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Companies must be on track for Covid-safe workplace

Companies anticipating a return to the workplace in July, if the Government’s route map stays on track, should be planning how to protect workers and customers once the country is released from the current Covid-related restrictions. Although the Government may decide that it is safe to relax regulations and recommendations around social distancing and large groups, the virus will still be circulating, and individuals could become infected or pass the virus on to others in the workplace. Planning ahead and involving staff in the planning process is the best approach. …

Understanding force majeure and Covid-19

Understanding force majeure in relation to Covid-19 and how lockdown has impacted businesses is likely to become a hot topic over the coming months. And in particular, it may be the case for those companies looking to claim that the coronavirus pandemic has given rise to circumstances beyond their control in delivering on contracts, it is a ‘force’ of a different sort that is concentrating minds. In one of the few cases to consider the impact of the pandemic on company contracts to date, the High Court has ruled that…

What happens to debt after someone dies?

When someone you love has passed away, the last thing you might be thinking about is debt. However, there are many misconceptions about debt and inheritance, and it is essential to understand your position. Many people believe that when a person dies, the debt dies with them, but that is simply not the case. Similarly, it is a widely held belief that family members are personally responsible for paying debts, but this is not often true. In this post, we take a look at what happens to a person’s debts after they pass…

To rent or buy a commercial property – which is the best option?

May 21, 2021
Huseyin Youssouf
Property Market News, Property Law, Commercial

Deciding to rent or buy premises if you are considering an office move or expansion can be difficult. There are several factors you should consider and making the right decision can be challenging. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of each to give you an idea of what you may wish to think about or discuss with your adviser. Potential investment opportunity Firstly, like with any property purchase, buying a commercial property could be seen as an investment. The property may increase in value, and when…

last will and testament with a cup of tea

Wills and Lasting Powers of attorney – Is now a good time?

Coronavirus caused a lot of chaos and it has been a very turbulent time for us all. What is evidently clear is that everyone has been in the same situation and it is entirely natural to feel concerned about the impact on your family and your finances during difficult times. You can take control of the situation and put your future in your own hands by drawing up a Will and making Lasting Powers of Attorney, to ensure that you have peace of mind and have secured the future of…

Marriage breakdowns could head for their own lockdown

May 20, 2021
Vikram Kumar
Family

The easing of lockdown may have been the catalyst for the announcement by billionaire Bill Gates and his wife that they were heading for divorce and separate lives, with data from Google showing a surge in searches for divorce guidance as restrictions were relaxed. But while Bill and Melinda reportedly reached a financial settlement agreement before making their news public, with Gates transferring shares worth $2.4 billion to his estranged wife, this clear-cut route may be closed to those who are less well off. That’s because financial hardships, the potential…

How a Lasting Power of Attorney can help someone with dementia

This blog looks at how a Lasting Power of Attorney can help if someone has dementia, and marks Dementia Action Week that runs from 17th - 23rd May 2021 and is a national event that sees the public coming together to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. When a person receives a dementia diagnosis, this doesn’t automatically mean they cannot make important decisions. However, as their symptoms worsen, they may no longer be able to make decisions about their finances, health, or care. We refer to…

Cut future tax bills with unspent income from lockdown

Internet shopping may have boomed during lockdown, but many people have spent less than usual while forced to stay home, and those with spare money have an opportunity to make the most of inheritance tax reliefs on gifts to family and friends if they act swiftly. Giving away assets while you are alive can reduce the size of your estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes, and with IHT charged at 40 percent it’s worth doing a regular check on where you stand. Each person can pass on a maximum of…

New legislation for residential landlords

Residential landlords are under pressure to keep on top of a raft of new legislation and guidelines this year, including many protections for tenants extended by the government during the pandemic. They include a continuing hold on evictions, the new debt moratorium scheme, and changes to validating the right to rent, through to permission for pets, new rules on electrical testing and the anticipated extension for carbon monoxide monitoring later in the year. Landlords must also comply with the shift to online reporting to HMRC, under the Making Tax Digital…

Property evictions to resume

May 14, 2021
Sebastian Jakubowski
Property Market News, Property Law, Residential

Property evictions are to resume but residential tenants will continue to be assisted during the Covid-19 restrictions with longer notice periods remaining in place until at least October 2021. This was announced by The Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher, on the 12th of May. During the initial lockdown in 2020, the Government reformatted the notice periods for residential tenancies, affording tenants extra protection during the pandemic. As part of these temporary changes, a Section 21 Notice (which normally provides a tenant a 2-month notice to vacate a property) was extended to…

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