For retired property owners’ Equity Release can appear a simple option to obtain a large tax free sum of cash currently tied up in the bricks and mortar of their home. However, as with all major financial decisions, professional advice should be sought to ensure that the chosen scheme is the right one for you.
£1 billion fund created to help build thousands more homes
A new fund is being created to help speed up the delivery of thousands of new homes across England. Housing Secretary James Brokenshire says the government is entering into a partnership with Barclays Bank to provide £1 billion of loan finance to help support small and medium sized developers. Support, ranging between £5 million to £100 million
Woman subjected to sexual advances at work awarded £24,000
An employer who told a woman that sexual advances from a Spanish colleague were just cultural differences has been ordered to pay her £24,000 compensation. The woman, who has not been
Tenants given government guidance on their rights when renting
Tenants and leaseholders can now access official guidance on their rights when renting their home. The online rental guides, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, are part of a continuing crackdown on poor practice by a minority of landlords and agents in the private rented and leasehold sectors. The Citizens Advice Bureau helped 65,000 private renters with more than 100,000 problems about their tenancy in 2017. …Read More
Woman victimised over anxiety and depression awarded £8,000
A woman who felt victimised after being accused by her boss of faking anxiety and depression to get a big pay-out has been awarded £8,000 compensation. The case involved Melanie James who started working for Capital Care Service in 2016 as a credit controller. She signed off work sick in March 2017 and was diagnosed with symptoms of anxiety and depression. As part of her treatment, she began to see …Read More
First-time home buyers save £284m because of stamp duty cut
More than 120,000 first-time home buyers have saved a total of £284m because of the cuts to stamp duty introduced last November, according to government figures. The first £300,000 of the price of a property is now exempt from tax for people entering the housing market for the first time. It means that the new stamp duty cost for first-time buyers is: • properties up £300k, no stamp duty • properties between …Read More
Businessman leaves millions to Oxfam under ‘common tragedy’
A wealthy businessman has left millions to the charity Oxfam after inserting a common tragedy clause into his will. Richard Cousins died along with his two sons, his fiancé and her daughter when their plane crashed in Australia on New Year’s Eve. Mr Cousins, who was the chief executive of the Compass Group, had made provision in his will for what should happened if all his immediate family died in …Read More
Hartley Wintney Pram Race 2018
The quintessentially bucolic Cricket Green is once again the centre stage for the annual Hartley Wintney Pram Race 2018. Bates Solicitors are delighted to once again sponsor this popular village event.
Landlords oppose 3-year minimum tenancy proposals
The National Landlord’s Association (NLA) has criticised government proposals to introduce 3-year minimum tenancies. Ministers say 3-year tenancy terms, with a 6-month break clause
Brothers in dispute over house left in their mother’s will
The High Court has settled a dispute between two brothers after one accused the other of using undue influence to persuade their mother to leave him her house in her will. The case involved an elderly woman who moved in with her son after her husband died. However, she later wanted to move back to her own home in Cornwall. The house needed significant repairs, so she decided to transfer …Read More