a house through an agency but considering going direct with the tenant and doing away with the agent. Thanks
Housemates - Jointly purchased white goods
Any ideas on a fair wear & tear calculator or % value depreciation when kitchen appliances have been bought jointly in a houseshare? Housemate is moving out and wants paying for their third of a 2 year old washing machine. Many thanks
Are there scam agents on Rightmove/Zoopla
As above. I know there are many property scams on Gumtree because of it's ease of posting an advert. I was wondering if the same things are possible on Rightmove or Zoopla, or are there further checks to make sure listings are legitimate? Have not heard too many cases of rip-offs on these sites. Surely it would be too…
Tenancy Checkout, Cleaner refusing to give invoice
Hi All, I've just completed checkout of a house in Essex that I've been renting for the last 18 months. All went well (it was my first rental), and before I left I had the whole house cleaned by a company from Chelmsford. Beresfords, who managed the tenancy, have requested a copy of the receipt from the cleaner but all he…
FTB Completing this week!
Hooray!! Exchange is done. Completion is nigh! What is the first thing (or things) you would do or prioritise on the day you complete a property sale? Obviously cracking open bubbly is high up there on my agenda, but what else? Change the locks Meter readings Clean Check batteries/install smoke alarm Unpack the kettle....

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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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House buying, renting & selling

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