Yes, you need a solicitor to manage the transfer of the mortgage from one lender to another. While you can apply to remortgage without a solicitor, the transfer process requires a legal expert. Remortgaging refers to changing your mortgage provider…
Equity is commonly used to mean the amount of money a property owner has tied up in that property. It is often described as positive, meaning more money than when they brought the property if the price has gone up,…
Selling a shared ownership house or flat can be easier and faster than selling a fully owned property. However, the steps to do this are different, which can make the process confusing. Other processes are required depending on what share…
HM Treasury met earlier this week to discuss, amongst other things, the current Stamp Duty deadline of 31st March 2021. At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the UK housing market took an instant hit as investors…
By Amy Cornelius Stamp Duty Land Tax: Important changes to timescales for filing returns From 1 March 2019 the period of time to file a Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) return, and pay any SDLT due, will reduce from 30…
On our densely populated island, there is a pressing need for available land to be put to sensible use and, where restrictive covenants lurking in title deeds prevent that happening, they can be modified. In a case on point, a…
In the Autumn 2017 Budget, the government announced that it was granting relief from the higher rate in certain cases. The changes apply to transactions with an effective date (normally completion) of 22 November 2017 or later. In short, the…
From 22 November 2017 first time buyers paying £300,000 or less for a residential property will pay no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). First time buyers paying between £300,000 and £500,000 will pay SDLT at 5% on the amount of…
Taking legal advice when borrowing for any purpose is important, as a recent case in which a wife faced the possibility of the sale of her home when her husband was made bankrupt shows. When he faced financial difficulties in…
Disagreements between neighbours can usually be resolved with a little legal advice and goodwill on both sides. However, in one case where that sadly did not happen, a homeowner was left facing a six-figure legal costs bill after an abortive…
