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House buying, renting & selling

Archives for March 2022

Survey Results
Hi all, Just wondered if anyone knew, are you legally obligated to disclose any issues flagged in your survey to your solicitor?
Losing the family home
I lost my job in the marine industry and suddenly have nowhere to live. My sister suggested I moved back to the family home to care for my parents who are in their late 70's. I would have offered to help long ago, but they do manage quite well. My sister claims that if I live in the home and have no other residence the…
Selling a house
I am selling a house in London. I handed the keys to the estate agent on Monday afternoon last week as the house is empty. They sent the photographer round on Thursday afternoon and they instructed a solicitor to do a AML check on me on Thursday afternoon as well. So all seemed very speedy but not heard anything since, so…
Paying for Extras in a New Build Home
I would greatly welcome the opinions of others. Many chats on this topic refer to changes to plumbing, electrics etc. I have a concern about appliances. Same could apply to other upgrades in a new home. Here's the scenario. My developer like others offers a range of options and upgrades I am free to choose or ignore. The…
Additional Dwelling Supplement - Scotland
Hello, I am looking for clarity on a specific situation with Additional Dwelling Supplement in Scotland. I currently own a buy-to-let but have found myself 'homeless'. So, I'm looking to buy myself somewhere as my main residence as I don't currently have one. My assumption is that I will pay the 4% Additional Dwelling…
Can the lender change the interest rate on an offer?
Just curious - We had our mortgage offer at the start of the month, and obviously the base rate has increased. Does this mean that the lender can now change the rate that they offered?
Short term equity release/bridging loan type options for pensioners - do such things exist?
My mother owns a house outright that she does not live in the other side of the country, it is worth at a rough guess £150-200K. She is currently in expensive rental accommodation near me, as although she's a long way from needing to be in a care home, she does need family support now. For various reasons that would take…
What happens at exchange and completion?
So we’re ALMOST there I think and I can’t remember the process from when we last did it 7 years ago.. We’re buying and selling and all enquiries are now fulfilled and my solicitor has requested our mortgage redemption figure and hopefully will start discussing exchange dates with the others solicitors. What exactly should…
Verbally accepted offer but neighbour putting flat up for sale. Should I be worried?
I’m in Scotland - in case hag matters. I put my flat up for sale last Thursday and by yesterday had a good verbal offer and a better offer in writing from a solicitor. I initially intimated I wanted to accept the verbal offer, as the estate agent didn’t think I’d get more at a closing date and it was a good offer, but then…
Help to Buy: 1st Time Buyer but eligibility being questioned as ex-partner owned a house
I wonder if anyone can help... I am applying for Help to Buy but at the last minute I may be rejected as, although I have never owned a house or been named on any title/mortgage, Home England say that as I was married (divorced many years ago) and my ex owned a house, I would be considered as having an interest in the…
What is the process for disputed free proceeds left over from a house sale?
Help! I’m posting on behalf of my friend who sold his house he jointly owned with his ex. A small amount of cash is left over. What is the process for the conveyancing solicitor to hand over the cash to the former owners? The ex has said they want it all, and if my friend wants it (or to split it, or to put it into trust…
EWS1 form - possible impact on purchase?
Hello all, I am looking to buy a one bedroom ground floor leasehold flat in London, and I’m just about to make an offer. The block in question is three stories and mostly but not exclusively brick on the outside. Due to its low height, the property does not legally require an EWS1 form, as per the official…
Mortgage offers - 2yr fixed @ 1.95% or 5yr fixed 2.59%?
Shall I fix for 5yrs? I doubt I'll move in that time unless I meet someone and wish to move in with them in that time. Struggling to know what BOE may do with rates. Tia
Shared freehold with neighbour. Major repairs needed, on universal credit with no savings
I’m in a big jam, I own my flat and share of freehold with one other. When I moved in I asked if we could set up a fund for repairs. But she refused. I did put aside some money, but my health deteriorated, had to stop working and go on Universal Credit, and spend my savings on social care. my neighbour today told me that…
As a landlord, I am trying to get deposit back from TDS - should I go to small claims
Dear all, Looking for some guidance on my issue. I have read a fair bit of posts on MSE so I have an idea but could do with some help Summary: Let my apartment out in London several years ago through an agency, rent-collection only. Multiple tenants on the same contract (so multiple signatories). The deposit was/is…
How much can i afford for new home?
Hi guys I am looking to buy a house next year and struggling to decide how big a mortgage i should take and what is realistic without pushing myself an excessive amount, as i am buying alone. I earn 85k and a fairly stable job, my current flat has c140k equity (360k market value) and i have about 75k saved in liquid…
Indemnity Insurance (S) ?
Hi We had four new windows installed in June 2016 just after we moved in, but did not get Fensa certs. We only realised that we should have done so when we had the rest replaced about two years later, so we do have the certs for them. We now want to move again, but have decided to get the roof replaced first. The roof guys…
When to apply for Mortgage
I had a quick peruse of the sticky but I could only find the thread for first time buyers which we aren’t. We have sold STC our house a few weeks back (our buyers had already sold STC their property to a first time buyer) and as of yesterday we had an offer accepted on a house we loved. Our buyers need to find a place but…
L&C - Nationwide - Specialist Report Valuation?
We are applying for a mortgage through Nationwide via broker London & Country. We had our valuation conducted at the beginning of March and still haven't had our offer through. Our broker has told us that a "specialist report" had to be done. They said "the underwriters have assessed the specialist report and they have now…
Capital Gains Tax - Help please!
Hi Everyone, I am hoping you can help with some Capital Gains Tax help. Myself and 3 other siblings are executors of my Dad's estate as he passed away last year. For probate the house was valued at £550,000 and the house is now on the market for £700,000. So my understanding is that we will be hit with CGT on the £150,000.…

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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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