Advance

The payment of Mortgage monies by the Lender.

Assignment

Transfer of a lease.

Building Regulation Approval

Approval issued by the Local Authority in relation to the structural soundness, safety etc of construction works or alterations

Charge

A debt secured on the property, e.g. the monies borrowed from a Lender to purchase a house. (See Mortgage)

Charge Certificate

Formerly the principal ownership document of a property where the title is registered and a mortgage is involved. Now no longer of legal effect. (See also Land Certificate).

Commons Search

Enquiries to establish if anyone has any rights of grazing or fishing, etc.

Completion

The day on which you move.

Conditions of Sale

The legal terms of the contract.

Contract

A legally binding agreement between Buyer & Seller.

Covenants

Rules and conditions contained in the Deeds or Lease that relate to the upkeep of the property or place restrictions on its use.

Deed of Covenant

A document which confirms that the buyer will comply with the rules and conditions affecting the property.

Deposit

Part of purchase money paid on exchange by the Buyer to confirm the commitment to purchase.

Drainage Search

Enquiries of the Drainage Company as to mains sewers and water pipes.

Easement

A right granted over another's property, e.g. a right of way which allows certain persons access over a piece of land.

Encumbrance

A right in favour of another person or a covenant or other unfavourable feature affecting a property.

END Notification

An electronic method which some lenders use to notify Land Registry that a mortgage has been paid off.

Engrossment

The final document to be signed by all relevant parties.

Environmental Search

Enquiries relating to past and current land uses of the property and its surroundings that may indicate the likelihood of contamination or pollution.

Exchange of Contracts

Stage at which the transaction between the Seller and the Buyer becomes legally binding.

Form DS1/DS3

A legal document signed by the Lender releasing the charge against the property.

Freehold

Outright ownership of the property and land on which it stands.

Ground Rent

Annual payment to Landlord in the case of Leasehold properties only.

Headlease

A lease granted out of a freehold property. There may be subsequent leases (Underleases) created out of the headlease.

Homebuyers Report

An assessment of the main parts of a property which is less detailed than a structural survey but gives general indicators as to its condition.

Joint Tenants

On the death of one of you the property will pass to the survivor of you in exactly the same way as if that person had purchased the property on their own (see also Tenants in Common).

Land Certificate

Formerly the principal ownership document of a property where the title is registered and no mortgage is involved. Now no longer of legal effect. (See also Charge Certificate)

Landlord

One who owns property and rents it to others whether on long or short leases or tenancies.

Land Registry

Government Department holding the National Property Register.

Lease

Document setting out the terms of occupation of leasehold property between Landlord and Tenant.

Leasehold

Method of owning property (usually a flat) for a fixed term but not the land on which it stands.

Licence to Assign

Formal permission by Landlord for Buyer to buy leasehold property.

Local Search

Enquiries of Local Authority concerning planning and services.

Management Company

Company formed to comply with certain obligations under a Lease, e.g. insurance, repairs, maintenance of main structure.

Managing Agents

Firm employed by the Landlord or Management Company to arrange practical maintenance and general management of a building

Mortgage

Loan secured against the property by Deed, e.g. monies borrowed from a Lender to purchase a home. (See Charge)

Mortgagee

Lender, e.g. Building Society or Bank.

Mortgage Indemnity Policy

Insurance which covers the Lender in the event that they have to repossess the property and there is a resulting loss. The Insurance Company has the right to payment from the defaulting borrower of any resulting loss.

Mortgage Protection Policy

An Insurance which guarantees your mortgage payments should any of the following occur: Accident, Sickness, Redundancy/Unemployment.

Mortgagor

Borrower.

NHBC

National House Builders Council. The NHBC provide a ten year insurance policy on the main structure of new properties.

Official Copies

Certified copies from the Land Registry of the entries on a registered title.

Permitted Development

Minor alterations to a Property that do not require Planning Permission because they fall within certain criteria issued by the Local Authority

Redemption

When the mortgage loan is paid off.

Registered Land

Details of the property held by the Land Registry.

Repayment Mortgage

Loan where monthly payments include interest and part of the capital initially borrowed.

Requisition on Title

Queries raised on the Title to the property, e.g. details as to how much money is payable on completion and what documents will be handed over.

Retention

Monies held back from the advance usually pending completion of necessary works to the property.

Service Charge

Money charged to owners of leasehold property and used by the Landlord or Managing Agents for maintenance, insurance and repairs to the property.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

A tax on property transactions valued at over £120,000.00 at various rates calculated on the total price with additional tax payable on the rent under a new lease.

Subject to Contract

Negotiations prior to exchange of contracts between Buyer and Seller and not binding on the parties until contracts have been exchanged.

Structural Survey

A detailed assessment of the essential framework of a building.

Tenant

A person who pays rent to another for the use of property or land.

Tenants in Common

On death of one of you the share of that person will pass in accordance with any Will that has been made. (See also Joint Tenants).

Tenure

Freehold or Leasehold.

Term

Period of Time , e.g. the length of the Mortgage or Lease.

Title

Documentary history of the property.

Transfer

Document which hands over the ownership of a property.

Underlease

A further lease of the whole or part of a property granted by an existing tenant of a property.

Valuation

Assessment of a property's value only, not a survey of the structure