Stepping into what?
My grandmother used to refer to it as “stepping out” or, if feeling particularly modern, “courting”. As we hit Valentine’s Day and love is in the air, what are the pit-falls of moving in with your other half? Apart from the inevitable squabble about dirty washing up being left in the sink, there are a […]
SDLT Holiday
Immediate changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax Rates The housing sector can today breathe a sigh of relief following the Government’s economic update which set out a variety of new policies and incentives to assist the UK in recovering from the economic fallout caused by the Covid-19 crisis. As part of the Government’s strategy to […]
Commercial Leases
What Landlords and Tenants should do There has been some misleading reporting around the measures that the Government have introduced relating to commercial rents. Contrary to popular belief, there is no automatic moratorium on rents. Instead, what the Government has done is to announce a temporary freeze on a Landlord’s ability to forfeit a lease […]
COVID-19 outbreak on conveyancing and what it means?
The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on conveyancing It does not need to be said that COVID-19 is having a huge impact on everyone on the planet. A number of clients have asked for advice on the effects of the virus on conveyancing transactions. As of 13 May 2020, the Government’s previous advice around abandoning […]
GE2019 – What do the parties say about property tax and housing?
What might 12 December bring? The current political climate has caused many people to question their political allegiances and consider voting for an alternative party. We have read the various party manifestos and below set out their proposals in respect of SDLT and the property market. Conservative Party The Conservatives would introduce a […]
Houses in Multiple Occupation – An Update
Licensing requirements for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) There are often many stories within the press about Landlords who are making huge amounts of money in rent from privately rented accommodation which has not met the legal requirements for living standards. Often it is the most disadvantaged members of society who are exploited by these […]
Unfair Practices In The Leasehold Market?
Tackling unfair Practices in the Leasehold Market? Many of us will have seen news stories recently about leasehold homeowners being unable to sell their homes due to excessive ground rents. As a result, some may be concerned about ever buying a leasehold property. However in and around London if you are a first-time buyer your […]
Building An Extension – The Legal Implications
So you’ve chosen your floor, worktops and made that important decision about whether you really do need soft closers on the saucer cupboard, but have you considered the other important things like planning permission and other consents? If you skip the important paperwork at this stage, it may cost you dear when you come to […]
SDLT Relief for First Time Buyers
Government announces tax break for First Time Buyers In a throwback to the period between 2010 and 2012, the Government has today re-introduced differential treatment between first-time buyers and those who have previously owned a residential property. It is noteworthy (with the benefit of hindsight) that certain sections of the HMRC Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual […]
Airbnb style lettings- how it is changing short term lettings
Even if you have never actually used Airbnb, it is difficult to miss the fact that it is an online marketplace that works extremely well. Home-sharing platforms are almost the type of commerce that the internet was designed for. It is however easy to underestimate the effect that these platforms have on the short-term accommodation […]