The Jargon Buster Directory is your central resource for locating
an explanation to typical terms found for within all industries , professions
and governments.
Use our directory to locate and decipher jargon that you would like an
explanation for.
Keeping our directory up to date and to include all the spheres where jargon
is used is a never ending task for us. We have started with what we can locate
but but it is a vast subject and can be very niche specific.
Are you in a profession or industry that uses jargon that is NOT included
here? Then why not send us your own jargon buster text and we will include
it within our database. to say thank you we will provide you with a return
link back to your web site.
Annual Percentage Rate. This is the interest rate you actually pay which
takes into account the lender's particular way of calculating interest, the
timing of the loan and certain fees. In the case of a mortgage with a discounted
rate in the early years, the APR may be calculated on the lower rate.
Borrowing Multiples
These govern how much you can borrow and are usually worked out as a multiple
of your salary. The multiples used will vary from lender to lender, although
typically they will be 3 times the larger salary plus 1 times the second,
or 2.75 times your joint income, whichever is the highest.
Completion
The date all monies and title deeds are transferred, and you can now move
into your new home
Chain
This relates to the 'chain' of properties involved in your purchase. In order
for completion to take place, all the people involved in the 'chain' have
to synchronise the sales of their properties. A break in the chain may mean
a delay while a new purchaser is found. A chain will usually start with a
buyer who has no property to sell and end with someone moving into an empty
property.
Contracts
The legal documents signed by both parties transferring ownership of the
property from one person to another.
Conveyancing
The legal process involved in buying and selling properties, usually dealt
with by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.
Council Tax
The local Council identifies several categories or bands based on property
value for the purposes of establishing the amount payable in rates per year.
Endowment
An endowment policy is a means of repaying an interest-only type of loan.
This is guaranteed to repay the sum assured in the event of your unfortunate
death prior to the end of the policy term. At the end of the policy term,
the value of the policy will be dependent on investment performance and is
not guaranteed.
Equity
The amount of the property you own! The equity you own will be the difference
between the amount you borrowed to buy the property and its current market
value if you sold it.
Exchange of Contracts
The date the legal agreements between vendor and purchasers' solicitors change
hands, and become legally binding and a date set for completion.
Fixtures and Fittings
All items which will be left in the property and may be included in the sale
- i.e. fitted wardrobes, shower and gas hob are the obvious, but garden shed,
dimmer switches, carpets and curtains are also examples.
Freehold
The ownership of the land on which the property is built.
Land Registration Fees
A fee payable to register the property in the purchaser's name.
Leasehold
Ownership of the property but not the land on which it is built. (often
applicable to flats)
Lender
The Company or institution that provide the money to buy the property.
Loan-to-Value
Expresses the size of loan you can borrow as a percentage of the value of
the property. Most lenders only lend 95% but a few will lend 100% probably
at a higher rate of interest to allow for the 'higher risk' involved if you
default on your payments.
Mortgage
An amount of money borrowed for a period of years to buy a property.
N.H.B.C.C
National House Builders Council Certificate was introduced in the early 70's,
and is a 10-year guarantee against structural faults after the property has
been built.
Purchaser
The buyer.
References
Your lender will want to take up references from your employer, to back up
information given by you on your application form.
Repayment
The amount you have to pay each month to your lender. Also a type of mortgage
sometimes called a 'capital and interest' mortgage where the amount of the
loan is repaid in equal monthly installments made up of interest and capital
over a set number of years. The earlier years of the mortgage are mostly
interest and the later years mostly capital.
Searches
Your solicitor will organize these to ensure that the property is not affected
by any local authority plans, which would be detrimental to the value of
a property, such as road widening or land infills etc.
Sole Agency
This is an estate agency term where you receive a better percentage rate
from the agency for its services if you only use that agency to sell your
house, rather than go through other agencies as well.
Stamp Duty
A scaled levy imposed by the Government payable on properties over a certain
value. Check with Renown for current legislation.
Survey
An inspection of the property carried out by a qualified Surveyor. There
are generally three types of survey: Building society survey, House Buyer's
Report & Valuation & Full structural survey.
Title Deeds
The deeds of the property proving ownership. Held by lender until the loan
is repaid.