Article Category: Residential Property – Insight & Opinion

Gathering the right documents for your Solicitor at the start of selling your house could save time, delays and expense. Providing your identification documents (ID) and instruction forms quickly will enable your solicitor to open a file for you and conduct their compliance checks. Gather your funding information at the outset. Solicitors are required by… Read more »

As the government pledges to build one million homes nationwide over the next three to five years, they have also developed incentives to help potential buyers make a purchase. Schemes such as ‘Help to Buy’ have assisted first time buyers and those struggling to get on the property ladder. First time buyers also have a… Read more »

Chancel Repair Liability (CRL) is a financial obligation imposed on some property owners in England and Wales to pay for certain repairs to a church which may or may not be the local parish church. The liability attaches to the land and can extend to property situated a long way from a church, making it… Read more »

What is Gazumping and Why is it Happening? Gazumping occurs when a higher offer for a property is made after an offer has already been accepted by the seller. This succeeds in obtaining the property, leaving the previous would-be buyer without the property and suffering a financial loss from incurred legal fees. The national average… Read more »

There are an estimated 2.9 million leasehold flats and 1.4 million leasehold houses in England which amount to almost a fifth of the housing stock in England. The confirmed leasehold reforms by Government for all new homes will affect a large number of people, including both leaseholders and landlords. Leaseholders are granted the right to… Read more »

Many clients, in particular first-time buyers, ask how they can take their first step onto the property ladder. Well, Help to Buy (HTB) may be an option; it offers a contribution towards the purchase price meaning that the client has a wider option of mortgage lenders and a smaller deposit of 5% to fund. Who… Read more »

When selling leasehold property, you should be aware of additional costs imposed by your managing agent or freeholder. Here are some important factors to be mindful of: Your lease: This document will contain all provisions that you should abide by and will confirm what additional fees could be charged. Examples of fees include: Contingency Fees… Read more »

What is Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant which is known for its fast and vigorous growth pattern, in and above ground. Its roots can cause structural damage to nearby buildings, foundations and block drains if left untreated. Removal of the plant can also take several years to eradicate. Why is it a… Read more »

When we are instructed to act for a client to sell their property there is sometimes confusion over what permissions are required for work that has been carried out on the property. One of the biggest misconceptions relates to covenant consent by a previous owner or the developer of a property. Many people believe that… Read more »

There has been a lot of concern recently, in the media, with regards to the effect of clauses in people’s leases that relate to the payment of ground rent. I deal with leasehold flats and houses on a daily basis and I am increasingly noticing that a lot of leases carry onerous clauses that affect… Read more »