When and Why to Get a Property Survey – Beyond the Mortgage Valuation

Know the Real Condition of your future home

Would you spend £500 to avoid a £10,000 mistake?


That’s the kind of risk property surveys are designed to manage. While a mortgage valuation checks if a home is suitable for lending, a survey digs deeper into the property itself — helping buyers make confident, informed decisions.

This article explains the difference between a mortgage valuation and an independent survey, outlines the options available, and explores when it makes most sense to get one. We also look at how surveys can affect real purchase decisions, including two case studies from our clients.

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Why Specialist Advice Matters in Property and Tax Planning

Specialist Guidance Real Peace of Mind

When it comes to properties, mortgages, and taxes, even a small mistake can have serious consequences. A recent high-profile example was the resignation of Angela Rayner, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, after an error with her own stamp duty bill.

Had she taken specialist tax advice at the right time, the story might have been very different. This is exactly why at Nachu Finance, we believe in seeking specialist opinion whenever circumstances move beyond the standard and straightforward.

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Tax Year Overview: What It Is, Why It Matters for Your Mortgage, and How to Download It

Tax year Overview

When applying for a mortgage, especially as a self-employed individual or landlord, one document that often causes confusion is the Tax Year Overview (TYO). Many clients aren’t aware of what this document is, how it differs from the tax calculation, or how to download it correctly from the HMRC website.

Let’s clear up the confusion and walk you through what a Tax Year Overview is, when it’s required, and how to avoid common mistakes when submitting it.

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Transfer of Equity: Mortgage Implications, Costs, Tax & Legal Process Explained

Residential Mortgage

Transfer of Equity (TofE)is the legal process of changing the ownership of a property by adding or removing names from the title. Unlike a sale and purchase transaction, at least one of the existing owners continues to remain on the title. While the actual legal work is carried out by a solicitor, mortgage advisers like us often get involved—because the names on the mortgage must reflect the updated ownership. This article explores the key aspects of a Transfer of Equity and when it might be relevant.

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Transferring a Property to a Ltd Company: Does It Really Make Financial Sense?

Thinking of Moving

Structuring your buy-to-let portfolio under a Limited Company has become an increasingly popular strategy for landlords. But while this setup can offer clear tax advantages for new purchases, it’s not always suitable when transferring properties already held in personal names—unless the property was once your own residence.

This article walks through how Ltd company mortgages work, who they suit best, when transferring properties makes sense, and the key traps to avoid.

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Mortgage Deposit Source & Evidence – What Lenders Expect

Is Your Deposit

When buying a property with a mortgage, it’s easy to focus on rates, monthly payments, or loan sizes—but your deposit source and the evidence behind it can make or break your application. This often-overlooked detail has become increasingly important with tighter anti-money laundering checks and lender scrutiny. In this article, we explain what lenders and solicitors need to see, which sources are acceptable, and how you can avoid delays by getting it right from the start.

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Understanding Capital Gains Tax When Gifting or Inheriting Property

Capital Gains Tax - Property Gifting

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is payable to HMRC on the gain made when disposing of an asset, including property. However, it’s not just sales that are classed as a disposal-gifting a property can also trigger CGT.
In this article, we explore the implications of gifting a property either fully or partially, how it differs from inherited property, and what happens when property is placed into a trust. We also look at Stamp Duty considerations and share a real-life case study involving a family who transferred property between siblings.

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EPC Ratings and Mortgages: What Buyers and Landlords Need to Know

EPC Ratings and Mortgages

When buying or letting out a property the EPC rating can have a larger impact than expected as it is not just legal compliance. It can influence your mortgage options, ongoing energy costs, and even your long-term returns. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a home mover, or a landlord, understanding how EPC ratings fit into the bigger picture is essential.

When applying for a mortgage, particularly for buy-to-let or investment properties, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is NOT just a formality. It carries financial, regulatory, and environmental importance.

At Nachu Finance, we are not energy advisers, but we do take a holistic approach to mortgage planning, and EPC considerations are an important part of the advice we provide.

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Overpaying into a Mortgage – Residential or Buy-to-Let?

MORTGAGE FREE HOME

When clients ask about overpaying their buy-to-let mortgage, I often challenge them to consider whether overpaying the residential mortgage might be a better financial move.

If you have both types of mortgages, it’s important to look beyond the surface. While reducing any debt is a positive step, I firmly believe that – in most cases – overpaying the residential mortgage should be prioritised. Here’s why.

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Stay One Step Ahead: Register for Free Land Registry Property Alerts

Land Registry Property Alerts

When it comes to property-related fraud, the stakes are high-after all, the bigger the asset, the greater the motivation for fraudsters. However, a simple yet effective step to protect yourself is registering for Land Registry Property Alerts, a free service that helps you monitor activity related to your property title.

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First Mortgage Payment Explained: Why It’s Higher and How to Prepare

New house purchase, mortgage schedule reminder or real estate payment day, silver house keyring with calculator on white clean calendar

One of the most common questions new homeowners ask is about their first mortgage payment-specifically, why it appears higher than the regular monthly payment. At first glance, this can seem confusing or even concerning. Here’s a clear explanation to help you understand why this happens and what to expect.

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