Bridging Loan
Temporary finance 'bridging' the period between completion on the purchase of a property and the sale of an existing property, funds from which are intended to finance/part finance the new purchase.

Chief Rent
Annual payment made on freehold land to the original freeholder in perpetuity.

Commission
Fee paid to your estate agent, usually following exchange of contracts.

Completion
The point at which the balance of the purchase price is paid and the purchaser gains access to the property.

Conveyancing
Name given to the legal procedure required to transfer ownership of a property from one party to another.

Deeds
Legal documents relating to a property, usually held by the Building Society or Bank if the property is subject to a mortgage.

Easement
Right of access for a particular purpose, granted to someone who is not the owner of the land in question.

Exchange of Contracts
Point at which vendor and purchaser exchange binding contracts with the payment of a deposit, at the same time agreeing to a completion date.

Fixtures and Fittings
Non removable items within the property. These are items that permanently fixed in position. e.g. the bath, toilet, light fittings, doors and radiators.

Freehold
Legal ownership of land.

Gazumping
Popular term for the situation whereby a vendor has accepted an offer but subsequently goes on to accept a higher one from a different purchaser.

Ground Rent
Amount paid annually by a leaseholder to a freeholder.

Landlord
The owner of a property being let to a tenant.

Lessor
Person responsible for granting a lease - normally the landlord.

Mortgagee
A lender of money, to be secured on the property in question.

Mortgagor
The borrower, upon whose property the loan is secured.

Private Treaty
Formal name given to the method by which most estate agents will undertake the sale of residential property. This term covers the whole range of services normally associated with the sale process, culminating in 'exchange of contracts' and 'completion' between vendor and purchaser.

Probate
Legal term applied to the process of proving that a will is valid.

Purchaser
The buyer of a property.

Searches
Procedure undertaken by a solicitor or legal representative during the conveyancing process to establish whether any issues exist which may adversely affect the property which is to be purchased.

Stamp Duty
A Government tax levied on the purchaser of a property and calculated as a percentage of the purchase price.
The Stamp Duty rates are:

Subject to Contract
Agreement between vendor and purchaser, subject to a contract normally prepared by the vendor's solicitor.

Survey
The three main types are:

1. VALUATION
(prepared for house purchase,
mortgage purposes, insurance or probate).

2. HOMEBUYER SURVEY AND VALUATION
(carried out by a Chartered Surveyor and
designed to focus on urgent or significant
matters requiring attention).

3. BUILDING SURVEY AND VALUATION
(A more detailed inspection suitable for
large or older type buildings).

Tenant
Person occupying a property, normally subject to the terms of a lease agreed with the landlord.

Tender
In the process known as 'For Sale By Tender' the asking price will not be stated. Instead, written offers will be invited and a closing date for such offers published. All offers are normally opened at the same time, usually with the vendor's solicitor present. Generally, the vendor is not committed to accepting the highest or any offer.

Vacant Possession
The date by which the vendor agrees to give up possession of the property (see 'Completion').

Vendor
The legal owner of a property which is being offered for sale.