The Coronavirus Bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords and it is hoped that it will be finalised later today. Under the proposed legislation, private landlords can continue to serve notice on tenants seeking possession of their rented properties under section 21 Housing Act 1988, but the notice period has now
HMRC published the first official guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on 26 March 2020. We have summarised the key points from the guidance below. Eligibility 1) The Scheme is open to all UK employers that operated a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 28 February 2020. 2) Claims cannot be submitted on behalf
The Government announced plans late last week to introduce emergency legislation with the primary aim of protecting individuals and families in rented accommodation who are affected by coronavirus. It was thought that the emergency legislation would introduce a complete prohibition on possession proceedings (ie eviction proceedings) for a period of three months whilst the country
The Government is introducing emergency legislation with the primary aim of protecting individuals and families in rented accommodation who are affected by coronavirus. This legislation follows the introduction of “mortgage payment holidays” of up to three months for struggling homeowners, and a similar scheme has now been replicated for landlords with buy-to-let mortgages in order
The announcement that the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn are to divorce has thrown the media spotlight on to pre-nuptial agreements. It was widely reported that the separation is amicable with the couple agreeing to share custody of their two children. The apparent goodwill in their approach led to widespread speculation that
A group of MPs have called for root and branch reforms of the inheritance tax system, including a cut in the standard rate from 40% to 10%. They also want to scrap most of the current tax reliefs, including the seven-year rule that allows you to pass on wealth without any tax implications. Instead, the
A digital questionnaire designed to make home moving ‘cheaper, quicker and less stressful’ is now being tested in a pilot scheme. The Buying and Selling Property Information (BASPI) has been developed by the Home Buying and Selling Group, an organisation made up of property specialists including solicitors, estate agents and mortgage advisers. The idea is
People who were overcharged for registering Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) in the past have just under a year left to claim a refund. A total of £54.8m is due to be repaid, but according to a report in the Sunday Times, only £14.2m has so far been claimed. LPAs enable you to nominate someone
A secretary who resigned after her managing director said she wouldn’t employ someone because she was black has won her claim of unfair dismissal. Caroline Hobbs worked for Avon Care Homes from November 2015 until she resigned without notice in April 2018. This followed an employment search for a new care home manager in which
The government has published its new bill designed to reform divorce law and “remove the need for separating couples to blame one another for the breakdown of their marriage”. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill represents the biggest shake-up of divorce laws in half a century and aims to reduce the impact that allegations of