Articles

October 2019

The Bank of Mum and Dad

It's a good time to sell. Demand for properties amongst buyers is currently exceeding supply meaning properties in the South East are selling quickly and often at, or even above, asking price. The availability of lending to First Time Buyers (FTBs) continues to improve and with lenders offering FTBs incentives such as paying their Stamp Duty Land Tax bill, more young people will be enticed to take their first step onto the property ladder.

October 2019

Commercial Leases and Break Clauses

In 2014, we reported on the Court of Appeal’s decision in the case of Marks & Spencer PLC v BNP Paribas Securities Trust Company (Jersey) Ltd (BNP Paribas). Following this, Marks & Spencer PLC were allowed by the Supreme Court to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal to not grant them a refund of the rent they had paid past the break date of the lease.

October 2019

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Private Rented Property

If you are a Landlord of domestic and/or non-domestic private rented property and the Energy Efficiency Rating of that property (shown on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)) is F or G, then this article is relevant to you.

October 2019

Avoid Becoming a Victim of Property Fraud

As reported last July, property fraud is on the increase and as a result, the Land Registry has nominated July as ‘Scams Awareness’ month. If you own property please take a moment to:

October 2019

Lasting Powers of Attorney - Why You Should Have One

As part of lifetime planning, it is really important to make a Will but it is becoming equally important for people of all ages to also consider making Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). A Will deals with your affairs following your death, but a Lasting Power of Attorney looks after you and your affairs whilst you are still alive whatever age you are.

October 2019

Angel Group Limited and Others

The Angel Group consisted of eight companies, all of which had been placed into administration by a mixture of floating chargeholder’s appointment, director’s appointment and Court Order.

October 2019

The New Insolvency Rules 2017

The new Insolency Rules will come into force on 6th April 2017.

August 2018

Immigration reform and workforce trends

The Government’s white paper on post-Brexit immigration policy is expected in October. Will the future immigration rules reflect the self-employment and flexible working that are now intrinsic to the UK labour force?

August 2018

Will the latest inheritance pay out present law changes for unmarried spouses?

Two sisters have been ordered to pay their late father’s girlfriend almost a third of their inheritance payment, after she was deemed “a wife in all but name.” This is the latest story to cause families to reflect carefully on their particular circumstances and to take steps to protect the family and avoid emotional stress as well as avoiding large legal costs.

August 2018

The rental shortage – could it hit crisis point?

The continued housing shortage across the UK is hardly surprising, but according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) rents could rise by as much as 15% by 2023 as the supply of new rental property dries up.