How To Get More For Your Property

If you’re looking to sell your property but want to ensure you get the best possible valuation, you’re definitely n0t alone. Between December 2019 and December 2020, over 619,000 residential properties were sold, the government previously declared on gov.uk.

In order to achieve an excellent valuation, you’ll want to consider the following factors. Neglecting them can have far-reaching consequences, so even if you think they do not immediately apply to you, knowing what your buyer is looking for can be invaluable knowledge.

We’ve pulled together a few ways you can add value to your house courtesy of Andrewsandgregg.com

  1. Kitchen & bathrooms

When a buyer is researching a property, the first factors they will often look for are the number of bathrooms and the quality of the kitchen.

Whether the bathrooms are en-suite, how they are spaced out around the property, and how many there are will be taken into account, so it is important to be prepared. If you are looking to improve the valuation of your property, consider adding an extra bathroom if necessary, or turning an existing bathroom into an ensuite. Even a simple change can make all the difference.

As for the kitchen, ensure that appliances are modern, and the room has a bright, airy quality. As plenty of time is spent in the kitchen, you’ll want to make sure that it gives a great first impression. Even if the kitchen is not going to be furnished, making sure there is plenty of space and good access to adjoining rooms is a definite plus.

  1. Presentability and maintenance

One of the first tasks to undertake when preparing a property for valuation is ensuring it is properly cleaned. This extends to more than just removing clutter and taking out the rubbish, however. 

Make sure to keep a keen eye out for any potential signs of mould, mildew, or dampness. Often these can be indications of a much larger humidity or ventilation issue. Addressing this in advance can help you save time and money. If you can see it, so too can the person providing the valuation.

Presentability also extends to the outside of the property. If there is a garden, is it properly maintained? First impressions matter. The interior of the house can be lovely, however an unkempt exterior can leave a bitter taste in the mouth of your buyer.

  1. What is your properties’ unique selling point?

As the seller of a property, you want to capitalise on anything that can give you the edge, and increase its value. Consider what makes your property truly stand out.

Is it the open-plan design? The modern interior? Perhaps the traditional, historic furnishing? No matter what it is, large or small, it’s likely that your property has something truly special to offer. 

If you can find a way to highlight your properties’ unique selling point and make it the focal point, you’ll be on your way to achieving a better valuation for your property in no time.

Why startups fail

Many startups fail because they build a product without doing proper market research.

This can range from not getting the product right to not marketing it properly in terms of price position and competition.

It may also just be that the timing of the product launch is wrong with the market not quite being ready for your product.

Your market size could just be too small, which means you simply won’t make the revenue.

Legal mistakes

From neglecting the basics to the business structure there are numerous legal pitfalls for startups in the UK.

Crestlegal.com provides commercial legal services for businesses in the UK. They stress the importance of getting the right contracts and documents in place from the outset as well as seeking impartial legal advice.

A big factor that people often neglect is partnerships. There is a difference between trusting the people you were going into business with at the start of a project, compared with a few months or even years in. 

Boardroom disputes happen and things can escalate quickly, so having the right partnership agreements in place is essential from the start of the venture.

Businesses also need legal advice on structuring and setting up a business as well as common issues such as

  • Protecting your personal assets as well as the know how and ideas 
  • Legal documentation for hiring employees and creating the relevant contracts 
  • Getting funding
  • Creating business to business contracts with suppliers

There may also be legal issues with developing an idea or product. This might include legal challenges from bigger businesses who see you as competition.

Business model

The business model you choose allows you to to find a scalable way to get new customers and also to monetize customers that are existing.

Customers have a lifetime value and the cost of acquiring them must be significantly lower than their lifetime value.

The managers and founders

Common problem causing startups to fail is the strength of the management team and founding members. A weak management team can lead to a poor culture and also poor strategy going forward.

Partners and founders may also fall out or want to take the business in a different direction.

Cash flow problems

This one is kind of a biggy. Reducing expenses at the start of the Venture as much as possible can really help with cash flow, however raising cash is a big challenge for startups.

Finding the right investors and deciding on who they are and the amount that you need is a big factor in raising cash for a startups. Disharmony amongst investors could mean the money is pulled out or the investment withdrawn.

Marketing

Some call it witchcraft or some call it a vital part of your strategy. Leaving your marketing to the wrong people or investing the wrong amount can have a dramatic impact on the growth of your business. Marketing also plays a pivotal role in getting to know your audience and how to get there and attention. Ultimately marketing helps you grow your customer base.

According to growthgorilla.co.uk brand awareness plays a pivotal role in building trust in your brand positioning you as an expert and encouraging word of mouth.

For the top 20 reasons startups fail, see cbinsights.com.

What’s the best time of year to buy a home?

Buying a new home can be a time-consuming exercise. You need to look at the available homes, ensure they are inspected and get a great price. Buying a house within your budget can seem like an impossible task, but you can achieve that. You will, however, need to time your buy perfectly. Housing prices are affected by the number of available homes, the demand for those houses and the age of the house you are considering. The local market and the size of the home can also affect the pricing of your house. An interesting factor that influences housing prices is the time you decide to buy. The time you choose to buy your house can get you excellent discounts and ensure that you can afford your dream home.

What’s The Best Time Of Year To Buy A Home?

The best time of the year to buy a house is during the spring. People are open to selling their homes at this time because they can move. The market is very active, and you are likely to get a house within your budget. Bear in mind that with increased supply, prices may be slightly lower than when the supply is low, for instance, during winter. Realtors are open to negotiation during spring as they do not want to lose a client. Improved weather also puts people in a good mood and may help get you an excellent price. Bear in mind that many people put their properties on the market at the beginning of the year. By the time spring begins, buyers have more homes to choose from.

Summer Months

Summer is the second-best time to buy a house. You will, however, have to give up your holiday and go house hunting. That said, the housing market is slower in July and August, which can make it harder to find the right property to buy. However, when the market slows down, you may get a pocket-friendly price on the house you find.

December

Property markets slow down as December approaches. Few people want to move to a new house right before Christmas, as Robert Holmes notes. Homeowners will avoid putting their homes up for sale at this time. That said, research has shown that December 26 is one of the best days to buy a house. Real estate agents are eager to make a sale and will give serious buyers a discount of up to 1% on the home.

Robert Holmes goes on to point out that many people put their houses on the market in January. That is due to new year resolutions about making lifestyle changes and selling. Several sellers may have postponed moving before Christmas. Other people may be moving to a different town to start a new job and may need to sell their house. He argues that the housing market is cyclic, and prices keep rising and falling throughout the year. Timing your buy carefully will ensure that you get the house of your dream at an excellent discount. When you choose the time to buy a house correctly, you can get your dream home at a pocket-friendly price. Make sure that you purchase during the spring or summer months to get a house that is within your budget.

What rights do UK tenants have?

All tenants renting property from private landlords have certain rights which are protected under UK law. The extent of these rights depends on the type of tenancy agreement, as well as the location of the property within the UK. But broadly speaking, the rights themselves may be subdivided into the key sections itemized below:

Condition of the property

Firstly, all tenants have the right to inhabit a property that is safe and in good condition. Usually, that means a health and safety assessment will need to be undertaken before the property is rented out. This is applicable throughout all the countries of the UK

Unreasonable disturbances

You also have the right to live in the property without frequent and unreasonable disturbances from your landlord or other external elements. As above, this is applicable everywhere in the UK.

Protecting your deposit

The deposit paid to your landlord should be retained in a centralized tenancy deposit scheme. While these vary in name depending on where you live in the UK, their basic function is the same: to keep your deposit safe. All tenancy deposit schemes are approved by the government.

Energy consumption

As a tenant, you have the right to know the level of energy consumption for the property you are renting. Wherever you are based in the UK, you can request to see an Energy Performance Certificate.

Rent increases

It also your right to challenge any proposed rent increases made by your landlord if you find them to be unfair. For instance, if the increase is out of proportion when compared to other properties in the area, and there is no specified reason for the increase, then you would be within your rights to challenge it. In such cases, your dispute would likely be taken to a tribunal. Regardless of where you live in the UK, your best bet in this situation would be to consult with your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, as they will be well-equipped to guide you through the process.

Unfair eviction

You also have the right not to be unfairly evicted from a property. Typically, that means the landlord needs to provide you with sufficient notice and, in some cases, a specific reason for the eviction.

While your rights as a tenant are considerably different at a technical level depending on where you are in the UK, all of the above key areas are covered. If you are in doubt, your first recourse should be to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for further guidance.

What to do after a car crash

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, the last thing anyone wants to do is deal with the aftermath. It’s natural to be very emotional and scared about what might have happened to yourself or your loved ones.

The best thing that you can do at this point is to contact emergency services and hospital staff immediately and then make sure you and those traveling with you are safe. You’ve come away from the accident alive, and it’s important to give yourself some time to process what just happened and try to relax.

Once you’re safe, have been treated, make sure you contact a lawyer. They can help in two ways: they can help you receive compensation for your injuries; they can ensure you will be compensated for the damage done to your car.

Once you’ve done all of that, there are some things you should know before leaving the accident scene.

The first and most important thing to do is to write down everything that happens in the accident. Do not leave the area before writing down what happened from your point of view, who was involved, how fast you were going at the time of the accident etc. If you are able to get into your phone or camera and take pictures of the accident scene, make sure that you do so. This information could be useful later when insurance companies and law enforcement begin their investigations into what happened.

Once everything is taken care of, and you’re ready to leave, it’s important to discuss the accident with your insurance company. They may tell you that it’s in your best interest to leave the area before they arrive, as your presence may be interpreted as a sign that there could have been some fault on your part. It’s not in your best interest to leave the scene of an accident, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you do leave, be sure to call your insurance company on a secure line and inform them that you left and exactly why.

If you’re unsure of whether or not you should stay at the scene of the accident, consider whether or not there are any injuries involved. If someone has been injured in the crash, leaving would be considered abandonment. If no one is injured, you are allowed to leave, and you should make note that there is no one in need of emergency aid.

If you have been injured in an accident, it’s very important to get medical attention as soon as possible. Your insurance company can help you with this step and can provide advice on what to do next. If you weren’t injured but saw someone with extreme injuries at the scene of the crash, obtaining care could be considered a good move. However, waiting until the medical personnel arrives before seeking care for non-injury-related problems is probably a good idea if you aren’t injured. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, ambulances may not be able to provide service within a timely manner.

How much does a divorce cost?

Are you thinking of getting a divorce? You undoubtedly have numerous questions, one of them is how much does divorce cost. There are several aspects to consider while contemplating divorce. Nevertheless, most people consider divorce to be an expensive undertaking. However, divorce may also be inexpensive; it all depends on the parties divorcing.

What is the average cost of a divorce?

The cost of divorce might vary depending on several things. Divorce prices vary depending on several circumstances, including whether or not a lawyer is employed, the type of the divorce lawyer, and whether or not the divorce is challenged. Divorce, from a legal standpoint, is essentially the termination of a legal contract. For the procedure to be effective, papers must be completed and filed with the court.

For any paperwork handled by the court, a fee ranging from £550 to £1,500 VAT included is charged. If you want to hire a family lawyer, you can be certain that the cost will be more than £550, since there will be other expenses to consider. Each lawyer in the United Kingdom will charge their fees based on their terms. Divorce does not have to be costly if you do not wish for it to be. You may always compare lawyers’ legal fees and find one with whom you are comfortable working.

When solicitors are engaged, the cost might be confined to £5,000 to £10,000 plus VAT. However, if the divorce discussions fail, they will have to go to court, and the money paid to the solicitors will be little. This means that divorce costs will rise. Going to court is one thing; going for arbitration is quite another. You will have to pay for someone to make the ultimate decision on all of the discussions, which everyone must be happy within the end. Arbitration can never be appealed; instead, the parties must live with the conclusions made. Divorce court expenses can range from £10,000 to £15,000 plus VAT, depending on the methods utilized.

Mediation costs on average

Mediation is significantly less expensive than the significantly more expensive process. If the thought of litigating in court frightens you, it could be a better option to opt for mediation. A mediator will assist you in reaching an agreement but will not tell you what you must do. However, before and after the mediation process, both parties should consult legal counsel. However, the cost will constantly rise, especially if one decides to hire an attorney to safeguard their interests. The fee may also vary based on whether the mediation is completed completely or whether the divorcees must go to court.

The payment of the charge

The individual who gets to apply for the divorce must pay a nonrefundable cost of £550. You can, however, obtain assistance if you are unable to pay for your divorce via the government. There is always a box on the divorce form that you may check if you want your partner to pay the divorce fees, which you will get after the divorce is complete. Divorce is not an easy thing to face, and you can only do it where you reside, not where you married.

Renting Your Family Home? Here’s how to get your deposit back

Guest blog from Natasha Batty, Principal Solicitor at Natasha Hall Law.

How to get your deposit back

If your family has an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, then you could be eligible for a “no win, no fee” claim. Your family can also claim up to three times the amount of your original deposit. This applies to any form of family home accommodation from a private landlord.

At the start of your tenancy, once you legally hand over your deposit to your landlord, they have 30 days to put your deposit to one of the three authorised deposit protection schemes.

The purpose of these government-approved tenancy deposit schemes is to make sure that you get your deposit back, only if your family:

  • Meets the terms of your tenancy agreement.
  • Did not make any damages in the property.
  • Paid the necessary rent and bills.

Making a claim against a landlord

Your family is entitled to make a claim once your landlord fails to do one of the following:

  • Put your deposit to an authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme.
  • Send you any of the prescribed information within 14 days of receiving your deposit.
  • Send a written confirmation from a scheme administrator (where your deposit is being held).

Prescribed information

Prescribed information is information related to your tenancy. Your landlord is required to provide these details to your family, these are:

  • The amount of the deposit.
  • The property address.
  • The contact details of the scheme administrator (where your deposit is being held).
  • Procedures relating to the tenancy deposit scheme, e.g. when should the deposit be paid or repaid to the tenant at the end of the tenancy.
  • Contact details of your landlord and any other parties who have contributed to your deposit.

What will the impact of Brexit be on family law?

impact of Brexit on family law

Some of the potential problems with the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU) may be addressed by incorporating EU law into domestic legislation. This is not an ideal resolution, though, as it doesn’t address the requirement for reciprocity and cross border recognition of Family Law Orders.

Provisions for transitionary arrangements must be taken into great consideration to ensure legal certainty for families during the transition stage. Much more so in giving consideration to issues or concerns affecting those engaged in family law proceedings, specifically those who are negotiating and legislating in advance of Brexit.

With the freedom of movement and of residence (right of every citizen of the Union to move and reside freely within the territory of the member states) in place, it means that there are nearly 4 million EU citizens living in the UK and around 1.5 million UK citizens living in the EU.

If, for example, a couple who are citizens of one member state but are currently living in another member state gets divorced, the issue of which country they get divorced in is governed by the EU Council. Various European instruments are applicable to when such couples get divorced.

In accordance with Regulation 2201/2003 (also known as “Brussels II A” or “Brussels II bis”), there is a race to the court called the “Lis Pendens” rule. The rule holds that the first party in time to issue proceedings at court secures the jurisdiction for their divorce in a particular country. The law only works because of reciprocity between all EU member states.

UK and EU

In accordance with the EU Maintenance Regulation (Council Regulation 4/2009), a framework for jurisdiction and enforcement of maintenance awards between the EU member states should be provided. In some instances, couples may also agree in advance where any dispute about maintenance should be decided upon.

 Same-sex couples

There are already existing issues and concerns within EU countries when it comes to the great jurisdictional difference between same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. With Brexit in place, this issue will further be exacerbated specifically for those couples who are looking to leave the EU.

Domestic violence

The current EU regulation provides protection to victims of all ages from domestic abuse. Individuals are ensured that they will be able to receive protection orders to be recognized and introduced across the EU. With Brexit in place, this approach across the EU will no longer be relevant and each country should be able to have their own requirements and laws relating to domestic violence.

What is the Children’s Act?

Children's Act

The Children Act 2004 holds:

The interests of children and of young people are substantial when taking safeguarding and welfare into account.

It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard children.

Safeguarding children and young people is achievable through the improvement of their:

  • health;
  • education and development;
  • safety; and
  • economic circumstances.

In accordance to the guidelines enacted by the Children Act 2004, people specifically working closely with children should be able to determine how a child should be taken care of, regardless if they are in an educational or non-educational environment.

The purpose of this Act is to make the UK a safe environment for children by creating a Children’s Commissioner—in which each local authority will need to appoint a director for children’s services. In line with this, the government may create electronic records for each and every child in England, Scotland, and Wales to centralize tracking of children in different local authorities and government services.

For professional advice on laws affecting children, contact Sanders Witherspoon.

The principles of the Act focuses on:

  • allowing children to be healthy;
  • helping children to be happy and enjoy their lives;
  • allowing children to be safe in their environment;
  • helping children succeed;
  • helping children achieve economic stability for their future; and
  • helping to make a positive contribution to the lives of the children.

Generally, the Act is prioritizing the wellbeing of children. If in case a child suffered from maltreatment, it is a must to let it be known to relevant local authorities. In several areas of the Act, it is emphasized that inter-agency cooperation is a must when dealing with matters relating to the welfare of children. This element of the Act particularly ensures that when an agency becomes aware of a child’s maltreatment, other agencies that might be of help in protecting the child will also be informed.

Children’s Trusts

The Act also deals with agencies that were set up independently of Health and Social Services together with government agencies wherein there’s an introduction of extended cooperation between agencies, teachers, parents, guardians, and children. This is to prevent dismissal of intervention coming from outside sources.

Children’s Funds

The Act also made a provision for a Children’s Fund designed to help or assist in eliminating poverty and financial struggles of children and their families who aren’t privileged enough because of their financial situation and capabilities.