The Government’s 2024 Spring Budget saw significant changes to the way property is taxed, including the imminent abolition of multiple dwelling relief. This will primarily affect investors looking to buy multiple properties at the same time, however, it could also affect you if you are buying a property that comprises more than one unit, such…
Research suggests that nearly a third of recent sellers have suffered gazundering, which property pundits attribute to a downturn in the market. But, in some areas, the lack of suitable properties means there is still fierce competition for homes, with buyers trying to outbid each other via gazumping. ‘It is certainly a challenging time to…
When selling your home, you may recall the expression ‘buyer beware’. But what does this mean, and is it still relevant today? ‘Historically, the buyers in a conveyancing transaction have been responsible for satisfying themselves on a property’s suitability,’ explains Chloe Smart, a Director and the Head of Residential Property with Landsmiths Solicitors. ‘Nowadays though,…
Nearly 10 per cent of land in England and Wales has never been registered at HM Land Registry, usually because the owner bought the property a long time ago or inherited it. ‘If your property is not registered, this should have little or no impact on you on a day-to-day basis. However, it could put…
As mortgage interest rates remain high, more homeowners are struggling financially. While a repossession is a last resort for lenders, the number of them is increasing and the trend looks likely to continue. However, it is an ill wind which blows nobody any good. If your own finances are sound, buying a repossessed property could…
Rising interest rates have dominated the headlines recently, with the Bank of England estimating a million households could see their monthly mortgage repayments increase by £500 over the next three years. If you are affected, you may even be thinking about giving up your property so you will no longer have the burden of a…
A home with outside space appeals to many of us, but it may be hard to find somewhere affordable with a garden and, even then, you may not want the responsibility of its upkeep. A balcony or roof terrace could give you that much coveted al fresco space without the maintenance headache. ‘It is certainly…
If you take out a mortgage to buy your home, your lender will almost certainly register a charge against it at the Land Registry. The charge does not transfer ownership. However, it will give the lender important rights, including the ability to sell your home if you default on your loan. ‘When borrowing to buy…
With the Renters Reform Bill aiming to strengthen tenants’ rights, and interest rates and economic pressures squeezing property investment returns, more and more landlords are leaving the private rental market. There have been claims in the media of a landlord exodus, and if you are a residential landlord perhaps you have been thinking about selling…
If you are a homeowner, or looking to buy, the very word subsidence may fill you with dread or visions of sinkholes which hit the newspaper headlines. According to the British Insurance Brokers Association, subsidence is a common issue affecting an estimated 20 per cent of homes in some way. But what exactly is it,…