Topic
The property process explained: offers, surveys, conveyancing, estate agents and completion.
An EICR is the electrical safety report every rented home in England needs at least every five years: £125 to £300 for most homes. What the inspection covers, the codes on the report, landlord deadlines and fines, and how to book one.
Every EPC is public on the government register: search by postcode, free, no account. How to find your certificate, what to do if the address is missing or the certificate has expired, and how to opt out of the register.
A landlord gas safety certificate (CP12) costs £45 to £90 and is legally required every 12 months. What the check covers, what adds to the price, the fines for missing one, and how to book a Gas Safe engineer.
An EPC costs £35 to £120 for a typical home, with most people paying £60 to £90. What sets the price, the estate-agent markup to refuse, what commercial EPCs cost, and how to book an accredited assessor for less.
Your house counts towards your net worth, but only the equity: today's value minus the mortgage balance. Why the price you paid is irrelevant, what a £300,000 house with a £250,000 mortgage is actually worth to you, and where to get an honest value.
Free gifted deposit letter template for UK mortgages. Fill in six fields and get the letter lenders and solicitors ask for: copy it or save as PDF. Covers what the letter must say, and Nationwide, Halifax, HSBC, Barclays, Santander and NatWest requirements.
A 10% house deposit costs 4,520 hours of local work in Kensington, and 776 in Burnley. New study: every English and Welsh local authority ranked by how many working hours a deposit costs on local wages, using HM Land Registry prices and ONS pay data.
Free email template for making an offer on a house: the exact wording, what strengthens an offer besides money, and what happens after the agent puts it forward.
Free printable snagging list for new build homes: room-by-room checks, the outside inspection, and the two-year window builders must fix defects in. Tick off online or print blank.
Ten years, but an in-date certificate can still stop you letting the property. Here is when the number matters more than the expiry date.
DIY conveyancing is legal in England and Wales, but a mortgage makes it impractical. Here's when it works, what it involves, and where it stops being sensible.
You can inspect a house yourself and should, but you can't produce a survey. Here's what to check on a viewing, and when a professional survey is worth the money.
A buyer's guide to moving boxes in the UK. The sizes and types you need, how many for your home, what makes a box strong enough, and where to buy them without overpaying.
How much below asking price should you offer, and how do you get it accepted? UK negotiation tactics that work, from reading the market to using sold-price evidence and a strong buyer position.
A first house viewing usually takes 20 to 30 minutes; a second viewing often an hour or more. What to do with the time, and how long to spend before you decide.
Selling for the first time? The full process for England and Wales, from valuation and EPC to conveyancing, exchange and completion, with a realistic timeline.
A sinking fund (or reserve fund) is money leaseholders build up for big future repairs like a new roof or lift. How it works, how it differs from the service charge, and your rights over it.
The stamp duty surcharge adds 5% to the SDLT on second homes and buy-to-lets in England. Who pays it, how much it costs, the worked example, and how to claim a refund.
Knotweed no longer automatically kills a mortgage, and the 7-metre rule was scrapped in 2022. Here's how surveyors actually assess it now, what lenders want to see, and who pays to put it right.
Cladding no longer makes a flat unsellable, but it changes what you must check. Who pays for remediation under the Building Safety Act, what an EWS1 form really tells you, and the questions to ask before you exchange.
Owned solar panels can add modest value through lower bills and a better EPC. Leased or rent-a-roof panels are different, and can complicate a sale.
A conservatory can add value, or reduce it. A well-built, usable room helps; a cold, dated lean-to that eats the garden can put buyers off entirely.
Off-street parking can add real value where parking is scarce, and almost none where it isn't. Here's how to judge it, plus the planning and drainage rules.
Converting a garage adds cheap living space, but only adds value if you're not giving up parking or storage buyers wanted. Here's how to decide.
A loft conversion is one of the most reliable ways to add value: especially when it adds a proper bedroom. Here's what decides the return on yours.
A new kitchen rarely adds more than it costs, but a dated one can actively cost you a sale. Here's how to spend sensibly on a kitchen before selling.
An extension usually adds value, but rarely as much as it costs unless you're well under your street's ceiling price. Here's how to work out the real return on yours.
Selling your home? Get an independent, data-backed estimate before the agents come round, so you can spot a realistic valuation from an inflated one. Free, instant, no sign-up.
Staircasing on a shared-ownership home? The price of the new shares is based on your home's full market value now: set by a RICS surveyor. Estimate the cost first, free.
Find out how much your home has gained since you bought it. Enter your postcode and what you paid for a free, instant figure from official Land Registry data: no sign-up.
A let agreed property is not off the market, and a fair few fall through. Here is whether it is worth asking to be the backup, and how to go about it.
Forgotten when you moved in? Your credit report's address history dates it, and the Land Registry title shows the completion date if you bought. Here's how to pin it down in minutes.
'Chain-free' means the seller is not buying another property to move, so the sale is faster and lower-risk. Here is what it means and the benefits for buyers.
A 'guide price' is an indicative figure a seller expects offers around, common at auction and on listings. Here is how it differs from asking and reserve prices.
'Under offer' means a seller has accepted a buyer's offer but contracts are not yet exchanged. Here is how it works, how it differs from Sold STC, and more.
'Vacant possession' means a property is handed over empty on completion, with no tenants or occupiers. Here is why it matters and what to check before buying.
Can I lose my deposit on a house? Before exchange, usually no. After exchange your ~10% deposit is at risk. Reservation vs exchange deposits and the Scotland rule.
Can you withdraw an offer on a house? In England and Wales yes, an offer is not binding until exchange. Here is how to withdraw, the costs, and the Scotland rule.
How long does it take to sell a house to a cash buyer? A cash sale can complete in 2–4 weeks versus 8–12 weeks with a mortgage. Here is what speeds it up.
Minor subsidence explained: what it is, how it affects buying or selling a home, and what it means for your mortgage and buildings insurance. A practical UK guide.
What time of day does exchange of contracts happen? Usually late morning to mid-afternoon on a working day. Here is what triggers it and how completion follows.
Why are solicitors so slow? The real reasons conveyancing drags: searches, chains, enquiries and workload: plus practical ways to speed your solicitor up.
Why is buying a house so stressful? The common pressure points: money, chains, uncertainty and waiting, and practical ways to reduce the stress of buying a home.
The best books on UK property investment and buy-to-let, from beginner guides to the strategy classics, chosen for British landlords and would-be investors.
Buyer's remorse after buying a house is common. Here is why it happens, what you can do before and after exchange, and whether there is any cooling-off period.
Can an estate agent refuse a viewing? Yes, in some cases. Here are the lawful reasons, your rights as a buyer, and how to improve your chances of a viewing.
It's completion day but you have no keys? Here are the common causes, who to call, and what to do when funds are delayed or the chain is holding things up.
Hit by gazundering? Here is whether a seller can take revenge, smarter strategic responses to a last-minute lower offer, and how to protect yourself before exchange.
Wondering how long after a viewing you should expect an offer? Here are typical UK timescales, what a fast or slow response really means, and how to chase.
Thinking of viewing houses before yours is on the market? Here are the pros, cons, why agents may not take you seriously, and how to become a proceedable buyer.
Find your home's 1991 value in seconds with our free calculator: the figure your Council Tax band in England and Scotland is still based on. Check yours against the band you actually pay.
Yes, your solicitor will tell you the moment you exchange contracts. Here is how and when they confirm it, what happens on the day, and what is set at exchange.
Worried your exchange of contracts is taking forever? Here is why it drags on, a typical UK timeline, how to speed it up, and what happens on the day.
Asking-price reductions are a normal part of the housing market. Here is why sellers cut their price, how common it is (our study found 38% did), and what a reduced listing really means if you are buying.
Online valuations give a useful ballpark but aren't precise, missing a home's condition and unique features. Use one as a starting point, not a formal valuation.
Zoopla estimates are automated and indicative only: built from sold-price data, they can't see inside your home. Cross-check with recent sales and an agent's view.
Is your property buyer not instructing solicitors? Learn how to handle the situation and ensure a smooth transaction. Key insights and practical tips provided.
Dealing with the request that your buyer wants a reduction after survey: Learn effective strategies to handle the situation and negotiate a fair resolution.
Consider the disadvantages of buying freehold property. Financial commitment, maintenance responsibility, unforeseen costs, and complex property management.
The seller does not automatically get a copy of the survey. The property survey belongs to the buyer, and the seller will only know the survey results if the buyer decides to share them.
Estate agent fees are negotiable far more often than agents let on. Here is the going rate, and the contract clause that costs sellers the most.
Freehold means you own the building and the land under it, with no lease counting down. Here is what that hands you, and what it makes your problem.
Gazumping is when a seller accepts a higher offer after already agreeing to sell to you. Learn why it's legal in England and Wales and how to guard against it.
Understanding Ground Rent and the financial obligations of leasehold properties in the UK. Get practical advice on payments, calculations, and reforms.
What the HM Land Registry House Price Index is, how it's calculated, why it lags the market, and how to read it to track UK house prices.
Strike sells homes for free and earns from paid extras like premium listings, photography and floorplans, plus partner referrals. Here's how the free model works.
Plan on about 10 boxes for a studio, 20 for a one-bed, 30 for a two-bed and 50 for a three-bed. Here's how to fine-tune the count for your rooms and clutter.
The cheapest agent and the best agent are rarely the same one. Here is what to ask before you sign, and the tie-in clause worth arguing over.
Learn how to value your house yourself using sold prices, the Land Registry index and online tools, and when a professional valuation is worth it.
Online estate agents charge a low fixed fee and give more control; high-street agents bring local knowledge and hands-on support. We compare both, with our verdict.
If items vanish after a viewing, tell your agent, report it to police for a crime reference and claim on home insurance. Here's who's liable and how to prevent it.
A plain-English guide to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, covering 990-year extensions, ground rent changes, and what leaseholders should watch for.
Leasehold means owning the home for a set term, not the land beneath it. Here is what ground rent really costs you, and why 80 years is the cliff edge.
Learn all about the mid terrace house, including reasons you might not want to buy one.
'Offers in excess of' means the seller wants more than the stated figure. Here's what OIEO means for buyers, how much to offer, and how it differs from the asking price.
'Offers in region of' signals a guide price the seller will negotiate around. Here's what OIRO really means, how much to offer, and how it differs from the asking price.
'Offers over' means the seller wants more than the stated price: common in Scotland. Here's what it means, how much above to offer, and how to avoid overpaying.
The Renters' Rights Act reforms England's rental market, ending Section 21 and fixed-term tenancies. Here's what it means for landlords and tenants, phased in.
The three main searches when buying a house are local authority, environmental, and water & drainage. Your conveyancer arranges them and most lenders require them.
If you have moved into a new home and discovered the seller lied about neighbours. Learn your legal options and how to avoid surprises.
Should I Buy a 1 Bed or 2 Bed Flat? If your budget stretches, it's a tough choice to choose an extra bedroom, it comes with extra costs. Is it worth it?
A south facing garden is the most prized orientation in the UK. We weigh up the light, growing, solar and resale benefits against the trade-offs.
Sold STC is not sold, and a sizeable share of these sales still collapse. Here is when it is worth making an offer, and how to line yourself up as backup.
Read our Strike Estate Agent Review to discover why Strike is the best choice for you. Say goodbye to high fees and hello to transparent pricing.
To get your house valued, book two or three free estate-agent valuations to compare, or pay a chartered surveyor for a formal figure. Here's the process and timing.
Wondering about viewing houses without a mortgage promise? Understand the benefits of obtaining one, save time, gain confidence, and meet agent requirements.
POA means 'Price on Application': the seller hasn't listed a price. Here's why estate agents use it, what it signals to buyers, and how to find out the actual price.
Rightmove listings say "viewing advised" and "viewing highly recommended" constantly. Here is when the phrase is a real signal, and when it is pure filler.
Learn, what is a cheeky offer on a house, plus what % is a cheeky offer on a house? When cheeky offers are appropriate, how to calculate your offer, and its implications in the home buying process.
A lowball offer is well below asking price. Here's how low you can realistically go without insulting the seller, when it works, and how to make one that still gets accepted.
A maisonette is a self-contained home over two floors with its own entrance. Here's how it differs from a flat, the pros and cons, and what to check before buying one.
Learn about gazundering and discover effective strategies to safeguard your interests during negotiations. Don't fall victim to this tactic.
Learn who to inform when moving house. From notifying contacts to updating utilities and agencies - achieve a seamless transition.