THE Consumer Crew are here to solve your problems.
Mel Hunter will take on readers’ consumer issues, Jane Hamilton will give you the best advice for buying your dream home, and Judge Rinder will tackle your legal woes.
Jane Hamilton suggests doing a junk cupboard make-over to transform it into an office space
Don’t miss a tax deadline
WANT to sell your home to beat the stamp duty holiday deadline? Then get your pad on the market by September 26
The tax break – which sees buyers save up to £15,000 on a new home – ends on March 31 and has seen a surge in market activity. But with conveyancing and searches taking longer than normal due to the Covid crisis, buyers and sellers need extra time to ensure sales complete.
Want to sell your home to beat the stamp duty holiday deadline? Then get your pad on the market by September 26
Mark Hayward, head of estate agency body NAEA Propertymark, said: “Listing by September 26, following all social-distancing measures and making sure everything is in order will help maximise chances of completing ahead of March 31.”
Here’s how to clinch your sale by March 31.
❶ CHOOSE AN ESTATE AGENT: Shortlist three or four and ask them to value your home. This is a chance for you to check their communication skills, professionalism and knowledge.
❷ SET A REALISTIC ASKING PRICE: Avoid the temptation to overprice as you know buyers will be saving on stamp duty. Most viewings happen in the first 30 days of the listing, so don’t risk your house being stigmatised by an unrealistic price.
❸ PHOTOS AND VIRTUAL VIEWINGS: More buyers are viewing virtually first before deciding to look at a property in person. They make up their mind in seconds so use an agency with a professional photographer to get the best images.
❹ SHOW YOU ARE SERIOUS: Rearrange any cluttered furniture to aid social distancing at viewings and ensure you are out when estate agents show round buyers.
❺ GET YOUR PAPERWORK IN ORDER: Appoint a conveyancing solicitor so you are ready when you get an offer, and collate copies of relevant paperwork such as the lease for leasehold properties and a Gas Safety certificate for a new boiler.
Go West Midlands
AFTER more for your money? Move to the West Midlands.
A new survey from self-storage firm Space Station reveals homes in the heart of England are the roomiest, with houses in this region boasting around 30 per cent more space than the average UK pad.
Deal of the week
Head to Aldi for this stylish stool at the best price
TIDY up in serious style. This Kirkton House velvet storage stool is just £24.99 at Aldi and will add a touch of luxe to any room.
SAVE: £5 on similar styles elsewhere
Judge Rinder, legal expert
Judge Rinder helps readers with property advice
‘My thousand-pound pooch has a genetic disease . . . but why should I be left as the pedigree chump?’
Q) I BOUGHT a pedigree dog for £1,400 on the understanding it was Kennel Club-registered and healthy. Six months later, I got a message from the breeder telling me there was an error and the wrong father was listed on the pedigree.
The pedigree had to be changed and the new male listed had a genetic disease, so I can’t breed mine – and she may have health problems later. I wouldn’t have bought her if I’d known. What should I do?
MARK, Birmingham
Judge Rinder shows his legal pedigree with a dispute over dogs
A) Although this is an issue about your dog (who you no doubt love and cherish), it is also a straightforward issue of contract law.
You bought your dog on the basis of an inaccurate description. The seller clearly made representations about its pedigree which were wrong. This is the same as purchasing a “silk” purse at a shop only to find it is nylon. You would be entitled to take it back and get a full refund.
In this case, it is irrelevant whether the seller made an honest mistake about the pedigree. You should have received the dog described.
You are almost certainly entitled to the difference between the actual value of your dog (the price if the true pedigree had been known) and what you paid, which will be a substantial refund. Write to the breeder asking for this sum as soon as possible.
Q) PRE-Covid we booked some flights with BA to Kuala Lumpur for December. BA has since refunded our fare.
At the same time we booked internal flights in Malaysia and Thailand with another airline. We have communicated with that airline via its online “chat line” (it is impossible to do so on the phone). We have been advised that as the flights are still operating, we cannot cancel and claim a refund. The fact Malaysia and Thailand’s borders are closed to visitors is being completely ignored. Is there anything we can do?
SUE, Gloucs
BA has refunded flights, but another operator isn’t being as helpful
A) I wish I had a more helpful answer. Check the terms and conditions on your ticket. The small print will almost certainly be vague but should be clear enough to strongly imply you are entitled to a refund, a voucher or alternative flights if you cancel within a certain period of time or have been unable to enter the country through no fault of your own. The problem is how you get through to this airline, particularly as several carriers in these countries operate under national laws limiting consumer rights. Some have filed for bankruptcy.
In my view you are entitled to a refund but it might be wiser to ask by email for a voucher to be used within 18 months. You should also get in touch with your travel insurer, which should be able to assist, as you purchased these tickets before the international shutdown.
