There is some mixed news for home owners this week. New regulations, made under powers granted by the Water Act 2003, are being considered by Parliament which if approved will mean that any stretches of private sewer or drain which are shared with another property will be automatically adopted by the relevant water authority for the area.
Changes to Adoption of Private Drains and Sewers
June 14th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Local Authority Searches, Property Conveyancing | Comments Off on Changes to Adoption of Private Drains and Sewers
Boundary Disputes – What you need to know
June 13th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Legal, Property Conveyancing | 1 Comment »
Boundaries are one of the major causes of disputes between neighbours. Whether one neighbour is encroaching on another, there is an argument that the boundary line is in the wrong position or shared boundary is not properly maintained, issues that might start out as trivial can quickly escalate.
What you need to know about Rentcharges
June 6th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Property Conveyancing | Comments Off on What you need to know about Rentcharges
A rentcharge is a type of legal interest in land. The owner of a rentcharge is entitled to collect a rent from the owner of the land affected by it and will usually have a “right of re-entry” if the rent is not paid. In addition to the obligation to pay rent there will generally be other covenants which, if breached, give rise to the right of re-entry. Rentcharges, like mortgages, can be bought and sold.
Homeowners paying £765 million too much in legal fees
May 31st, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Property Conveyancing, Property Market | 1 Comment »
The typical move for a homeowner will involve legal costs for both the sale of their old house and the purchase of their new one. And if they use a traditional high street conveyancing solicitor then, on average, they’ll pay almost twice what it would cost them if they went online.
Costs to Factor in When You Buy a Home
May 27th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Property Market, Top Tips | 2 Comments »
There are many factors to consider when you wish to buy a home, some of which include survey fees, arrangement fees, stamp duty and lender valuations; and these are before you have picked up the keys. Once in, further costs can include reconnecting the electrics, gas and water.There are many costs to factor in.
Dealing With Rent and Service Charge Payments
May 25th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Property Conveyancing, Property Market | 3 Comments »
Where a property is leasehold there will usually be a ground rent payable and if it is a flat, a service charge. They will usually be demanded annually or perhaps bi-annually or quarterly. When the property is sold the seller is responsible for amounts due up to and including the date of complete and the seller is responsible thereafter.
Leasehold Property Basics – what you must know
May 17th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Property Market, Top Tips | 3 Comments »
All land in England and Wales has a freehold title (including land that is not yet registered with the Land Registry). All land belongs to the Crown but the owner of the freehold has an exclusive right, in perpetuity, to use and occupy the land or receive rents from it and so for all practical purposes the owner of the freehold title is the absolute owner of the land.
Understanding Conveyancing Law
May 10th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Property Conveyancing, Property Market | Comments Off on Understanding Conveyancing Law
Most of us at some point in our lives will come into contact with conveyancing law (or land law as it is properly known) but most people know little or nothing about it. Many volumes have been written on the subject over the centuries and I certainly don’t intend this article to be a comprehensive lesson on conveyancing but it is intended to provide a background to the law governing conveyancing and some of the ways it affects day to day transactions.
Party Wall Act 1996 – What you need to know
May 3rd, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Legal, Top Tips | Comments Off on Party Wall Act 1996 – What you need to know
When considering building a structure on or near the boundary between yours and a neighbour’s property it is important to consider the provisions of the Party Wall Act 1996 to ascertain what your obligations and rights are.
How to finance your dream home abroad
April 28th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Insurance, Property Market | 3 Comments »
If you have decided to purchase an overseas property in France, Spain or elsewhere abroad, there are likely to be a number of finance options available to you. Shop around and speak to an independent financial expert who can help you find the best product to suit your needs. There are some mortgages that allow you to switch currencies during the term, depending on which is most favourable at the time.
Applying & Obtaining a Mortgage in 2011
April 26th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Financial Products, Mortgages | 1 Comment »
The decision to take on a mortgage is a big one and should not be taken lightly. It is likely that you will be repaying it for most of your working life. It’s extremely important therefore to make sure that you get the mortgage that is right for you. You should be prepared to pay a little extra for some good quality independent financial advice.