The whole category in one page.
NEVER RELY ON DOCUMENTS PRESENTED TO YOU
A search at the lands registry through your own solicitor, a physical inspection with a surveyor, and enquiries with neighbours are the minimum. Forged documents are convincing; registry records are not.
TIME PRESSURE IS A FRAUD SIGNAL, BECAUSE LEGITIMATE SELLERS ACCOMMODATE VERIFICATION
Prices substantially below the area, sellers who will not meet, and payment requested to personal accounts belong in the same category.
A TRANSFER WITHOUT GOVERNOR'S CONSENT MAY BE INEFFECTIVE, AND UNREGISTERED INTERESTS ARE VULNERABLE
Budget for consent, registration and legal fees from the start — they are substantial and their allocation is routinely assumed.
ENGAGE YOUR OWN SOLICITOR, NOT ONE THE SELLER RECOMMENDED
A solicitor acting for both parties cannot protect both, and independence is the entire point.
RECORD THE PROPERTY'S CONDITION WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AND AN INVENTORY BEFORE ANY TENANCY BEGINS
Deposit disputes are the commonest tenancy disagreement and they are resolved on exactly that evidence.
NEVER USE SELF-HELP REMEDIES AGAINST TENANTS — CHANGING LOCKS OR CUTTING UTILITIES IS GENERALLY UNLAWFUL AND CREATES CLAIMS AGAINST YOU
CALCULATE YIELD AFTER VOID PERIODS, MAINTENANCE AND TRANSACTION COSTS, BECAUSE GROSS FIGURES OVERSTATE RETURNS SUBSTANTIALLY
IN DEVELOPMENT, FREEZE THE DESIGN BEFORE BUILDING AND NEVER FUND ONE PROJECT WITH ANOTHER'S DEPOSITS
AND KEEP ORIGINALS SECURELY FOREVER, BECAUSE PROPERTY DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED DECADES LATER AND LOST ONES ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE
