Mortgages & property: questions and answers

Mortgages, remortgaging, stamp duty, moving home and property problems. Clear answers to the mortgages and property questions people ask most, written in plain English and checked against official sources. 50 answers so far.

Fact-checked against official sources such as GOV.UK, HMRC and the IRS · Updated 6 October 2026

United Kingdom 35

Why is my house not getting any viewings?
A home that gets few viewings is usually priced above similar homes that have actually sold nearby, has a listing whose photos don't stand out, or looks like it needs…
Can I build an extension without planning permission?
Often yes in England: a single-storey rear extension of up to 3 metres on a semi or terrace (4 metres detached) and up to 4 metres high is usually permitted…
What happens if I can no longer pay my mortgage?
Your lender must try to agree an affordable plan, such as a longer term, temporary interest-only or time to clear arrears, and can repossess only as a last resort; most…
My neighbour's house is subsiding: what should I do?
Talk to your neighbour about what their insurer has found, photograph and date any cracks in your own home, check your buildings policy's subsidence cover and excess…
Is it worth moving house when you have to pay stamp duty?
Moving can still be worth it if the new home meets needs that improving your current one can't, but work out the exact stamp duty first. On a £450,000 home it's £12,500…
Moving house checklist: energy, change of address and your mortgage
You can't transfer an energy account to a new address. You close the old account with final meter readings, then become a customer of the supplier already at your new…
Can you get a mortgage at 60?
Yes. FCA rules don't set an age limit and allow a mortgage to run past retirement, but the lender must check you can afford it on your retirement income, and each…
What should I do when my cheap fixed-rate mortgage ends?
Book a new deal up to six months before your fix ends so you don't drop onto the higher standard variable rate, compare a product transfer with remortgaging on total…
Which MEES exemptions can a landlord register for an F or G rated rental?
You can't let an F or G rated home in England or Wales unless you register an exemption, and the six exemptions cover spending £3,500 without reaching E, high cost…
What can I do about unexpected extra conveyancing charges?
Ask your conveyancer for an itemised bill and an explanation, then complain in writing if the extras weren't in your quote or you weren't warned; the firm has 8 weeks…
If I rent a room in London, am I classed as living with others?
Usually yes: renting a bedroom in a shared London home means you live with other occupants. But the legal meaning changes by context, because tenancy status, Council…
Should I choose a 2-year or 5-year fixed mortgage?
Choosing between a two-year and five-year fix depends on how long you expect to keep the mortgage, the rate and fees offered, the early-repayment charges, and your…
Should I remortgage or keep spare cash in savings?
The better choice depends on your mortgage rate, ERCs and overpayment limit, savings return and need for accessible cash. A high mortgage rate can favour overpayment…
Can I get a mortgage in my own name if my partner has a Cifas marker?
A partner’s Cifas record does not automatically prevent a sole-name mortgage. The lender may apply extra fraud checks and consider any joint commitments or shared…
What happens to your house if you move abroad?
Moving abroad does not automatically mean you must sell your UK home. You can keep, rent out or sell it, but mortgage terms, insurance, UK tax, non-resident landlord…
Why can a mortgage overpayment seem to do nothing?
A mortgage overpayment can reduce the balance without reducing the monthly payment immediately. The lender may keep the payment unchanged and shorten the term, apply…
Why has my mortgage application gone back into assessment?
A mortgage application returning to assessment does not automatically mean rejection. Lenders can reopen underwriting after new documents, changed circumstances…
How do shared ownership lease extensions work?
A shared-ownership lease can be extendable, but the process depends on the lease date, landlord and the terms of the shared-ownership scheme. An informal promise is not…
Should you borrow before selling a house?
Borrowing before a planned house sale can be sensible for a short, clearly defined cash need, but it adds repayment risk to a transaction whose timing and sale price…
Should you keep an ISA or use it to offset a mortgage?
An offset mortgage can make it possible to reduce mortgage interest while keeping linked savings accessible, but the wrapper and the debt solve different problems…
How can existing Nationwide customers check for a new mortgage deal?
Existing Nationwide mortgage customers can check for eligible new deals through Mortgage Manager in the Nationwide app or internet bank. Nationwide says customers with…
What can I do if someone keeps parking on my property?
First establish whether the vehicle is on your private land or obstructing a public highway. Document each incident, avoid threatening or damaging the vehicle, and use…
What should I do after becoming mortgage-free?
Becoming mortgage-free is useful, but the next step is usually to redirect the old mortgage payment into a mix of emergency savings, pensions and longer-term…
How long does a UK mortgage application take before the offer?
MoneyHelper says a UK mortgage application typically takes 2 to 6 weeks to reach an approval decision. The actual timing depends on the lender, documents and property…
What happens to the land if I cannot pay the mortgage?
For a freehold home in England or Wales, house and land form part of the freehold property and the mortgage is a legal charge over it. If arrears continue, a lender can…
Is an accepted estate agent offer legally binding in England?
In England and Wales, an accepted property offer is normally not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. The sale can still change or fall through while…
How can I legally remove an unwanted guest from my garden caravan?
First establish whether the person is a guest, licensee, lodger or tenant. In England, a genuine guest with no continuing right to occupy can usually be asked to leave…
Can you retire on £2,000 a month with no housing costs?
Yes, £2,000 a month can be workable for a mortgage-free retiree, but whether it is comfortable depends on tax, Council Tax, energy, food, transport, insurance…
How should you negotiate an offer to buy the home you rent?
Base your offer on the property’s market value, condition, comparable sales and your financing rather than on what the landlord paid or your rent. Put the proposed…
Should you fix your mortgage rate now or wait?
There is no universal best day to fix a mortgage. Compare the rate, product fee, early-repayment charge, flexibility and your likely time in the property. Waiting can…
Should you pay off your mortgage early?
Paying off a mortgage early can reduce future interest and give certainty, but it is not automatically the best financial choice. Compare the mortgage cost with savings…
Do you have to pay rent again if a landlord loses your cheque?
If your rent was paid correctly and you can prove the payment reached the landlord or their agent, you would not normally pay the same rent twice. If a cheque was…
Do you need a solicitor for Inheritance Tax and a house sale?
You do not always have to appoint a solicitor personally, but estate administration, inheritance tax and a property sale can involve legal work that is easy to get…
Can you delay the start of a new fixed energy tariff?
Sometimes, but you cannot assume a new fixed tariff can be held for a convenient future date. The supplier’s terms and the switching timeline control when the new…
Can a council force a tenant to sign an updated tenancy agreement?
Not simply because it has produced a new document. For a secure council tenancy in England, the Housing Act 1985 sets out how terms may be varied, including by…

United States 8

How can I find what my house was worth in 1991?
For a US home, start with the 1991 deed or county property record if one exists. FHFA can provide a broad historical house-price index, but an index result is not a…
What can I claim for an illegal eviction in England?
In England, illegal eviction can be a criminal offence and may give a tenant rights to return, claim compensation or seek a rent repayment order. The remedy depends on…
Why do loans pay interest before principal?
On a normal amortising loan, interest accrues on the outstanding principal. The payment covers the interest due first, with the remainder reducing principal, so early…
How much discount should you ask for when paying a full year of rent upfront?
There is no standard discount for paying a year of rent upfront. A reasonable negotiation starts with the value to the landlord of guaranteed cash and lower payment…
Where should you keep house-sale proceeds while waiting to buy another home?
For money needed soon for another home purchase, the priority is capital stability, access and deposit protection rather than chasing investment returns. Suitable…
Is a townhouse a sensible choice for a first home?
A townhouse can be a sensible first home when its total cost, location, rules and expected holding period fit your finances. The “starter home” label matters less than…
Should I pay off my mortgage if I have enough cash?
Paying off a mortgage can be attractive when the interest cost is high and you have ample cash reserves, but the decision should also consider liquidity, prepayment…
What are the tax consequences of paying “rent” to a romantic partner who owns the house?
If you pay a romantic partner rent for a home they own, the owner may have rental income for US federal tax purposes. The result depends on the property’s use, whether…

Worldwide 7

Can I move house if I already have debt?
Yes, you can move house with existing debt, but your mortgage lender will assess those commitments when deciding what you can borrow. The critical checks are your sale…
Should I use my mortgage to buy a car after paying it off?
It can be possible to raise mortgage borrowing for a car, but doing so secures consumer debt against your home and can greatly extend the repayment period. Compare…
Why might a 2-year fixed mortgage last less than 24 months?
A two-year fixed mortgage normally means the rate is fixed for a stated period, but the exact end date comes from the lender’s offer and product terms. Check the start…
How do major economic shocks affect property markets?
Major economic shocks can push property transactions, prices and rents in different directions because mortgage costs, employment, confidence, supply and local demand…
Can you use home equity to buy another property?
Yes. Homeowners can sometimes borrow against existing equity to help fund another property, usually through a remortgage, further advance or second-charge mortgage. The…
Do you need your own loss adjuster for subsidence?
Not automatically. Your insurer will usually have its own claims professionals, and you can often handle the claim yourself. An independent loss assessor may help when…
Is it normal to struggle to find a lodger?
Lodger demand can be seasonal and local, so a quiet period does not automatically mean a room is impossible to let. Price, location, listing quality, timing, tenant…

United Kingdom 35

United States 8

Worldwide 7

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