News archive: April 2021

• A neighbour has caused my property to flood. What can I do?
  Posted on April 20, 2021
  The risk of flooding in England and Wales is increasing year on year and exposing millions of homeowners to the possibility of property damage and the consequent misery that this causes. In some cases, there is nothing you can do but try to claim on your insurance, assuming that you have managed to get cover in place.
  Read more...
• Can we finalise our divorce before the house is sold?
  Posted on April 12, 2021
  For the majority of people, their most significant asset is the family home. So, it is not surprising that when it comes to dealing with the financial consequences surrounding divorce, questions about what will happen to the matrimonial home are usually top of the list.
  Read more...
• Employee, worker or self-employed? Comparing status and rights
  Posted on April 9, 2021
  The statutory definitions of the three categories of employment status have long been criticised as being unclear, and over the years a body of case law interpreting these definitions has grown up. Despite this, it remains difficult to set out a definitive list of criteria to allow employers or employees to determine whether an individual’s status is that of employee, worker or self-employed.
  Read more...
• Mind the risk gap - best practice when using subcontractors
  Posted on April 7, 2021
  Whether you are planning on using subcontractors for a one-off project or on a long-term basis, there are several steps you can take to safeguard both your business and business relationships.
  Read more...
• Resolving a commercial lease dispute in a recession
  Posted on April 7, 2021
  With the UK economy currently in the deepest recession since records began, disputes between landlords and tenants are beginning to rise as pressure mounts on commercial occupiers to find ways to diversify and slash overheads in order to survive post-Covid.
  Read more...
• Site assembly for commercial development
  Posted on April 6, 2021
  If you have a great idea for developing a piece of unused land, you may find that you need to get control of some neighbouring property to provide access or just to make the development large enough to be financially viable. Assembling a site can be time-consuming, so it helps if you know what to expect before you start.
  Read more...
• Buying your first home with a small deposit
  Posted on April 1, 2021
  According to the Bank of England, the biggest issue for most first-time buyers is insufficient savings. Last year saw a sharp jump in the average amount of a deposit required to get a mortgage, with some people having to provide a deposit equivalent to a full year’s salary.
  Read more...