Buying a home and don't know how anything works

[miss direct]

You need it before the carpets, especially if you're having any painting done.

Yeah...good point. Am still hoping I can just borrow one at first - have a friend who has an industrial cleaning company so maybe he'll be able to come by with some super strong tools...I have a dust allergy so could do with having it fully blitzed before I go in!

 

[scifisam]

Yeah...good point. Am still hoping I can just borrow one at first - have a friend who has an industrial cleaning company so maybe he'll be able to come by with some super strong tools...I have a dust allergy so could do with having it fully blitzed before I go in!

I guess so, but they're not that expensive, and it's not like you won't need one anyway.

 

[miss direct]

Argh, I am freaking out a bit. Just gone on to my bank account to make today's payment. I can see the previous two payments, and they both say the correct name of the solicitor, and correct sort code, but they have different account numbers! Only the final two digits are different.

I have no idea why or how this has happened because on the second day I clicked to repeat the payment, so why has it paid into a different account? Do I need to be worried about this?

 

[miss direct]

Just been having a proper panic. I managed to check the second bank account and it does belong to the solicitors but annoyingly, is not the one I was told to pay into. How on earth does this happen? I didn't set up a new payment.

 

[Saunders]

Is it possible that the last two digits are some sort of payment reference?

 

[miss direct]

I have no idea. There's a separate payment reference code.

 

[iveivan]

I’d ring your bank if I were you. If you repeated the transfer, I’d think it’s fine. Also, I think all major banks have checks these days that the account matches the payee name.

Still worth calling the bank to check.

 

[steveseagull]

I am looking at this studio this week. I will have a 20k to convert it into the plan on the right (a one bed flat). It would involve talking out the hallway and extending the kitchen into a kitchen/living room. New kitchen fitout, new bathroom, taking out the bath, putting in a show and having a washing machine installed into the bathroom.

What is the likelihood that the wall I want to take out is a supporting wall?

 

[platinumsage]

View attachment 275585

I am looking at this studio this week. I will have a 20k to convert it into the plan on the right (a one bed flat). It would involve talking out the hallway and extending the kitchen into a kitchen/living room. New kitchen fitout, new bathroom, taking out the bath, putting in a show and having a washing machine installed into the bathroom.

What is the likelihood that the wall I want to take out is a supporting wall?

Are you sure buildings regs will permit you to have a bedroom where the only exit is via the kitchen? Seems like a fire hazard.

 

[steveseagull]

Are you sure buildings regs will permit you to have a bedroom where the only exit is via the kitchen? Seems like a fire hazard.

That is a good point. How do I find out about this sort of stuff?

 

[platinumsage]

That is a good point. How do I find out about this sort of stuff?

Google it? Just found this about inner rooms and type of window you can climb out of:

https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/media/1809/building-control-guidance-notes-means_of_escape.pdf

 

[Elpenor]

If I lived there I’d keep a hammer in the bedroom in case I needed to smash a window to get out of exit was blocked

 

[WouldBe]

Are you sure buildings regs will permit you to have a bedroom where the only exit is via the kitchen? Seems like a fire hazard.

If it's ground floor as it shows a garden on the plan you could always use the window as an escape route.

 

[steveseagull]

Google it? Just found this about inner rooms and type of window you can climb out of:

https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/media/1809/building-control-guidance-notes-means_of_escape.pdf

perfect, thank you. The property is on the ground floor with big sash windows to climb out so that should cover that.

 

[WouldBe]

Just been having a proper panic. I managed to check the second bank account and it does belong to the solicitors but annoyingly, is not the one I was told to pay into. How on earth does this happen? I didn't set up a new payment.

Call the solicitors on Monday to let them know what's happened.

 

[platinumsage]

If it's ground floor as it shows a garden on the plan you could always use the window as an escape route.

So it seems, if the window is the right size.

 

[platinumsage]

perfect, thank you. The property is on the ground floor with big sash windows to climb out so that should cover that.

Might be worth enquiring with your local council building control department just to check though, especially if the success of the purchase depends on making that particular change.

 

[miss direct]

Well, I've emailed the solicitor. Double checked my phone and I only gave permission for one new recipient (they call before I'm allowed to do that) so will just assume everything is ok for now until I hear otherwise.

 

[WouldBe]

View attachment 275585


What is the likelihood that the wall I want to take out is a supporting wall?

If upstairs is the same layout it's more than likely a supporting wall. You could still take it out but you'd need to put a steel in which won't be cheap.

 

[steveseagull]

If upstairs is the same layout it's more than likely a supporting wall. You could still take it out but you'd need to put a steel in which won't be cheap.

Thank you. This is something I will need to find out I guess. the wall removal is not make or break mind.

 

[miss direct]

I'm looking forward to my last post on this thread and passing the baton over to steveseagull

 

[prunus]

Just been having a proper panic. I managed to check the second bank account and it does belong to the solicitors but annoyingly, is not the one I was told to pay into. How on earth does this happen? I didn't set up a new payment.

That is peculiar. On the plus side it’s very likely that both accounts do belong to the solicitor - they usually have a ‘business’ account (into which you’d pay fees etc) and a ‘client’ account, which holds clients’ monies for things like completions etc. It’s this latter you should be sending your completion monies to (almost certainly).

I would get straight on to the solicitors on the phone tomorrow to confirm that they’ve received the two payments, and into which accounts, and arrange to get all the payments into the correct place ready for completion. They should be able to do that internally. Also re-confirm the account details you should be sending to (client account probably as I say).

 

[miss direct]

That is peculiar. On the plus side it’s very likely that both accounts do belong to the solicitor - they usually have a ‘business’ account (into which you’d pay fees etc) and a ‘client’ account, which holds clients’ monies for things like completions etc. It’s this latter you should be sending your completion monies to (almost certainly).

I would get straight on to the solicitors on the phone tomorrow to confirm that they’ve received the two payments, and into which accounts, and arrange to get all the payments into the correct place ready for completion. They should be able to do that internally. Also re-confirm the account details you should be sending to (client account probably as I say).

The details they gave me were for the "clients premium account". I've emailed and will chase that in the morning. Thanks!

 

[scifisam]

Thank you. This is something I will need to find out I guess. the wall removal is not make or break mind.

Hallways aren't usually a structural wall, are they? Internal hallways, that is. If it's an older building that's been sub-divided it's even less likely.

My next door neighbours were forced to put in a steel strut for their dividing wall on the basement level and it cost them around £20k just for that. But removing the dividing wall on the ground floor was so easy and cheap that he didn't even remember the cost. The Hulk could have sneezed and knocked it down, but left the rest of the building standing, it was that unimportant.

 

[cybershot]

Good luck miss direct, keep on top of them, it's now or never for the 30th.

 

[miss direct]

Ok, panic over re the money. Will send today's amount now, and then continue to chase everyone and everything for a bloody completion date.

 

[WouldBe]

Hallways aren't usually a structural wall, are they? Internal hallways, that is.

They are if there's a similar hallway upstairs particularly if it's made of brick. It may also be supporting the upstairs floor joists.

 

[miss direct]

Back to tedious waiting again now, as the seller's solicitors haven't been responding. Again. Seems pretty clear now that the majority of the issues with this sale have been as a result of them. I really don't know what I can do at this stage - having contacted my solicitor and the estate agent, who have both said they will be in touch as soon as they get what it is they are waiting for.

 

[steveseagull]

Hallways aren't usually a structural wall, are they? Internal hallways, that is. If it's an older building that's been sub-divided it's even less likely.

My next door neighbours were forced to put in a steel strut for their dividing wall on the basement level and it cost them around £20k just for that. But removing the dividing wall on the ground floor was so easy and cheap that he didn't even remember the cost. The Hulk could have sneezed and knocked it down, but left the rest of the building standing, it was that unimportant.

yeah I think you are right here. It is an old building converted into flats. I would say that the wall dividing the front room and kitchen might be supporting. will have to get a pro to look at it

 

[miss direct]

I'm not going to be going anywhere this week, am I?