Leasehold Property Changes For New Buyers

Leasehold property changes for new buyers

Change is in sight for buyers of new leasehold properties, with the passage through Parliament of a bill that will see the ending of ground rent, but it will not help existing leaseholders struggling with onerous terms. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill applies to new, qualifying long residential leases in England and Wales and was tabled in response to one of the Law Commission’s recommendations designed to overhaul residential property in England and Wales. The recommendations address unfair practices in the leasehold system, which has already seen a ban…

Can You Make A Power Of Attorney Online?

Can you make a Power of Attorney online?

It is possible to make a Power of Attorney online, but whether you should is an entirely different matter. The process of making a Power of Attorney seems straightforward, but for those who are unfamiliar with the process, there are many potential pitfalls which could result in your application being rejected or your wishes not being carried out correctly. In this article, we look at some of the common difficulties we see when clients attempt to make a Power of Attorney online. How do I make a Power of Attorney…

Gifting And Inheritance Tax: Explained

Gifting and inheritance tax: Explained

As part of inheritance tax planning, or simply as part of passing on wealth to the next generation, you may consider gifting money or property to family or friends. However, there are several things you need to know about gifting and inheritance tax. In this article, we give a brief overview of gifting and inheritance tax, including who you can gift to, how much you can gift, and what it means if you continue to benefit from the gift. Giving away money or property to avoid inheritance tax One of…

COVID-19 Vaccine: What If My Partner Objects To Our Child Being Vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccine: What if my partner objects to our child being vaccinated?

With the COVID-19 vaccine being quickly rolled out across the UK, there are concerns among some about the long-term impact and side effects of the vaccine. As a result, some are reluctant to get the vaccine themselves or let their children be vaccinated. The law in the UK allows parents to decide whether their children should be vaccinated, but what happens when parents or those with parental responsibility disagree? In this article, we look at what happens if one parent objects to a child being vaccinated. What happens when parents…

Writing Your Will: 5 Reasons You Should Use A Solicitor

Writing your will: 5 reasons you should use a solicitor

Writing a will is important, you have decided to do it finally and are considering doing it yourself. There are many templates and tools available online, along with vast amounts of information about the law and how to go about writing your own will. However, there are significant benefits to using a solicitor to write your will - not to mention the pitfalls of trying to do it yourself. In this article, we look at five reasons to use a solicitor to write your will. A solicitor knows what to…

Is It Legal To Camp Anywhere In The UK?

Is it legal to camp anywhere in the UK?

Amid a global pandemic and with travel restrictions looming large in the UK, travelling to a holiday destination abroad may seem a far stretch.  However, not to fall into a pit of despair, the weather seems to be on the up. With warmer weather and the glorious countryside, camping is a great alternative. Whilst camping is an attractive option, it is important to be mindful of the laws concerning camping and wild camping in the UK. Equipped with the knowledge of the law, you can set out and enjoy your…

Rent Forfeitures And Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery

Rent forfeitures and Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery

Eviction protection extended for businesses most in need On the 16th June 2021, the Government announced its intention to further extend the Moratorium in relation to commercial evictions in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This will now run until March 2022. As far as Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) is concerned, only rent that is more than 554 days in arrears can be collected, this meaning that the rent arrears from March 2020 quarters onwards cannot be recovered as of yet. The Government is preparing a full release on the…

Companies Must Be On Track For Covid-safe Workplace

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 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?

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…