MA consultation launched by the Law Commission in December has considered how ‘right to manage’ legislation can be made quicker, simpler and more accessible for leasehold property owners. The Commission proposed various reforms to current legislation and is now considering responses to the consultation questions raised. Historically, buildings consisting of many leasehold properties would be […]
Greater protection for tenants with the end of no-fault evictions
Greater protection for tenants with the end of no-fault evictions The Government has announced plans to scrap ‘no fault’ evictions with a new open-ended rental system envisaged. Such a system could mirror that introduced in Scotland two years ago and systems already operating in other European countries. Currently most renters take an Assured Shorthold Tenancy […]
What is an Executor Responsible For?
An Executor is responsible for applying for a Grant of Probate and administering a deceased person’s estate.
When is a Probate Solicitor Needed?
When Probate is needed on a deceased person’s estate, the Executors or Administrators often use a Probate solicitor. If you are going through the Probate process, there is no obligation to use a Probate solicitor. However, it removes a significant responsibility from your shoulders. To speak to a Probate solicitor, contact us now for a […]
What Does a Commercial Solicitor Do?
A commercial solicitor helps sole traders, businesses, and other organisations (such as public bodies) with a wide range of legal matters, including property, compliance, tax and disputes. If you would like to know more about how our commercial solicitors can help you, contact us for a free initial enquiry. Call us now on Southport 01704 […]
Leaseholders to benefit from closure of legal loophole
According to figures in The Times 5.3 million (21%) homes in England and Wales are leasehold, meaning the property is not owned outright but is instead ‘leased’ from the freeholder, typically for a lengthy term. In a leasehold arrangement there will usually be a contract between leaseholder and freeholder which sets out the legal rights […]
Getting the right type of survey when buying a new build property
It is a common misconception that you do not need a survey when purchasing a new build property. Whilst new builds look crisp and clean from afar, they can suffer from just as many problems as older houses – if not more. In a 2015 survey, 27% of buyers said their new home had more […]
Skimping on Will writing advice could cost you dearly
The internet has brought billions of pages of information right to our fingertips, sharing an endless supply of knowledge and expertise on just about any subject you can imagine. Using Google, you can ask practically any question and receive an instant detailed guide or how-to video in seconds. But in the context of will-writing, that’s […]
The 3,000 per cent probate fee hike: what you can do
The costs of administering an estate are set to soar from next month when probate fees will increase by up to 3,000 per cent. Currently, applications cost a standard fee of £215 which reduces to £155 if using a solicitor. Where the estate is worth less than £5,000, the cost is zero. For estates that […]
Make a Will Southport
April is a great month to have your Will written by Southport Solicitors, Breens. In return for a donation to Queenscourt Hospice, Breens will write your Will so you can protect your family and loved ones while helping to raise funds for your local hospice. Why make a Will? If you die without having […]
New Rules on Tenant Deposits
Under the new Tenant Fees Act, damage deposits taken at the start of a tenancy will be capped. There are also new rules around holding deposits. Landlords and letting agents need to take heed of the changes, or it could prove costly. What do the new laws say? The Tenant Fees Bill is set to […]
Tenant Fees Will Soon Be Banned
The new Tenant Fees Bill is set to be introduced this summer. Here’s a brief run-down of what’s changing, when, and what breaching the news laws could mean for landlords and letting agents. What’s changing? Until now, landlords and letting agents have been able to charge tenants additional fees for things such as references, credit […]
Pets in Rental Properties
As a landlord, should you allow a pet in your rental property? Many landlords are against the idea, but research shows there may be more benefits than you realise. Here we take a look at the pros and cons of allowing a pet in your rental property. Pets in rental properties – the argument against […]
Proposals to protect new-build buyers
Advisory body the Home Owners Alliance has recommended that buyers of new-build homes should be able to retain 2.5% of the purchase price for the first six months to cover the cost of snagging defects. The body’s chief executive said that the proposal “would create a powerful incentive for builders to put problems right”. Such […]
No stamp duty surcharge for derelict second homes
A tax tribunal has ruled that buyers Paul and Nikki Bewley do not need to pay the 3% second home surcharge on the purchase of a derelict property that took place in 2017. Since April 2016 if a buyer already owns a property and purchases another, the stamp duty rates on the second purchase are […]
No Will? Cohabitees won’t inherit a penny
The number of families in the UK continues to grow, with cohabiting couple families growing the fastest according to the ONS. In 2017, of the 19 million UK families recorded, 3.3 million were cohabiting. It is perhaps therefore surprising that intestacy rules still fail to provide for cohabitees, regardless of the length of cohabitation. If […]
Buying out co-inheritees: stamp duty and capital gains tax
It is not uncommon for a parent to leave their home in their Will to a number of their children – and sometimes one child will want to buy out the others rather than putting the property on the market. In such circumstances, stamp duty is likely to be payable, calculated on the value of […]
Welsh assembly raise care savings limit to £50,000
From the 8th April 2019, people living in Wales will have to pay the full cost of their own residential care only if they have assets of more than £50,000. Welsh ministers increased the capital limit by £10,000 only 12 months after it rose from £30,000 to £40,000. The capital limit determines whether a person […]
Act now to avoid probate fee hikes in April
Most families who have recently lost a loved one should not delay in applying for probate if they want to avoid a substantial hike in probate fees. From April 2019, many estates will pay significantly more when applying for a grant, with increases of up £5,785 on the cards. However, whilst estates worth £50,000 or […]
First time buyers Southport: demystifying the buying process
If you’re buying a property in Southport for the first time, you’ll soon realise that much of what you read in your search for the perfect pad is riddled with confusing terms such as ‘LISA’, ‘Help to Buy’, ‘Equity Loans’ and ‘Variable Rates’. This can make it more difficult to navigate the market and get […]
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