The single biggest monthly cost for many households is the mortgage repayment. At a time as the cost of living is increasing at an alarming rate, rising interest rates are also pushing up mortgage rates, creating a perfect storm for already squeezed finances. Borrowers will naturally be shopping around to see if they can cut […]
During the last year many of us have spent more time at home than ever before due to Covid-19 restrictions. Some of us have used this time as an opportunity to carry out home improvements and minor building works. Between the aftermath of Brexit and the pandemic, we have seen the inflation rise significantly and […]
Since being introduced in 2007 it has become apparent that the Lasting Power of Attorney (Successor to the Enduring Power of Attorney) is an important document to assist in the management of an individual’s financial affairs and medical needs. However, a part of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) that is often overlooked is Section […]
Many businesses hit by Covid 19 have claimed under their Business Interruption (BI) policies as they have been unable to trade from their premises or have lost business because of the pandemic. However many insurers are saying that they are not required to pay out. Whilst most of these policies require that losses arise from […]
For many of us our daily routines such as commuting to and from work, dropping off and collecting the children from school, visiting friends and family all came to an abrupt halt from the 23rd March 2020. This was the date when the first lockdown commenced. For many separated families, suddenly issues arose with regards […]
With the Government seeing fit to make HM Revenue and Customs a payer of benefits (pension credit etc.) as well as a collector of taxes, it is no wonder that people are becoming confused as to which sources of income are taxable and which are not. It is particularly confusing for pensioners, who receive pensions, […]
Since 1 October 2015, under changes introduced by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, it has been compulsory for most businesses to offer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to their customers if a complaint arises between them which cannot be settled by negotiation. ADR is a process designed to resolve complaints without the need to resort to […]
The right of secure tenants to buy their homes was established under the Housing Act 1980. The original rules have subsequently been amended, however, mainly owing to a growing number of abuses of the system. These mainly involved property speculators who made agreements with secure tenants to the effect that they would acquire their properties […]
If you hold assets in the USA, you should be aware of an issue that has started to arise in estates in which there are US shareholdings, especially where these are managed by brokers in the US. The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that any estate with US assets files an Estate Tax return, […]
Whether you are planning to refurbish and sell a house or to construct a whole new apartment block, almost all your plans will be governed by planning laws and any local restrictions. Planning restrictions are more stringent in conservation areas, for instance, and for listed buildings. Before committing to any significant level of investment, it […]
