'Legal'
We have recently appointed a managing agent; we were self managing previously. The managing agent has increased our service charge and included all sorts of issues such as an Insurance Valuation fee, Health & Safety & Risk Assessment fees and something called a 5-yearly hard wire test. Is this really necessary, shouldn’t this have been done when the building was first built, it is only 8 years old?
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by Homes Etc.
A. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which became law on 1 October 2006, it is now mandatory to undertake a written Fire Risk Assessment and to maintain this and to have it re-assessed at least annually and updated in the event of any changes which are made to the premises. Along with [...]
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I recently had an argument with my next door neighbour and I have now received a card through my door asking me to attend the Police Station – do I have to go, what can I expect?
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by Homes Etc.
A. Many approaches by the Police to members of the public appear to be informal but should not be treated as such. If you receive a request to attend the Police Station and it is suggested by a Police Officer that this is on an informal basis, it must always be remembered that it is [...]
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I recently had an argument with my next door neighbour and I have now received a card through my door asking me to attend the Police Station – do I have to go, what can I expect?
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by Homes Etc.
A. Many approaches by the Police to members of the public appear to be informal
but should not be treated as such. If you receive a request to attend the Police Station
and it is suggested by a Police Officer that this is on an informal basis, it must always be
remembered that it is never the case [...]
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On contacting the Land Registry recently concerning a boundary query, I found out that the deeds to my property are unregistered. What exactly does this mean and should I be concerned?
Posted on 09. Aug, 2010 by Homes Etc.
There are basically two systems of conveyancing in England and Wales – registered and unregistered. With the registered land system, the Governmentmaintains a register of title to land. Each property or piece of land has its own title including a plan based on the Ordnance Survey Map. Information concerning a property is readily available from [...]
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I am currently involved in court proceedings with my partner, can I actually attend mediation?
Posted on 02. Aug, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. I am currently involved in court proceedings with my partner, can I actually attend mediation?
Kim, Poole
A. It is quite possible and sometimes preferable to attend mediation while there are ongoing court proceedings. In Bournemouth County Court for example there is currently a Private Children Law Pilot where there are eleven mediators on the scheme. If there are no issues [...]
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What does ‘restrictive covenant approval’ mean?
Posted on 07. Jun, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. I am selling my property and had a conservatory built a few years ago. When it was built I got Planning Permission and Building Regulations Approval, but the buyers are asking if I had ‘restrictive covenant approval.’
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We didn’t have a property survey done and now we have problems. Any advice?
Posted on 10. May, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. We bought a refurbished end of terrace house over 12 months ago from a builder/developer. We were silly and did not have a survey done on the property first, but after 12 months are now finding problems like leaking pipes under the floorboards
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Advice about deposits and contracts?
Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. I am purchasing a property and recently signed the contract at my Solicitors Office and left a 10% deposit. I have now been told that the Seller has received a higher offer and unless I match this offer, the Seller will withdraw. Can he do this after I have signed the contract and if [...]
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What benefits are there to buying a freehold?
Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. I own my own flat within a block on a leasehold basis. A few of my neighbours have talked about buying the freehold but it seems like a lot of money and I’m not sure about the benefits?
Sue Butler, Poole
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My fence is not in accordance with the Land Registry plan on the deeds. What advice can you give me?
Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. My neighbour who has just moved into the house next door has contacted me to say that my fence is wrongly positioned. Apparently it is not in accordance with the Land Registry plan on his deeds. What advice can you give me?
Dawn, Ringwood
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Advice for buying a property together but not married?
Posted on 15. Feb, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. My partner and I are thinking of moving in together. We are not married and want to buy a property together. I am putting all of the money into the purchase. If the house is jointly owned by us, surely I can get all my money back if we split up in the future? [...]
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What advice can you give for buying at auction?
Posted on 19. Jan, 2010 by Homes Etc.
Q. I am hoping to purchase a property at auction. What advice can you give me.
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What does buying a repossessed property mean?
Posted on 08. Dec, 2009 by Homes Etc.
Q. I’m thinking of buying a repossessed property. What does this mean?
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I understand I have to give one months notice to my Landlord to end my tenancy – is this correct?
Posted on 09. Nov, 2009 by Homes Etc.
Q. I am currently living in rented accommodation. I have found a property to buy and want to move in as soon as possible. I understand I have to give one months notice to my Landlord to end my tenancy – is this correct?
P. Butler, Boscombe
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Should we become Joint Tenants?
Posted on 06. Oct, 2009 by admin.
Q. My boyfriend and I are buying a flat together. We have saved £20,000 towards the deposit. Our solicitor has asked us whether we want to hold the property as Joint Tenants or as Tenants in Common. Can you explain the difference?
Our Legal Expert says…
It is very important that you are fully aware of the [...]













