Four red flags for buyers to avoid a moneypit home – or face forking out £25k in repairs
GOOD FOUNDATIONS Four red flags for buyers to avoid a moneypit home – or face forking out £25k in repairs
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HOUSE hunters who fail to notice a handful of red flags on a property could end up forking out nearly £26,000 in repairs.
Trying to get on the property ladder is already costly enough, with buyers expected to save for a deposit, pay stamp duty charges and solicitors fees.
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Jeremy Leaf shares tips for buying a home
But prospective owners who fail to spot issues like mould, or faulty plumbing could end up forking out more in repairs.
The Sun spoke to Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent, who said buyers should go into property viewing with their "eyes open".
"When you're buying a house, it's a big commitment and you're going to get some nasty surprises," he shares.
The expert has shared the four biggest red flags buyers should look out for to avoid paying up to £25,700 in repairs.
Japanese knotweed - up to £20,000
When viewing a property, Jeremy said wannabe homeowners should keep their eyes peeled for Japanese knotweed.
This plant grows quickly and can cause damage to buildings, plus it's extremely difficult to eradicate.
Japanese knotweed, which was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, can only be removed with costly specialist treatment.
Our home is so mouldy mushrooms and flies infest walls - it's making us sick
The plant can be identified from its distinct features, such as large, heart-shaped leaves, hollow bamboo-like stems that have a zig-zag growth pattern.
So if you suspect the plant may be present in the home you should ask the seller or estate agent.
That's because the issue could cost up to £20,000 to fix depending on the severity of the issue.
Alex Peters, author of Checkatrade cost guides, said: "There are numerous ways to remove Japanese knotweed with average removal costs at £1,750 but this can range from £950 - £20,000 depending on the scale of the problem.
"Methods include domestic herbicide treatment, full excavation & removal, sifting and screening and on-site relocation."
Asbestos - up to £3,750
Abestos was commonly used to insulate homes, but was banned in the UK 26 years ago because it was discovered to be a health hazard.
It can be identified by its fluffy texture when found in buildings.
Jeremy said that sellers can try and obscure it and make it difficult for a buyer to find.
In some instances, the property expert said that people looking to shift their home have parked old cars in front of walls in the garage to cover up the substance.
"People can go to great lengths to obscure defects and properties, if they want to," he said.
To have asbestos removed, you will need a qualified surveyor to carry out an inspection, Alex from Checkatrade.
"This costs in the region of £200-£1,000 and they will identify the type of asbestos in your home and any associated risks."
He added: "Average removal costs can range from £950 - £3,750."
Electrical and plumbing deficiencies
Buying a house with electric and plumbing deficiencies could end up costing you up to £750.
Jeremy said house hunters should closely examine plugs and switches in the home they are considering buying to see if they work correctly.
It may also be worth running taps and the shower to see if everything is working as it should be.
Alex said the best way to check out any problems is with an electrical safety check.
This is a sort of MOT for the electric systems in your home.
He said: "The average cost of an electrical safety check roughly starts at £100 - £250.
"It is wise to have an electrical safety check every 5-10 years and this should always be completed by a qualified electrician."
Alex said that if you require extra work to be conducted by an electrician such as adding new wiring or mending broken electrical equipment, electricians could charge £55 per hour or £400 per day.
Meanwhile, the cost to repair a burst or leaking pipe could cost up to between £50 to £350 per day.
Mould - £1,200
Fixing mould in your new property could end up costing you £1,200.
So it may be worth keeping your eyes peeled for the substance to avoid forking out for repairs once you move in.
Alex said buyers should "always be on the lookout for mould" as it loves to appear in hidden areas.
The fungus is often found in areas that are damp, dark, and not easily visible.
These spots can include behind furniture, in loft spaces, beneath carpets or floors, behind curtains, and inside toilet tanks.
It is also worth checking out windows and cupboards where condensation and moisture builds quickly.
You can also ask the seller or estate agent if the property has experienced issues with mould in the past and if they have been resolved.
Alex said issues caused by mould are "numerous" and it is always "better to remove the problem as soon as possible to stop it from spreading and causing damage".
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I've made almost £4.5k on Vinted & here's the 18 unexpected brands that will make you a fortune, including Jane Norman The seller, who has cashed in more than £4,000 through Vinted, says: "You shouldn't just be putting 'size medium' or 'great condition' or 'brand new' - it should be a list of things about the item to make the buyer want to buy it. Write a whole paragraph if you can." She says another common mistake people make is leaving items active for too long. "After a month, say even three weeks, remove the item and re-upload it, especially during payday weekend," she says. I've made £1.2k on Vinted - I have a 50p trick for sales THRIFTY fashionista Zakia Moulaoui Guery has made £1,200 on Vinted and even flogged a dress to a BAFTAs guest. The 37-year-old from Edinburgh, who is the CEO and founder of walking tour company Invisible Cities, has sold 48 items on Vinted over the last two years. "I only sell vintage or retro-inspired pieces on Vinted. I think unique items sell well," she says. "If it's something you definitely cannot find somewhere else, whether it's a dress that has a particular vibe or era, that might sell a lot quicker. "But also good brands. So if you sell something that is a little bit pricey on the high street at an affordable price, that will get snapped up quickly. COS for example, or even things that are no longer made anymore. "Cosmetics as well, it's not only clothing, it's also the beauty brands and stuff. That's where you can make a lot of money." Zakia chose the username @VintageMamaScot which showcases her wardrobe style and is a nod to her beloved mum, who passed away during the Covid pandemic. Her most exciting sale to date was a red sequinned maxi dress which she had found in a New York thrift store for just $6 (£4.49). Zakia was gutted when she realised the bargain buy was too big for her so decided to sell it instead. 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Annmarie, who has sold more than 3,500 items on the app, says her pricing rule is "first price, right price". "I originally tried to factor in a buffer to allow for price negotiation and discounts but it didn't sit well with me as I feel as a buyer it is obvious when people do this so I try to go with a first price, right price approach," she says. "People will still try to negotiate because if you don't ask you don't get - right! "But I think if your price is fair to begin with people will normally pay the full asking price when you refuse their offer." "I work at Vinted - my five ways to shift your items fast" WANT an insider's tips to selling your items fast? Natacha Blanchard from Vinted has exclusively dished her secrets to selling success. Time it right. If you upload just before the weekend it will maximise your chances of getting a sale because the weekend is the most popular time for people to browse Vinted. Bank Holidays are another great time to list items. If you upload just before the weekend it will maximise your chances of getting a sale because the weekend is the most popular time for people to browse Vinted. Bank Holidays are another great time to list items. Sell complementary items at the same time. If you're selling a few items that work well together as an outfit, mention them in your description and point people towards your other items. If you're selling a few items that work well together as an outfit, mention them in your description and point people towards your other items. Mention trends. If your item fits into a certain fashion trend or style you should mention in the description. For example, "Y2K", "boyfriend jeans" or "quiet luxury". If your item fits into a certain fashion trend or style you should mention in the description. For example, "Y2K", "boyfriend jeans" or "quiet luxury". Make your photos look their best. Your first photo should clearly show the entire item from the front. Photos are best taken against a plain, white or neutral background. With lighter-coloured items, use a darker background to create contrast. Capture multiple angles and take close-ups of details, including of any flaws. The more photos you take, the better. Your first photo should clearly show the entire item from the front. Photos are best taken against a plain, white or neutral background. With lighter-coloured items, use a darker background to create contrast. Capture multiple angles and take close-ups of details, including of any flaws. The more photos you take, the better. Make sure the price is right. A good rule of thumb is that for items "new with tags" or "new without tags", a good suggested price is 60-80% of the retail price. For "very good" condition, try 40-60% of the retail price. For "good" or "satisfactory", go for 20-40%. Paying extra for Bumps and Wardrobe Spotlights isn't worth it Vinted offers different ways to get your listings in front of more buyers - but you have to pay for them, and it usually isn't worth it. When you "Bump" an item, it will appear higher up in buyers' newsfeeds and search results for either three consecutive days. You can choose to do this either locally or internationally. The cost of a bump varies depending on the item's price, duration of the bump, and whether you're bumping locally or internationally. An item I'm selling on Vinted currently for £5 would cost £1 for a three-day bump or £1.55 for a seven-day bump. Another option is to pay for a Wardrobe Spotlight, which will show a few of your listings to buyers in their newsfeeds and search results. The spotlight will highlight up to five items that a user is most likely to buy from you. The Vinted algorithm means they'll see at least two items matching their newsfeed preferences or search filters. Again, the price varies, depending on your wardrobe's size and value. Some sellers have reported spending £6.95 on a Wardrobe Spotlight for seven days, but others have said they spent more. If you have more listings and higher value items, you'll pay more for the Wardrobe Spotlight. Melanie says she doesn't tend to use Bumps and Wardrobe Spotlights as her items tend to sell without them, but they might be a good option for you if you want to sell quickly. Holly also says that from her own experience it "doesn't make much difference". "When you first upload your item, Vinted shows it to fewer people, probably to encourage you to pay for extra exposure," she says. "But after about a week, your listings start appearing in more searches anyway. "If you have a large number of items and things aren't selling, a Bump or Spotlight could be worth trying once to see how it works for you." Cash in on sales When a buyer pays for an item, the payment will appear as "Pending" in your Vinted Balance. Buyers have two days after an item has been delivered to either confirm that everything is okay with the order or to say they have an issue and submit a claim. The order won't be completed until the buyer confirms either way. Until then, the money is temporarily stored by Vinted's payment service provider and won't be available to you. But once the order is completed, the payment will move to your "Available balance". You can then either withdraw the money to your bank account or you can keep it in your Vinted wallet and use it to buy from other sellers on the platform. If you don't withdraw the money, it will automatically be used on your next Vinted purchase. But you could boost your earnings even further by putting the money into an easy-access account with a high interest rate. The best rate you can get currently is 5% with Chase's Saver With Boosted Rate account. Avoid a postage mistake As a seller you won't need to pay for postage as this is covered by the buyer. The cost varies based on the parcel size and how far it has to travel. Sellers can set their preferred shipping option, for example if you have an In Post locker near you or if you're closer to a Royal Mail locker. Experts say if you have multiple shipping options then it increases your chance of selling, so you need to weigh this up before excluding any options. You'll have five business days to send the item, otherwise the order will be cancelled. If you can't send the order on time, you can ask the buyer to agree on extending the deadline by either three or five business days. The buyer doesn't have to accept your request. How to get a bargain as a buyer We've rounded up x top tips to help you find bargains on Vinted, based on tips from our experts. Be specific. For example, rather than searching for "vintage dress" you could try "floral midi dress 90s". You should try to avoid trendy keywords though such as "vintage", "retro" and "y2k" as sellers often capitalise on trends and this can drive up their prices. The best deals are often snapped up quickly so if there's something you're looking for you should add it to your Saved Searches. This means you'll get a notification when new items matching your criteria are listed, so you'll be able to bag them quickly. Shop out of season. You'll find these items are less in demand and sellers will be more open to offers. Don't be afraid to haggle but don't be cheeky, a 10-15% discount is usually acceptable. Holly always send the seller a nice message first to ask if they can accept the offer and compliments them on the item. Look for bundles. Some sellers will offer a discount on items and postage costs if you buy multiple ones from them. For example, if you're looking for kids clothes find a seller who is selling lots of items so you can avoid paying extra to get different items delivered. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF you're buying and selling on Vinted then you need to know about your rights. Sellers If a buyer wants to return an item because they don't like it or it doesn't fit, you don't have to accept a return. However, they can open disputes, and for example they might claim an item has not arrived, that it's damaged or doesn't match the description. Melanie says she doesn't sell anything over £25 "as there isn't enough protection for sellers and that's the most I'm prepared to lose". Take photos of the items before sealing up the parcel and your postage receipt. If you don't take photos and a buyer opens a complaint, then there's no way of proving you sent the items in good condition. If Vinted sides with the buyer, that means you lose out on the money from the sale - and the item too. Buyers Vinted will offer some buyer and seller protection - but only if you complete all your transactions and communication on the platform and follow its rules. If you buy from a business seller, you've got the same rights as if you bought from any other online retailer. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, items have to be of satisfactory quality, free from defects, match the description and last a reasonable length of time. If not then you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of your purchase, or a repair or replacement after that time. You're also allowed to change your mind. You've got up to 14 days to tell the seller you've changed your mind about the item, and another 14 days to return it. The seller will decide if they want the items returned, and bear in mind you pay have to pay the return postage. If you're buying from a private seller (as is the case with most sellers on Vinted), you've got less protections. That's because private sellers are not covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. However items still have to be "as described", and Vinted does have a Buyer Protection policy. Under this, you have two days from the date the item was delivered to say you've got an issue with it. This will cover you if the item doesn't arrive, is damaged or isn't as described. If you don't act within the two days, the payment will be sent to the seller and you won't be able to do anything else. You should be aware that there isn't an independent dispute resolution provider for the online marketplace currently. Avoid hidden costs Like eBay and Depop, Vinted doesn't charge sellers to list items. However there are some hidden costs to watch out for. For example, you'll need to think about packaging your items for postage, which might involve buying bags or boxes. However you could cut costs down by keeping hold of any boxes you've received deliveries in. A pack of 100 postage bags in different sizes costs just £5.34 on Amazon. You should also consider the costs of printing out any shipping labels, for example on paper and ink. As a buyer, you'll need to pay for the shipping costs and also a Buyer Protection Fee. This is 3 to 8% of the item's price plus a small fixed amount of 30p to 80p. For example, a PrettyLittleThing dress currently selling for £7 costs £8.05 with the Buyer Protection added. You should factor these into your budget when you're buying an item. How to avoid being scammed or ripped off YOU should always keep an eye out for potential scams on online marketplaces. Buyers should look out for items where the price seems unbelievably low, especially if it's a designer piece or highly sought after. Genuine sellers should also provide plenty of clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles. Be suspicious if the listing only uses stock photos from the brand's website, or low-quality or blurry images. Check whether logos look correctly proportioned and placed accurately, as well as the spacing and alignment. If you're buying a designer item, you could ask the seller for a photo of the unique serial number or date code. Holly says you can also ask the sellers for extra photos or proof like receipts or original packaging. Which? has a good guide for spotting fake items if you're unsure. Also check the seller's reviews and see if they're largely positive or if there's any negative feedback mentioning fakes, bad communication or non-delivery. Never pay for an item outside the app. Some scammers will try to persuade you to pay through PayPal Friends and Family, bank transfer, or other external methods. It's also a major red flag if the seller tries to move the conversation to any platform other than Vinted. The same goes if you're a seller - don't let buyers try to pay or communicate with you off-platform. Josh Neuman, eCommerce expert and founder of Chummy Tees, says as a seller you shouldn't skip using the tracked label that Vinted gives you. "If the buyer claims the package never arrived and you didn't scan it properly, you're not covered," he said. "Also, always take a photo of the item packed in the parcel with the label on it before dropping it off. That's your last line of defence if anything gets messy." Don't get caught out by tax This won't affect most Vinted sellers, but if you become a "super seller" you'll need to be aware of when you should be paying tax. Everyone has a "trading allowance" of £1,000 a year. This means you can earn up to that amount from side hustles or sales without paying tax on what you have made. However, anything earned over the trading allowance threshold will be taxed at your marginal rate. You'll need to pay this by completing a self-assessment tax return. Make sure to keep a record of what you earn and any expenses you have to pay.
