Frequently Asked Questions
Renters FAQs
Buyers & Sellers FAQs
Buyers & Sellers FAQs
We have put together some common Frequently Asked Questions from renters below. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for then just drop us a line.
Always refer to your tenancy agreement first, as it may specify additional details or rules. For more in-depth information, see the government’s official “How to Rent” guide, or get advice from Citizens Advice or Shelter.
Renting FAQs
Please reach us at info@holdinghomes.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
All adults aged 18+ must prove they have the right to rent in England. Usually, you’ll provide a valid passport or visa, or use the Home Office online check. Your landlord/letting agent should explain which documents they need.
Many UK landlords and letting agents use a multiple of the monthly rent to assess whether you can comfortably afford the tenancy. A common rule is that you (or you and any joint applicants) must earn at least 30 times the monthly rent in annual salary before tax (e.g., if the monthly rent is £1,000, you should earn £30,000 per year).
- Example: Monthly rent is £1,000 → annual rent is £12,000. Tenants should earn at least 30× monthly rent = £30,000/year.
- If you fall short, you might be asked for a guarantor (earning 36× monthly rent) or possibly an upfront rent payment.
- Different agents or landlords may have slightly different multiples, but 30× is the most typical benchmark.
Your deposit must be placed in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of payment. These schemes protect your money and provide a dispute resolution service. Any interest that accumulates typically goes to the scheme itself (in a custodial scheme), rather than landlord or tenant.
Paying rent in full and on time is your main responsibility. If you run into financial issues, contact your landlord or letting agent immediately. You may also reach out to Citizens Advice or Shelter for confidential guidance. If you fall behind by more than 14 days, a landlord may charge a default fee (capped by law).
They must give you:
- A valid Gas Safety Certificate (if there are gas appliances).
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
- Details on how your deposit is protected.
- A copy of the government’s How to Rent guide.
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) if applicable.
- Working smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with combustion appliances.
Look for a break clause in your contract or negotiate a mutual surrender with your landlord/agent. If there’s no break clause, you’re typically liable for rent until the end of the fixed term unless you reach an agreement. Always get any early-exit agreement in writing.
A break clause is a provision in a fixed-term tenancy agreement that lets either the landlord, the tenant, or both end the tenancy early (before the original fixed term expires). Key points include:
- Early Exit Option: The break clause spells out when and how the contract can be ended, often after a set number of months (e.g., “After 6 months, either party can give 2 months’ notice”).
- Notice Requirements: The agreement itself will specify how much notice each side must give—commonly 1 or 2 months. Tenants must serve the notice in writing, by the method outlined in the contract.
- Contractual Conditions: Many break clauses require that rent is up to date, the property is maintained, and any specific conditions are met (e.g., all bills are paid) before the clause can be exercised.
- No Universal Standard: There’s no statutory rule on how a break clause must be drafted—its wording and timing can vary significantly between tenancy agreements.
If you’re unsure whether your tenancy has a break clause or how to use it, check the wording of your tenancy agreement or seek professional advice from Citizens Advice, Shelter, or a solicitor.
It depends on your contract. If you’re on a fixed term with no break clause, you usually can’t end it early. If you’re in a periodic (rolling) tenancy, you generally need to give at least one month’s notice (if rent is paid monthly). Always check your tenancy agreement for exact notice periods.
Landlords must serve the correct written notice. Most commonly, a Section 21 notice in England requires at least 2 months’ notice and cannot require you to leave before 6 months of the tenancy have passed. If you don’t leave, they must apply to the court for a possession order. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence—contact your council or a housing charity if you feel pressured.
A Section 21 notice (often called a “no-fault eviction notice”) is a formal document a landlord can serve to legally end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) in England without giving a specific reason. Key points include:
- Two Months’ Notice: The landlord must provide at least two months’ written notice that they want the property back.
- Earliest Possession: A Section 21 notice usually cannot require you to leave before the initial six months of your tenancy have passed.
- Validity Requirements: The landlord must meet certain legal conditions (e.g., providing an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate, protecting your deposit in an approved scheme) before serving a valid Section 21 notice.
- Court Action: If you choose not to leave by the end of the notice period, the landlord must apply for a possession order through the courts. You cannot be forced out without a court order.
- No Fault: Unlike Section 8 notices, a Section 21 notice does not require any breach of contract (like rent arrears) to be valid.
If you are served with a Section 21 notice and need advice, it’s best to contact Shelter, Citizens Advice, or your local council’s housing department as soon as possible.
Landlords must maintain the structure/exterior (roof, walls, windows), keep plumbing and heating in working order, and carry out safety checks. You must promptly report any issues. If they fail to act, you can contact your local council’s housing department, which can enforce repairs if there’s a serious hazard.
No. Generally, they must give at least 24 hours’ written notice and come at a reasonable time unless there’s an emergency (like a serious leak).
You have the right to quiet enjoyment of your home.
Usually, tenants pay gas, electricity, water, and council tax unless your contract states otherwise. Check your tenancy agreement to confirm. If you are responsible, always register with utility providers at move-in.
Rent can only be increased if:
- The contract says how and when it can be increased, or
- You agree a new rent, or
- The landlord serves a formal notice (called a ‘Section 13’) proposing an increase.
You can challenge unreasonable increases by applying to a tribunal.
After the final inspection (check-out), the landlord proposes any deductions for damages (beyond normal wear and tear) or unpaid rent. If you disagree, you can use the deposit scheme’s dispute resolution process. Once agreed, your deposit is returned—usually within 10 days of settling any disputes.
Buyers & Sellers FAQs
Please reach us at info@holdinghomes.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In the UK property market, a sole agency period refers to the time during which you exclusively engage one estate agent to market and sell your home. During this contract period, only that agent is authorised to handle the sale, giving them the exclusive right to negotiate offers and secure a buyer. If the property is sold within this period, the agreed commission (usually after deducting any upfront marketing fees) is payable to that agent. If your property does not sell during the sole agency period, you typically retain any marketing assets and have the flexibility to consider alternative arrangements or re-engage with the same agent under new terms.
A cooling-off period is a brief period following the signing of a contract during which a buyer (or sometimes a seller) can withdraw from the contract without incurring a significant penalty. While common in many consumer contracts, the cooling-off period in property transactions is usually very limited or non-existent once contracts are exchanged. However, certain off-plan or new build purchases might include one, so it’s important to check the terms of your specific agreement.
A break clause is a provision in a contract that allows one or both parties to terminate the agreement before the end of its term under specified conditions. In property sales or rental agreements, this clause can give a party the right to exit the contract early (often after a defined period), provided they follow the notice requirements stipulated in the contract.
Property deeds are legal documents that record the ownership and title of a property. They outline details such as boundaries, rights of way, and any covenants or restrictions on the property. In the UK, while much of property ownership is registered with the Land Registry, the deeds (or title documents) are still important evidence of your legal title when buying or selling a property.
Planning permission documents are approvals issued by the local planning authority for any new construction, significant alterations, or changes of use for a property. These documents confirm that the development complies with local planning regulations. Buyers and sellers should review them to verify that any recent works on the property were legally approved and to understand any limitations that might affect future changes.
Building regulation certificates demonstrate that any construction or renovation work on the property has met the required building standards in the UK. These certificates provide assurance that aspects like structural integrity, fire safety, and energy efficiency conform to national codes. They are an essential part of the selling process, giving buyers confidence in the quality of recent works.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A to G. It includes recommendations for improving efficiency and is legally required for properties when they are built, sold, or rented. The EPC helps buyers understand potential running costs and the environmental impact of the property.
Warranties for recent work are guarantees provided by contractors or manufacturers that cover the quality and durability of work recently completed on the property. These might cover items like roofing, windows, or boiler installations and offer buyers assurance that, should issues arise within a specified period, repairs will be covered under warranty.
TA6 is a standard form completed by the seller during the conveyancing process. It provides detailed information about the property, including boundaries, any disputes, the condition of fixtures, and other relevant legal details. This form enables buyers to be fully informed about the property’s legal and physical condition before committing to a purchase.
A10 (fittings and contents form) is used to itemize what fixtures, fittings, and contents are included or excluded in the sale of a property. It clearly outlines which items will remain in the property and which will be removed, helping prevent disputes between the seller and buyer over what is transferred with the sale.
TA7 is a form specifically used in transactions involving leasehold properties. It details key information about the lease, such as the length of the lease, ground rent, service charges, and any restrictions or obligations imposed on the property. This ensures that buyers understand all the terms and costs associated with buying a leasehold property.
Deposit forfeiture refers to the loss of a buyer’s deposit if they fail to fulfil their contractual obligations in a property transaction. If a buyer withdraws from the sale after the exchange of contracts without a legally acceptable reason, they may forfeit their deposit as a penalty. This mechanism is designed to deter buyers from backing out of binding agreements and to compensate the seller for potential inconvenience or loss.
In the context of buying a property in the UK, a “search” refers to the official checks your solicitor or conveyancer carries out to learn about any issues that might affect the property you are intending to buy. These searches typically include:
- Local Authority Search: Checks planning permissions, building control history, highways or road proposals, and other notices that might affect the property.
- Water & Drainage Search: Confirms the property’s connection to public water and sewer systems, and outlines responsibilities for drainage.
- Environmental Search: Assesses flood risk, potential land contamination, and other environmental factors in the area.
Together, these searches help reveal problems that might influence your decision to proceed with the purchase or the price you’re willing to pay. They also protect you from possible legal or financial consequences down the line
A survey is a professional inspection of a property’s condition by a qualified surveyor. It assesses for structural issues, damp, or other defects that could affect the property’s value or your future repair costs. Here’s why surveys matter:
Spot Potential Problems
- Identify hidden issues (e.g., subsidence, damp) before fully committing to the purchase.
- Avoid unexpected repair bills by knowing exactly what you’re buying.
Mortgage Considerations
- Many lenders require at least a mortgage valuation—a basic check to ensure the property is suitable security for the loan.
- A proper survey (e.g., a HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey) is more thorough than a valuation and can alert you to issues that might affect the mortgage offer or future resale value.
Informed Negotiations
- If the survey reveals significant problems, you can often renegotiate the price or request that the seller carry out repairs.
- Knowing about structural or safety issues in advance can save you money and stress later on.
Costs vary depending on the property size and the depth of the survey—expect anywhere from £300 for a basic Home Condition Report up to £1,000+ for a detailed Building Survey.
In UK property transactions, a “chain” refers to a sequence of linked purchases and sales that depend on each other to complete. For example, you may be buying from someone who also needs to buy another house, and that seller, in turn, might be waiting on another purchase, and so forth. If one transaction in the chain is delayed or falls through, it can affect all the others.
By contrast, being “chain free” means there are no additional sales or purchases attached to the transaction—either the seller has already moved or doesn’t need to buy another property, and/or the buyer isn’t relying on selling a previous home first. Because there are fewer moving parts, a chain-free sale usually completes faster and carries less risk of collapse.
Conveyancing is the legal process involved in transferring property ownership from one party to another. In the UK, this typically involves:
- Drafting Contracts: The seller’s solicitor prepares a draft contract of sale, which the buyer’s solicitor reviews and may request amendments or clarifications.
- Property Searches: The buyer’s solicitor conducts local authority, environmental, and water/drainage checks to uncover any issues with the property.
- Enquiries: The buyer’s solicitor raises questions (enquiries) about things like planning permissions, boundary disputes, or any unclear points in the contract.
- Exchange of Contracts: Once both sides are satisfied with the contract and the buyer’s mortgage (if applicable) is confirmed, each party signs and “exchanges” contracts, making the deal legally binding.
- Completion: On the agreed completion date, the remaining funds are transferred to the seller, and ownership of the property officially passes to the buyer.
Conveyancing is typically handled by a solicitor, licensed conveyancer, or specialist legal professional to ensure all legal requirements are met and the buyer’s interests are protected.
Property deeds (often simply called “title deeds” or “the title”) are the legal documents that prove ownership of a property. In many cases, they are now stored digitally by HM Land Registry. If you have physical deeds, they typically include past transaction records, boundaries, and any conditions affecting the property.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal inspection of a property’s electrical systems (wiring, fuse boards, sockets, etc.) to ensure they’re safe and compliant. While not legally required when selling a house in the UK, an EICR can be beneficial for sellers, especially if they have had recent electrical work done or if the property has older wiring. It can provide buyers with peace of mind and assurance about the safety of the property's electrical system. However, sellers are not obligated to provide an EICR to sell a house.
Building Regulation certificates prove that construction work (e.g., extensions, loft conversions, new windows) has been carried out to the required safety and environmental standards. Without these certificates, you might struggle to sell your property, invalidate certain insurance, or face legal issues. They assure both you and future buyers that the work is compliant.
Stamp Duty is a tax you pay when you buy a property or land in England and Northern Ireland. The amount depends on the purchase price, with higher-value properties generally attracting higher rates. Different rules apply in Scotland (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) and Wales (Land Transaction Tax).
A Memorandum of Sale is a document drawn up by the estate agent (or selling agent) once an offer on a property has been accepted. It confirms the agreed sale price, details of the buyer and seller, and both parties’ solicitors. It isn’t legally binding but acts as a reference for the conveyancing process.
Exchange of Contracts is the point in the property-buying process where both buyer and seller become legally committed to the transaction. Their solicitors exchange signed contracts, and a completion date is agreed. If either party pulls out after exchange, there can be financial penalties (see Deposit Forfeiture).