When you’re choosing your surveyor, it’s worth checking to make sure they are a certified RICS member. But what is RICS and why does it matter? RICS stands for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. They are the leading international professional body who promote and enforce standards and qualifications for the land, real estate, construction …
If you or your neighbour are planning works at or near your common boundary, you may be familiar with the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996. It exists to make sure shared walls remain safely intact and can help iron out disputes should they arise. However, if work starts without a formal party wall agreement in …
What to do when your neighbour ignores the Party Wall Act Read More »
When buying a home, getting a property survey features on most people’s ‘to do’ list. However, with everything else that’s going on, from mortgage meetings to packing up boxes, the survey may slip down the list until it’s forgotten completely. After all: you’re not legally obliged to get a property survey at all. But wait! …
When you’re buying a property and get a survey completed, you cross your fingers that nothing will show up. However, if you find out there’s woodworm on site, you’ll be glad to find out before you commit to the purchase. Woodworm can be terrible news… on the other hand it might turn out to be …
When you begin searching for a new home, you are likely to notice that properties are marked as either freehold or leasehold. Whether you choose a leasehold or freehold property can have long-term implications and it’s important to understand the differences between them. Let’s find out more… What does freehold mean? When you buy a …
What is the difference between leasehold and freehold property? Read More »
One of the great things about buying a new build property is that… it’s new! For this reason, there shouldn’t be the structural problems or other issues you may come across with older buildings. However, you shouldn’t assume absolutely everything will be perfect. Often, builders overlook small details when finishing new builds and it’s irritating …
Home Survey or Snagging List: Which Is Best for a New Build Property? Read More »
‘Probate’ is the term used to describe the legal process for managing a deceased person’s estate, which often includes their property.When someone passes away, you will usually need to get a probate valuation to ensure the correct inheritance tax is paid, or face problems with the HMRC later down the line. At this difficult and …
Probate Valuations: How to Establish an Estate’s Value Read More »
If you’re thinking of buying a house, it’s highly likely you’ve come across the term ‘subsidence’. It’s something that homeowners and potential buyers are wary of, with good reason. But what should you do if you suspect a property has signs of subsidence? Encouragingly, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your property ambitions. What …
Damp can be a serious problem leading to unsightly marks, structural damage and even health issues for residents. If you’re buying a property, it’s essential to find out if it has damp before you commit. What is damp? Damp is when there is excessive moisture present in a property. You might notice a few tell-tale …
If you’re in the process of buying a property, you will want to check its condition before you commit. Even apparently flawless homes can hide nasty secrets and it’s better to know while you can still negotiate on price or ask the vendor to carry out works at their own cost/inconvenience. However, not all house …