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What’s the right survey for buyers of poor quality newbuild homes?
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyors from the Haynes House Manual series Should buyers of new homes get a survey? If you buy a new car and problems arise you're covered by the manufacturer's warranty for at least the first 3 years. But there...
Why A ‘Frenzy’ of Overvaluing Is Blighting the UK Property Market
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyors from the Haynes House Manual series Overvaluing residential property is now rife - and is causing major problems The Financial Times recently published an eye-opening article by David Johnson about the...
Leaseholds to finally be abolished?
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyors from the Haynes House Manual series Is Change Finally Coming to the Exploitative Leasehold System? The Government has announced plans to abolish the centuries-old Leasehold system in England and Wales - ...
How do you choose the right estate agent?
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyors from the Haynes House Manual series Finding the Right Estate Agent There are estate agents’ offices on every High Street in Britain - so how do you choose the right one? You might reasonably assume that...
Is There Still Time To Avoid Paying £’000s in extra Stamp Duty Tax in 2025?
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyor Ian Rock FRICS - from the Haynes House Manual series The Stamp Duty Deadline is Fast Approaching - Act Now To Avoid Losing Out Stamp Duty is a tax paid when you purchase property in the UK. It's also known as...
The Dangers of Spray Foam Roof Insulation
Why Spray Foam Roof Insulation Can Make Your Home Unmortgageable Rightsurvey Chartered Surveyors and the RICS have been warning about the risks of spray foam insulation for many years, but the product is still heavily advertised. It can come as something...
Can you make a claim against the seller if the house you buy turns out to have serious defects?
The Strange Case of the Buyers Who Claimed £36m Compensation for Moth Infestation In a recent legal case a couple who in 2019 paid £32.5 million for a seven bedroom Victorian house in London's Notting Hill area subsequently sued for the vendor on the...
How To Make Sense of Your Survey
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyor Ian Rock FRICS - from the Haynes House Manual series Decyphering Survey Reports - Understanding 'Surveyor-Speak' Survey reports rarely make uplifting reading. After all, you're not paying the surveyor to...
Why it’s important to check your property’s EPC rating – Energy Performance Certificate
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyor Ian Rock FRICS - from the Haynes House Manual series Have you checked your home’s EPC rating? Anyone planning to sell or let a property must by law get it professionally assessed so it’s marketed with an...
What happens if your property is ‘downvalued’ by the mortgage lender?
Property Tips by Chartered Surveyor Ian Rock FRICS - from the Haynes House Manual series What can you do if your mortgage valuation comes in lower than the agreed sale price? Surveyors carrying out mortgage valuations for banks and building society...