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| Intestacy Rules Change Comes Into Force |
| On 1 February, the increases in the statutory legacy for married couples and civil partners whose spouse or civil partner dies without leaving a Will came into force. The new levels will increase from £125,000 to £250,000 where there is a surviving spouse or civil partner and child, and from £200,000 to £450,000 where there is a surviving spouse or civil partner and parents or siblings, but no children.
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| Great News for First Time Buyers!!!! |
| With interest rates now at their lowest since the central bank was founded more than 300 years ago (Guardian 8 January 2009), and property prices at their lowest since Spring of 2005 (Nationwide December Press Release), there has been no better time for first time buyers to take their first step onto the property ladder.
Also with interest rates at an all time low, it is an optimum time for cash investors to break into the property market as personal savings will be accruing nominal interest in savings accounts.
So why not take advantage of our exclusive first time buyer offer. Watkins Stewart & Ross will deal with your conveyancing and take the stress out of your first move for just £275 plus VAT (an additional £100.00 plus VAT will be charged if you are having a mortgage, and there will be an additional charge for leasehold properties, disbursements not included). This fee includes dealing with Land Tax procedures for HM Revenue and Customs, ID checks and registration formalities with the Land Registry for which some other firms may make additional charges.
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| Selling? HIPS for Free!!!!! |
| If you agree to instruct Watkins Stewart & Ross for the conveyancing for your property sale, we will undertake the work necessary to complete the Home Information Pack to allow you to place your property on the Market with no charge for our professional services. All we will require from you is a cheque to cover the searches and other components required to compile the pack (if you choose to use another firm for your conveyancing, or decide to take your property off the market, then we will charge a fee of £100 plus VAT).
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| SPLINTA |
| This firm is a member of and supports the work of SPLINTA - Seller's Pack Law is not the Answer. This campaign is supported by nearly 2,000 firms of Estate Agents, Surveyors and Solicitors/Conveyancers in England and Wales representing some 4,000 offices. The campaign, although appreciating the need for change, voices the concerns of those who work within the residential property market to the introduction by the Government of Home Information Packs and puts forward what it considers to be more efficient and workable solutions to the current problems of buying and selling property in England and Wales. For more information please visit www.splintacampaign.co.uk.
Whilst we as a firm support the work of SPLINTA, we appreciate the law as it currently stands in relation to Home Information Packs and are pleased to offer an efficient and cost-effective Pack for our clients. For more information on our Home Information Pack service please go to the link on Residential Property Services.
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| Our People - Hazel Oliver |
| Hazel Oliver has recently passed Year 1 of the two year Diploma course 'Qualification in Land Registration Law and Practice' which is run by H.M. Land Registry and the College of Law. She is now beginning the study of the Year 2 subjects. Students have to complete and pass four assignments and a final examination during each year of the Diploma course. Hazel is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives working in the firm’s Commercial and Residential Property Departments |
| Our People - Sarah Simpson |
| We are pleased to announce that Sarah Simpson qualified as a solicitor in March of this year following completion of her training contract, having previously passed all relevant exams. Sarah is a member of our Residential Property Department. |
| Energy Performance Certificates |
| The Government has announced the phased roll out of the requirement for Energy Performance Certificates across commercial properties for sale, rent or construction as follows:-
Commercial Buildings
over 10,000 sq. m - 6th April 2008
Commercial Buildings
over 2,500 sq. m - 1st July 2008
All other Commercial
Buildings - 1st October 2008 |
| Home Information Pack (HIP) |
| On 22nd November 2007 the Government announced that all properties put on the market for sale from 14th December 2007 in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack (HIP). Three and four bedroom properties have required a HIP for some time but, this announcement now extends the requirement to cover the whole of the market.
If you are thinking of selling your home contact us before you put it on the market with your agent and our property experts will be able to prepare your HIP for you to comply with the new regulations. |
| Supporting SGRs Operation Santa Claus |
| In 2007 we continued with our support of SGRs Operation Santa Claus live radio auction. We donated a voucher worth £200 to cover (or as a contribution towards) the legal costs for the preparation of a pair of mirror Wills, plus another voucher to cover a first time buyer’s legal costs for a standard property transaction (excluding disbursements) up to a purchase price of £200,000.
This very successful annual live radio auction raises money to support local charities.
If you are one of the successful bidders we look forward to meeting and assisting you. |
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