Property blog posts
All content is subject to changes in the law. For the most up to date advice, call us on 0191 232 9547.
Stamp Duty Land Tax Holiday
Following on from the government’s recent announcement today (8 July 2020), there are big changes surrounding Stamp Duty Land Tax. What is Stamp Duty Land Tax and how much does it cost? Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax imposed on the purchase of a property in...
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Stamp Duty Land Tax
What is Stamp Duty Land Tax? Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax imposed on the purchase of a property in England and Northern Ireland. It is a form of tax placed on documents, publications and other legal instruments that was once certified by a physical stamp being...
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Disbursements
What are disbursements and how much will they cost? You have found your dream home and have contacted your solicitor to get a quote for the conveyancing work. However, the quote seems to add on a list of ‘disbursements’ which are bumping up the costs significantly! ...
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The Land Registry during COVID-19
What is the Land Registry? If you are buying or selling a property you will need the services of The Land Registry. The Land Registry is the government agency responsible for recording ownership of land and property dealings. It maintains a public register and is...
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Moving House in a Lockdown
The nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 (cornoavirus) is increasingly slowing and freezing the property market. While we find many clients wish to press on and are reluctant to change plans there are now significant and growing obstacles to buying, selling and moving...
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Right to Buy
The Right to Buy Scheme… …allows council tenants to buy their properties at a big discount. This scheme was introduced in the 1980’s and allows you to apply to purchase your council house if you meet the following criteria: It’s your only home; Its...
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What is Help to Buy?
The Help to Buy is a government backed initiative which is designed to help people get onto the property ladder or buy a new home without a large deposit. The most common Help to Buy scheme in England is the Help to Buy Equity Loan (England). In 2018 it was reported...
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Stepsisters bizarre legal battle shows the need for properly drafted wills
The recent case of Scarle has highlighted the importance of having up to date wills and also to look at how you hold any jointly owned property. Our home is usually our prized possession and often what makes up most of our estate. The way we own it has in impact on...
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“Help to Buy”: Is it helping?
Help to Buy Options For many home buyers one of the biggest hurdles to becoming a home owner is gathering that vital deposit together. Help to Buy mortgage schemes were introduced to overcome this and to give thousands of people a foot onto or up the property ladder....
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Could I be forced to sell my home to pay for residential care?
Will I need to sell my home to fund my own caring arrangements? If you are a homeowner who is growing older, an important question may be on your mind: will I need to sell my home if I have to fund my own caring arrangements? This concern is more evident where your...
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The Tenant Fees Act 2019
With the average house price sitting around £125,397, in the North East, it is no surprise that the market has created a generation of renters. Insufficient levels of home building has succeeded in driving up the price of a first time home to something not easily...
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How can parents help their children get started on the property ladder?
According to a survey carried out by Lloyds Bank, 56% of young people are worried about joining the property ladder, however, only 27% of these have discussed this with their parents. The “M Word” campaign launched by Lloyds Bank aims to break this taboo and encourage...
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