Insurance

National Insurance reduced in 2024

Westminster previously announced a cut to National Insurance that applies to Scotland. Expect a little more in your pay from this month.

MCD

What is the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD)

The Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD) has an effect in the UK but do you know why and what it is? This guide will give you a basic understanding of what MCD is and how it affects the property market in the UK.

Estate Agents

Estate Agents Amongst the least trusted!

A poll carried out by Ipos known as the Veracity Index looks at how much trust the public has in various types of people. Estate Agents ranked as the 4th least trusted.

EPC

Home Energy Performance Explained (EPC)

As we continue into 2023 with high energy costs expected to be a headline throughout the year, Energy Performance Certificates tend to be largely ignored by most homeowners in my experience. With changes in legislation coming along they are more important than ever.

BTL

Affordability test for a BTL?

A question from a visitor on whether or not applying for a BTL will require an affordability test or not. In most cases it should not but there are exceptions.

Inflation

Inflation falls sharply to 4.6%

Inflation has come down quite significantly but that does not mean it's good news for interest rates falling anytime in the very near future.

Underwriter

Mortgage Underwriter – a role for you?

I have been asked a few times to do a guide on what is required and what it's like to be a mortgage underwriter. This is it, finally! Find out what it takes to do this job.

Credit

ClearScore - Free Credit Information

Maintaining a good credit score should be a focus for everyone. The better your credit score the easier it is to get credit and often lower rates. It can even tell you things you didn't know. ClearScore can help.

Leasehold

Is this the end of leasehold, again?

Seems like only yesterday that the Government was promising to remove leasehold on new build properties, well it was 4 years ago. But here we are again!

RAAC

6,300 Council homes in Moray to be checked for RAAC

RAAC checks have been taking place across the country. Moray Council had previously declared there was none in the area then it was found in a High School, now all properties are being checked.

RAAC

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

RAAC or Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete is likely a name you have never heard of until recently when it was discovered in Schools which resulted in them being closed. What about homes in general? Is there anything to worry about?

Gaming

BTL Gaming, what is it?

A term you may or may not be familiar with is BTL Gaming. What is it? Can you do it? Should you do it? The short answer to the last two questions is no.