Northfields

Tenants Beware Rental Scams

The Property Ombudsman, a professional body of which Northfields is a member, released some figures regarding scams that should strike fear into the hearts  of prospective tenants - during 2010 over 5,000 tenants were victims of rental scams.  The majority of these scams were conducted online where it is easier to fool people, however, there are a number of scams which occur face-to-face.

What to Watch Out For

Here are some of the common scams that as a tenant you should be aware of:

1) Let and run

This scam is of the face-to-face variety with a con artist breaking into a vacant property and pretending to own it.  The con artist then tries to rent the property out, secures a deposit from the tenants plus the initial rental payment and then absconds with the money.

2) No need for a deposit

Beware of any landlord who says they do not need a deposit.  It may seem appealing to have this fee waived, but the scam in this case usually involves a guarantor who is liable for any rent is unpaid or for damages.  Without the protection of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme which should by law protect a tenant's deposit, the landlord will then hand the guarantor an expensive bill for damages to the property.

3) Unprotected deposits

Since 2007 the Tenancy Deposit Scheme has protected a tenant's deposit.  All deposits must be registered and held by the TDS (The Dispute Service).  However, despite this regulation, there are still many landlords who are not fulfilling their legal obligation.  A protected deposit ensures the landlord cannot keep the deposit without a good reason and helps mediate and avoid disputes between tenant and landlord.

4) Unjustified charges

Some landlords and unscrupulous agents will charge tenants with unjustifiable and unexpected fees. All fees should be set out in the tenancy agreement. If your tenancy agreement contains clauses for charges, then it is worth checking with the unfair terms in the Consumer Contracts legislation. Those charges may be void and illegal even though they are are in writing. Another way unscrupulous agents may charge fees is by charging tenants a renewal fee that was not set out in the agreement. 

5) The overseas Landlord

The overseas landlord scam is similar to the “Nigerian Ambassador” scam and is often conducted via e-mail. The “landlord” will claim to be from overseas and request the deposit and initial rent be placed in an overseas bank account, only to run off with the money.

Preventing Rental Scams

Here are a few ways that may help tenants avoid falling victim of rental scams:

If you choose to use a private landlord

If you choose to rent directly through a private landlord you will have to do a bit more investigation to protect yourself.  Here are a few suggestions.

- Ask the landlord for photo ID e.g. Driving License, Passport
- Ask for details of previous tenants for referencing
- Ensure the landlord is meeting all legal regulations. Genuine landlords will meet all legal requirements, in particular the Gas Safety Certificate and Tenancy Deposit Scheme.  If they don't have these things in place, don't use them.
- Ask the local neighbours about the landlord/neighbourhood- this is perfectly normal for prospective tenants
- Take note of how familiar the landlord is with the property e.g. does he/she know where the water, gas and water meters are.
- Always double check the terms and conditions in the Tenancy Agreement and any agreement you may have with letting agents. If there is anything you are unclear about, it’s always best to get it checked by a trained professional.
- Don't pay any fees on a property you have not seen.

If you choose to use the reassurance of a letting agent:

Not all agents are created equal, so a few things will help to ensure that the agent you use will conduct business honestly and fairly.

1) Professional Membership - The lettings industry is not as regulated as many in the industry would like, so it is best to choose an agent, like Northfields, who voluntarily belongs to professional bodies such as the National Approved Letting Scheme, the National Association of Estate Agents and the Property Ombudsman.  When you choose an agent who has elected to be a member of one of these bodies you are protected from sharp practice and have a means of complaint via the Ombudsman.  Just as you would choose an ABTA travel agent, you protect yourself from scams and guarantee expertise by using an estate agent with membership of these organisations.

 2) Industry Awards- Choose an award winning letting agent.  The lettings team at Northfields has a multitude of industry awards under their belt (click the link to read more about our awards).  These accolades are awarded after a lengthy application and interview process by industry professionals, so by choosing an agent who is recognised within the industry as outstanding, you will be assured that all proper practices will be followed and your interests will be protected.

Avoid becoming a victim of rental scam and contact Northfields Estates when you are searching for rental properties on 0208 567 6660 or register your details online here.

Even if we do not rent properties in your area, we can refer you to a vetted agent in your area through our membership in the Home Sale Network. For help finding a reliable agent outside the West London area contact our relocations manager Shellie Ross on 0208 840 6666 or at shellie.ross@northfields.co.uk

Flatmates Might Take More Than the Last of Your Milk

Once upon a time, when you shared a flat with other people your biggest worry might be if your flatmate had stolen the last of your milk.  But it seems that some dishonest flatmates are going far beyond the theft of dairy products and are now stealing identities.  A recent post on the FindaProperty blog Winging It, revealed some disturbing figures about the potential dangers of flat-sharing.

According to the statistics gathered by Experian’s ProtectMyID and reported by FindaProperty, young people, particularly those in shared rented homes, are more than twice as likely as the rest of us to fall victim to identity fraud.

Worse yet, a quarter of identity fraud victims suspect it’s their flatmates or lodgers who are responsible for stealing their personal details.

The survey reported the findings from a pool of more than 5,000 victims of identity fraud.

“Flat sharing and rental is fast becoming the best option for millions of Brits unable to provide the necessary deposits to make their first step up the property ladder,” says ProtectMyID’s Peter Turner. “In the majority of cases this is a great option to meet new people and experience living away from home for the first time.”

In fact, with both professional and amateur fraudsters targeting this group, flat sharers living in rented property represent one of the fastest growing groups experiencing ID theft.

Although sharing property makes living more affordable, flatmates do have acess to huge amounts of personal information via your post, photos and computers

How to protect your ID from flatmates

1.  Don’t publicise where your personal banking statements or credit card info is kept in your room

2.  Make sure unused credit cards and cheque books are well hidden or locked away

3.  Keep PINS and passwords private – memorise security information rather than writing it down

4.  Don’t leave unopened mail lying around the house

5.  Delete your cookies and browsing history when using a communal or personal computer

6.  Shred all documents that you do not need to keep.  Invest in a powerful cross-cut shredder and make it a standard practice, when at home, to shred all documents containing personal or financial information before binning or recycling them

7.  If you apply for a new credit or debit card and it does not arrive within a reasonable time, alert the card issuer. It may be a flatmate has intercepted the card.  When you receive a new card, sign it in permanent ink and activate it immediately.

8.  If you're planning to be away from home for either a holiday or extended period contact Royal Mail about their 'Keepsafe' service which will hold your mail for up to two months, and deliver it to you on your return. Visit www.royalmail.com for more information.

9.  It is a good idea to check your credit report regularly to ensure no accounts or credit have been illegally set up in your name. Regular monitoring of your credit report will alert you if someone has been using your identity to obtain credit, ensuring you can not only rectify your credit report as soon as possible but also stop the fraudster in their tracks. You can obtain a copy of your credit report from one of the UK's three credit reference agencies, Equifax, Experian, and Call Credit. 

You may also want to invest in identity fraud protection.  Many of these services alert you of unusual spending on your accounts or a change in your credit history so that you become aware of fraud quickly, allow you to cancel all cards at one time and provide you with insurance if you do lose funds.

For more help with Identity Fraud, including helpful links to various organisations that can help you with identity fraud, click the link.

If you are looking to rent a property with others or on your own, call us now on 0208 567 6660 to register your details or register online here.  Start looking for your perfect rental property in West London here.

Source: Is ID fraud another reason to hate your flatmates? http://blog.findaproperty.com/renting-letting/people-rented-house-shares-risk-id-fraud/#ixzz1FRLXN5fu
FindaProperty.com Blog

Eight Week Countdown to Make House Moving Easier

As exciting a change as moving can be, it is also very stressful.  Take the stress out of moving home by planning ahead.  Here is an eight week countdown of some of the things you should consider based on an article as featured on UpMyStreet:

Eight weeks before

1.  If you are moving to a new area, get to know it if you can.  If you live too far away to explore in person, try websites like UpMyStreet or the Best Of to get to know shops, restaurants, gyms or other services you may need.
2.  Plan out your new home's layout including placement of your furniture and items to go in your new home and see if there is anything new you will need to order or buy.

Six weeks before

1.  Confirm the date of your completiton with your estate agent - consider that although many people complete and move at the weekend, you'll get a better rate from removal companies if you can move midweek.
2.  Organise how you'll move. Get written quotes from local removal companies or hire firms detailing costs and insurance limitations or draft in friends and their vehicles for moving day.
3.  Sort out your utilities, including your current suppliers of your move.  For a complete list of who you need to contact to notify them of your change of address click the link.
4.  Cut down on the amount you need to pack and move by de-cluttering ahead of D-day by donating items you no longer want to local charity shops or Freecycle.org.

Four weeks before

1.  Start packing non-essentials.  When packing don't put all your heavy items in one box and write the box's contents and its destination room in your new home on the side of the box.  But don't pack everything. Packing up everyday items is a waste of time this early on.
2.  Take down fitted items such as mirrors, shelves and light fittings.  If you own the property you are moving out of, you can take anything that was not agreed upon as part of the sale of the house.  If you are moving out of rented accommodation make sure that you don't take items that don't belong to you or you may lose your desposit to pay for those items.
3.  Set up utility suppliers for your new home. Compare the market and find the best value deal for gas and electricity, home phone, broadband and digital TV.

Two weeks before

1.  Confirm moving day arrangements. Ask your removal company what time they're arriving and if they provide boxes.
2.  Register your new address with the Post Office for their mail redirect service.
3.  Send out change of address cards or e-cards to friends and family.  Microsoft Office has a free change of address card template to be used in Word, click the link to download the free template.
4. Most movers may remember to inform the bank of their change of address but what about your loyalty cards or breakdown service? Use the following list of services you might forget.

•Electoral register
•Mobile phone company
•Loyalty cards
•TV licence
•Catalogues
•Your employer
•DVLA
•Breakdown services
•Library
Microsoft Office has a free letter template in Word format that you can use to notify services of your change of address.
5.  If you are moving out of the area notify your GP, dentist and optician of your move.
6.  Phone your estate agent to find out when you can pick up the keys.   A good agent will not be able to give you the keys until they have received word from the seller's solicitor that they have received the funds to complete the sale.  If there is a delay, call your solicitor so that they can speak to the seller's solicitor and find out what the delay might be. 
7.  Try and use up all the food in your freezer and try not to buy too much extra food or you may have to move that too.

The day before

1.  Pack an essentials box with items you'll need to hand on the day of the move.  The essentials listed below might be some of the items in that box:

•Kettle
•Milk
•Tea/coffee
•Snacks
•Basic cutlery/crockery
•Bedding and towels
•Scissors
•First aid kit
•Toiletries
•Toilet rolls
•Light bulbs
•Pet food (if applicable)
•Small tool kit
•Mobile phone chargers
•Documentation for hire vehicles, key collection etc.

2.  If you live in a house or in a split level flat move boxes downstairs. This will help you or the removal company load your items quickly on the day.
3. Take final readings for the gas, electricity and water meters.
4. Pick up any rented moving vehicles. If you're hiring a van, pick it up the evening before.
5.Revisit each room one last time to check you've packed everything for a last minute check.

After the move

1.  When buying things online remember to check delivery addresses as they may still be storing your old address.
2.  Register with a new doctor, dentist and optician if you've moved into a new area.

If you are still looking for a new property to move into, check out the properties Nortfields has available to rent here and the properties Northfields has available for sale here. 

To be notified when new properties are offered for sale or let, click here to register your details online.

Ask the Agent: How Do I Know If I Can Get Planning Permission Before Buying?

Answer:  If you are looking at buying a property, but will be basing your decision on whether or not you can get planning permission, then it pays to know a little bit about the process

First of all, what is Planning Permission?

Planning permission governs the form and use of a building and how that use affects its environment - be that visually (are you proposing a very modern extension on a period house), in development terms or in social terms (with your extension block the neighbours light). If you are considering altering the external appearance of a property, or planning major internal alterations, you should start by contacting your local council's planning department to find out if you need permission for the work.  If you don't get planning permission before undertaking work, you may be asked to tear down any renovations or additions you may make.  In addition, if you try to sell a property where the proper planning permissions were not sought before work was carried out, you may have trouble completing the transaction.

Planning Permission Types

There are several different types of planning permission and the type you will need will depend on the property and its location.

Outline planning permission - permission has been granted for some kind of dwelling to be built, but before work can start full details of the build must be approved.  Sometimes properties are sold where this type of planning permission has already been granted, so this can be a benefit to you.  The estate agent and your conveyancing solicitor should make you aware if this type of permission is already in place - sometimes it is even advertised in the property's details.

Full planning permission - permission has been granted for a particular design. Conditions may be attached such as requirements to build with a particular type of brick.

Listed building consent - this will be needed if the property to be renovated or converted is listed. Detailed planning permission will also be required as may Conservation Area Consent.  If you are planning on buying a listed building be aware that you will be limited in what you can do with the property, so make sure you understand the restrictions before committing to buy.

Conservation area consent - this will be needed if the property to be renovated or converted is in a conservation area - for example, the Brentham Garden Estate in Pitshanger, Ealing is a designated conservation area. Detailed planning permission will be also be required as may Listed Building Consent.

Other permissions may be required in certain circumstances, for instance, if there is a tree preservation order.  Tree preservation orders may mean that you won't be able to make some changes to your outside space.

Getting Planning Permission

If you are undertaking renovations or additions with the help of an architect, they will usually apply for planning permission on your behalf, but if you are looking at a property to purchase you won't have arrived at the stage where an architect has been employed as of yet.

Many people will tell you that if the neighbours have an extension that you should be able have an extension too.  That is not always the case.

One way to find out if getting the desired planning permission will be possible, is to contact one of the council's planning officers, who should be able to give you general guidance on what is and is not acceptable in the area.  The advice of a local council planning officer is the best advice on which to base your decision to buy.

For more general information on getting planning permission, visit the DirectGov website for further insight.

If you are looking at buying a property with the hope of getting planning permission contact the council in question.  Here are a few of the West London boroughs that Northfields deals with on a regular basis.

If you are looking to buy property in Ealing, contact the London Borough of Ealing's Planning Services, for more info on planning permissions.

If you are looking to buy property in Shepherd's Bush or elsewhere in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, contact the  London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, for more info on planning permissions.

If you are thinking of buying in Chiswick or Brentford, contact  the London Borough of Hounslow, for more info on planning permissions.

If you are looking for property to renovate, expand or improve, contact our sales team on 0208 840 6666 to let them know that you are looking to add some value to any property you buy by renovating and we will let you know as soon as the ideal fixer-upper comes onto the market.  Or register your details online here.

9 out of 10 Under-30 Year Olds Do Not Want to Be Lifelong Tenants



With mortgage financing still very difficult to secure for many first time buyers, many experts have suggested that Britain may swing toward a more continental housing model.  That is, where the vast majority of people rent property for the entirety of their working lives.  This is a common model in countries like Germany and France.

However, Britain continues to be a nation in love with home ownership as the results of a survey commissioned by Barratt Homes proves.  The overwhelming majority of people under 30 consider buying a home a top priority, and don’t want to settle for long-term renting.

The poll, of 2,465 consumers of all ages, disproves the theory that more and more people will elect to follow the Europeans and choose to be tenants long-term.

In fact, the under 30 age bracket are more opposed than any other age group to ‘continental’ models of tenure in which families routinely rent for the duration of their adult lives.  The research found that 90% of 18 to 29-year-olds would  be unhappy if they had to live in rented accommodation for the rest of their working lives. Many would even postpone family life until they could afford to move into their own property with 64% saying that they do not want to start a family while they are renting and 43% saying they do not want to get married until they own their own home.

So vital is home ownership that 86% of people under 30 years of age say that home ownership is as a key priority in life, outweighing even job satisfaction (which gained a 76% vote as a life priority).

Interestingly, the survey also found that many under 30s actually resent the property wealth acquired by the 40+ age group.  Around 44% of 18 to 29-year-olds describe the housing wealth accumulated by the over 40 group as unfair with rising house prices seen to be lining the pockets of the older generation.

Sadly, many of the surveyed group felt that the housing crisis may very well get worse over time, with 61% of people polled agreeing with the statement: ‘In 20 years’ time it will be even more difficult for people to get on the housing ladder than it is today.’

With so much pessimism surrounding the first time buyer market, it makes it obvious that the government needs to address these concerns.  In February, the Coalition government identified the concerns highlighted by this survey as an "urgent problem" and undertook to meet with banks.  If mortgage finance was made more readily available to credit-worthy first-time buyers it would go some way toward alleviating the concerns of young people who do not want to rent forever.

Renting or Buying:  Which is Better?

Although many people  feel that nothing can be better than owning your own property, sometimes renting is actually the better option.  Read this article comparing the pros and cons of renting and buying.  There are circumstances where one or the other might be the best option for you. 

In Negative Equity, But Need to Move:  Renting Might be the Perfect Solution

If you find yourself in negative equity, but are forced to move, renting can be the best option.  Read this article to find out more about negative equity and how renting could be the best solution.

 If renting is the best option for you, take a look at the properties Northfields has available for let here.

If you are interested in buying, take a look at the properties Northfields has for sale here.

Or register your interest in buying or renting here.  Our negotiators can let you know as soon as your ideal property becomes available.

Have you remembered to claim back your tenancy deposit?

If you rented your property under a Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement, then your deposit will be protected by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.  If you are not sure what an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement is, click the link to read more about the AST.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme was set up to do 3 key things:
1.  To protect deposits through the tenancy
2.  To ensure the return of the deposit promptly at the end of the tenancy, where there is no dispute about the deposit
3.  Where there is a dispute about the deposit at the end of the tenancy, ensure it is dealt with fairly and quickly by the Independent Complaints Examiner (ICE)

The TDS helps to protect tenant's and their deposits.  The scheme prevents landlords from retaining a deposit unfairly.  It also means that if a tenant has damaged a property that the landlord is allowed to retain the deposit to pay for the damages.

It seems though that damage to a property is not the only reason that tenants may not get their deposit back.  And that reason is a shocking one - they forget to claim it.

The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) says that British tenants have failed to come forward and claim £2 million worth of tenant deposits in the past year.  With inflation rising and many tenants continuing to rent because they are unable to save a deposit in order to buy a property, this lump of unclaimed cash could be just the boost a tenant needs to start saving. 

Renters from London have been among the most forgetful with 15.9 per cent of all deposits lodged with the service, unclaimed last year. On the whole the Government accredited service protects and holds nearly 670,000 UK deposits, so that 15.9% of unclaimed London deposits amounts to 729 separate lumps sums from London tenants.

Don't forget....

The best way to make sure that you don't forget to claim your deposit at the end of your tenancy is to ensure that you keep your contact details up-to-date.  If you ensure that your mobile number is kept current you will receive a text message from the DPS reminding you to claim your deposit.  The text messaging service is a new initiative undertaken by the DPS to try and re-unite tenants with their cash.

DPS director Kevin Firth said “There is still a significant amount of unclaimed monies and tenants are missing out on money which is rightfully theirs,” Firth says. “We are committed to repaying deposits as quickly as possible – and text message notification has helped enormously with this challenge, but unfortunately some tenants are still not keeping their contact details up to date, putting their deposit in limbo.”

Last year, £3 million of unclaimed deposits were returned to their rightful owners last year. But we can definitely do better.

“As well as the introduction of SMS, we have worked hard to track the addresses and phone numbers of tenants; and informed all existing tenants that these details must be kept up to date so it’s easier to get in touch with them if money is unclaimed at the end of the tenancy.”

How to Update your Details

Please note that only changes to the tenant's details will be made by The DPS on the tenant's request. For changes to the tenancy details, you should request that your registered letting agent or landlord instruct the DPS of any changes.

To update your details at the DPS via email please use the Online Form .

Do you suspect that you might have forgotten to claim back a deposit on a past tenancy?

The DPS advises:

The Joint Deposit Repayment process can be initiated by the Letting Agent or Landlord or the Sole/Lead Tenant.

Either party can go online at www.depositprotection.com and initiate the joint claim. An Agent/Landlord or a Sole/Lead Tenant can do this by logging in to their account and selecting ‘Request a Repayment’. The onscreen guidance will take you through the process of initiating a repayment. The DPS will then send a notification to the other party advising them to either log in and respond to the claim (if they have a valid email address or a valid mobile phone number) or to fill out a paper form sent to them.

Alternatively, either party can request a Joint Deposit Repayment claim form. Both parties (Agent/Landlord and the Lead/Sole Tenant) should try to agree on the distribution of the repayment (either online or on paper) before completing the claim. This will ensure a speedy return of the deposit.

To request a Joint Deposit Repayment form via email please use the Online Form.

Source: Have you re-claimed your tenancy deposit? http://blog.findaproperty.com/general/reclaimed-tenancy-deposit/#ixzz1BwrCJqhA
FindaProperty.com Blog

Give Potential Buyers and Tenants the Best First Impression with Your Lawn

It can be frustrating when you have a viewing on your property all lined up only to have the potential buyers or tenants call and request to cancel the viewing after having driven past the property.  Even if the interior of your property is top notch, a front garden with a patchy lawn can really affect a first impression that can be difficult to shake.  So it pays to keep the garden and the front of the house looking tidy and smart.

The period from March to April is the prime time to give your lawn the preparation it needs to be lush and gorgeous through spring and continuing all through the summer.  So set aside some time at the weekend to treat your lawn to a touch up.

Here's how to give your lawn some TLC:

1.  The Problem:  Patchy Lawn

Solution:  The winter months can leave your lawn looking a bit patchy.  Revive the grass by starting the spring by overseeding these areas. Rake the areas first to scarify it (see number 5) and then sprinkle around 10g of seed per square metre. Water if necessary and after seven days you should see some growth.

2.  Problem:  Unkempt

Solution 1:  Time to get the lawn mower out.  Start the spring with the blades on a high setting and lower them as the spring months go on – this means that by summer you will be mowing weekly on a low setting.

Solution 2:  Trim the edges of your lawn to neaten them up. You can do this using a half-moon cutter or spade and a block of wood, pressing the cutter between the wood and the grass edge.

Toby Buckland of Gardener's World shows you just how to trim the edges of your lawn and even how to create a "lawn repair kit" with the bits you trim away:

 

3.  Problem:  Moss

Solution 1:  Sprinkle the lawn with special moss sand.  Although it may seem strange, if you find that you have patches of moss growing on your lawn, sprinkle them with lawn sand and wait for those areas to turn black.  Once the colour has blackened you can rake those areas away. This prevents damage to your lawn by killing the moss first and making it easier to remove.

Solution 2: Between March and April you should feed your lawn using either a chemical or natural feed purchased at a garden centre and this will also help to prevent moss growth.  Feeding your lawn will also make the grass look lush and vital.

4.  Problem:  Standing Water

Solution:  Aerate the grass using a rake, or a lawn aerator to prick the surface of the lawn to let the lawn breathe, and absorb water.

5.  Problem:  Lacklustre Growth

Solution: Scarifying your lawn.  If you don't have green thumbs you might wonder what this means.  In late April/May it is important to scarify your lawn to remove dead grass, moss and so forth. This means that as the grass begins to grow again it will be less prone to disease.  Scarification is carried out with hand tools such as a Spring Bok Hand Rake or, for larger areas, purpose built machinery called a Scarifier. 

Alan Titchmarsh shows you how to scarify your lawn in this short video:

 

You can even hire gardeners to do this for you.  Click here to read more about scarifying your lawn.

With the extended bank holiday period coming up this month, you may want to set aside some time to care for your lawn - it might just help you get more and higher offers. 

If you are looking for more tips on presenting your property for sale or rent, contact our award winning team on 0208 840 6666 or request a free valuation online by clicking the link.

If Your Property Has a Famous Past It Could Add 10% to Its Value

The BBC show which features celebrities researching their family trees, Who Do You Think You Are? has made researching your ancestry a popular pastime.  But the same research that can dig up a lost relative could also help you to uncover your property's past.

And why would you bother to do that?  Well, finding a notable previous owner of your home could add around 10% to the value of your property.

Around two million people looked into their property's past last year with many people beginning their search based on local urban myths. 

Even if your property's lineage is not star studded, you may find some interesting historical facts.  Here are a number of ways suggested by Up My Street and ancestry.co.uk to find out more about your property's history.  Keep in mind that not all of the methods for research given below will pan out,  so if you hit a roadblock, don't give up - try something else.

1. Ask around

Chat to nieghbours, especially long time residents.  Many libraries may also have a local history section with a dedicated librarian who may be able to help.  The rumours that circulate about notable or celebrity residents who may have lived in your property can be your starting point. If possible, find out the name of the celebrity and approximately when they lived at the property.

2. In-deed

The title deeds of your property can help you trace previous owners and occupiers. If you do not have a copy yourself, ask your solicitor or mortgage company. These sources might also have older title deeds and documents relating to the property, including estate and family papers.

3. Check if the land is registered

Not everyone realises that anyone can buy a land registry online for £3 each.  This record only began  registering land in England and Wales gradually through the nineteenth and twentieth century so not all properties are registered. The Registers of Scotland looks after records for Scotland. You can search the Register of Sasines for land ownership records as far back as 1599, with records from 1875 available online.

4. What period was your home built in?

The style of a property can tell you a lot about the period in which it was built.  A well informed estate agent will often be able to give you an indication of when the property was built.  Or click the link to use an online house dating tool to get an approximate date for when your house was built - just answer a series of questions to get an idea of the period your house may date to.

5. Know your local area

Find out more about your area's history.  Local book shops and libraries will likely stock books on your area's history.  Many libraries will even have a local history section.  You may even have a museum in your local area that may have records or a local historian.  Your local records office will have old maps, newspaper cuttings and parish boundary records that you can search through. A great source for more information on parishes is available in Bartholomew's Gazetteer of Places in Great Britain. There are over 10,000 parishes in England and Wales, and many historical records and maps are calculated at this parish level.

6. National resources

The UK National Archive, located in nearby Kew, is particularly useful, with its huge collection of historical records and information on the documentation available in other locations in the country.

The National Archive has census documents from as far back as 1841 as well the electoral roll which you can use to track down former residents. 

7. Specialist Websites

Specialist websites such as Ancestry.co.uk provide access to similar data to the National Archive such as census data, local history records and even old phone book directories. The online access however, makes searches a bit quicker and you can do your historical digging in your jammies.

8. Look at old maps

Another way to find out when your house was built is to compare old maps at your local library, going back in time to find when your home first appeared on a map.  The first Ordnance Survey map was published in 1801 for the County of Kent. There are over a million old maps in the Ordnance Survey archives.

9. Find old photos

Try and find old photos which provide pictorial evidence of when your property may have been built. The website Old Aerial Photos has over a million old photos in its archive, and allows you to search by postcode to find your nearest local snaps, but this option is quite expensive, so be prepared to invest if you use this option. Look out for postboxes, churches, pubs and old shops for familiar landmarks.

Even if your search does not turn up a major celebrity, you may find interesting records that might interest a potential buyer, creating a unique picture of your property's past. 

If you have a historically notable home that you would like to sell, contact Northfields Estates on 0208 840 6666 for your free valuation and we will tell you how we would market such a unique feature in your property.