Who is a first time buyer? Are first time buyers exempt from stamp duty? Will first time buyers need a bigger deposit? Sophie Pope explains.
Property Blog
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a temporary stamp duty holiday in last week’s summer statement.
The announcement has been welcomed by many, as homebuyers are set to save thousands in Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Reports have emerged this week that Rishi Sunak will announce a temporary ‘stamp duty holiday’ in the autumn statement.
The property market seems to be moving very quickly since COVID-19 lockdown measures were eased.
However, many clients are wary of exchanging contracts for fear of what could happen if their sale or purchase were to be affected by coronavirus.
These concerns are amplified when a client’s sale forms part of a property chain.
Jennifer Smith, one of our bright, friendly lawyers in our conveyancing team, answers some of the most common questions she’s been receiving about buying or selling a home during coronavirus.
Are we seeing a recovery in the local property market?
Clare Hallett is Partner in Frettens’ Residential Conveyancing Partner. With years of experience in both residential and commercial property, she’s seen a lot of ups and downs.
Here, she provides her thoughts on the local property market, how it has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and how businesses are dealing with the challenges they face.
Is your rented accommodation fit for purpose? What is the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018? Will Bartley outlines the new legislation on standards of rented accommodation.
The proposals for the UK Renters’ Reform Bill were announced during the Queen’s Speech in December 2019.Proposals included scrapping section 21 and a lifetime deposit scheme for tenants. Will Bartley explains all about it.
Reports emerged last week on estateagenttoday.co.uk about potential changes in the way property details are prepared. The initial report read: “First details have emerged of the information vendors may have to provide up-front In future...
Launched in February, the Frettens Client Portal has already received praise from a number of clients, who particularly like the user-friendly interface, as well as the security and simplicity of the software.
A 'share of the freehold' is a phrase which appears countless times in sales particulars up and down the country. What does this mean? The usual leasehold relationship Most flats and apartments are leasehold, which means that you will have a...
With the demand for land on the increase, many landowners are starting to think about how to make their land work for them, and an option agreement is one way of doing this. Option agreement An option agreement is a contract that gives a party the right to...
Buy-to-let landlords need to prepare themselves for changes to the Section 21 Notice coming into force next week. On 1st October 2018, all Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), regardless of their start date, will need to comply with guidelines as to when and...
Buy-to-let landlords and owners of holiday homes could face another stamp duty rate hike in the Autumn Budget to further curb the acquisition of second homes. It is rumoured that the Treasury is looking for fresh ways to raise money ahead of the Budget this...
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...
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...
Frettens Solicitors are delighted to announce that Michelle Petersen and Niki Adkins have been promoted to become Associates at the firm. Michelle Petersen Michelle Petersen has been at Frettens since 2014, initially in the Residential...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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...
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 welcome the latest Solicitor to join their ranks as Matt Collis becomes a member of the firm's Conveyancing Team . Matt joins Frettens having trained and qualified as a solicitor in...
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...
Buying a home is a huge financial commitment and can be daunting – especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Kym Brook , a Solicitor in our Conveyancing Team, outlines the steps you need to take when buying your first home . Find a property you...
Frettens Solicitors is delighted to welcome three new members of staff to their Property, Wills & Tax and Commercial Teams. Kym Brooks joins the Conveyancing Team . Kym is a dual qualified solicitor, having qualified in South Africa as an...
The tenure of a property relates to Land Laws and Land ownership. Simone Bayly is a Senior Paralegal in our Conveyancing Team. She has explained the different types of tenure and some of the considerations when buying a flat or house . Freehold When you...
A buy-to-let landlord has been ordered to pay just under £3,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of ‘harassing an occupier to give up the occupation of their premises’. The tenant had not paid their rent, so the landlord changed the...
Buying property at an auction can be a fairly stress free way to buy a property - one of the main advantages is the straight forward approach to the sale. The traditional route to buying usually takes around twelve weeks from the day an offer is accepted...
When two or more people buy a property together, there are two forms of ownership for the property which co-owners should consider. Joint Tenants When the co-owners are both named on the title deeds, they can hold the property as joint tenants. This means...
It is widely being reported in the news today that leaseholds on new build houses could be banned, and ground rents dramatically reduced, under government plans which are subject to consultation. In February this year, we reported that reported that about...
As the size of deposits required for property purchases increases, it’s not surprising that many first time buyers need help from their parents or family members to achieve the required amount. However, the combination of family members and large sums...
Rent arrears are a real concern for UK landlords as it can have a significant impact on their ability to pay their mortgage. Fresh research by the Residential Landlords Association shows that 28% of landlords have experienced rent arrears in the past 12...
The government has created a number of Help to Buy schemes aimed at helping people to take steps to buy their own homes. Some of the names are similar and ambiguous; clients calling for a conveyancing quote often get confused, so Clare Hallett ,...
A short video article featuring Lease Extension Specialist, Niki Adkins , outlining the options for someone wishing to extend the lease on their flat or apartment. For more information read our lease extension page. If you would...
Frettens are delighted to welcome two new Solicitors to their Residential Conveyancing Team. Sarah March-Paschal is a Conveyancing Solicitor with Conveyancing experience largely in the Poole and Bournemouth area, as well as additional...
In September 2016 the Land Registry had reported that since 2009 they had “prevented frauds on over 200 applications representing properties valued in excess of £92 million.” Although Land Registry have reported that property fraud...
A conveyancing trade body is stepping up efforts to highlight concerns over leasehold properties with fresh guidance for consumers. The Conveyancing Association, which has long called for leasehold legislation to be reformed, has designed a guide to...
Niki Adkins is a Leasehold Specialist at Frettens who helps clients to extend their lease on their apartment or to buy the freehold. She has put together this Q&A as a starting point for any property owners who are considering this. Q. What Is A...
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners, or ALEP, is an association of organisations experienced in the residential leasehold sector. All member firms are rigorously vetted so that members of the public can be confident that they have...
After lots of uncertainty, on 23 February 2017 the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) finally published their guidance on how the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) will apply to commercial property. From the 1st April...
Frettens Solicitors are delighted to announce the appointment of Niki Adkins to their Commercial Property Team. Niki joins from a Salisbury firm where she was head of the Leasehold Property Team. Niki joins Frettens at a time when they are expanding...
Following discussions at its ‘Modernising Conveyancing’ Conference, the Conveyancing Association, the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has announced it will set out a template for the future and produce a list of actions all...
It is uncommon to come across rentcharges, but the recent case of Roberts v Lawton illustrates the harsh nature of the powers granted to rentcharge owners and the risks to a land owner of ignoring the rentcharge. What is a rentcharge? A rentcharge is a...
The Deregulation Act came in on 1st October 2015 and made changes which affect whether a landlord can serve a valid Section 21. All tenancies that began on or after that date, including renewals are affected. Statutory periodic tenancies are not if the fixed...
The Government has recently announced that the Help to Buy Mortgage Scheme will not continue to operate after the end of the year. The scheme which was unveiled in 2013, offered first time buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with a Government backed...
The Bank of England recently cut the base rate for the first time in more than seven years, reducing it from 0.5% to a new low of 0.25%. The base rate is the Bank of England's official borrowing rate, which influences what borrowers pay. For those who...
We were warned by the UK Treasury that house prices would be hit by Brexit. Prior to Britain voting in the referendum, the UK Treasury said that house prices could crash between 10% - 18%. Now, after the British electorate voted to leave the European...
The housing bubble has burst, analysts have said, after sellers started slashing money off their asking prices and accepting offers up to 10 per cent less than when the property was listed. According to Zoopla, the average discount on the original price of...
When buying a property, one of the aspects you should be wary of is whether the main road to which the property fronts is adopted by the Local Authority. Unadopted roads refer to roads which do not have to be maintained by the Highway Authority under the...
In order to identify what properties are covered by Flood Re we need to understand how it works. How does it work? In brief Flood Re is a non-profit scheme designed for specific task over a specified period of time that allows insurers to insure...
Since 2000 there has been a series of voluntary agreements between the Association of British Insurers and the Government that has made flooding insurance widely available to households at high risk of flooding. However these agreements did not cover the...
Squatters. How do you prevent this happening? How do you remove them if it does? Don’t despair it is possible to evict squatters and regain your property. Squatters are people who do not have a right to be in your property. There is no legal definition...
The Government has announced that higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will come into effect from 1 April 2016. Higher rates will affect additional residential purchases such as buy to let properties and second homes which will be subject to an...
Flooding causes concerns to landowners, buyers and tenants alike, even more so now that we are increasingly aware of the impact frequent and deep flooding has on property and the lives of those it affects. "It is therefore vitally important, when...
It’s been a boom time for the rental sector, 40% more people now live in rented accommodation than in 2006. Michelle Hayter , Dispute Resolution Partner says, "Arguably there has never been a better time to be a landlord but problems can...
Having decided to search for a new home, here are a few tips on what to check out:- Heating and Electrics – you are about to spend an awful lot of money on your new property. Check the boiler and electrics because what could be worse than moving...
If you are a residential landlord you will be obliged to check that a tenant or lodger can legally rent your property from you for any new tenancy granted from 1st February 2016.. This will be done by inspecting original documents which entitle the tenant to...
You might be surprised to hear that January is a buoyant time for the housing market. Rightmove, who had over a million visitors to their website on Christmas day 2014, say that on the first working day of January 2015 nearly three million people visited...
The surprise announcement in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement of an extra 3% charge on Stamp Duty for buy to let homes has met with an angry reaction from landlords and letting agents. Mr Osborne is hoping the new charge will raise £1billion by...
SECTION 21 NOTICES The Basics : For all tenancies beginning on or after 1 October 2015, landlords will not be able to serve a section 21 notice within the first four months of the tenancy. From 1 October 2018 this will affect all tenancies. The...
Rules on sub-letting in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) are clear – as a landlord you can simply refuse your tenant permission to sub-let. Most residential landords have a clause written into their rental agreement to this effect. An important reason...
Judging the right time to acquire a buy to let property is tricky but with the Government’s new pension reforms that come into effect this month, savers will have unprecedented access to their nest egg. There will be the freedom to seek out...
Prospective house buyers are waiting for the outcome of the election before deciding to move house. The March report by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has found that demand for property is at the lowest level it has been for a year. Housing...
The Prime Minister’s announcement last December that first time buyers will be eligible for a 20% discount on new homes is still under consultation while the exact details of the scheme are worked out. The Government has confirmed that the initiative...
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last December, which made radical reforms to the Stamp Duty system has helped boost the middle market and encourage prospective home buyers. Figures released by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAES) show...
Guidance issued recently by the Home Office has said that people can be fined up to £2,500 and face criminal prosecution under new antisocial behaviour laws, for failing to control the spread of Japanese Knotweed in their gardens. This invasive plant...
The Government have announced that with effect from 4 December 2014, SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) for residential property is now going to be calculated differently. It will be charged at different rates depending on the portion of the purchase price that...
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. ...
A Transfer of Equity is when the ownership of equity is changed. This is most common when a property is jointly owned and there has been a relationship breakdown. The person who is leaving the property is removed from the Deeds, or they transfer their share...
Natural England have recently launched a new online tool to help Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), developers and ecologists assess whether a proposed development is likely to impact negatively on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The Impact...
“Buying a house is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make and in these uncertain times it has certainly become more difficult for a lot of people”, says Conveyancing Executive Charlene Rimmer . Co-ownership...
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, making this area quite confusing. There are...
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) who regulate residential mortgages in the UK have been reviewing the market over the last few years to make sure that it works well for consumers. The process was called the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) and is due to be...
The exact line of a legal boundary is often left unclear in conveyancing. Trying to describe it exactly without precise measurements and accurate large scale plans can be problematic. For example, a boundary may be marked by a physical boundary, which may be...
It is quite normal for boundary definitions set out in the conveyance or transfer deed for your property to be inaccurate, particularly in older properties. The Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 rectified this to a certain extent although dimensions found on...
The recent spate of storms that have devastated parts of England have caused many problems for businesses. Through no fault of your own maybe your customers have been let down or suppliers have let you down. What are your obligations? The answer lies in your...
Property prices in Britain will increase more than expected in the next five years according to official figures released by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). These figures, which formed part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, indicate...
Here is an essential guide to make your moving day manageable: The dreaded utility provider calls: Council tax, gas, electric, water, sewerage, tv licence, phone, internet, tv, home insurance… You can make the calls after exchange, before...
Many of our clients wonder why we have to be so strict about money laundering. Charlene Rimmer , Conveyancing executive says,”At Frettens Solicitors we always endeavour to give our clients the best service and protect them from...
Buying a house is a massive investment and getting it just slightly wrong can be costly. Unless you have big savings, chances are you’re going to have to get a mortgage – a loan for buying a house. A mortgage is secured against the property which...
Good news for home buyers as the Government brings in phase two of the Help to Buy scheme three months earlier than planned. The first phase of the scheme was introduced in April and 7,000 people have already benefitted from this although it only applied to...
As the economy slowly makes its’ way towards recovery and house prices are reported to be on the rise, some conveyancing firms are seeing an increase in gazumping. Gazumping is when your offer to buy a house has been accepted by the seller, but then...
Malky Chaloner and Amy Leung have joined Frettens’ New Forest Offices, expanding the Wills & Tax and Conveyancing Teams. Malky is a solicitor in the Wills & Tax Team , working in both the Brockenhurst and New Milton...
The Growth and Infrastructure Bill received Royal Assent in April this year, introducing a number of reforms that will affect the planning application process. The measures are in theory intended to reduce red tape and make it easier for housing development...
The Partners and Conveyancing Team at Frettens are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist for the LFS Conveyancing Awards 2013. LFS (Law Firm Services Ltd) created an awards event in 2012 to recognise the outstanding work...
Chancel repair liability originated in ancient medieval law on people living in a parish on church land. They were obliged to contribute to the upkeep of the Chancel (the space around the altar). Conveyancing Partner David Walton says...
It is estimated that there are close to a million buy-to-let landlords in the UK and there are strict regulations which landlords must be aware of and adhere to. Michelle Hayter , of our Dispute Resolution Team, says “Most residential...
Employment Solicitor Paul Burton and Commercial Property Solicitor Kerry Houston-Kypta have both been promoted to Associate status at Frettens Solicitors. Paul joined Frettens in 2009 and specialises in both contentious and...
