January 12, 2016, 10:11 am
I'm considering buying a freehold property where the owner has to pay £10 p.a. rentcharge to Shenstone Properties Ltd. A quick google search shows them to be notorious and there are a lot of complaints against them from the 2010s, but there's not been many recently.
Does anyone deal with them? Has it calmed down?
Is the property still worth pursuing?
Thanks
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January 12, 2016, 10:32 am
I now have another stumbling block before exchange can take place. (There's been a few recently) The issue is around the dropped kerb installed for the driveway.
Firstly: we bought Aug 2013 and are selling as of Nov 2015.
Our buyers solicitors have turned up no records showing the council installed the dropped kerbs.
As we are not on the list of roads requiring planning (I've checked council website) the issue is solely regarding the local authority having no records of the work being carried out. We have a letter of receipt of application dated 7th Jan 2005 and an invoice dated 6th May 2005. Our buyers solicitors have now forwarded this information to his mortgage lender to ask if this affects their valuation of our house and we now wait for an answer.
Im aware that an invoice may not be a legal document but surely as it is an invoice it shows the council sent it following the work?
Any takers?????????
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January 12, 2016, 11:05 am
If someone has been bankrupt for just over a year, are they likely to fail credit checks for private rental, or would an increased deposit/guarantor be of any help? Person not currently claiming HB but may need to do so in the future as they may no longer physically be able to continue working.
Person doesn't qualify for social housing, but is desperate to move due to delapidated state of current private rental. They have looked at getting environmental health involved but are frightened of the landlord retaliating by serving notice if they then can't find anywhere else to move to. (Actually, they're just scared of the landlord, full stop.)
Any suggestions?
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January 12, 2016, 11:19 am
Hi,
I'm looking to staircase my current shared ownership property. A few other people in my block have done so already. Valuer A valued a 1 bed flat at £80,000 lower than Valuer B.
Several occupants had valuations with Valuer A. The most recent of which has now had their valuation "rejected" and they're being forced by the HA to go with Valuer B.
My understanding is that I can use any RCIS registered valuer to value my property. Can anyone recommend an objective valuer in North London? Valuer B don't seem to be...
Thanks!
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January 12, 2016, 11:47 am
Hi,
I'm looking for some advice and wondered if you guys could help.
My parntner and I currently live with his mom and have decided to buy our own place.
We have found a new build flat and decided we'd like the show flat. This however isn't currently up for sale so we have paid £100 for an early bird so that when it's released we will get first offer. The only reason we want the show flat is because it's ground floor with a patio.
His mom has decided that she wants to sell up after 30 years as a four bed house is too much for her at aged 75. So we suggested she look at the flats so she can be near us.
The sales lady said that she can't reserve a flat until her house is sold. So today it's now on riightmove. She has no mortgage and will have no problem in paying out right for the flat.
My question is: To enable her to put the deposit on the flat to secure it's hers does she need to of totally sold the house money in the bank then pay it. Or is it from when she receives an offer on her house. She's worried that she could lose the flat she wants if it's a longer wait.
I know it coils take a while to sell this house but it's a very popular area and houses don't come up often so there is a possibility that it could sell soon (4 viewers tomorrow)
My partner is also panicking that waiting for the show flat is pointless as he's not bothered about outside space and it will cost a bit more. So any opinions on wether a ground floor flat or a 2nd floor flat (under his moms 3rd floor) would be better.
The flats are built next to a canal. The flats are at the back facing this so the communal front door and stairs don't affect either flat. The canal has a bath on the other side so no one can walk past the patio area and tic heavily screened by trees. The upper flat has a small balcony suitable for a chair and table.
Any advice gratefully received and thanx in advance.
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January 12, 2016, 11:59 am
Hello all :-)
It's my first post, me and my partner are first time buyers and have just had our offer accepted on a property :)
It's all very scary and I have been using MSE as my bible the past few weeks however can't find any opinion on the question that I currently have.
Our mortgage broker has suggested allowing our lender (Halifax) to commission the full Home Buyer's Survey that we want to have done. A quick run around my homeowner friends have suggested this is a bit odd, and could impact the chances of Halifax approving the loan. Why would this be? Apparently if they have access to the report it can affect whether they will lend to us? We have a low LTV of 58%.
Thoroughly confused. I have earlier today informed the broker we wish for Halifax to do the report, but now I am having second thoughts. Should we go independent for the HBR?
Thanks in advance... and look forward to posting on the forum. :) I haven't been a member of a forum community for at least 10 years :) :j
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January 12, 2016, 12:10 pm
Is it possible for a whole village to have a ceiling price?
The reason I'm asking is that there's a house in a village near me that the owners (who've lived there for 29 years according to the Zoopla blurb) have put on the market several times over the last few years and it's never sold. The current listing was put on last May.
They're asking 550K for it and I don't remember any other houses in the village going for as much. Hence wondering about a ceiling price.
Of course, it could just be that they're asking too much. Maybe they think having an historic medieval castle as the next door neighbour will boost it's value.
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January 12, 2016, 12:22 pm
I plan to rent out the flat that I own and live in as of 1 June, as I plan to travel.
My friend told me that I have to alert my bank to the fact that I am renting out my flat otherwise they will automatically deduct 20% each time the rental goes into my account.
The other thing I want to find out about is, must I tell HMRC before the rental starts or can I wait for the end of year 1 and fill it out electronically on my self assessment form?
Other than this, I require:
A tenancy agreement, landlord's insurance, a letter to my council notifying them I will be renting the property out
If I have overlooked anything, please let me know. Thanks for your help
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January 12, 2016, 1:03 pm
So as I alluded to in my last post, whilst having a bit of an on going issue I've come across information to show the company who looks after the property has acted illegally. I've pretty much got it confirmed, checked record and asked questions.
Soo, I now have a choice. Report them or not? My concern is the impact it could have in them dealing with my issue.
I could also inform them and point out the repair works are less that the fine. But that I'm not sure I'd trust they'll move quickly on my thing, instead they'll cover their are so as to avoid the fine.
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January 12, 2016, 1:15 pm
Hello All,
Just a general question, not sure if anyone knows the answer. Our freeholder has had a bit of a mental break, either that or he is plain dumb. But he has sent a letter round to us all saying the Building Insurance due for renewal at the end of January will not be renewed as ONE of the 12 leaseholders hasn't paid up the recent service charge issued last month.
I've checked the lease, and it very specifically says the freeholder:
Quote:
Section 4.3. To insure and keep insured the Building and any building erected in connection with them during the term hereby granted against loss or damage by fire, lightening, explosion, earthquake, flood, riot, civil commotion, malicious persons, subsidence and/or heave or landslip and aircraft and such other usual risks in respect of the building with a reputable insurer is willing to insure against.
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Now I know I likely need to go to court / get solicitors involved to compel him to.
In the mean time, what happens when the Buildings Insurance runs out? The Freeholder has a personal worth over £1.4 million. So I'm hoping that he is legally liable for the building if it falls down? Ie : The Insurance is to cover him from being out of pocket, so if he's going to be an idiot and refuse to insure it, it's himself at risk.
I'd like to get my own insurance, but no insurance company will ensure a single flat as part of the overall building so I'm stuck.
Thoughts people?
Much appreicated.
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January 12, 2016, 1:44 pm
Hello fellow MSE folk
I could really do with some advice. I purchases my first home last Spring and obtained a full homebuyers report. During my enquiry with the company before hiring them, they emailed me a list if key things that the report covered. Asbestos and signs of asbestos were two of the approx. 20 areas they specifically listed. I still have the email as proof. Now when I got the report all the surveyor said about asbestos was that a) there may be some in the facias, but as long as I don't go hacking at it (I'm paraphrasing of course) then it would be fine, b) couldn't inspect the attic due to the occupants junk so not sure if asbestos there (I later found out that there wasn't any asbestos up there). c) due to the age of the property some of the other building components could contain asbestos.
Roll on 9 months and a leaking, damp and very moldy utility room, with soggy wooden ceiling. Got a builder in and in one of the holes (circa 3inches) in the ceiling boards confirmed asbestos above. This hole has been there from before my purchase and if the surveyor had done his job properly, he should have spotted it. The roofer did this morning in a minute flat with just the light on his mobile phone to peer up into the hole. I've also confirmed it through a gap in the mortar in the outside, just below the concrete surface of the roof. It's quite obvious there's corrugated sheet asbestos in there.
So, whatever about his inspection from the outside, surely the surveyor should have noticed this if asbestos was such a key item covered in the report. The only thing he specifically said about this room was that he thought there'd been another wall in the middle of the room supporting the ceiling. If that was the case then there'd have been no means for entry/exit to the room, as all the other 3 walls are doorless and always have been. Such a daft comment about the wall,... however, not pertinent here.
My question, Do I have any recourse in real terms for going back to the surveyor and insisting they have screwed up and should cover the costs? It'll be an expensive business as the only way to remove the asbestos (which due to the moisture appears degraded ) is to remove the roof entirely (£1500 +VAT quoted) and install a brand new one (£ unknown as yet).
I'm not a happy bunny, obviously.
Aside from taking pics and a video, what other evidence/documentation should I gather if I'm going to pursue this? It could take some time either way, but I want that roof gone asap and have already begun sourcing appropriate persons to do the job next week!
Thanks for any help folks
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January 12, 2016, 1:51 pm
As a first time buyer I am in a fortunate position to have a decent (20%+) deposit.
However I have noticed the government are doing a scheme in which they provide an interest free (for 5 years) equity loan of 20%
As someone with a reasonable desposit would I still be able to take advantage of this? Having 20% of my mortgage interest free would be a huge advantage
Can you also pay it off at the 5 year point so you pay no interest on it?
Thanks in advance
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January 12, 2016, 2:08 pm
Hi,
I want to buy my parents house, circa £200,000. I don't have a great credit rating as I was declared bankrupt over 5 years ago. I have a very good monthly income but have struggled to save for a decent deposit. Is there a way to use my parents collateral circa £170,000 to use a gift mortgage. My parents are going to me move into a rented retirement home.
Thanks,
Wynners
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January 12, 2016, 4:25 pm
I'm looking for advice please. We currently own a house in an area we moved away from 7 years ago. At the time there was no interest in buying the house, so we rented it out.
Our current tenants have been there almost 5 years and are paying considerably below market value for the property. I've arranged to go and inspect the property next week and have told them that we are looking to sell the house. I am aware that I need to give them 2 months notice, and really need to do this imminently so that the property can be vacant in time for us to paint and recarpet before it goes on the market.
I have pointed out that it would be mutually beneficial if they would be in a position to buy from us as we could pass along a saving on agents' fees and they wouldn't have to go to the trouble of moving. Their initial response to me sounded like they don't think they'll be able to afford it, but when they look at what's available for rental in the area, they might be more committed to the idea of buying.
Where does this put us in terms of their notice- do we go ahead with the two months' notice and hope they come up with an offer in the meantime? I know we wouldn't be in a position to complete at the end of this period, but we can't afford to have them hold us up getting it on the market if they are not going to buy.
Has anyone ever been in this position? Can anyone offer any advice?
Thank you in advance
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January 12, 2016, 11:08 pm
Whilst looking through Rightmove, (Sad I know!) I noticed this
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50474623.html
It seems so much cheaper than anything else sold. What does 'priced to sell for investment purposes' mean, does anyone know?
I thought it might be shared ownership, but it doesn't say so.
Can anyone enlighten me?
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January 12, 2016, 11:11 pm
I have come to the realisation that locally very few agents use right move (or zoopla)
I was wondering if anyone knew of a site or widget where you put in the area and you requirements ONCE and it would scrape all the local agents properties on to a list. Otherwise you have to go to every agents site a plug in the same details over and over again.
If not, can someone invent it please :)
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January 13, 2016, 12:19 am
Hi all
I really need some advice about a house we are viewing on Saturday 16th Jan. It's a 3 bed semi detached house in Eccles near Maidstone and it's on the market for 250000.
There is an open day on it on Saturday that we are going to. The property is in need of modernisation in terms of redecoration and probably it would need a new bathroom as it only has a walk in shower currently. Having said that it is habitable as it is.
There are 2 Similar properties in the road that were sold last year one for 258000 in September and 1 at 265000 in July but these are both beautiful inside. Very modern where as the property we are looking is not modern at all.
We are trying to buy a home we will stay in for life and not just do up to sell on. We really get a good feeling about it. Although obviously have not seen inside yet.
I'm worried if we offer low wether we would lose our chance to own it but we don't want to offer too much.
Really don't want to go any higher than 255000 but we were thinking of offering 240-245000.
I know we should only offer what we are able to afford and what we think it's worth. But our current property is sold and we need to find somewhere.
Do you have any advice please.
Thanks
Adrian.
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January 13, 2016, 12:43 am
Hi, we recently found out that our landlord was declared bankrupt February last year. After speaking to the bailiffs we received a bankruptcy number which confirms the date on the government website and also gives an end/resolvency date of Februray this year. A recent copy of the deeds from the landregistry shows the sole owner to be the landlord and also shows the date of bankruptcy put against the property.
As there is a conflict of interests from both sides, who technically owns the Property? Is it the current landlords unless he doesnt resolve the bankruptcy at the end of Feb 2016. Or does it belong to the company that the bankruptcy was given by? As far as I can see the landlord has sole ownership of the property (no mortgage).
As we sort of know the landlord, we have been living there 'on a handshake' and just pay the bills. Is it now possible for the bailiffs/debtors to now charge us rent if it turns out they do own it until the banruptcy is cleared?
From the landlords perspective the debt will be settled, bankruptcy was issued as he ignored the statutory demand as opposed to having no money.
Sorry for any confusion.
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January 13, 2016, 1:38 am
Hi everyone. I really hope one or some of you can help
My best friend and I are buying together and we're having a nightmare with a developer. I'd really appreciate some advice on whether they can be penalised for misconduct or if there's any way we can force them to hurry up and finish the job and also install the spec we agreed on when we struck the deal.
We exchanged off plan with developers last July 24th with a promise to be complete by September. The developer has since blamed US for their delays (they have 3 other developments on the go but that couldn't POSSIBLY be a factor!?) and tied to charge an additional £35,000 for works previously agreed verbally.
They have also made changes to the planning permissions without our consent and removed exterior windows and changed the layout of the interior.
Furthermore and most frustratingly they refuse to tell us what finish we can expect if and when the place is finally finished (although very little has been done since we offered last April). We are simply expected to take a guess by looking at other homes they finished in the development (all now occupied). They have flat out refused to communicate any details whatsoever. We don't even know what flooring is going in!
When we originally shook hands and had an offer accepted back in April last year, we paid a holding deposit on the strict understanding that wood floors would be going in along with various other spec of our choosing. We were told repeatedly it would be no problem at all to have a heavy hand in helping design the interior. They never at any point mentioned any costs. Never.
I have been sofa surfing for the entire time and it seems there is little we can do to force their hand. They have £60,000 of our money and yet we are powerless. Our mortgage offer expires in a few days and we are in a nightmare situation. And all they ever say when pushed is "it will be ready in 6 weeks". Well they've been saying that since the beginning and we are no closer to completion than we were in July!
Incidentally they have told their estate agent that they are NHBC registered but after contacting them I have found they are no longer members. Not since 2012!
The developer don't seem to be members of any similar voluntary regulatory scheme that are governed by any association which can enforce any code of ethics. They are operating (deliberately we suspect) completely outside of any association that can force them to behave fairly. The warranty they offer is from CPL and I've contacted them for advice, but pre-completion it may not be any use. Of all the codes of conduct listed by those useful association, the developer haven't even met any of the most basic ethical practices. We've never even seen a brochure. It's honestly a disgrace.
Lastly: every single one of their previous clients on the development have had terrible trouble with the developer also. They all experienced similar delays and treatment with their properties and to date none of their snagging items (including some expensive roofing repairs) have been taken care of. They have ended up spending thousands of their own money for the poor workmanship they ended up with.
We have exhausted our options with our solicitor it seems, and a litigator is extremely expensive.
We would sincerely appreciate any advise you can give us. Surely there is some sort of code we can access which prohibits developers from making deals and promising so much and then simply pretending none of it ever happened and delaying the project for as long as it suits them?
I have contacted trading standards via citizens advice but when I spoke to citizens advice last October they had no ideas I hadn't already tried.
Inccidentally; one of the other owners in the development contacted me recently to report the gas mains had been connected to illegally and the national grid were threatening to cut off the gas supply to the entire development and white hart were failing to respond to letters regarding the issue. The owners may end up with no heating many months after completion through no fault of their own.
This is a mess and we desperately need your help
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this
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January 13, 2016, 1:41 am
I understand that if buying a 2nd property from April 2016 you will be liable to an extra 3% stamp duty. Is this also the case if you already own 2 properties and were to move home, therefore selling and buying but ultimately still retaining 2 properties? Also, what if you already own 2 and wanted to buy a 3rd, does this still attract the extra 3% levy?
Cheers
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