We regularly write about different legal topics and welcome your comments on our posts. If you would like more information on our services, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
For many years, legislation and rules have been in place to protect tenant’s deposits. Despite this, many tenants are still unaware of the obligations imposed upon their landlords to protect their deposit. Student tenancies This is especially...
If you've owned your home for a number of years, it's likely that you have built up significant equity in it. To release a portion of this wealth downsizing is one option, but equity release enables you to release a tax-free lump sum, without having...
Flying freehold is an English legal term to describe a freehold which overhangs or underlies another freehold. This is fairly commonplace, for example a room situated above a shared passageway in a semi-detached house, or a balcony which extends over a...
Tenants could be given minimum three-year letting agreements to increase security for those who rent a home. Three year tenancy terms The Government is proposing to allow people who rent in the private sector to opt for three-year tenancy terms as this...
We are a nation of dog and cat lovers (it is estimated that 12 million UK households (46% of homes) have pets). In most homes, pets are often viewed as another member of the family, forming a vital part of the family unit. So when a couple divorces or...
When someone dies, they leave behind an ‘estate’. Their estate is formed from all their money, assets, property, possessions, debts, and liabilities. As you might imagine, bringing together and valuing all these different items can be a...
The Partners of Frettens Solicitors are excited to announce that they are celebrating their 40th year in business with a no holds barred 1978-inspired disco! 1978 inspired disco Taking place on Friday 5th October at Hoburne Park, Christchurch, and...
A divorce case in the Supreme Court, Owens V Owens (explained below) has attracted media attention during July and raised the question of whether fault is a necessity in a divorce ? Must divorce show that one party is at fault Currently in the UK, a...
A short video article featuring Matthew Collis , Conveyancing Solicitor , explaining the difference between leasehold and freehold property. ...
There are occasionally stories in the press about properties which are illegally mortgaged or sold without the owner’s knowledge. This can be particularly relevant for investment properties or holiday homes which is occasionally used by the family, or...
Neighbour problems, such as boundary disputes, can be notoriously difficult and expensive to resolve. Lengthy and expensive disputes This was highlighted recently in a case where a London family lost their £600,000 home, which they had lived in for...
There have been a number of changes in the last few years which have an implication on buying or selling a second property in the UK. This applies to property which is not your main residence but an investment or holiday property. Consultation on Capital...
The Partners at Frettens Solicitors were delighted last week to announce the opening of a second office in Ringwood in July 2018. Who will be based at Ringwood? The Ringwood team has...
The Partners of Frettens Solicitors are excited to announce that they will be opening a brand new office in the heart of Ringwood in July 2018, making Ringwood a second home for the ever-growing Frettens family. A full service law firm for Ringwood ...
What happens when a couple who are not married but own a property together decide that they need to separate ? Most people are surprised to find out that the legislation that governs this situation is completely unrelated to the Family Law legislation,...
This year we have shared a form, asking you to re-register for our newsletter because the changes being implemented on 25th May regarding GDPR, meaning that if you have not signed up for our newsletter, you will no longer get the newsletter. We have not...
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. It forms the new standard for control of data, seeking to introduce higher and more stringent regulations upon those whose hold and process personal data. What data does GDPR...
The law relating to matrimonial finances is based around the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (subject to some much needed amendments) but does it now reflect today’s society and the financial needs of the divorcing parties? Changing times The assumptions...
Why should I extend my lease? If you are selling a property with an unexpired lease term of less than 80 years, a potential buyer is likely to insist that you extend the lease on, or before, completion. When a lease drops below 80 years the cost of...
Frettens Solicitors is delighted to welcome the latest Solicitor to join their ranks, as Simon Immins becomes a member of the firm's Family Team . Simon joined Frettens in April, having been a Partner at Turners Solicitors in...
When you are a parent to young children, life can be a daily demanding obstacle course! Getting everyone up, ready for nursery/school and getting into work… then after a busy day at work, coming home, cooking for the family, helping with homework,...
Your main residence is exempt from capital gains tax because of private residence relief, which negates any capital gains. When someone owns more than one property however, the tax position becomes more complicated. The main residence Unless you confirm...
Frettens are delighted to share their new corporate video. The film focusses on our firm's people-first approach and how we have harnessed this to drive success. The film has been created in conjunction with Dorset Business , the Dorset Chamber of...
The Ministry of Justice has launched a scheme to refund those who may have overpaid when applying to register powers of attorney. The scheme applies to any lasting power of attorney (LPA), or enduring power of attorney (EPA) that was registered with the...
Section 21 is the no fault way of obtaining possession from an assured shorthold tenant . What is a Section 21 Notice? A Section 21 Housing Act 1988 notice is the first step to obtaining the property back. These are used when the landlord wants...
In England and Wales, you must have been married for at least a year before you can apply for a divorce . Only one ground for divorce It is a popular misconception that there are five grounds for divorce. There is actually only one ground for...
2018 is likely to be a difficult year for lettings professionals in terms of keeping up with the legislation that is due to be finalised and passed. As well as new energy efficiency standards, GDPR, there is a Fitness for Human Habitation...
When a person dies without leaving a valid will they are said to have died intestate. Dealing with their estate can be very complicated. When someone dies intestate If this happens to one of your relatives, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as...
When purchasing a leasehold flat you must think carefully about the number of years left on the lease and the ground rent risks you may expose yourself to. There are two reasons for this: Your mortgage lender is likely to require a certain number...
A mirror will is when you and your partner make almost identical wills. These usually leave everything to each other respectively should one partner die before the other and if they die at the same time, everything is passed to children or the same named...
Frettens Solicitors is delighted to welcome the latest Solicitor to join their ranks as Ben Cobb becomes a member of the firm's Commercial Property Team. Ben joined Frettens from the start of 2018, having trained and qualified as a...
Is it true that the number of divorce applications spike in January? Or is this an urban myth? Amy Langlois , Family Solicitor, comments "Sadly, it is true to say that we see an increase in enquiries into our Family Team after Christmas about...
From the 1st April 2018, there will be a requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector to normally have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). New tenancies and renewals The regulations...
Although being self-employed or operating as a sole trader is the most popular way of running a business in the UK, there could be significant advantages to operating as a limited company instead. Setting yourself up as a sole trader is the simplest way to ...
This week is Cohabitation Awareness week. This is promoted by Resolution, and organisation which our Family Team are a part of. What is Resolution? Resolution ’s 6,500 members are family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive...
Many of our clients wonder why we have to be so strict about money laundering. At Frettens, we always endeavour to give our clients the best service and it goes without saying that we must protect them from the fraudulent use of their names and addresses by...
You need values of any money, property and possessions (known as their estate) of someone who’s died, on the date of their death, before you are able to get a ‘grant of representation’. This is the legal right to deal with their estate . ...
In yesterday’s budget, The Chancellor abolished Stamp Duty Land Tax for first time buyers with immediate effect on properties costing up to £300,000. The government’s aim is to help first time buyers and they estimate that this move will...
There is little that divides a community more than disputes over access and rights of way. The law affecting rights of way has evolved over many years rather than being introduced by a single Act of Parliament, and therefore this area is quite confusing. ...
If another person influences a decision-maker in a discriminatory way, can that person be considered a joint decision-maker? Recently, the Employment Appeal Tribunal in Metropolitan Police v Denby held that, yes, they could be. The Claimant in this case...
Protecting cash flow is vital for the survival of any business and pursuing unpaid debts to your company is frustrating and time consuming. You have up to six years to recover an unpaid invoice or outstanding debt, but ideally you would act quickly to...
Your website Terms and Conditions are vital to your business and are also required by law to protect you and your customers. It can be a daunting task trying to decide what you need on your website. What topics should the terms & conditions...
An independent review on how employers can better support the mental health of employees, including those with mental health problems or poor well-being, has been published recently. The Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers, titled ...
When someone dies, their assets (known as their estate) worth over £325,000 are liable for inheritance tax at a rate of 40%. This is the standard nil rate band and there is also a residence nil rate band which can make a higher proportion of the...
At some time in our lives we all have to sign or read something that contains confusing legal jargon. If you’ve ever moved house or rented a property then you will know what a difficult job it can be to wade through contracts full of legal terms. ...
The government is reviewing house buying regulations, aiming to end time-wasting offers. Gazumping Gazumping, as it is known, is when when an offer has been accepted for the purchase of a property and the buyer proceeds with their purchase by instructing a...
A pre-nuptial agreement (or ‘pre-nup’ as they are often called) can be made between a couple before they marry, and it deals with how their assets and resources would be treated if they were to divorce or dissolve a civil partnership ....
The Low Pay Commission, who advise the government on minimum wage levels, have compiled a report which reveals that as many as 1 in 5 minimum wage workers could be receiving less than they are entitled to under the law. At its peak in the year, between...
In November 2015, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) would apply from April 2016 to purchases of additional residential properties, such as second homes and buy-to-let properties. Since then, a number...
Frettens Solicitors is delighted to report that it has been recognised in specialist areas of 'The Legal 500' again for 2017-18. This marks the eighth year in a row that the firm has been recognised by the independently researched guide to law firms...
