Acceptance

A document that you will need to sign and return to a lender if you wish to accept their mortgage offer.

Airbrick

Perforated brick used for ventilation to floors and roof spaces.

Applicant

The term a potential purchaser is referred to by estate agents.

Architrave

Moulding around window of doorway.

Asbestos Cement

Cement with 10-15% asbestos fibre as reinforcement. Fragile - will not bear heavy weights. Hazardous fibres may be released if cut or drilled.

Asbestos

Material used in the past for insulation. Can be a health hazard - specialist advice should be sought if asbestos is found.

Ashlar

Finely dressed natural stone: the best grade of masonry.

Asphalt

Black, tar-like substance, impervious to moisture. Used on flat roofs and floors.

Balanced Flue

Metal device which allows air to be drawn to an appliance whilst also allowing fumes to escape.

Beetle Infestation

Larvae of various species of beetle which tunnel into timber causing damage. Specialist treatment normally required. Can also affect furniture.

Benching

Smoothly contoured concrete slope beside drainage channel within an inspection chamber.

Bitumen

Black, sticky substance like asphalt. Used in sealants, mineral felts and damp-proof courses.

Breeze Block

Various types of concrete and cement building blocks.

Bridging Loan

A purchaser may wish to complete the purchase of a property whilst still offering his own for sale. This may require temporary finance, a "bridging loan".

Carbonation

A natural process affecting the outer layer of concrete. Metal reinforcement within outer layers is liable to early corrosion and fracturing of the concrete.

Caution

Entries on the land register protecting the interests of a third party. Any application for first registration of title is notified to them so they can take appropriate action to protect their interests.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Beads: Polystyrene beads pumped into the cavities. Will easily fall out if the wall is broken open for any reason. Foam: Urea formaldehyde foam pumped into the cavities where it sets. Can lead to problems of dampness and make replacement of wall-ties more difficult. Rockwool: Inert mineral fibre pumped into the cavity.

Cavity Wall

Standard method of building external walls of houses comprising two leaves of brick or blockwork separated by cavity 50 mm (2 inches).

Cavity Wall-tie

Metal wire bedded into the inner and outer leaves of cavity walls to strengthen them. Corrosion can cause the wall to become unstable, replacement ties are then required.

Cesspool

A holding tank which needs frequent emptying. Not to be confused with Septic Tank.

Charge Certificate

A certificate issued to a lender by the Land Registry showing the lender's charge over the property.

Charge

If a property owner uses their security in the property to service a loan, a charge is registered and certified. This entitles the lender to secured creditor status and to be paid out of the proceeds of a sale in the event of a default on the loan.

Chief Rent

A payment made on freehold land to the original freeholder forever.

Chipboard

Chips of wood compressed and glued into sheet form. Cheap method of making flat roofs, floors and, (as Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC)) furniture including kitchen units.

Collar

Horizontal timber joist intended to restrain opposing roof slopes. Removal or weakening can lead to Roof Spread.

Collateral

Property pledged as a guarantee for the repayment of a loan.

Combination Boiler

Modern form of gas boiler which works on demand. With this boiler there is no need for water storage tanks, hot water cylinders etc.

Commission or Fee To the Estate Agent

The sum of money paid to the agent, usually within two weeks of completion.

Completion

The finalising of a sale when all the monies are passed over and the purchaser gains access to the property.

Contract Race

Involving two or more purchasers wanting to buy the same property. Usually set-up by the Vendor. The winner is the first purchaser to exchange contracts.

Contract

Entered into by the vendor and purchaser of a property which only becomes binding on exchange of contracts, ie when both parties have signed the contract and the purchaser has handed over the agreed deposit (if any) to the vendor.

Conveyancing

The legal process transferring ownership from vendor to purchaser.

Coping/Coping Stone

Stone or concrete, laid on top of a wall as a decorative finish and to stop rainwater soaking into the wall.

Corbel

Stone, brick, timber or metal jutting out from a wall to support a weight.

Covenant

A legal requirement of the owner to do, or not do, something in relation to the property.

Coving

Ornamental moulding where an internal wall meets the ceiling.

Dado Rail

Wooden moulding fixed to a wall, about 1 metre (3ft 4in) above the floor.

Damp-proof Course

Course layer of impervious material (mineral felt, pvc etc) fitted into a wall to prevent dampness rising up the wall or dampness around windows, doors etc. Various methods are available for damp-proofing existing walls including "electro-osmosis" and chemical injection.

Deathwatch Beetle

Serious pest found in structural timbers, usually affects old hardwoods with fungal decay already present.

Deeds

All the legal documents relating to the property.

Delayed Completion

Completion can take place anytime after exchange of contracts. If it is longer than 28 days it is referred to as delayed.

Double Glazing

Thermal insulation usually: Sealed Unit: Two panes of glass fixed and sealed together; or Secondary: A second "window" placed inside the original window.

Dry Rot

A fungus which attacks timbers, often with devastating results. Flourishes in moist, unventilated areas.

Easement

A right over or under property or land granted to someone who is not the owner.

Eaves

Overhanging edge of roof.

Efflorescence

Salts crystallized on the surface of a wall as a result of moisture evaporation.

Engineering Brick

Strong and dense type of brick, sometimes used in a damp-proof course.

Engrossment

The final version of a document prepared by a solicitor in readiness for signing and sealing following agreement of the final draft between the parties.

Equitable Interest

Legal rights in a property that do not include the right to sell its legal title.

Exchange of Contracts

This is the stage when the buyer and seller exchange signed, binding contracts of purchase and sale. Both are then committed to complete the transaction.

Execution

Signing, sealing and delivering a deed in front of an independent witness.

Fibreboard

Cheap, lightweight board material with no strength, used in ceilings or as insultation.

Fixtures & Fittings

Any items that are to be included in the sale, eg carpets, curtains, light fittings etc

Flashing

Used to prevent leakage at a roof joint. Normally metal (lead, zinc, copper) but can be cement, felt or proprietary material.

Flaunching

Contoured cement around the base of chimney pots, to secure the pot and to throw off rain.

Flue Lining

Metal (usually stainless steel) tube within a flue - essential for high output gas appliances.

Flue

A smoke duct in a chimney, or a pipe for a heat-producing appliance eg a central heating boiler.

Flying Freehold

Flying freehold is formed when part of a freehold property overhangs a different freehold property or land.

Foundations

Normally concrete, laid underground as a structural base. In older buildings may be brick or stone.

Freehold

Absolute ownership of land with or without Chief Rent.

Frog

A depression in top surface of a brick, to reduce weight and increase the strength of the wall. Bricks should always be laid frog uppermost.

Gable

Upper section of a wall, often triangular in shape, at either end of a ridged roof.

Gazumping

A term used where the vendor has accepted an offer but then accepts a higher offer from another purchaser.

Gazundering

Where the purchaser lowers his offer immediately prior to exchange of contracts.

Ground Heave

Swelling of ground due to absorption of water causing an upward movement in foundations.

Ground Rent

This applies only to Leasehold properties and is a rent paid annually to the Freeholder by the Leaseholder.

Gully

An opening into a ground level drain, positioned to receive water from downpipes and wastepipes.

Hip

The external junction between two intersecting roof slopes.

Improvement Grant

A grant made by the local authority towards the cost of repairing or improving property. Further information is available from you local council.

Inspection Chamber

Also called a "man-hole". Access point to a drainage channel with a removable cover at ground level.

Instruction

This term is used when the estate agent is formally instructed by a property owner to market and find a buyer from the property.

Jamb

Side part of a doorway or window.

Joint Sole Agency

A situation where two agents act as sole agents, dividing the commission equally, no

Joint Tenants

Two of more people holding property as co-owners. When one dies, their share of the property automatically passes to the survivor(s).

Joist

Timber used in flat roof, ceiling and floor construction. Occasionally also metal.

Land Certificate

A certificate issued by the Land Registry as proof of ownership.

Land Registry

A Government department where details of properties are registered along with any charges, eg mortgages, loans etc.

Landslip

Movement of unstable ground due to prolonged heavy rain, coastal erosion, or sub-soil slippage.

Lath

Thin strip of wood used to fix roof tiles or slates, or as a backing to plaster.

Lease

"Ownership" of property for a fixed term, usually with an annual ground rent.

Leasehold

Ownership of land (normally for a fixed period) subject to an annual payment of a ground rent to the owner of the freehold.

Lessor

The landlord or person who grants a lease.

Lien

The legal right of one person to hold the property of another as security.

Lintel

Structural beam of timber, stone, steel or concrete placed over windows or doors.

LPG

Liquid Petroleum Gas or Propane for gas appliances in areas without mains gas.

Maintenance Charge

A charge made, by the landlord, to cover the costs of maintaining the property as set out in the lease.

Mortar

Mixture of sand, cement, lime and water used to join bricks or other materials.

Mortgage Deed

The document showing the conditions of a loan secured on a property.

Mortgage Offer

The letter from the lender offering you the loan and setting out all the terms and conditions.

Mortgage

Loan for which property is the security.

Mortgagee

The lender.

Mortgagor

The borrower (whose property is security for the loan).

Mullion

Vertical bar dividing individual lights in a window.

Multiple Agency

Where two or more agents act for the vendor. The agent who sells the property is the only one paid.

Newel

The post that supports a staircase handrail at top and bottom. Can be the central pillar of a spiral staircase.

Offer (not Scotland or N.Ireland)

Intent to purchase a property, at a price.

Offer (not Scotland or N.Ireland)

Intent to purchase a property, at a price.

Oversite

Rough concrete underneath timber floors. The level of the oversite should be above external ground level.

Parapet

Low wall along the edge of a flat roof, balcony etc.

Part-Possession

Where a tenant has legal right of occupation.

Peppercorn Rent

A trivial amount of ground rent.

Pier

A vertical column of brickwork or other material, used to strengthen a wall or to support a weight.

Plasterboard

A finishing board now in widespread use for ceilings and walls.

Pointing

Smooth outer edge of mortar joint between bricks, stones etc.

Preliminary Enquiries

Questions raised by the purchaser's solicitor and sent to the vendor via his solicitor, prior to exchange of contracts.

Private Treaty

The sale of property by private treaty is used by most estate agents, preparing details of the property and quoting an asking price. Details are then circulated and potential buyers may view the property and either agree to buy at the asking price of submit an offer. Agreement to buy (for England and Wales) is then subject to formal contracts being prepared and signed and exchanged.

Probate

The process of proving the validity of a will. Wills usually involve a property, which needs to be valued for Inheritance Tax purposes. A probate valuation is a negotiated value with the district valuer representing the Inland Revenue.

Purlin

Beam in a roof which rafters rest on.

Rafter

A sloping roof beam, usually timber, forming the frame of a roof.

Random Rubble

Primitive method of stone wall construction.

Registered Land

Land and buildings which are registered at the Land Registry.

Rendering

Covering a wall either in plaster (internally) or cement (externally), sometimes with textured finish.

Retention

An amount held back by the Lender until certain repairs or improvements have been completed.

Reveals

The side faces of a window or door opening.

Ridge

The apex of a roof.

Right of Way

An individual's legal right to use any part of a property, in order to gain access to any part of his own property.

Riser

The vertical part of a step or stair.

Rising Damp

Moisture soaking up a wall from below ground, by capillary action causing rot in timber, plaster decay, etc.

Roof Spread

Outward bowing to a wall caused by a badly restrained roof frame.

Screed

Final, smooth finish of a solid floor; usually cement, concrete or asphalt.

Searches

A term used to describe the procedure for determining any adverse information on a property, whether already in effect or planned to take place.

Septic Tank

Tank where sewage decomposes through bacteriological action. This can be slowed down or stopped by the use of chemicals.

Settlement

General disturbance such as distortion in walls. Sometimes of little significance.

Shakes

Naturally occurring cracks in timber. Shakes can appear quite dramatic, but strength is not always impaired.

Shingles

Small rectangular slabs of wood used on roofs instead of tiles, slates etc.

Sitting Tenant

The tenant of a property who has legal rights without a lease. Any sale is subject to any rights of a tenant who has occupation.

Soakaway

A below ground aggregate channel to disperse water.

Soaker

Sheet metal at the junction of a roof with a vertical surface eg chimney stack, adjoining wall etc. Flashings should overlay soakers.

Soffit

The under-surface of eaves, balcony, arch etc.

Sole Agency

Where only one agent has the authority to sell the property. This does not affect the owner's right to sell privately.

Sole-selling Rights

Where one agent has complete control of the sale, and is entitled to a fee however the property is sold.

Solid Fuel

Coal, coke or one of a variety of proprietary fuels.

Spandrel

Space above and to the sides of an arch; also the space below a staircase.

Stamp Duty

This is the tax paid by the purchaser of a property to the Government. Current rates are:
£60,000 or less — nil
£60,001 to £250,000 — 1%
£250,001 to £500,000 — 3%
£500,001 or more — 4%

Stud Partition

Lightweight, sometimes non-loadbearing wall comprising a framework of timber faced with plasterboard.

Subject to Contract

A phrase used to describe a provisional agreement before contracts have been exchanged. Either party can still withdraw from such a transaction.

Subsidence

Ground movement as a result of mining activities or clay shrinkage.

Sub-Soil

Soil lying immediately below the top-soil on which foundations lie.

Survey

Inspection of the property by an independent surveyor. Available in three types: Valuation, Home Buyers and Structural.

Tenancy At Will or Licence

After exchange of contracts a purchaser may seek to take possession of a property before financial, legal completion. This could be to carry out repairs and decorations or to take up residence early. This can often be organised and a licence arranged between both parties' solicitors.

Tenant

Person who is in possession of a property usually as a lease.

Tenants in Common

Two or more people holding property as co-owners. When one dies, his share of the property automatically passes to his estate.

Tender — For Sale By

This is the situation where the asking price is not actually stated, but offers (in writing) are requested. Details of the property are prepared, circulated and advertised. The closing date for the tender is given. Offers are usually opened in the presence of the vendor's solicitors. An acceptance of an offer by the vendor constitutes an immediate contact. In most cases the party tendering will have made financial arrangements and have had a structural survey carried out in advance.

Tenure

Whether a property is freehold or leasehold.

Tie Bar

Heavy metal bar passing through a wall, or walls, to brace a building suffering from structural instability.

Title — Absolute

The highest form of tenure available.

Title — Abstract Of

A summary of title documentation used in the conveyancing of unregistered properties to prove that the vendor has the right to sell.

Title Deeds

Legal documents describing the rights and liabilities of the property and prove ownership.

Title - Report On

Solicitors' certificate confirming that the title to the property is acceptable.

Title

The rights and liabilities that come with the property.

Torching

Mortar applied on the underside of roof tiles or slates to help prevent water penetration. Not necessary when a roof is underdrawn with felt.

Transom

Horizontal bar of wood or stone across a window or top of door.

Tread

The horizontal part of a step or stair.

Trussed Rafters

Prefabricated triangular framework of timbers widely used in domestic construction.

Unadopted Road

A road which has not been accepted by a Local Authority. There is the possibility of a future charge if the Council adopt the road.

Under Offer

When the vendor has accepted an offer for his home but contracts have not yet been exchanged. Either party can still withdraw.

Underpinning

Method of strengthening weak foundations where a new foundation is placed beneath the original.

Vacant Possession

The previous occupants must vacate the property before you move in, including any tenants.

Valley Gutter

Horizontal or sloping gutter at the internal intersection between two roof slopes.

Vendor

The owner of the property to be sold.

Ventilation

Necessary in all buildings to dispose of moisture resulting from bathing, cooking, breathing, etc, and to assist in prevention of condensation.

Verge Board

Timber, often decorative, placed at the verge of a roof: also known as barge board.

Verge

The edge of a roof, especially over a gable.

Wainscot

Wood panelling or boarding on the lower part of an internal wall.

Wall Plate

Timber placed at the eaves of a roof, to take the weight of the roof timbers.

Wet Rot

Decay of timber due to damp conditions. Not to be confused with the more serious Dry Rot.

Woodworm

Term for beetle infestation usually the Common Furniture Beetle by far the most frequently encountered insect attack in structural and joinery timbers.

Writ or Summons

Mode of commencing legal proceedings.