Viewing Homes
Why a mansard roof changes the shape of the top floor
A mansard roof has a steep lower slope and a shallower upper section. Here is how to read that shape when viewing the rooms and roof of a property.
Inside the property journal
Explore all →
Buying a Home
A house with underpinning history needs the repair paperwork
When a property has been underpinned, trace the cause, scope and completion of the work before treating the repair history as either reassurance or a warning.
Property Documents
Buying at auction: find out when the property commitment becomes binding
At a property auction, the binding commitment depends on the sale method and terms. Prepare the legal and funding questions before bidding.
Property Documents
Missing window certificates during a house sale: start with the installation date
A missing FENSA certificate is worth checking early in an England or Wales house sale. Match the installation, address and records before drawing conclusions.
Property Documents
Usufruct and bare ownership: two sets of rights in one home
Understand the distinction between usufruct and bare ownership using France as an example, and identify the documents that explain an actual property.
Property Documents
A tenant estoppel certificate confirms lease facts for another transaction
A tenant estoppel certificate records lease-related facts for a transaction. See what to compare and why discrepancies deserve careful review.