How do you deal with a flooded home? Flooding has caused devastation across many parts of the country in recent years and affects homeowners in many ways, from the trauma of losing valuable and cherished items, to the upheaval of having to leave the family home and the hassle of
What can you do about subsidence? Subsidence – when the ground below your property shifts – is a very worrying problem to have. One of the first signs of subsidence is the presence of cracks in your property, but it is important to understand that not all cracks are a sign of
What happens if you home is down valued? When a mortgage lender values a property lower than the price you have agreed to sell at, this is called ‘down valuing’ and can be very distressing, especially if you need to move quickly. The problem is that the lender’s decision
What to do if you have problems with a property company There are recognised procedures for dealing with problems with any company. This is the general format: Talk to someone Before escalating a complaint, always try talking to somebody at the company first as you may be able to resolve
How do you deal with a bad survey? A common misconception among homebuyers is that the mortgage valuation is the same as a survey. In actual fact, it is merely a check by the lender to ensure the property is worth the amount you are asking to borrow, even though
What can you do about problems with landlords? We read a lot about rogue landlords in the press but, on the whole, the vast majority are law-abiding and any problems you encounter as a tenant should be easily resolved. The information here largely relates to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern
What can you do about problems with tenants? As a landlord, you are trusting one of your biggest assets to your tenants, so it is important to do your due diligence. With proper precautions, problems are rare but they can and do arise from time to time. What problems can
What can you do if your rental deposit is not returned? If you have been renting a property on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), by law your landlord should have: * protected your deposit in a in a government-approved deposit scheme * provided you with details of the scheme at the start
What happens to property during and divorce? Divorce and relationship breakdowns are one of the harsh realities of life for many people, unfortunately, and splitting up a joint property is one of the biggest hurdles you will face. If possible, try to maintain an amicable relationship with your ex, as
Can't afford a rental deposit? What can you do? Usually, when you rent a home – whether it is a house, flat or room – you are required to pay a deposit of one or two months’ rent. Through the introduction of the Tenant Fees Bill, the government plans to
How do you increase rental returns? With the government’s squeeze on landlords getting ever tighter, it has become more important than ever to maximise your rental returns. A third of landlords rely on rental income as an important part of their earnings, according to research quoted in the TDS
How do you increase the value of a property? Given enough time, property prices generally rise, although this is by no means guaranteed. Since 2005, the old adage that prices double every 10 years has most definitely not been true for many homes and areas. And since the credit crunch,