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uyers. Currently, problems with a property may only come to light once an offer has been made and accepted. In this situation, or anywhere new information about a house is revealed, complications with the transaction can occur. The current system, according to the Government, is outmoded and doesn t benefit either buyers or sellers. With HIPS in place, time and expense will apparently be saved and fewer deals will collapse. HIPS ensure that details about a house are out in the open from the very beginning of a transaction. Electronic conveyancing, which is also due to be implemented next year, will complement the HIPS scheme. The consumer redress scheme With the introduction of HIPs, the government will require estate agents to belong to an approved redress scheme. This means that homebuyers will be able take redress against estate agents. The aim of this is make sure that rogue estate agents are not able to operate in this country. In theory, the redress scheme will also improve standards of service and provide a way for consumers to redress without going to court. The redress scheme will deal with a range of complaints related to home information packs, and award compensation when complaints are upheld. home information pack, consumer redress, HIPs introduction, HIP packs The consumer redress scheme Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 Financial Services Mortgages Guide to HIPS The consumer redress scheme The consumer redress scheme The redress scheme will deal with a range of complaints related to home information packs, and award compensation when complaints are upheld. Refusal on the part of an estate agent to join the scheme will result in a banning order under the Estate Agents Act 1979. The redress scheme will one day be expanded to cover general estates about estate agents. The scheme will only operate in England and Wales to begin with. Home Buildings Insurance - mortgages.co.uk Buildings insurance was created in order to provide you with financial security when it comes to the structure of your house. In most cases, buildings insurance covers your main dwelling, and any external structures on your property (such as sheds, garages, greenhouses and conservatories.) buildings, insurance, Home insurance guide, buildings insurance Buildings Insurance Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 Financial Services Mortgages Home Insurance Buildings Insurance Buildings Insurance Buildings insurance is essential because it protects your property against destruction and damage. This means that in the event of your home being completely or partly destroyed, the policy will fund rebuilding or repairing. Furthermore, the policy will also usually cover repairs due to circumstances beyond your control. These could include:

• Damage due to flooding or storms
• Burst pipes and other water leakage problems
• Subsidence
• Vandalism or damage by a third party

If you have any questions about what exactly is covered, please ask your insurer in as much detail as possible. Remember that every insurance policy is different. The basic structure and fabric of your house should certainly be covered, but on top of this numerous subsidiaries should also be covered. These include:

• Roofing
• Windows
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Floors
• Electrical wiring

Back: Home Insurance Guide | Next: Contents Insurance This Months Best Buy Home Insurance Norwich Union Home Insurance Norwich Union Home Insurance More Info Direct Line Home Insurance Direct Line Home Insurance More Info Churchill Home Insurance Churchill Home Insurance More Info Swinton Home Insurance Swinton Home Insurance Asda Home Insurance Asda Home Insurance More Info Zurich Home Insurance Zurich Home Insurance Virgin Home Insurance Virgin Home Insurance More Info British Gas Home Insurance British Gas Home Insurance More Than Home Insurance More Than Home Insurance More Info Barclays Home Insurance Barclays Home Insurance More Info Liverpool Victoria Home Insurance Liverpool Victoria Home Insurance news mortgages news Interest rate cut but mortgages not cheaper - Fri, 11 Apr 2008 Fixed-rate mortgages still more attractive - Fri, 11 Apr 2008 Home Contents Insurance - mortgages.co.uk Once you have the structure of your home covered by Buildings insurance, it is worth considering protection for the contents of your home, your belongings. Policies differ, but primarily the purpose of contents insurance is to cover the costs of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are stolen, destroyed or damaged. home, contents, insurance, protection, contents insurance Contents of your home generally include things that are not fixed: this could include any artefacts, computers, cameras, televisions, CD players, clothes, jewellery, furniture and even fridge and freezer contents. Sometimes your contents insurance will cover items such as bicycles that generally live at home but are taken away sometimes. Other policies will cover things like handbag contents in the event of theft. Furthermore, some policies will cover accidental damage and legal expenses incurred whilst pursuing personal liability claims. In order to determine how much your premium will be the insurer will need to ask you numerous questions. These could include:

• When you are at your property: if you leave it vacant for much of the year your premium could skyrocket. Uninhabited properties are obviously more at risk from burglary.
• What your job is: if you are away a lot, or you are in a particularly high-profile position you could face a higher premium.

• Your criminal record, and your past insurance claims record.
• Your location: some areas are more likely to claim than others.

The cost of your premium is directly related to the risk posed to the insurer. Special employees called risk assessors will consider any factor that they think means you may claim in the future. It is essential to be as honest and accurate as possible when filling out insurance forms. If you fail to do so, this is termed non-disclosure. This will then nullify your policy should you make a claim. Insurance companies aim to keep the amount paid out to customers at a minimum: they are businesses that perform and essential function. One way they can avoid a payout is to check closely any details that you have provided to them for inconsistencies, so apply with care. To accurately decide how much to insure your property for, make a full and comprehensive inventory checklist of everything in your home. Calculate your contents insurance from the total of how much it would cost to replace every single item. It is worth taking your time over this. More Info Barclays Home Insurance Barclays Home Insurance More Info Liverpool Victoria Home Insurance Liverpool Victoria Home Insurance news mortgages news Mortgage lending continues to fall - Fri, 18 Apr 2008 Parents help out first time buyers - Fri, 18 Apr 2008 Expense of home insurance cover - mortgages.co.uk Once the first two major considerations are out of the way (extent and value of property and possessions), insurance companies use a variety of other factors to determine the amount your premium will cost. Postcodes, just like car insurance, could sig nificantly influence the cost of your premium. Major cities and urban areas are likely to cost more than more rural or remote areas. Home insurance, like other forms of insurance, is not fixed. The amount you have to pay for buildings and contents insurance will not stay at the same level year after year. If there are a large number of insurance payouts during a year, premiums may become more expensive. Some premiums are also linked with the RPI (Retail Price Index.) Ways to reduce home insurance premium Be sure to search several insurers to obtain the best quote. You should look for a provider and policy that suits your budget and needs. Some companies offer buildings and contents insurance combined together as a package, often at a discount when purchased together. Make sure that when you are putting together an inventory for your insurer it is accurate. You don t want to under insure or over insure. Closely read your policy, and make sure you are not paying for anything that you do not need. Look closely at the excess on your policy, and consider raising it to lower your premium. Make sure your home and contents are secure, both in and outside the house. Consider a burglar alarm in line with your insurance company s requirements. Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme, as this can knock down the cost of your premium by a surprising amount. Make sure that no claims discounts from the past are considered in your most recent policy; alert your insurer if you have any. This could reduce the size of your premium. Monthly insurance payments can increase the cost of the premium: it may be cheaper to insure with one lump sum. Back: Home insurance for students at university | Next: Home insurance policy choices More Info Zurich Home Insurance Zurich Home Insurance Virgin Home Insurance Virgin Home Insurance More Info British Gas Home Insurance British Gas Home Insurance More Than Home Insurance More Than Home Insurance More Info Barclays Home Insurance Barclays Home Insurance More Info Liverpool Victoria Home Insurance Liverpool Victoria Home Insurance It can be difficult to decide what extent of cover you as an individual or family homeowner require. You can choose to purchase buildings and contents insurance either separately or together. Some insurers will offer you a discount if you take out both their buildings and their contents insurance together. Extent, home insurance cover, home insurance, cover Extent of home insurance cover Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 With buildings insurance, you must feel confident that the amount of money available from the insurance company would be sufficient to rebuild your home. You can get a builder to estimate how much the rebuild cost would be, and bear this in mind when choosing your policy. It is worth re-doing this if you change or extend your property. When new homes are surveyed, the figures incorporated in the survey can be used to determine the cost. When it comes to your contents insurance, most insurers place a limit on the overall value that you can claim. Generally, this stands at around 30, 000. Many insurers will not go above their set level for specific valuable possessions. It is common in contents insurance for the policyholder to undervalue their possessions. It is estimated that many contents policies are underinsured. Set Item Limits are also worth being aware of. They are included for single objects of value, and some of your possessions may exceed this. In this instance you can either negotiate with the insurer or insure the item separately. When looking at contents insurance, you should bear in mind whether the policy covers accidental damage, cover for the food within your freezer, and away from home cover. You should also make sure your policy is valid from the day that you sign the contract, as opposed to the day that you move into the house. Insurance is not fixed, as both your buildings and contents will change. You need to keep your policy up to date with any changes that your make. Failure to keep insurance companies informed is an ideal loophole that they can exploit to make the claims procedure more difficult. Fire and home insurance Fire is one of the greatest killers in the home, and an extremely dangerous risk to your property. The most common cause of house fires is cooking appliances and cigarettes. Fire is one of the greatest killers in the home, and an extremely dangerous risk to your property. The most common cause of house fires is cooking appliances and cigarettes. Simple common sense measures, and being aware when it comes to cooking and smoking can prevent this type of situation. Home insurance policies should certainly cover for fire damage to the buildings and the content. As a property owner you should ensure that you have a plan in action should a fire start. Smoke alarms save lives, and every floor should have one. If you change your property, be aware that you should consult your insurance company first to see whether the extension will be covered. Insurers may not cover the total value of any extensions, or refuse to cover them altogether. Flooding and home insurance For some homeowners in areas of high flood risk, getting a home insurance policy can be extremely difficult. The impact of flooding can be absolutely devastating, and it is more sensible to be aware and take preventative steps than to try to repair the situation following the flood. The Environment Agency has released a comprehensive document entitled preparing for floods that suggests ways to limit flood damage to property and possessions. A few simple measures can be followed:

• Knowing how to shut down gas and electricity
• Storing valuables in dry areas
• Obtaining temporary flood barriers
• Fitting valves to prevent sewage backing up

There are numerous more comprehensive methods to ensure that your property remains less damaged by flooding. Storm proofing is always a good idea, and tips for this include: Securing all guttering to the property Make sure no part of your house (hanging baskets) or garden (sun lounger) can blow away. If you think that your property could be prone to flooding, it is essential to insure both buildings and contents. Although storm damage won t usually affect the structure of the house, in the UK at least, flooding could decimate your contents. Freezing temperatures, frozen pipes and home insurance Winter can cause havoc for some homeowners. As temperatures plummet, taking time to make sure your house will see the winter through really is an essential. The following precautions could help you through the winter without any unnecessary disasters: Freezing temperatures, frozen pipes and home insurance Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 Financial Services Mortgages Home Insurance Freezing temperatures, frozen pipes and home insurance Freezing temperatures, frozen pipes and home insurance

• Make sure that pipes and tanks in loft spaces or attics are well insulated
• Keep central heating low if you are away from home. Should your pipes seem frozen, shut of mains water and the heater tank to lessen damage if a pipe bursts
• Thaw frozen pipes gently, with low, steady heat. If you know where a pipe is frozen, keep a container handy to catch water. Do not use a naked flame.

• Make sure you know the contact details of a plumber should you have an emergency. When it comes to insurance, make sure that as well as your pipes being covered, any fittings or possessions that are damaged by burst water pipes are also covered.

Home insurance for renters or tenants Traditionally, home insurance for tenants has not been particularly appropriate. The minimum insured amount is often in excess of what the tenant requires. However, the affordability crisis in the UK means that many more would be first-time buyers are renting. The demand for specific insurance products geared towards the rental sector is not clear. home insurance, tenants, renters Home insurance for renters or tenants Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 In some cases, in shared accommodation, the cost of taking out a single insurance policy for an individual will prove prohibitively expensive. However, some companies specialise in this type of insurance. Tenant s insurance could protect your deposit, and cover you for serious damage to the home. When seeking tenant s insurance, be sure to seek an insurer whose policies are specifically designed for your needs. That way you will avoid paying over the odds, and be covered for what you need. Be aware that your landlord should take responsibility for your buildings insurance when you are a tenant, and you should be concerned with your contents insurance. Make sure you inventory all items to be considered. Compare cover details between insurers to make your choice. When taking out tenant s home insurance, it is also worthwhile extending the cover to include a home emergency. This additional cover could prove vital if your landlord is not nearby, and you have no emergency telephone number to call. Home insurance for students at university If your child is away at University, as many are, it may be that you are needlessly insuring their possessions. Some student s property may be covered by household insurance. If you think this could apply to you, it may be that you do not need to pay for two sets of insurance, and you should inform your insurance company as soon as possible. Home insurance for students at university Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 Unfortunately, very few homes are completely secure. Wherever you live, you could be at risk from burglars. Therefore, taking preventative measures is always a good idea, and in some cases it could also reduce your insurance premium. The following security measures could be useful The following sections are intended to educate the reader about the different problems that could befall policy holders. Approximately fifty per cent of mortgage borrowers actually choose to insure through their mortgage provider. The reasons for this are convenience and time. However, it is very possible that you could save significant amounts by shopping around for an insurance provider beyond your mortgage lender. Home insurance policy choices Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 Some mortgage providers offer good home insurance deals, but others capitalise on their customers. Whilst at the time this can feel like a small saving, spread over years of repayments the numbers becomes more serious. It is worth also being aware that your mortgage lender may charge some kind of fee if you wish to insure elsewhere, or even attempt to hinder other insurers from processing your policy. Some providers and policies will be cheaper for your needs. In order to understand what you are letting yourself in for it is necessary to fully assess the entire policy. This means reading lots of small print, but understanding the key details is absolutely essential. You should go into a home insurance policy with your eyes open, and completely aware of what you are covered for and vice versa. Home security and home insurance security, home insurance, home security Home security and home insurance Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 Change the locks on your new house when you move in. Also, make sure that all locks are secure. Some insurers will reduce the premium if your house is equipped with a certain type of lock. Security systems can be a good idea, particularly if you can afford to choose and expensive police-linked alarm. Some insurers may give you a policy discount if you have a security system fitted to your home. Houses that are empty are more likely to be burgled, so if you are away make sure someone you trust keeps an eye on the property. It could be worth fitting time switches to some lights in your home. Leaving keys outside your house is generally a bad idea, and any objects in the garden that can be used to break in should be removed. Security lighting can be useful. Joining a neighbourhood watch scheme can reduce your insurance premium and offer added protection. First National Mortgage Lender The First National brand is part of GE Money, which was launched in the UK on 4th October 2005. First National is one of the UK's leading finance houses. First National, General Electric (GE) Money, intermediaries, non-conforming, sub-prime, non-status, fixed, discount, mortgages, online, uk, portal, remortgages, calculator, interest rates, compare, lenders, brokers, advice, buy to let, adverse credit, compare, product, financial services Financial Services Mortgages Mortgage Lenders First National First National First National First National ABOUT First National

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The First National brand is part of GE Money, which was launched in the UK on 4th October 2005. First National is one of the UK's leading finance houses. It aims to help its partners and intermediaries achieve a higher level of business performance. Each year it helps over half a million customers by providing more than 1.5 billion worth of loans through a network of respected intermediaries. First National finance helps people buy houses, consolidate their debts, improve their homes and even buy holiday accommodation overseas in the US and Europe. First National deal with intermediaries only and individuals should consult them before proceeding with a First National mortgage. Intermediaries are organisations or individuals that specialise in arranging mortgages for their customers via a range of mortgage providers, but who do not provide mortgages themselves. First National Mortgage Products First National has a range of mortgages designed for people who are first time buyers, self-employed or have experienced previous financial difficulties. This market is called the non-conforming mortgage market and is also know as the sub-prime or non status. First National offer fixed and discount rate mortgages. Their mortgage categories are listed below:

• First Time Buyer
• Near Prime
• Ultralight
• Light
• Light2Medium
• Medium
• High adverse

If you are interested in a mortgage quotation including those offered by the First National please complete our quick enquiry form. Current First National Mortgage Offers There are no mortgage offers from First National. First National Mortgage News Back to Mortgage LendersThere are no mortgage articles relating to First National in the mortgage news archive monebaggasse