Where does it all go wrong with leaseholds?
So you’ve completed on your flat purchase – and then what? Where can it all go wrong? Typically once you have completed your flat purchase, you move in, file away any papers received from your solicitor, and carry on with living your life in their new home. Many of you will treat the flat as […]
The Budget and SDLT Changes
Increases to commercial property rates The announcement in the budget that non-residential rates would rise from midnight caught most people unaware. There was never a particular reason for the disparity between the “slice” system for residential property and the “slab” system for non-residential property, and this distinction has now been abandoned. Not only did the […]
Buy to let landlords – under attack?
This article was originally published in Wimbledon Time & Leisure in February 2016. Buy to let landlords – under attack? Around 40% of the housing stock in Merton is rented rather than owned, with around half of that being rented from private sector landlords. According to the 2011 census, these figures are largely representative […]
SDLT “Additional Residential Property” Consultation
Many readers will be aware of the changes that were announced in the 2015 Autumn Statement regarding higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for purchasers of “additional properties”. In short, the purchase of any new buy-to-let properties or second homes from 1 April 2016 will attract an additional 3% SDLT charge on top the usual […]
Stamp Duty Land Tax – A new “additional property” rate from 1 April 2016
In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement it was today announced that a surcharge of 3% would be introduced on all of the SDLT rates for buy-to-let properties and for second homes. The Chancellor believes that the new surcharge will raise £1 billion for the Treasury by 2021, but some commentators believe that the change will distort the […]
Give-it-Away’s Give-it-Away begins!
For a number of years Ashworths has supported Give-it-Away. Give-it-Away is not a charity in its own right, but is a company that develops and trades in property and gives ALL of its profits away to local charities. In recognition of the work that “the company” has done, its CEO Charlotte Grobien was awarded the […]
Stamp Duty Changes A Few Months On
The announcement by the chancellor at lunchtime on 3 December 2014 introducing changes to the stamp duty thresholds caused quite a stir in most property departments and estate agencies across England. A surreal panic set in since the reforms were to be implemented by midnight and they came without warning. People joke about property lawyers […]
New Year’s Honours – Charlotte and Jane
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHARLOTTE AND JANE For more than four years, Ashworths has been a very proud supporter of Give It Away, a development company that donates all of its profits to local charitable causes. We are only too happy to provide our specialist development legal services on a pro bono basis to Charlotte and her team. We […]
Multiple dwelling relief under the new SDLT regime
A number of our clients have asked us about how multiple dwelling relief operates under the new SDLT regime. For a number of years now, the purchaser of multiple dwellings has been able to potentially benefit from a reduced rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax. If someone was buying four flats in a building at […]
STOP PRESS: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Rates alter
STOP PRESS: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Rates alter The Government in their Autumn Statement have announced increases in Stamp Duty Land Tax rates. After midnight on 3 December 2014 you will pay more in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for residential properties costing in excess of £937,500. SDLT rates increase from midnight […]