Redeeming Your Mortgage – When a property owner pays back the mortgage on the property it is called redeeming the mortgage.  You will first need to get a statement of what is owed which is called a Redemption Statement.  If you are paying the loan back early you may be charged a Redemption Fee

Searches – There are many different types of Conveyancing search.  Which searches are needed for your property will be assessed by your conveyancers.  A brief list follows:-

Bankruptcy Search
Brine Search
Coal Mining Search
Commons Registration Search
Company Search
Environmental Search
HM Land Registry Search
HM Land Charges Search
Index Map Search
Local Search
Tin Mining Search
Water Authority/Drainage Search

Seller – This is the person selling the property sometimes also known as the Vendor

Shared Ownership Property – This is where a property has been bought jointly with the Council or a Housing Association. 

Stamp Duty – This is the tax payable on the purchase of a property.  For current Stamp Duty tariffs check our links page and visit the Inland Revenue web site.

Stamp Duty Exempt – Some types of purchase or transfer of land are exempt from Stamp Duty tax.  The Government has designated certain areas as exempt from Stamp Duty.  Visit the web site where you can check whether your property is exempt by entering the post code.  Some transfers of land are exempt from Stamp Duty.  Your conveyancer will be able to tell you whether your transaction is exempt.

Stamp Duty Land Tax Form – This is a lengthy form which comes with an even lengthier set of guidance notes.  See Inland Revenue above. 

Subject to Contract – Before Exchange of Contracts (See above) all negotiations relating to the property are subject to contract this means they are not binding unless contracts are exchanged

Surveyor – The person who is responsible for surveying the property.  They will usually be a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors RICS.

Survey – A physical inspection of the property by the surveyor to check the physical condition of the property and to advise the buyer upon the value of the property.  There are different types of survey and your conveyancer will advise you on the best type of survey for you.  Do not confuse a survey with a Mortgage Valuation. 

Telegraphic Transfer Fee – This is a bank charge for sending money from bank to bank.

Tenants in Common – See Joint Tenants above.

Transfer Deed – This is the legal document that transfers the ownership of the property.

Valuation – See Mortgage valuation above.

VAT – Value Added Tax is a government tax charged on certain transactions. 

Will – This is the legal document that sets out what you want to happen to your property after completion.