13
Apr 12

Rent Arrears

Thousands of tenants are in arrears with a growing number adding to the total each month. Almost 95,000 tenants were at least two months behind with their rent in the quarter up to the 31 March; an increase of 20% compared with 12 months ago.

Landlords are also putting more possession cases before the Court with the numbers of eviction orders granted up 9% this year. As more tenants struggle with their rent, we predict the number of serious arrears will have increased even more by the end of June. Read the rest of this entry »

9
Mar 12

HilliersHRW to sponsor the FSB Business Awards 2012

HilliersHRW who are long time members of the FSB are once again sponsoring the FSB Business Awards 2012 and in particular “The Business Person of the Year” award.

Paul Hillier says, “Having been associated with these awards I can see the benefit in terms of prestige and publicity for those businesses who enter because their staff and customers like the association of being connected to winners and even those who do not win come out of the process with a positive attitude for success which is no mean thing in these current times. A number of our own business clients are going to enter and I wish them luck”.

Mr Hillier will use much of his knowledge from dealing with businesses both large and small as a judge and has indicated he is looking forward to the awards night itself which is always a good night to be seen at and network.

6
Feb 12

New Law on Squatters

The Ministry of Justice have recently introduced an amendment to a Bill currently going through Parliament, which introduces a new criminal offence of squatting.  It is hoped that this new offence finally is going to help reduce the risk to owners of empty buildings posed by squatters.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2011 is a hefty document which adds to the encyclopaedia of criminal justice legislation that has been introduced in the last decade by various Governments.  The Bill imposes mainly administrative rules for the provision of legal aid, but tucked away at the end of the Bill is a new criminal offence which has got the interest of many property owners. Read the rest of this entry »

20
Jan 12

Is it really the lawyers fault for your insurance premium increase?

Yet again it is in the press how whiplash claims are driving up your insurance premium and that is the lawyers who are (somehow) responsible for this.   Do you believe this?   Really? Read the rest of this entry »

20
Jan 12

A Weapon in the War against Fraud - Contempt of Court Proceedings

Insurers are now sending out a loud message to all potential Claimants in that they are cracking down on the fraudsters who try to pursue a fraudulent personal injury claim.  More and more proven cases of fraud are resulting in contempt of court proceedings, which could result in prison sentences.   Read the rest of this entry »

20
Jan 12

First Time Buyer’s Stamp Duty Relief to end on the 24th March 2012

Since the 25th March 2010 First Time Buyers of residential property have been able to apply for Stamp Duty Land Tax relief if the consideration (money) passing for the property is £250,000.00 or less.

This applies where the buyer intends to live in the property and that it will be their main private residence.  This also only applies if any of the parties to the purchase have not previously owned property or land in the UK or anywhere else in the world.  This includes property purchased with someone else, ie., properties purchased as co-owners. Read the rest of this entry »

22
Dec 11

Clamping Down for Good

ROGUE WHEEL CLAMPERS BEWARE!

Many private Landlords operate wheel clamping in order to control unauthorised parking outside their premises such as blocks of flats, factories, etc.  This practice has long been carried out by unscrupulous wheel clampers; there are many stories of people being clamped and charged extortionate amounts for their vehicle to be released. Read the rest of this entry »

22
Dec 11

Unusual Compensation Claims from the 19th Century

Earlier this year the insurers, Aviva, had a trawl through their archives and came across from weird and wonderful compensation claims.

Some of the clearly more weird and wonderful claims found in Aviva’s archives whilst they were undertaking this task include : Read the rest of this entry »

19
Dec 11

Worried about Care Fees?

Will my family receive any inheritance or will it all go in paying for my care?

Clients often comment that they find the care system in England and Wales to be grossly unfair.

The question raised is why, when I’ve worked hard all my life, should I have to pay for nursing home care when those they don’t have anything and have lived off benefits all their lives get it for free? Read the rest of this entry »

24
Nov 11

Recovering legal costs via service charges

In the case of “Greening v Castlenau Mansions Limited” the Upper Tribunal had to decide whether the landlord could recover its legal costs through the service charges. Read the rest of this entry »