Understanding the intricacies of probate can be a complicated business – particularly when applied to a property following the death of a loved one. What are the things to consider, and pitfalls to avoid, when…
Stamp duty holiday extended in Wales until 30th June
The latest news to affect home buyers is that the Welsh government has extended its stamp duty holiday – in Wales called a land transaction tax (LTT) – on residential properties until the end of…
Why boundary disputes arise and how to avoid them
A boundary dispute can arise for many different reasons and can often result in a long, drawn-out disagreement between neighbours. In this article, Peter Morgan, managing partner at Hutchinson Thomas, explains how disputes can arise…
Lifetime ISAs: key points for first time buyers of new homes
What are lifetime ISAs? Lifetime ISAs (individual savings account) can be used to buy your first home or for savings later in life, such as retirement. To open a lifetime ISA account, you must be…
Japanese knotweed: a warning to landowners
Japanese knotweed is notorious for how difficult it is to eradicate, with it often taking years of treatment to remove the plant. It is fast growing through its underground roots (or rhizomes) and can block…
Law firm boosts property department with two hires
Welsh law firm Hutchinson Thomas has appointed two solicitors to its property team. The law firm, which operates from Neath and Swansea, recently welcomed Jemma Collins and Jacqui Jones to the business, who are both…
What the changes to stamp duty mean for first time buyers of shared ownership properties
Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced during the 2018 budget that first time buyers in shared ownership homes will no longer have to pay stamp duty land tax on the first £300,000 of homes that cost up…
The little-known property law that can prevent you getting a mortgage
Existing and would-be homeowners have been warned that a little-known conveyancing law could prevent them securing a mortgage on a property – and affect its marketability when they sell. Adrian Morley, a specialist in residential…
Why new energy laws may slash the value of your property
Many homeowners and landlords are unaware that new laws designed to make homes and commercial premises more energy efficient could have a negative impact on the value of their properties, Rob Howells, a specialist in…
A Guide for First Time Buyers’
When I say to my first-time buyer clients, “I know how you feel”, I really do. After three years of working in the Property department, I am now taking the plunge myself of being a…