• Jargon Buster Introduction
We are estate agents serving a variety of areas across Hampshire and Dorset. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of the property – from property sales and purchase to property development, you can rest assured that no matter what you’re planning, choosing to move with us is the right decision.
To make sure you’re kept as informed as possible, we have composed a list of frequently asked questions and provided the answers you need.
However, if you’d prefer to speak to a member of our team directly for advice or help with a query, contact our property specialists today on 01489 584298.
• The Jargon Buster
• A
Administration Fee
A payment that is made to cover all costs of processing a property rental application.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The total cost of a loan, including interest charges shown as a percentage.
• B
Base Rate
The rate of interested charged by the Bank of England for lending to other banks. Other banks then use these rates as a benchmark for the interest rates they charge when lending to consumers themselves.
Building Inspection
A report based on the physical condition of a property. The report will cover all accessible areas of the property and reference any issues or defects.
• C
Chain
When a buyer is relying on the sale of their existing property in order to buy a new one.
Completion Date
The date when all paperwork and funds have been processed and the sale or purchase of a property is officially complete.
Conveyancer
A solicitor or lawyer who manages the legal elements of selling or selling a property. A buyer and seller will each have their own conveyancer.
• D
Deeds
The legal documents of a property. These include the property’s history of ownership.
Disbursements
Charges payable by the conveyancer on behalf of the buyer. These include Stamp Duty and Land Registry fees.
• E
EPC
Energy Performance Certificate. This certificate informs you of the energy efficiency of a property and will help to indicate the average cost of energy bills. Properties are given a rating from A – G, with A being the most efficient energy bracket.
Equity
The difference between the value of your property and the mortgage still owed. This figure demonstrates how much of the property is owned.
• F
Freehold
When you buy the freehold of a property, you own the land and property entirely. It is the freeholder’s responsibility to maintain all areas.
• G
Ground rent
The annual fee that is levied by the freeholder on the leasehold of a property.
• H
Holding deposit
Once contracts have been exchanged, some sellers may request a holding deposit. The deposit is usually a small percentage of the property purchase price and is paid to the seller’s solicitor directly. This deposit demonstrates that the buyer is serious about purchasing the property.
• I
Indemnity Insurance
Indemnity insurance is taken out by conveyancing. These policies cover losses to clients which were a result of error or fraud.
Inventory
A full list of the contents within a rental property. An inventory contains information on the condition of each item, including photographs and details of existing damage, ready to be referenced upon the end of the tenancy.
• L
Land Registry
The government office archives all land ownership records and documents that relate to properties.
Land Registry Fees
Fees that are paid to register the ownership of a property with the Land Registry.
Lease
A legal document governing the tenant’s occupation of the premises for a specific amount of time.
Leasehold
A leasehold property allows you to live within and occupy the land of a property for a certain amount of time. The duration of a lease varies but is generally 99 years, 125 years and 999 years.
Legal Fee
Charges made by a conveyancer or solicitor for their work during the process of buying or selling a property.
• M
Mortgage Deposit
The deposit is paid upfront towards a part of the ownership of the property’s overall price to the mortgage provider. Mortgage deposits are usually around 20% of the property’s overall value.
• N
Negative Equity
Negative equity occurs when the sale value of a property is less than the amount that is outstanding on the existing mortgage.
• O
Offers Over
The lowest price that a seller is willing to accept for their property.
• P
Preliminary Enquiries
When a sale is agreed upon, the buyer’s conveyancer will send a standard list of questions about to property to the seller’s conveyancer.
• S
Share of Freehold
When the freehold of a property is owned by a limited company whose shareholders are the owners of the property.
Stamp Duty
When someone buys a property at the price of £125,000 or more, they must pay a tax that begins at 1% and rises to 7% for homes above £2 million.
Subject to Contract
Where contracts are not yet exchanged, therefore no agreement is legally binding on either the buyer or seller’s side of the transaction.
Survey
A report is prepared by a fully qualified building surveyor in order to check the structure for any faults. How owners have the option to choose between three types of structural survey, each will provide them different amounts of information.
• T
Tenancy Agreement
The legal agreement governs the tenant’s occupancy of a property.
Title Deeds
Documents that provide confirmation of the legal ownership of a property.
• U
Under Offer
When a seller has accepted an offer on their property from a buying, allowing the legal processes to commence.
For more information regarding selling your property, or for mortgage advice, contact our property experts today on 01489 584298.
