The Stamp Duty relief window slams shut in a couple of months, but despite the savings you can make on tax, your savings might not mean much if you're lumped with unexpected costs or have to live with something you weren't expecting. Here is a brief run-down of the kind of things you should be aware of if you're buying in Leeds specifically. From the weather to superfast broadband issues, cladding to council tax or flight paths, there are a lot of factors that could affect just how good your buy is going to be:
1. Flooding
Flooding can strike anywhere but certain parts of Leeds are more prone to it due to their location, such as Otley. Always check how close to rivers, water sources or flood plains your new home is going to be.
2. Flight paths
Unlike some cities, Leeds has an international airport which flies planes across the city. A lot of the city will have at least some aeroplane noise but areas close to the airport like Yeadon, Horsforth, Cookridge, Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale will get the worst of it. Check before you buy to see how noisy it is and where the flight paths actually are. On the other hand, if you are the noisy type and can handle a few planes, you can get a bargain home in areas near the airport.
3. Cladding
There are more and more stories coming to light about people who bought flats but are now facing big bills or even bankruptcy because of cladding issues. Check before buying any flat if the cladding has passed tests and will not need to be removed for any reason, and if a problem was to arise, who is financially responsible for it. Many building firms are making flat owners pay the costs, despite flat owners not owning the building itself (stock image of Leeds city centre flats).
4. Internet providers for superfast broadband
There are parts of Leeds where BT still hasn't wired up superfast fibre broadband. That means if you live in some areas - e.g., Cookridge - and you want superfast, you have to go with cable broadband or satellite broadband instead. It means that Virgin and Sky have the monopoly in such places - but the costs compared to BT-run services are usually higher.
5. Snow
Snow falls more often in some areas of Leeds. Cookridge is the snow capital of Leeds, based on high ground, while other north Leeds areas such as Horsforth and Alwoodley get a lot of snow too. Not ideal if you're, for example, a heart surgeon and you will always need to get to work no matter what.
6. Buses and public transport
Leeds' transport woes are well documented but bus services do run across various parts of the city. It's worth checking what public transport provision runs to your area. Some areas have very regular services. Others, on the fringes, not so much.