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M

Man Hole

See Inspection chamber.

Management Company (In Scotland: Factoring Company)

Apartment buildings usually have a management company responsible for maintaining the main structure, common parts ( eg stairs and hallways ) and landscaped areas. On some developments a management company may also maintain roads, street lighting and open spaces. The management company recovers its costs from each owner through a service charge.

Mandatory

A compulsory minimum entry performance requirement for achieving a Code rating

Mansard roof

A steep-sided, flat-topped roof, usually used when accommodating more rooms.

MCB (Miniature circuit breaker)

A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow

MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)

An engineered wood product formed by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is denser than plywood.

Mechanical Extract Ventilation

See MEV

Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery

See MVHR

Medium Density Fibreboard

See MDF

Megger

A material for insulating cavity walls and lofts.

Melamine

A plastic material sometimes used for work tops.

MEV (Mechanical Extract Ventilation)

A MEV is a fan driven ventilation system which only extracts air from a building

Mezzanine

An additional floor integrated between the floor and the ceiling, typically found in rooms with high ceilings.

Mini trunking

A plastic surface-mounted on walls and ceilings with one side detachable for hiding wires and pipes.

Miniature circuit breaker

See MCB

Missives (Scotland only)

The name given to a contract. Missives are letters exchanged by the purchaser (making an offer for the property) and the seller (accepting the offer).

Mitre

A joint where the two parts are each cut at 45 degrees so that the make a neat rightangle.

Moisture/Protection layer

A geotextile blanket, available in varying thicknesses (typically between 2-12 mm), performs a dual function. Firstly, protecting the waterproof membrane during the installation of the green roof system; and secondly, increasing the water holding capacity of the green roof system

Mono-pitch

A roof with only one slope.

Mortar

Mixture of sand, cement, (sometimes lime) and water, used to bond stones and bricks.

Mortgage

Most people will need to take out a mortgage – or loan – to buy a house. There are many different types of mortgages available to home buyers – your mortgage advisor will explain.

Mortgage application fees

These are fees charged by the lender to organise the mortgage for you. These are not usually refunded if you then do not go ahead with the mortgage. Some lenders will only charge such fees for specific mortgage deals.

Mortgage Deed

The legally binding contract between lender and borrower. The main type of mortgage deed used in England and Wales is a legal charge. In Scotland it is a standard security.

Mortgage Offer

A written offer to lend money on a property. The Mortgage Offer will contain all the terms of the Loan and the conditions upon which the money is loaned.

Mortgage Term

The amount of time which the bank has agreed to lend you the money for.

Mortgagee

The lender.

Mortgagor

The borrower (whose property is secured for the loan).

Mortgage Indemnity Insurance/Guarantee

Your mortgage lender will usually require additional security if the loan is in excess of 70% or 80% of the purchase price. This involves a once-only payment which can normally be added to your mortgage. The amount of the payment varies with the amount borrowed and the term of the loan.

Mortgage Protection Policy

An insurance policy often arranged in conjunction with a repayment mortgage, which is taken out to ensure that the loan will be paid off should the borrower die before the end of the mortgage term. Insurance may also be available to protect your repayments in the event of redundancy.

Mortgage Valuation Survey

Prior to making a mortgage offer your lender will have the property valued for “mortgage purposes”. You will pay a fee (variable on the purchase price of the property).

Muck

A wet material like mortar, concrete plastic or bonding used to describe wet mortar, bonding, plaster or concrete.

Mullion

Vertical fixed member between a window sill and the window lintel. Usually of stone or precast reinforced concrete.

MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery)

MVHR is a system of mechanical ventilation within a building that extracts internal air, but recycles the heat from the extracted air, back into the building