Latest news with #LandRegistry
Metro
13 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
The 5 hidden legal red flags that could derail your property purchase
Buying a house requires a lot of paperwork and though you'd hope a good conveyancer would highlight any problems, you'll probably want to triple check the details yourself. The challenge? Those certificates and deeds can feel like they're written in a different language, with pages upon pages of jargon to sift through. To help buyers spot any iffy-looking issues, Andrew Boast, property expert at SAM Conveyancing, has shared the most common red flag warning signs that might be nestled deep in planning records. That freshly painted garden fence might look appealing, but if it doesn't match the legal boundary or covers parts of the land that aren't registered, it could pose questions over ownership. And if you're looking to sell up yourself, this could cause delays for all parties. Naturally, boundaries aren't always abundantly obvious during the viewing process, and asking about them might not always feel appropriate. But as Andrew says, you should 'never assume the physical layout matches the Land Registry title.' You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 'Check for discrepancies early, especially with annexes, shared access, or extra parcels of land and question anything that doesn't line up,' he explains. Drawn in by the extra space from a home's flashy loft conversion, kitchen extension or even a garden room? The stars in your eyes might see extra storage space – or even an idyllic WFH set-up – but it's important to check the work was done properly. If planning permissions have been skipped you might encounter issues down the line, whether as a buyer or a seller. According to Gov UK, buildings will likely need planning permission if something new is being added, a major change is being made (such as an extension), or if you want to change what it's used for, which is all worth keeping in mind. 'If a seller can't provide certificates, it's worth investigating further,' Andrew warns. 'You might be taking on an unregulated structure without even knowing it. If they don't exist, your solicitor needs to know immediately.' It's not just renovation certificates that you'll need: major upgrades like fresh windows, boilers or even electrical systems all require official paperwork. These might include a FENSA certificate (the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme, which proves new windows and doors meet legal standards) or simply a Gas Safe record. As Andrew says, a lack of documentation in this area could indicate that the work was a DIY job and might not meet safety regulations. Down the line, this could come with extra costs for buyers, particularly if the work wasn't done properly. 'Certificates aren't just a formality,' Andrew explains. 'They prove the work was done by someone qualified and meets legal and safety standards, and without them, insurers and lenders may raise concerns.' If you've realised at the viewing that your property actually shares a driveway with the neighbours, or even if the garden path has a third-party right of way, this could complicate your path to home ownership. Andrew notes that these rights don't always appear in estate agent listings – particularly if they're on a casual basis – but they still matter, and could cause legal implications if they're not formally documented. In his view, if 'someone else can legally access your land, you need to know upfront.' 'It might affect how you use your property or what you're allowed to build in the future, such as extensions or outbuildings,' he adds. The more you know. These days, it's common for leasehold flats and even houses to come with ground rent and service charges, but these can sometimes become 'hefty' if they rise over time. Homeowners under leasehold agreements – which are commonly seen in flats and shared ownership schemes – do not own the land their property sits on outright. And so, they need to make an extra rental payment to the freeholder (sometimes known as a landlord), who does. An agreement will always outline the amount of time a leasehold agreement is in place for – but in Andrew's opinion, anything 'under 85 years' should be 'flagged immediately.' More Trending 'And if ground rent doubles every decade, that's more than just a red flag, that's a serious affordability issue,' he explains. Feeling anxious about these legal red flags? Don't panic. Just make sure you ask the 'right questions' and take care to 'instruct professionals who will investigate them properly.' Andrew notes that you 'don't have to spot all of this yourself' as 'that's what your solicitor and surveyor are for.' View More » The earlier you raise any concerns, the better, as it'll then be 'easier to fix them before they delay or derail your purchase, and protect your investment.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I live in a mouldy flat because other landlords won't accept me MORE: Map reveals the 5 cheapest London postcodes where properties cost less than £300,000 MORE: What I Own: We bought a £315,000 home at 23 and 25 after three years of saving
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl temporary accommodation: Ex-directors declared bankrupt
Peter Mitchell and his partner, Colette Goulding, were both declared bankrupt at Liverpool County Court on May 13. Mr Mitchell, 65, has quit as a director of Social Value Housing, Big Help Trading Co and Big Help Homes CIC, which own 35 and 44 River Street, 42 River Street and 48 River Street respectively. He had also resigned from Big Help Group, the overarching company under the 'Big Help' name. Ms Goulding, 57, also resigned from Big Help Trading Co, Big Help Homes CIC and Big Help Group earlier this year. Per Companies House, on May 5, Mr Mitchell and Ms Goulding resigned as directors of Big Help Housing Co Ltd – Mr Mitchell was then re-appointed on May 19, before resigning again on the same day. On May 7, meanwhile, they both resigned as directors of Big Help Project Cymru, whose registered address is 48 River Street (which is owned by Big Help Hom In April, a Big Help spokesperson told the Journal: 'Peter is currently battling with an aggressive form of cancer. 'As such, he has stepped down from his business activities to ensure his sole focus right now is on his current health struggles.' According to Companies House, Big Help Trading Co's latest accounts are months overdue, while the company is subject to receiver action, with five outstanding charges. Big Help Homes CIC, meanwhile, is in administration, and last October was the subject of a winding-up petition sent to the High Court. Its administrators, Grant Thornton, said in an administrator's proposal that Big Help Homes CIC was leased 18 properties by another company, Home Long Income Fund (HLIF), but had 'not paid rent to HLIF for some time'. It also claims in this proposal that Big Help Homes CIC owes a total of £8.8million to its creditors. Per Land Registry data, 42 River Street was bought by Big Help Trading Co for £260,000 in September 2021, and 48 River Street by Big Help Homes CIC for £245,000 in February 2021. Another 'Big Help' company, Big Help Project, is currently subject to a Charity Commission inquiry after a significant increase in its reported income was identified. Mr Mitchell resigned as a director of Big Help Project and Big Help Green on May 5 - he also quit Social Value Housing on May 1. In July, 42 and 48 River Street were two of seven Rhyl properties listed for online auction in July with estate agents Allsop 'by order of a charity', but none of the relevant legal documents were attached to their auction pages. When contacted, Allsop could not disclose why they were subsequently withdrawn from auction. Contrary to Land Registry documents, Mr Mitchell told the Journal last July that Social Value Housing owned all seven of these Rhyl properties. Social Value Housing's latest accounts are also overdue. In August, three of these properties – including 48 River Street – were put back up for auction via estate agents Sutton Kersh. No legal documents were attached to these properties' auction pages on this occasion, either. On August 29, all three properties' auctions, scheduled for September 10, were postponed. On September 2, a Sutton Kersh representative said they were pulled from auction because it didn't have 'formal instruction' for them.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Homeowners can tell which fence is theirs with this simple observation
Experts have told how it all comes down to working out which is the fence's "good" side. During the winter months severe winds can wreak havoc on your garden, especially your fences and when it comes to spring it's time to get them ship shape. When fences blow down or break, it's the owners ' responsibility to repair them, however this often causes tension when ownership of the fence is disputed. If the broken fence divides two properties, then it might be the decent thing for neighbours to divide the repair costs equally, but occasionally some pass the buck and don't claim any responsibility. This in turn creates drama and, sometimes even, legal problems. To prevent any issues or disputes, gardening experts propose a simple method to identify fence ownership. Jacksons Fencing said a person can work out who owns a fence by checking where the "good" side of the fence or where the railings appear. They explained: "Typically, you can guess who owns a fence by seeing where the rails are, with the fence typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side of the fence." They added that the reason behind this is to ensure security", saying: This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. "This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side." However, Jacksons Fencing team do say that guessing about fence ownership based on its position isn't infallible. To conclusively establish ownership, consultation of the Title Plan or Land Registry must be made - an owner of a boundary is indicated by a 'T' symbol. If you spot 'T' marks forming an 'H' shape on both sides of your boundary, it's a heads-up that you've got a shared "party wall", and both neighbours are on the hook for its upkeep. When there's a question mark over who owns what, property pros suggest a peek at the Land Registry to set the record straight yes, even if you're renting. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Jacksons Fencing has weighed in: "Frustratingly, there is no way to make your neighbour repair their fence, even if it is rotting and making your garden look unsightly. "You can look to hire a disputes expert but this will go down as an official dispute and will have to be declared when selling your house. The only way to get around this would be to install your own fence within your boundary right next to it." When it comes to garden fences, there are certain rules that households must follow, as failing to do so could result in fines. Experts previously explained how installing a fence to a certain height could mean being slapped with a staggering £20,000 fine. If you're looking to make your garden to appear bigger, painting your fence certain colours can help make an outdoor space look more spacious.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Amazon is selling an £9 privacy screen that's perfect for keeping your garden away from prying eyes this summer
IT'S very important to know your rights if you are embroiled in a fence row with a neighbour. How do I know which side I own? A boundary feature can be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire, or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway. The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Jacksons Fencing. Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn't any legal basis for this. You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for. Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic. Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are. Pros say: "The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side. 'This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 'This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side.' Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit. While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain. Fines and punishment It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines. There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence. Fencing pros have suggested: 'It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.' If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an 'easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden'. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes. If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them. Changing a boundary If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed. The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added. In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it. But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage. How high can a garden fence be? The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours'. A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it's over than 2m. However, there are some complications to this. If you are thinking about front garden fences, restrictions state that fences alongside a driveway can be a maximum of 1m or 3ft. You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m. But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the growing plant.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Amazon is selling an £9 privacy screen that's perfect for keeping your garden away from prying eyes this summer
AMAZON is selling a cheap privacy screen that will elevate your garden and keep the prying eyes away. With the temperatures rising and summer on our doorstep, more people will be spending time in their gardens. Advertisement 2 The privacy screen doubles as a picture backdrop and sells only for £9 Credit: Amazon 2 The screen can be easily installed on an existing fence Credit: Amazon But your sunbathing sessions and relaxation could be disturbed by neighbours peeking through the fence. Putting up a large fence around your garden may seem like the obvious solution but this can be expensive - and can sometimes lead to . For a hassle-free answer to your problem, you could install a privacy screen that is both affordable and pleasant to the eye. Amazon is selling Advertisement read more on fabulous The 200 x 40cm expanding flower panels make a perfect backdrop for pictures or celebrations if you're planning to throw BBQ parties this year. They also protect your privacy from any prying eyes, blocking 90 per cent of UV rays, and blend perfectly with the greenery of the garden. The product is said to be suitable for outdoors as it can withstand wind, rain and heat thanks to the rust-free plastic and wood blend . The privacy screen can be easily attached to an existing fence, patio or wall without any tools. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous You could also choose between realistic purple orchids or yellow sunflowers to complement your garden's look. B&Q's Aldi is selling a cheap $2.19 item in the 'finds aisle' that will transform your garden into a colorful summer paradise The stylish screen comes in a realistic leaf design, perfect for blending in to your greenery. However, the privacy screen is only available online, so you will have to order it via the B&Q website instead of heading to your local store if you are keen to snap up the bargain. Advertisement Meanwhile, Shein's can keep snoopers out for just £10. And the purse-friendly buy isn't the only privacy screen you can buy on Shein at the moment. The e-commerce site's What are your rights over a fence row? IT'S very important to know your rights if you are embroiled in a fence row with a neighbour. How do I know which side I own? A The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn't any legal basis for this. You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for. Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic. Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the Pros say: "The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side. 'This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 'This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side.' Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit. While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain. Fines and punishment It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence. Fencing pros have suggested: 'It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.' If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an 'easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden'. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes. If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them. Changing a boundary If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed. The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added. In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it. But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage. How high can a garden fence be? The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours'. A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it's over than 2m. However, there are some complications to this. If you are thinking about front You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m. But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the
