Jargon Buster

Daily Interest

When a payment is made the balance is reduced immediately and interest is calculated on the new lower balance from the next day.

Data Protection Act

Sets out rules about how your personal information can be used, including how it can be obtained, held, used or disclosed to others.

Deeds

Legal title documents that prove ownership of a property. Often these deeds will be held by the mortgage lender if a mortgage is lodged against the property.

Deposit

On exchange of contracts a sum of money is paid by the buyer to the solicitors which is usually between 5% and 10% of the overall property value.

Detached

A term used to describe a property that stands alone and is separated from all other properties.

Detailed Building Survey

The most comprehensive type of property survey carried out by a professional surveyor that should give the buyer an indication of any structural problems or repairs required.

Development

Either a newly built residence or a refurbished and modernised older property.

Dilapidations

Any damage or disrepair to a property

Disbursements

These are various fees that your solicitor pays on your behalf to carry out your legal work. These can include Land Registry fee, search fees and stamp duty. They are added to your solicitor’s final bill.

Discharge

The term used to pay off (discharge) a mortgage.

Draft Contracts

An unconfirmed and preliminary version of the contract, which are passed between solicitors to finalise.