It may not be much of a surprise after weeks of speculation, that Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced in the 2021 budget that the current Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday will be extended until 30th June 2021. The SDLT holiday was introduced last July, following the start of the Covid pandemic, to stimulate the property […]
If it feels as though the Uber case has been rumbling along for some time, it has. First heard in the Employment Tribunal in 2016, the case has made its way up through numerous (unsuccessful) appeals finally arriving at the Supreme Court. After months of waiting for a decision, on 19 February 2021 the Supreme […]
The owner of a beloved dog known as Lulu has left a jaw dropping sum of £3.6 million in trust for the dog’s benefit. The sum has been set aside to provide for Lulu’s care. She is currently residing with her late owner’s friend, who will be reimbursed for the monthly expenses she incurs for […]
Section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 is an important piece of legislation for developers. It gives the Upper Tribunal the power to discharge or modify restrictive covenants on land. On 6th November 2020, the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in the case of Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust v Housing Solutions […]
The Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday was introduced last July to stimulate the property market following the first Covid lockdown. It certainly achieved this objective, as the market has been buoyant ever since with large volumes of transactions. However, there is concern about the impending SDLT holiday deadline on 31st March 2021 and whether […]
Current Position Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is essentially a tax on profit on chargeable assets such as property and shares. It can apply to gifts (when no cash changes hands), destruction (when insurance pays out) and sales of items. In relation to property, if you sell your only or main residence, and buy another, you […]
Jean Clitheroe was the mother of Debra, Susan and John. Debra sadly passed away on 19 December 2009 following a battle with cancer. After Debra’s death Jean instructed solicitors to prepare two wills – the first on 21 May 2010 (‘the 2010 Will’) and the second on 3 December 2013 (‘the 2013 Will’). Both of […]
It’s difficult to take positives from the latest lockdown, but one glimmer of a silver lining could be the opportunity to tackle a long overdue home DIY project. However, tenants are strongly advised to check if their landlord’s consent is required before reaching for the tool kit… How do I know if I need consent? […]
Review and update your flexible and agile working policies and procedures for your employees to prepare for the ‘new normal’ in 2021. With multiple lockdowns and nationwide messages to ‘stay at home, save lives’ over 2020, and now into 2021, in response to the global pandemic, the way we work (and where we work) has […]
With the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday end date in sight, it’s worth noting that from 1 April 2021 there is the introduction of a new rate of SDLT for non-UK resident buyers of residential property in England and Northern Ireland. Although official guidance has not yet been issued, the current proposals are as […]
Last week I wrote about how Bolt Burdon has coped during the pandemic. This week I would like to share a few of my personal hopes for the wider world for 2021. As I write this our national vaccination program is well underway, and there is hope that by the Spring our lives can return […]
This is my final Bolt Burdon Christmas before I retire in March 2021. I am delighted to write our e-news this week and next and share some thoughts. This week I want to share our own Bolt Burdon story of the pandemic. Next week I will share my hopes for the wider world for […]
With all the changes around evictions since March, it is no surprise that landlords and tenants alike are unsure of what the current rules are. We have set out below a snap shot of the most recent position. Residential Section 21 notices requiring possession under an assured shorthold tenancy: The main change to the Housing […]
At the end of last week, the Government opened consultation on options for reforming post termination non-compete clauses in employment contracts. We have been here before, most recently in 2016, when the Government published a Call for Evidence on how and why non-compete clauses are used, exploring whether or not they restrained entrepreneurship. Although the […]
Japanese Knotweed was introduced to the UK from Japan in the nineteenth century for decorative purposes. However, it has become a pest as it’s strong enough to cause considerable damage to buildings and hard surfaces by growing through gaps in these materials. As well as eradicating other plants in its wake, it can even grow […]
It is nearly four years since the tragic death of George Michael on Christmas Day 2016, yet the dispute surrounding his 2013 will rages on. The late singer’s estate is estimated to be worth £97.6 million. According to his last will, George’s estate was split unequally between his two sisters (one of whom sadly passed […]
When the Prime Minister gave a press release on 30 June 2020, inviting us all to “Build, Build, Build”, it was based on the idea that planning law would be reformed to make it easier to change the permitted use of a property. Various regulations were passed which, among other things, introduced 3 new use […]
If you have recently checked the number of years remaining on your lease and decided you would like to extend the term, you now need to get in touch with your landlord. But what if you have a dysfunctional relationship with your landlord or, worse, they are totally absent? This does present a problem but […]
The stamp duty land tax (SDLT) holiday has created an artificial finish line of the end of March 2021 for parties to complete and benefit from the tax break. There is pressure from within the property sector for the holiday to be either extended, or for a gradual phasing out. If this doesn’t happen though, […]
Whilst Boris took his time last weekend delivering the news of a second national lockdown, Robert Jenrick, the Housing Minister, was quick to react on social media to confirm that the housing market would remain open throughout. The following news was welcomed by the property sector via Twitter:- Renters and homeowners will be able to […]
A rentcharge is a type of charge affecting a property. While it is common to see ground rent in leasehold property, a rentcharge is more likely to be found in new build freehold property where the developer is transferring the interest in the land but wants to retain the ability to levy charges on any […]
This month the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published an analysis of ‘ethnicity pay gaps’ in Great Britain. The analysis looks at the difference between the median hourly earnings of White workers and other ethnic groups, using data from 2012 to 2019. This year’s analysis includes a greater number of ethnic groups, with a […]
In the real estate sector, it has been a rollercoaster of a ride in 2020. The proverbial ‘famine to feast’ doesn’t emphasise strongly enough how chaotic the year has been. When Covid gripped the nation in March, and a national lockdown was imposed, property sales and purchases ground to a halt. The housing market was […]
In certain circumstances, it might be appropriate for an independent administrator to be appointed to deal with the administration of the estate of a deceased person. An independent administrator might be appointed in the following circumstances: When there is a Will When the executor named in a Will is unwilling or unable to act, or […]
As the world attempts will find its ‘new normal’, the English Courts have been increasing their use of technology, effecting changes to continue the administration of justice during the pandemic. The Courts had previously used electronic methods, including electronic filing of documents (which is now being extended) and further steps under the electronic working pilot […]
The Government has passed legislation this month known as The Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020, which is due to come into force on 28 September 2020. The main amendment introduced by the Order is to the meaning of “presence” when witnessing a Will. It is now permissible for those witnessing a […]
The 16th March feels like forever ago now but, in terms of days to remember, it was a game changer for so many of us. It was the evening that Matt Hancock told the Commons that “all unnecessary social contact should cease”, which was ramped up by Boris Johnson a week later when he said […]
The pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on workplaces across the UK. What is becoming increasingly clear from the cases we are seeing at Bolt Burdon is the disproportionate impact on working mums. Statistics Studies carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies demonstrate that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on sectors […]
Company directors owe a number of duties to the company and Companies House must be notified whenever a director is appointed. It is a misconception that these responsibilities can be avoided simply by not formally appointing a director. Under long established law, ‘de facto’ directors have the same duties as validly appointed directors – even […]
The Help to Buy equity loan scheme introduced in 2013 has enabled people to buy new build homes with only a small deposit (as little as 5%) with up to 20% (or 40% in London) of the property’s sale price backed by a Government equity loan. The scheme is due to become more restricted next […]
