S
SALE
The sale of a property.
SELLER
Someone who sells a property.
SERVICE CHARGE
A payment required by a lessor or managing agent to cover the costs of maintaining
and running a development (e.g. gardening and decorating and also insuring a block
of flats).
SMOKE CONTROL ORDER
An order made by the local authority designating an area to be one in which only
smokeless fuels may be burnt (i.e. not coal or wood).
STAMP DUTY
Stamp duty land tax paid to the government on the purchase of a property over a
certain value.
STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE
A form of general conditions created by the Law Society which form the basis on
which conveyancing transactions are governed.
SUBSIDENCE
Where a property moves due to inadequate foundations or severe change to the underlying
ground resulting in an instability in the structure of a building often evidenced
by cracks in walls.
SURVEY
This is a report carried out on the physical state of the property.