Estate Agency Jargon Guide
February 11, 2022
Many of us have little knowledge of the property sector despite plenty of us owning or renting property. It is in fact quite a information filled industry with many sectors and regulations set. There are many key words, phrases and abbreviation that we will meet with so let’s take a look at a bunch full of them with easy to understand jargon busting descriptions:
- PropTech: Property Technology and all things innovative within the sector.
- Lease: A legal, binding contract outlining the terms under which one party agrees to rent property owned by another party.
- Leasehold: The right to live on the land for a specified amount of time.
- Rental Agreement: The contract between the owner of a property and the renter during renting period.
- HMRC: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
- NAEA: National Association of Estate Agents.
- Chain: A group of 3 of more home owners relying on the other to sell in order to complete.
- Bridging Loan: The borrowing money for a short period usually between selling and buying a property when delays occur.
- Freehold: You own the land outright which the property sits on.
- Guarantor: A third party person who agrees to pay your rent if you don’t pay it (can include be responsible for damages / further legal costs).
- Negative Equity: When the value of real estate property falls below the outstanding balance on the mortgage used to purchase that property
- Repossession: The reclaiming ownership of property (usually by the lender) that has not been paid off, but still has value.
- Stamp Duty: A % tax you might have to pay when you buy a new home.
- Virtual Tour: A video tour made up of video footage / images of a property.
- Flying Freehold: A freehold which overhangs or underlies another freehold.
- Gazumping: Where an offer has been accepted on a property and another offer of higher value comes in to take it’s place.
- Gazundering: Where an offer has been accepted on a property and another offer of lower value comes in last minute (by the same party) to take it’s place.
- Property Misdescriptions Act (PMA): Organisation protecting against false or misleading statements in the course of estate agency business when advertising property for sale.
- EPC: Energy Performance Certificate.
- SSTC: Sold Subject o Contract.
- Probate: The name of the document which is produced upon someone’s death and their will is executed.
- Ground Rent: An annual fee paid by a Leaseholder, to a Freeholder.
You May Also Enjoy
60% of homeowners admit to stress & sleepless nights
Managing your mortgage and mental health as 60% of homeowners admit to stress and sleepless nights The latest insight from award-winning mortgage adviser, Alexander Hall, has shown that for the majority of homeowners, their mortgage is their single largest financial worry, with 60% stating that their mortgage worries have impacted their mental health at one…
Read More 
Improve Tenant Satisfaction with Expert Commercial Property Management
In the world of commercial real estate, tenant satisfaction can make or break a property’s success. Happy tenants are more likely to renew leases, recommend the property to others, and take better care of the premises. However, achieving and maintaining tenant satisfaction requires more than just a well-maintained building—it takes expertise, communication, and a strategic…
Read More 
Attic bedrooms can boost the price of a home by a quarter
Latest research from Nationwide reveals how home improvements can boost property prices in 2025 Analysis based on Nationwide’s HPI data shows extensions or loft conversions with a bedroom can increase value by up to 24% But kitchen and bathroom renovations most popular improvements amongst homeowners in last five years 34% made green improvements, such as…
Read More 
Prime London sellers exit the market
Prime London sellers exit the market, as high-end for sale stock falls in Q3 The latest look at prime London property supply from Jefferies London has shown that the volume of homes priced at £2m or more listed for sale across the capital fell by 4.3% during the third quarter of 2025, accounting for just…
Read More 
Government’s last-minute Planning Bill amendments will tackle blockers and boost growth
The Government has announced several major amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which further streamline the planning process. They include reducing the length of consultation, stripping uncooperative councils of the right to make certain decisions, and paring back the impact and ability to raise legal disputes. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation…
Read More 
Next budget a “pivotal moment for the property market”
The UK government is due to unveil its next budgetary statement in November, with many rumours circulating on how it’ll affect the property market. While many rumours are circulating among thought leaders and economists, Mitchell Martyn, property expert from Pure Property Finance, a property finance specialist based in the UK, says that this next budget…
Read More