Hive Estates Jargon Buster
If you need to know more about any of the terms listed in our property glossary, get in touch with the Hive Estates team. They’ll be more than happy to explain anything you’re unsure on.
Acceptance
The document you sign when accepting the mortgage offer from your lender.
Administration fees
A fee that’s paid by the tenant to cover the cost of processing a rental application.
Agreement fee
Usually split between landlord and tenant, this fee covers the cost of drawing up a tenancy agreement.
ARLA
Stands for the Association of Residential Letting Agents.
Arrangement fees
A mortgage lender’s fees to arrange a loan.
Assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
A rental agreement over a fixed period. Only applicable where the net rent does not exceed £25,000 a year.
Contract
The legal document between the seller and buyer, detailing the agreement around the sale.
Conveyancing
The legal process required to transfer ownership of a property.
Deposit
When buying a property, the deposit is usually 10 per cent of the purchase price. When renting, the deposit is usually equivalent to six weeks rent and is held by the landlord or agent as security against damage or breaching the tenancy terms.
Dilapidations
Damages caused during a tenancy, which the tenant is usually responsible for.
EPC
EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate and shows a property’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions.
Fixtures & Fittings
This is a list of items that are included with the property you are buying or renting. Fixtures are items that have become part of a building and fittings are items that are not attached. Always ask what fixtures and fittings are included.
Inventory
A list of the items included in the rental property and detailing the condition of them.
Land Registry Fee
A fee paid to the Land Registry office to change ownership of the property.
NAEA
The National Association of Estate Agents.
Open market value
The estimated sale price of a property. This is based on a number of factors, like a reasonable period of marketing and assuming no special factors.
Stamp Duty Land Tax
The fee paid to the government by the property purchaser. This tax is banded and works on the price of your property.
Tenancy
Where a tenant occupies a property under a lease.
Tenancy agreement
A legal agreement between the tenant and landlord, designed to govern how the property is occupied.
Title deeds
A document outlining the legal ownership of a property.
Vendor
The person selling the property.
About Hive Estates
Have you heard the buzz about Hive Estates? We’re Newcastle’s freshest estate agents, specialising in rental properties, student lets and helping you buy and sell properties.
Find out moreWhy Hive Estates
You’ve probably already heard this buzz about Hive Estates — but why should you start your property search with us? Here, we answer the burning question; why Hive Estates?
Find out more