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Click on the alphabet below to quickly find the term you are looking for.
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| ACCEPTANCE |
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The document that you will need to sign and return to a lender if you wish to accept the lender's mortgage offer.
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| AGRICULTURAL COVENANT |
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This is a planning condition which permits the erection of a residential dwelling providing it is
occupied by a person employed or associated with working on the land. Properties subjected to such a
covenant are effectively "blighted" by this stipulation and values are relatively low because they cannot
be sold to anyone who fails to meet the conditions imposed, unless the planning authorities agree to lift the covenant.
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| APPLICANT |
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The term by which a potential purchaser is often referred to by estate agents.
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| APPRAISAL |
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Carried out by a potential selling agent and, in their opinion, is the current marketing price of the property.
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| BENEFICIAL OWNER |
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Person owning lands and entitled to it for his own benefit. Not, for instance, a trust that holds the land for the benefit of another.
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| BRIDGING FINANCE |
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A purchaser under certain circumstances may wish to complete the purchase of a
property whilst still offering his own for sale. Lenders will advise as to whether the
necessary temporary finance can be made available.
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| CAUTION |
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Entries on the land register protecting the interests of a third party.
Any application for first registration of title notified to him whereupon appropriate
action can be taken to protect their interests.
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| CHARGE |
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If a property owner uses his security in the property to service a loan,
a charge is registered and certified. This entitles the lender to be regarded
as a secured creditor to be paid out of the proceeds of a sale in the event of a default on the loan.
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| CHARGE CERTIFICATE |
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A certificate issued to a lender by the Land Registry giving evidence of the lender's charge over the property.
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| CHIEF RENT |
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A payment made on freehold land to the original freeholder forever.
Distinct from ground rent which has a limited period.
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| COLLATERAL |
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Property pledged as a guarantee for the repayment of a loan.
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| COMPLETION |
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The finalising of the sale when all the monies are passed over and the purchaser has legal right to the property.
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| CONTRACT |
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Entered into by the vendor and purchaser of a property which only becomes binding on exchange of contracts,
i.e. when both parties have signed the contract and the purchaser has handed over the agreed deposit (if any) to the solicitor.
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| CONTRACT RACE |
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Involving two or more purchasers wanting to buy the same property.
Usually instigated by the seller. The successful purchaser is the first purchaser to exchange contracts.
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| CONVEYANCING |
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The legal process transferring ownership from vendor to purchaser.
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| COUNTY COURT JUDGEMENT (CCJ) |
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Whenever someone fails to pay for something and is subsequently taken to court,
the magistrate may issue a County Court Judgement against that individual to pay the outstanding debt.
It will only be removed once the debt is cleared.
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| COVENANT |
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A legal requirement of the owner to do, or not to do, something in relation to the property.
For example; restrictions on its use, changes to its appearance.
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| DEEDS |
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All the legal documents relating to the property.
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| DELAYED COMPLETION |
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Completion can take place anytime after exchange of contracts.
However, if it is longer than 28 days it is referred to as delayed.
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| EASEMENT |
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The sum of money paid to the agent, and invoiced to their clients on exchange of contracts.
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| ENGROSSMENT |
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The formal and final version of a document prepared by a solicitor in readiness
for signing and sealing following agreement of the final draft between the parties.
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| EQUITABLE INTEREST |
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Legal rights in a property that do not include the right to sell its legal title.
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| EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS |
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This is the stage when the buyer and seller exchange signed, legally binding contracts of purchase and sale.
Both then become committed to complete the transaction.
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| EXECUTION |
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Signing, sealing and delivering a deed in front or an independent witness.
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| FIXTURES & FITTINGS |
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Any items that are to be included in the sale, e.g. carpets, curtains, curtain rail, wall lights etc.
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| FLYING FREEHOLD |
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A flying freehold is formed when part of a freehold property overhangs a different freehold property or land.
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| FREE VALUATION |
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Allow us to come round to your property and give you a free valuation.
No obligation but an honest and accurate market appraisal.
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| GAZUMPING |
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A term used to denote a situation where the vendor has accepted an offer but
subsequently accepts a higher offer from another purchaser.
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| GAZUNDERING |
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A term used to denote a situation where the purchaser lowers his offer immediately prior to exchange of contracts.
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| GET MOVING |
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This folder, performing a role of holding all of your move related documents with lots of other useful information.
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| GROUND RENT |
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This applies only to Leasehold properties and is a sum paid annually to the Freeholder by the Leaseholder.
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| IMPROVEMENT GRANT |
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A grant made by the local authority towards the cost of repairing or improving property.
Further information with regard to grants is available from your local council.
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| INSTRUCTION |
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This term is used when the estate agent is formally instructed by a property owner to market
the property, usually by private treaty, in order to find a purchaser. The resulting contractual agreement
confirms the terms under which the instruction is offered by the vendor and accepted by the estate agent.
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| JOINT AGENCY |
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A situation where two agents are acting, the commission being apportioned as agreed by the seller and joint agents.
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| JOINT SOLE AGENCY |
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A situation where two agents are acting as sole agents, the commission being divided equally, no matter who sells the property. See also 'MULTIPLE AGENCY'
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| JOINT TENANTS |
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Two or more people holding property as co-owners. When one dies, his share of the property
automatically passes to the sur-vivor(s). See also 'TENANTS IN COMMON'
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| LAND CERTIFICATE |
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A certificate issued by the Land Registry as proof of ownership.
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| LAND REGISTRY |
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A Government department where details of properties with a registered title are recorded along with any charges e.g. mortgages.
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| LEASE |
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Ownership of property by way of a leasehold interest for a fixed term,
usually with an annual ground rent.
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| LEASEHOLD |
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Ownership of land (normally for a fixed period) subject to an annual payment of a ground rent
to the owner of the freehold. Usually a leasehold property is a flat or maisonette, although
in some areas conventional houses and bungalows of a leasehold tenure exist.
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| LESSOR |
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He who grants a lease - the landlord.
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| LIEN |
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The legal right of one person to hold the property of another as security for a debt.
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| MAINTENANCE CHARGE |
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A charge made, usually annually, by the landlord, to cover the costs of
maintaining the property as set out in the lease.
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| MARKET APPRAISAL |
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Carried out by a potential selling agent and, in their opinion, is the current marketing price of the property.
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| MORTGAGE |
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Loan for which property is the security (usually for house purchase).
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| MORTGAGE DEED |
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The document enshrining the conditions of a loan secured on a property.
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| MORTGAGES DIRECT |
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Providers of Mortgages for Europe's largest Independent estate agency, this company
negotiates mortgage discounts that other smaller companies simply can't offer.
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| MORTGAGE INDEMNITY GUARANTEE |
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An amount payable when a loan to property value exceeds the lender's maximum allowable.
Amount payable and repayment terms of a M.I.G. vary according to each lender's mortgage arrangements.
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| MORTGAGE OFFER |
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The letter from the lender offering you the loan and setting out the terms and conditions upon which it is offered.
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| MORTGAGOR |
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The borrower (whose property is secured for the
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| MULTIPLE AGENCY |
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A situation where two or more agents are acting for the vendor.
The agent who introduces a successful purchaser is the only one paid. See also 'JOINT SOLE AGENCY'
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| PART-POSSESSION |
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The term used, when a property is being sold, where a tenant has legal right of occupation.
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| PRELIMINARY ENQUIRIES |
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A set of questions raised by the purchaser's solicitor and sent to the vendor via his solicitor,
prior to exchange of contracts.They ask for clarification of specific points about the property which is being sold and the present vendor's ownership of it.
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| PRICE CHANGE |
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This is a property that has had its price changed.
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| PRIVATE TREATY (FOR SALE BY) |
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The sale of property by private treaty is the method employed by most estate agents,
preparing descriptive details of the property and quoting a definitive asking price.
Detaifs are circulated: potential buyers may view the property and either agree to buy at the asking price or submit an offer to purchase.
Agreement to buy at this stage (for England and Wales) is subject to formal contracts being prepared between the vendor and the purchaser and those
contracts being signed and exchanged between the two parties.
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| PROBATE |
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The official process of proving a will is valid.
In many cases part of the estate will involve a property, which might need to be valued for Inheritance Tax purposes.
A probate valuation is generally a negotiated value with the district valuer representing the Inland Revenue.
A sale cannot proceed to exchange of contracts until probate has been granted.
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| REGISTERED LAND |
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Land (including buildings on it) the title to which is registered at the
Land Registry and legal ownership is guaranteed.
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| RETENTION |
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An amount held back from the initial loan by the Lender until certain repairs or improvements
have been completed, or in some cases to cover possible road charges on a new estate.
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| RIGHT OF WAY |
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An individual's legal right to use any particular part of a property,
in order to gain access to any particular part of his own property.
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| SEARCHES |
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A term used to denote the physical and written procedure for determining any adverse effects in / on a particular property,
whether already in effect or planned to take place.
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| SITTING TENANT |
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To occupy the property as tenant, but have legal rights without a lease.
Any sale would be subject to any rights of a tenant who has occupation.
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| SOLE AGENCY |
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Where only one agent has the authority to sell the property. This does not affect the owner's right to sell privately.
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| SOLE-SELLING RIGHTS |
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Where one agent has complete control of the sale, and is entitled to his fee however the property is sold.
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| STAMP DUTY |
This is the tax normally paid by the purchaser of a property to the Government. Currently based on the following rates but exempt if the purchase price of the property is under £125,000*
1% of the purchase price on any sales exceeding £125,000 and does not exceed £250,000.
3% of the purchase price on any sales exceeding £250,000 and does not exceed £500,000.
4% if the purchase price on any sales exceeding £500,000
*This does not apply if the purchase is part of a larger transaction or series of transactions.
Disadvantaged Areas Stamp Duty Exemption may apply for properties within the Government's designated wards.
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| SUBJECT TO CONTRACT |
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A phrase used as a provisional agreement before contracts have been exchanged where either party may still withdraw from the transaction
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| SURVEY |
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Available in three types.- Valuation, Home Buyers and Structural Inspection of the property by an independent surveyor.
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| TENANCY AT WILL OR LICENCE |
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After exchange of contracts a purchaser may seek to take possession of a property before financial, legal completion.
This could be to carry out repairs and decorations or to take up residence early. This can often be organised and a licence arranged between both parties' solicitors The purchaser paying an appropriate rate of interest on the balance or the outstanding monies (i e. purchase price less deposit paid) instead of rental.
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| TENANTS IN COMMON |
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Two or more people holding property as co-owners. When one dies, his share or the property automatically passes to his estate. See also 'JOINT TENANTS'.
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| TENANT |
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Person who is in possession of a property usually by way of lease.
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| TENDER - FOR SALE BY |
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This is the situation where the asking price is not actually stated, but offers (in writing) are invited. Details of the property are prepared, circulated and advertised.
Tne closing date for the tender is noted. In most cases the vendor will reserve the right to refuse the highest offer, thereby not oeing committed to sell.
Offers tendered are usually opened in the presence of the vendor's soficitors, at a prescribed date and time An acceptance of an offer by the vendor constitutes an immediate
contract, and in most cases, the party tendering will have made their financial arrangements and have had a structural survey carried out in advance.
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| TENURE |
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Whether a property is freehold or leasehold.
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| TITLE |
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The rights and liabilities attached to the property
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| TITLE - ABSTRACT OF |
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A summary of title documentation used in the conveyancing of unregistered properties to
prove that the vendor has the right to sell.
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| TITLE DEEDS |
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Legal documents describing the rights and liabilities that are attached
to the property and prove ownership of property.
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| TITLE REPORT ON |
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Solicitors' certificate confirming that the title to the property is acceptable.
A Lender must have one before an advance cheque for the mortgage monies can be issued.
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| UNADOPTED ROAD |
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A road which has not been accepted by a Local Authority possibly as a result of it not meeting
the standards laid down (e.g. road surfaces, drainage, etc ). This indicates the possibility of a road charge liability if and when the road is adopted.
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| UNDER OFFER |
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When the vendor has accepted an offer for his home but contracts have not yet been exchanged.
Either party may still withdraw from the transaction.
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| VACANT POSSESSION |
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The previous occupants must vacate the property before you move in, including any tenants.
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| VALUATION |
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When carried out by a potential selling agent is in their opinion, the current marketing
price of the property. For any other valuation purposes, alternative professional advice may be appropriate
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| VENDOR |
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The owner of the property to be sold.
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| WOLTON SURVEYORS |
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When you find your home you may wish to have someone give you peace of mind
before you commit yourself financially to the largest single purchase you are likely to make, ask us for more information.
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