Life, as we all know, seems to spin along faster and faster as we go along, and at the same time, our awareness of some of life’s challenges that might lay ahead comes ever closer into focus. There are many things we know we should do but often put off. Saving for retirement, whether via…
Motor Finance Commission – The Undisclosed Truth In 2017 the FCA announced that they would be reviewing the lending processes surrounding the world of Motor Vehicle Finance, and you will not believe what they discovered. “We identified concerns over the widespread use of commission models that link the broker’s commission to the customer’s interest rate…
We are going to take a very brief look at answering the question, is Equity Release a popular lending option? What is Equity Release? Equity Release is a relatively new product to the financial market, and it has been rebranded as ‘Lifetime Mortgage’ over the last few years. ‘Home reversion plans’ still exist as a…
The Early Stages Have you instructed a conveyancer? No… Find one here. Booking a Removal Company The first thing you need to do is decide whether you are going to pack yourself or have a company do this for you. Yes, this service does exist and does come with a cost. Once you have decided…
The emergency measures put in place to reduce the backlogging of court cases suggest that the government was wrong to close so many courts, MPs have said in a report on the impact of COVID-19. The Commons’ Justice Select Committee has encouraged the establishment of 10 Nightingale courts. ‘The dramatic reduction in the size of…
Starting this week, the Land Registry has said that they will accept electronic signatures that are witnessed for the transfer of property ownership, mortgages, and leases. This approach will pave the way for the entire conveyancing process to be completed digitally going forward. To sign deeds electronically, they must first be uploaded to an online…
Wills can soon be witnessed over Skype or Zoom as the government overhauls probate legislation as a result of COVID-19. A new statutory instrument will allow Wills to be witnessed remotely here in England and Wales. These new rules will come into force this September. The Wills Act of 1837 currently requires two witnesses to…
The real threat of another COVID-19 outbreak will make people less tolerant of a paper-based approach to conveyancing. In the Land Registry’s latest annual report, chair Michael Mire predicted a shift to digital conveyancing in the coming years. The Land Registry will begin by digitizing the most common transaction types such as removing a mortgage,…
The stamp duty holiday was announced by the chancellor not too long ago. Usually in England, you would be expected to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on increasing portions of a property’s price above £125,000.00. This is calculated differently during the period that the relief is applicable. In a bid to kickstart residential conveyancing,…
From 24 July shoppers will be required to wear masks in shops and supermarkets or face a fine of £100. Face coverings will also be mandatory on public transport in Wales on 27 July. The same will not apply to Court users, however. HMCTS updated their guidance on face coverings on 6 July and since…
Ian Watters Financial Adviser
Riteway Claims
Lewis Walker
Butterworths Solicitors
Matt