Category: General
What are restrictive covenants in property law?
If you own your own home or you are thinking of buying, you may be aware of restrictive covenants. These are legally binding conditions that limit how you can use the property in some way. When a property is initially built and sold, the landowner has the option of including restrictive covenants in the document...
Halloween Scares: 10 Ways Your Home Can Spook Buyers
With Halloween approaching, it’s time to delve into the eerie realm of real estate and explore how your seemingly normal home can send buyers running in terror. While haunted houses, ghostly apparitions, and creepy dolls might top the list of scary factors, there are mundane yet spine-chilling aspects that can haunt potential buyers this season....
Understanding the different types of survey
If you are buying a property, you probably know that it is always recommended that you have a survey carried out, but you might not know exactly what sort of survey you need. We take a look at the different types of surveys available and when they are used. A survey is important when buying...
Drop in rates of property sales falling through
Estate agency marketing firm Spectre has published a report showing that fewer property sales are falling through than in recent years. The Spectre Q2 Market Report compared figures from 2022 and 2021 along with an average figure for the past five years. Although there was a spike in property sales falling through after the mini-budget...
Beware of expensive privacy claims if your video doorbell breaches data protection laws
With doorbell cameras more popular than ever, we look at the risks to owners if they capture footage of neighbours and the properties nearby. Doorbell cameras can be useful, particularly for homeowners who are out. A notification on the owner’s phone will let them know that someone is outside their home. They can check who...
7 Mortgage Myths
If you are thinking of buying a property with a mortgage, you may have questions about some of the things you have heard about mortgages. We take a look at some of the most common mortgage myths. 1. You need to find a property before you start thinking about a mortgage While you will not...
New standards expected in the Autumn for estate agency listings
Improvements continue to be made to estate agency listings, aimed at giving house buyers more information upfront. National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) have set out more details of what information must be included by estate agents, as of Autumn 2023, when drawing up property listings. What do estate agents currently need...
Could solar panels add value to my home?
As record numbers of people instal solar panels, we take a look at the benefits and whether they will add value to your home. The number of households installing solar panels was up by 100% for the first quarter of 2023 compared with the previous year. The option to produce your own energy and reduce...
Recent legal case highlights need for fixtures and fittings transparency
A recent case has emphasised the need to be clear when dealing with property fixtures and fittings. A couple has fought for nine years to have their property’s fixtures and fittings returned to them after the seller stripped it bare. Martin and Sarah Caton purchased a £1.5 million Grade II*-listed mansion in Cornwall in 2014...
