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Utility supply
Utility supplies are the fundamental amenities that ensure your home remains comfortable and warm. This includes the provision of electricity, water supply and heat, which are indispensable for daily living.
Typically, these services are what you pay for through your monthly bills. The way these utilities are delivered to your property can vary, and this may sometimes lead to the need for routine maintenance.
Occasionally, unexpected issues might arise, leading to additional repair costs. It’s important to note that the state of these utilities can also have an impact on the terms of your mortgage and the options available for your home insurance.
Understanding the nuances of your utility supplies is crucial, as they not only contribute to your living standards but also influence your financial responsibilities and the security of your home investment.
Rights and restrictions
When it comes to owning or using a property, there are certain rights and restrictions that could influence your ability to get a mortgage, as well as dictate what you’re allowed to do with the property.
Private rights of way
Think of these as special permissions that affect how others can use parts of your property:
* An Easement might mean your neighbour can cross your driveway to get to their house.
* A Servitude could involve things like power lines above or a shared water supply that benefits multiple homes.
* With a Wayleave, you might find a telegraph pole on your land, but you’ll get rent from the company that put it there.
We do our best to advise you of any private rights of way, but please also check with your solicitor.
Public rights of way
These are paths that anyone can use, like a trail through your land for walking, or a public bridleway where people can ride horses.
We do our best to advise you of any public rights of way, but please also check with your solicitor.
Listed property
If a building is listed, it’s protected due to its historical significance, which means you need special permission to make any big changes.
Our Shared Ownership homes rarely fall into this category, but it’s good to know there are three types:
* Grade I listed buildings are the superstars, like The Tower of London.
* Grade II listed includes many private homes and public spots, like the Crucible Theatre.
* Grade III listed marks buildings that are extra special, such as Battersea Power Station.
Restrictions
These are the rules of the game when it comes to your property. They can be quirky, like no caravans parked out front, no grilling on the balcony, a front door that must stay black, or needing your neighbours OK to fix a shared wall.
We do our best to advise you of any restrictions, but please also check with your solicitor.
Risks
Risks like flooding or can affect a property’s value. It can also affect the cost of keeping it in good shape, insurance prices, and whether you can get a mortgage.
Using our flood risk map, you can quickly see the likelihood of flood risk for the area.
To access this information, simply go to the property page on our website, select the “Location” tab, and choose the “Flood Risk” option from the menu. You will then see information on all four major phone operators.
Mobile phone reception
Reliable mobile reception is essential for everyday communication, including calls, texts, and internet access. Good signal strength is also crucial for work-related communication and can be vital if you need to contact someone urgently
Understanding signal strength can help you anticipate any costs such as the need for signal boosters or the need to change mobile phone operator.
Using our mobile coverage checker, you can quickly see a summary of services available in a property’s area, helping you make an informed decision.
To access this information, simply go to the property page on our website, select the “Location” tab, and choose the “Mobile” option from the menu. You will then see information on all four major phone operators.
If you use a smaller mobile operator, they rely on the networks of the big four carriers. The following list will help you determine which of the four major networks your provider uses.
* EE: 1pMobile, Boshhh, CMLink, Ecotalk, IQ Mobile, Lycamobile, Now Mobile, Popit Mobile, RWG Mobile, Spusu, Talk Home Mobile, The Phone Co-op, Truphone, Utility Warehouse, Telecom Plus
* o2: Tesco Mobile, giffgaff, Sky Mobile
* Three: Honest Mobile, ID Mobile, SMARTY, Superdrug Mobile
* Vodafone: Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile, VOXI
We do our best to keep this information up to date, however, please verify this information here, also check with your mobile provider.
Broadband
Having good broadband in your new home is essential for remote work, online education, and seamless entertainment through streaming and gaming.
It supports smart home devices, ensures smooth communication via video calls, and boosts productivity with fast download and upload speeds.
Additionally, strong internet connectivity can future-proof your home for technological advancements. Overall, reliable broadband is crucial for staying connected and efficient in today’s digital world.
Using our broadband checker, you can quickly see a summary of services available in a property’s area, helping you make an informed decision.
To access this information, simply go to the property page on our website, select the “Location” tab, and choose the “Broadband” option from the menu. You will then see information on the services available.
If you are buying a brand new home, the coverage checker may not provide specific information for your property because broadband lines might not have been installed yet.
Ask your Sales Consultant about the likely broadband service that will be available in your new home.