PropertyWiz

Buying Property Overseas

These days many people are buying property overseas, either as an investment or a holiday home or, in some cases, even moving abroad permanently. According to the Office of National Statistics, 260,000 people have already done it. If you’re thinking about buying property overseas, here are some resources to help you. FOPDAC FOPDAC is the [...]

Council tax house valuations

What to do if you think your house is in the wrong council tax band.

Home Information Packs

Advice on whether a Home Information Pack is needed as part of the house-selling process.

History of House Prices

How to go about tracking down historical house prices for your property.

Lease extension on Freehold property

Sharon writes:

I am purchasing 1 of 6 flats in a conversion property (due to exchange this week). I am buying a share of the freehold but the lease is 71 yrs now. My solicitor said that as we are not renewing the lease at the same time there may be a problem with this after and if we can’t renew it the flat may be unsellable.

Is this the case and what are the obstacles that may prevent us from renewing it? All the flats have 71 yrs and nobody has applied to renew yet.

Letting

It is important to get the best return from your investment. A poorly presented property is likely to only appeal to the type of tenant you do not want, the type of tenant that treats your property with contempt. Maintaining the presentation need not be expensive and could add value, get better rents and be [...]

Renting

What options are available? Renting a room and being a lodger The Government’s Rent-A-Room Scheme allows homeowners to rent out one room in their home free of tax provided the rent is not more than £4,250 pa. The advantage for tenants is that because the owner lives in the property it will generally be well [...]

Completing and Moving In

All that remains after exchanging contracts is to pay over the money needed to buy the property, less any deposit already paid at exchange, on the agreed date. Your solicitor will get the mortgage funds direct from the lender and the remainder (if any) from you, and then pass it all on to the seller. [...]