Author: numan
When Do I Get the Keys to My New Home and From Whom?
Keys to new properties are exchanged on completion day. You can arrange to pick them up from the vendors or have the estate agent hold them in-trust for you to come and collect them at an arranged time.
What Is The Stamp Duty on a Second Home?
As per 2015’s Autumn Statement, there is an additional 3% rate of Stamp duty Land Tax (SDLT) on purchases of additional property, such as Buy to Let properties and second homes. This came into effect on April 1st 2016.
The only caveat to this is that second properties under £40,000 do not have to pay the additional 3% of stamp duty.
What is a Help to Buy ISA?
A Help to Buy ISA is a government scheme designed to encourage those living in the UK to save for a mortgage deposit to buy a home. To quality, you must be a first-time buyer and not own property anywhere else in the world.
Help to Buy ISAs are no longer available, but if you opened your Help to Buy ISA before 30 November 2019, the date new applications closed then you can keep saving into your account and earn a government bonus towards your first home.
As with any ISA product, savings are tax-free. A Help to Buy ISA gives you the added opportunity of earning a government bonus, when you take out a Help to Buy ISA, the government will top up any contributions you make by up to 25% to a contribution limit of £12,000.
What Is An Indemnity Policy?
Indemnity insurance is a protection policy that is purchased by some homeowners during the transaction process. For a one-off payment, homeowners can buy an insurance policy that protects them in the event that the property they’re buying might develop a costly problem that requires significant financial investment to fix in the future.
When Will I Get My Money?
You will get any money from selling a property on the day of completion. The buyer and the vendor should agree a mutually convenient day of completion in advance of moving home.
A conveyancing solicitor is responsible to making sure that property is bought and sold in accordance with all legislation. Once the money has bent sent and received by both parties, your solicitor will authorise the transaction and release the money.
Is It Freehold or Leasehold?
Freehold properties are defined as any estate that is ‘free from hold’ of any entity besides the owner. Freehold estates enjoy free ownership for perpetuity and are able to use the land for any purposes (provided that the purpose complies with regulations.) Also, freehold properties are not fixed-term and they are therefore more favourable to buyers.
A leasehold estate is ownership of a temporary right to hold land or property in which a lessee or tenant holds the rights of ‘real property’ with a title from the landlord or ‘lessor.’ Leases can run for short or longer period of time, for example 99 or 999 years.
Do You Arrange for a Survey?
Versus Law Solicitors is not responsible for arranging for a survey to be completed on any property in the midst of a sale negotiation. Buyers will need to arrange for any property surveys to be completed.
How Much Will it Cost Me?
The cost of moving house does vary quite significantly. There are a number of factors that influence how expensive moving home is. However, there are some general guidelines to what homeowner should expect to pay.
Estate agents take a commission of between 0.75-3% of the property sale price to sell properties. Conveyancing typically costs £500 – £1500 (including VAT of 20%.) Additional significant costs include Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), if you buy a property of more than £125,000. A valuation and surveying fee must also be taken into consideration, as should the electronic transfer fee and any removal costs.
Is VAT Charged on Property Rental Payments?
It depends on the individual property. Should a landlord have ‘opted tax’ for VAT purposes, rental payments will be subject to VAT, otherwise, rental payments are exempt from VAT. If your business is VAT registered, your costs will normally be higher, whether the landlord has opted tax or not. You can reclaim any VAT you pay, in the same way as you do for other business purchases.
However, if your business is not VAT-registered, or if you make VAT-exempt supplies, any VAT charged on rental payments will increase your costs.
Is It a Legal Requirement to Have an EPC?
If you are selling, renting or building commercial property, you need to have a commercial EPC. Should the building be split into sections with separate accommodate, for instance in an apartment block, each section or unit will require an EPC.