If your home is no longer working for you, you need to decide whether it’s time to sell up or whether some extra investment in your current home might do the trick. Lack of space, a tired kitchen or bathroom, or just plain old boredom with the home...
In the past year 251,000 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were lodged for new build homes – an increase of 16%. These new figures, released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government , mean that 85% of new homes in England...
The first Stamp Duty holiday deadline on 30 June 2021 has been and gone. Any conveyancing transactions must have completed by 30 June to receive a full tax break on properties worth up to £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland. Until 30 September...
The effects of climate change are becoming a significant concern for eco-conscious consumers. Many people have recycled for years, they switch off lights when they leave rooms and reduce the amount of meat they eat. But what about the environmental cost of...
The government has announced a new scheme called the First Homes Initiative which could give first time buyers in England discounts of at least 30% and up to 50% on their first home. With the average UK house price now exceeding £250,000 , the new...
The short answer to that is no. While it used to be normal to use a local solicitor for your conveyancing, it’s now increasingly common to carry out the process of buying or selling a house over the phone and online. This means there is no longer any...
It has been a difficult year for buy-to-let investors and renters alike. The Covid-19 pandemic meant that many people lost their jobs or were put on furlough leave, and as a result, many fell behind on their rent. In normal times, a tenant could be evicted...
Selling your home can be a daunting prospect. You will no doubt be aware of the various steps you need to take to ensure your transaction runs smoothly and without disruptive delays. That’s not to mention having to balance selling your current home...
With so many people forced to stay at home over the past year, it is understandable that home buyers are considering making major changes to their living circumstances. Flats and homes with no outdoor space are falling out of fashion; rural homes with...
Spring is usually a popular time to put your home on the market. But with the Covid-19 pandemic, is now a good time to sell your home? This time last year in April 2020, national lockdown meant the housing market was firmly closed. People could not sell...
From 1 April 2021, people buying residential property in England and Northern Ireland who are not resident in the UK will be required to pay a Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge. Here we outline how this surcharge will work and how it may affect you if you want...
Everyone is looking forward to 21 June when (if all goes well) most, if not all, coronavirus restrictions will be lifted, as per the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. But with continued questions surrounding foreign travel, many people are...
We took a look at our internal client data throughout 2020 to see how home buying patterns changed during the year of Covid-19. As we all know, the coronavirus pandemic had a drastic impact on the property sector from the get-go. During the first lockdown,...
Over 100,000 property transactions could be saved by the Stamp Duty holiday extension, announced on 3 March 2021 as part of the Spring Budget and efforts to support the housing market during the Covid-19 pandemic. Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has listened to...
The government has announced that it will start backing 95% mortgages, allowing home buyers to purchase their home with just a 5% deposit. Announced on 3 March 2021 in the Spring Budget, the new mortgage guarantee scheme aims to bring back low-deposit...
Conveyancing fraud is on the rise. Cyber criminals have become increasingly more sophisticated over the years, and the uncertain situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has given them a fresh opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. ...
The Government is considering major changes to Capital Gains Tax that could increase tax for many homeowners and potentially transform the property market. On 13 July 2020, the Chancellor wrote to the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) asking it to conduct a...
Putting an offer on a house is the first step towards securing your ideal home and it can be quite daunting, particularly for first time buyers who are new to the housing market. When so much money is at stake, you want to be sure that you get the best...
At the start of lockdown, startling research showed that lenders had limited their remortgaging options for furloughed homeowners, leaving them at risk of paying higher rates. However, as we have adapted to life with the Coronavirus/Covid-19, it has become...
Summer has been the busiest time of year to move house for many years. Figures suggest that between 2007-2018, around 12.8% of all owner-occupier home movers moved house in August alone. This is a significant proportion when compared with winter move...
Nearly 10 million employees have been placed on furlough leave since the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or Furlough Scheme) started in March 2020. Under the Scheme, furloughed employees have had their salaries reduced by up to 80% (up to a maximum of...
Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a holiday on Stamp Duty Land Tax. Between 8 July 2020 and 31 March 2021, home movers and first time buyers purchasing homes up to £500,000 will pay no tax. Announced today as part of a package of legal and policy...
In the lt few days the Government has changed its advice on moving house during the Covid 19 outbreak to get the property market back up and running. The property industry has issued some pan industry guidance including the following advice for...
Property chains are delicate. If you are buying and selling property at the same time, then you will be in the middle of a chain, with people both above and below you. It’s also likely that there will be multiple transactions happening at once with...
Moving house may be one of the most stressful and exciting life events a pet (as well as a person) can go through. Unexpected activity, noise, strange removal people, even stranger smells, and the sudden loss of territory can all make moving home...
If you purchase the freehold of a property, you are buying it outright, including the land the property stands on. If you purchase a leasehold, you are only buying the right to live in the property for the length of the lease. The land the property stands on...
If you are currently renting, or are looking to rent, a property, then the jargon you’ll inevitably come across can appear confusing and overwhelming. Abbreviations, acronyms, you name it – there are plenty of terms you need to familiarise...
Moving house is rarely an easy process. It may be tempting to save money and move all your belongings yourself. However, there are advantages to hiring a removals company instead. Provided you choose the right one, professional movers could take much of the...
As we get older, it can often be useful to have access to some extra cash to help fund our retirement, pay for care costs or allow us to splash out on home improvements or other plans. With many of us having a large amount of capital tied up in our homes,...
You’ve done all the legal stuff, got the all-clear from your surveyor, signed and exchanged contracts, and now it’s official – you’re moving house. There is still a lot to do in between exchange and completion but moving house...
You may be able to save hundreds of pounds just by switching your mortgage to a better deal or a new provider at the right time. Most people think about remortgaging at some point and rightly so. Whether interest rates have changed, your home has risen in...
Most commercial leases will require the tenant to keep the property in a good condition and to carry out any repairs needed under the terms of the lease. Dilapidations refer to the damages or defects to the property as a result of the tenant breaching the...
What is conveyancing? Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property from one person to another, which begins once an offer has been accepted on a property. This process can be conducted by a licensed conveyancer or a conveyancing solicitor. ...
When buying a site that lacks planning permission, whether to self-build or as a developer, your plans and the ultimate value of the site will be heavily dependent on whether you can secure planning permission. It is therefore understandable to want to...
Self-building can be an attractive way to get the home of your dreams, allowing you to create exactly what you need at a significantly lower cost compared to buying an existing property. However, there are various issues to consider so you can make sure...
When you buy a property in the UK, you do so under the general principle of “caveat emptor” also known as “buyer beware”. This means that it is your responsibility as the buyer to check the condition of the property you are buying. ...
Buying property at auction can allow you to get the right property at a lower price and is also usually faster than buying a property on the open market, allowing you to avoid the delays associated with property chains, the current owners needing to move out...
Buying a new-build property before construction has started or while it is being built (known as buying ‘off-plan’) can allow you to get a pristine home or investment opportunity at a significant discount compared to buying a finished property....
The conveyancing process is an essential part of buying or selling a property, covering key things such as preparing and exchanging the contracts of sale, having checks and searches carried out on the property for the buyer, the transfer of funds and...
Digital technology has revolutionised conveyancing in recent years, allowing the entire process to be handled remotely by email, over the phone and via video messaging. This makes things much faster and more convenient for homebuyers and homeowners, allowing...
If you wish to a buy another house, either to rent out, as a second home, for your children to live in, or for any other reason, borrowing against your current home can be a good way to raise the necessary money. There are potentially 3 ways to do this: ...
If are planning to move and rent out your old home, a common concern is what to do about your mortgage. Many people do not realise that it is usually a condition of any residential mortgage that you need to let your lender know if you wish to rent your...
Whether you are a landlord or tenant, there are various circumstances where you may wish to end a tenancy agreement early. It might be that as a landlord you want to sell the property or as a tenant that you need to move for work or personal reasons. ...
Exactly how long it takes to buy a house depends on various factors, including how quickly you can find the right place and how quickly you can find a buyer for your own home (unless you are a first time buyer). However, if you have found the right property...
If you need to transfer the ownership of a property, such as when getting divorced or if you want to transfer the property to a family member, having a mortgage can make things more complicated. While it is perfectly possible to transfer ownership of a...
When buying a leasehold property, its value will depend on how many years are left on the lease. The shorter the remaining time, the less the property will be worth. If you own or are considering buying a leasehold property, understanding your right to...
Shared ownership can be a good way for people to buy a home who otherwise couldn’t afford to as it allows you to buy a percentage of a property and pay rent on the remainder. This means you can get on the property ladder for less and pay a reduced rate...
The government has announced plans to tackle “unfair and abusive” practices within the leasehold system, including banning leaseholds for most new build houses. These plans will only affect houses and not leasehold flats. The new measures...
Equity release can be an attractive way to fund your retirement, allowing you to unlock some of the value tied up in your home as a tax-free lump sum. Many people use this money to pay off debts, fund home improvements or other plans to make their...
Downsizing is a popular choice for older people, especially those who are retiring or whose children have left home and therefore no longer need as much space. Moving to a smaller, cheaper home offers a number of advantages, including releasing capital,...
There are somewhere in the region of half a million listed buildings across England and Wales with the number increasingly all the time. While these buildings are often highly attractive places to live, full of history and character, there are a number of...
Conveyancing is the name for the legal process involved in buying or selling a property, as well as a variety of other property transactions, including remortgaging and lease extensions on leasehold property. The process is usually handled on your behalf by...
When buying a new home, you take a big risk if you don’t properly investigate the property and any issues it might have. Failing to identify problems up front can mean you end up overpaying for a property, being left with unexpected expenses or being...
Once an offer is made and accepted on a property, you may think the price agreed is a done deal. However, there remains room for manoeuvre on both sides of the deal, meaning the buyer can reduce their offer or the seller can ask for more, as long as they do...
For many people carrying out important business online is now second nature, so it’s not surprising that when it comes to buying a home, many people want the same convenience they are used to from the internet. A growing number of firms are now...
An increasing number of people are relying on their parents for financial help when buying their first home, in large part due to the significant gap between average wages and average house prices in many parts of the UK. While it is common now for parents...
Buying a newly built home offers a number of advantages, including the idea that you will be getting a pristine property with no wear and tear from previous owners. If you can buy off-plan, before the property is finished, you can also often get a...
1. I have been registered as an owner of a residential property in the past but I did not live there. If I purchase a property to live in will I be a first time buyer? Answer: Unfortunately not. To qualify as a first time buyer you need to have...
We take the security of our clients seriously, so when we are advised of risks by other responsible parties such as banks and mortgage lenders, we try to pass the advice on. The advice below has kindly been issued by Santander, but it applies equally across...
A growing number of couples in the UK are choosing to buy property together without getting married or entering a civil partnership. This can be a good way to get onto then property ladder when house prices are unaffordable for many individuals, while also...
Stamp duty land tax will be scrapped for first time buyers on properties worth £300,000 or less in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Additionally, those buying a first property worth up to £500,000 will only pay stamp duty of the value...
When selling your home, you undoubtedly would prefer the sale to go ahead as smoothly and speedily as possible – especially if you need the funds unlocked by the sale to purchase your new home. Any delay in the sale can cost you money and stress, as...
Buying your first home is normally the biggest financial investment you will have made up to that point. It is therefore understandable to be concerned about getting it right and not being caught out by unexpected issues that could end up costing you a lot...
The majority of UK flats are offered on a leasehold basis, as are an increasing number of new build houses. Recently, there has been growing concern about a range of practices in the leasehold market, including over spiralling ground rents for new build...
The legal process of buying or selling a home, known as conveyancing, often takes around six to eight weeks. However, this is entirely dependent on the circumstances, including the type of property, any special considerations that have to be dealt with and...
Conveyancing fraud is now believed to be the most common type of cybercrime in the legal sector and can result in unwary homebuyers losing tens of thousands of pounds. It is a particular issue for first time buyers, because they are likely to be less...
Buying land can be an attractive investment, especially where there is the possibility to develop property on the site or otherwise improve it to increase its value. However, to ensure a good return on your investment, there are a number of key issues you...
The majority of flats in the UK are sold on a leasehold basis, meaning you are not buying the property, but rather the right to occupy it for a fixed period of time. The freeholder retains ownership of the building and their rights and responsibilities, as...
When remortgaging a property you own, there are various checks and searches that need to be carried out, as well as other important legal and financial details that need to be handled correctly. This process is referred to as conveyancing, the same as the...
Conveyancing is the name for the legal process of buying and selling property, including leasehold property, as well as carrying out the necessary checks and transactions involved in remortgaging or extending a lease. Getting your conveyancing handled...
Changes to tax relief for UK landlords being phased in between 2017 and 2020 mean that many buy to let rental properties may no longer be able to generate a reasonable profit for their owners. As a result, many buy to let landlords are likely to be...
Many flats in the UK are sold on a leasehold basis, as are a number of other properties. If you are thinking about buying a leasehold property, it is important to understand how this differs from buying a freehold property and the key things you need to...
The exchange of contracts is one of the final stages of buying or selling a house and makes the transaction legally binding. Many people find this process stressful, as it is generally the last point at which a property transaction may go wrong. In this...
Getting your conveyancing right is essential when buying or selling property. It ensures that the sale is progressed properly, that all your legal obligations have been correctly taken care of and for buyers, that you do not end up with any nasty surprises...
When buying or selling a home, you will need to use a conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor to take care of the legal side of things for you. This ensures that no important details are missed and protects you from any unpleasant surprises during the property...
When a single person owns a property, that person is the sole proprietor, or sole legal owner. If two or more people own property together, they are co-owners. There are two types of property co-ownership: tenants in common and joint...
Moving house can be exceedingly stressful at the best of times. A house move with children, particularly young children can be even more challenging. Our top tips for moving house with children gives some practical suggestions to ensure your move goes...
Renting out a property can be a great source of income. But if you’re just starting out as a landlord, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the responsibilities it entails. To protect your legal interests and of course to keep the...
If you’re looking to buy a property, you will almost certainly have heard the terms ‘freehold’ and ‘leasehold’ being mentioned. They are important definitions to be aware of - essentially, freehold and leasehold are terms for...
No one can deny the unique charm of a period property. It’s why they’ve maintained their enormous level of popularity over the decades: they’re full of character, and owning a precious piece of our architectural history can be a great...
There’s a lot to be said for setting your sights on a brand new house. Energy efficient, designed for modern living, rooms fitted out to your specification; a new-build certainly has its advantages.
Here are our top tips for making this move as smooth as those freshly plastered walls.
In recent years a particularly nasty scam has cropped up. It has on some occasions brought financial disaster for unwitting people who are in the process of purchasing a property, with some even losing hundreds of thousands of pounds to fraudsters. The scam...
Putting your foot on the property ladder may seem daunting. After all, buying a home is one of the most significant financial commitments you will make in your life. Getting everything right first time is absolutely essential; but if you’re a first...
The beginning of the new financial year marked the day that major tax changes affecting Buy-To-Let investors came into force. When the tax changes were originally announced in 2016, landlords expressed concern that it would restrict their ability to turn a...
Have your children flown the nest or perhaps your current property has far too much space. Downsizing could be for you. Downsizing provides numerous advantages, especially for those who make use of the available equity to travel, start their own business or...
In the 2015 Budget, former Chancellor, George Osborne announced that tax relief available to private landlords would be severely curtailed. Tighter restrictions were also imposed on the wear and tear allowance that landlords currently enjoy. Suddenly,...
Whether it is a shop, factory, office space or warehouse, a solid commercial premises lease is an essential prerequisite to the ongoing success of many businesses. If your lease is nearing the end of its term and you wish to remain a tenant, it pays to seek...
Taking steps towards buying your first home is a hugely exciting time, not to mention the wonderful achievement of making that significant investment in your future. Many people dream of the day they can buy their first property, but when you finally have...
For those new to buying or selling a home, the whole process of Conveyancing can seem rather mysterious. At Bird & Co, we like to make things simple. That’s why we’re compiling a series of blogs over the coming weeks to answer some common...
When you’ve made the decision to move on from your current home, you’ll know there’s a lot to get organised. This can be daunting, especially if you’re searching for your next home at the same time. But even if you’re pressed...
Property Searches – you might already be aware that these are part of the conveyancing process, but perhaps find that you have questions about what they are, or what they entail? After all, they’re usually not something you encounter until you...
As we all know, technology is changing the way we live our lives at a rapid pace. But did you know it is even changing the way we buy and sell houses? Around 80% of property hunters now begin their search on the web, and approximately 1% of all UK internet...
We all know moving house is no small feat. At Bird & Co, it’s our job to take the legal process of a house transaction through to a successful completion. There’s a lot of work to do, which does take time. But aside from all that, there are...
Acquiring the keys to your new home can be an exciting time and calls for celebration. You’ve worked long and hard to get to this place; years of saving, months of careful planning and weeks of anticipation in the run up to exchange and completion of...
If you’ve started looking into buying or selling a property, it’s likely that you’ll have heard a couple of different terms: conveyancing solicitor, licensed conveyancer… same thing, right? Not quite. These are two types of legal...
