25th February 2018
Students at Dawlish Community College took part in a musical marathon last weekend.
This year’s theme for the 24-hour event was time travel – and both participants and audience members were invited to go along in fancy dress! The music started at 12.45pm on Friday 23 February, and the final notes faded away at the same time on Saturday. It was a marathon session, with pupils performing during six four-hour slots – no breaks, just continuous music played by talented students enjoying the opportunity to showcase their skills.
Now in its fifth year, the 24-hour concerts have raised money for charity and the college. This year’s charity is Nayamba School – an Exminster-based charity which supports a primary school in Zambia ( www.nayambaschool.org ). It’s a free school established on a farm to provide education for children of those working on local farms. It has grown over the years and now has nine classrooms as well as a pre-school, kitchen and library space for around 290 pupils. Money raised from the concert will be split equally between the school and to help fund Expressive Arts within Dawlish Community College.
Helen Clegg, Senior Solicitor at Gilbert Stephens, was especially looking forward to the concert because her son, Oliver, took part. “We’ve been listening to Oliver practise for so long now it was delightful to hear him, alongside so many other musical students, actually play during the concert! It was exhausting, especially for those playing during the night and early morning, but there was such a huge amount of enthusiasm among students and teachers alike and I’m hoping the total amount raised will match their effort”
24th February 2018
If the term under your lease is running out it may be possible to extend it either by agreement with your landlord or by obtaining an extension if you have the legal right to do so under statute. This may involve a survey and an increase in rent following completion of the extension as well as a payment to your landlord and paying his and your own legal costs.
23rd February 2018
If you own a freehold property you own the property outright and do not have to pay maintenance costs or rent to a landlord under a lease. If you own a leasehold property and this particularly applies to flats you own the property for a fixed number of years under a lease which expires at some point in the future. It may be possible to extend the lease before that time.
23rd February 2018
On Wednesday, 21st February, Gilbert Stephens Solicitors hosted the YMCA Exeter at their Exeter office to help raise awareness for the YMCA Sleep Easy event on 10-11th March.
Sleep Easy Exeter is taking place in the grounds of historical Barnfield Crescent and is an opportunity to support more young people in finding a safe place to call home and in accessing the tools they need to rebuild their lives. Last year, a young person was made homeless every hour in England and hundreds of young people spent at least one night on the streets. The YMCA Exeter are taking part in this year’s national YMCA Sleep Easy Week where thousands of people across England and Wales will be getting sponsored to spend just one night sleeping outside in order to raise vital funds for their local YMCA.
The YMCA set up an interactive display giving staff the opportunity to learn more about the work the YMCA do through stories from those they have helped. Jamilah Evans said “It was humbling learning the stories of some of those helped by YMCA Exeter, and inspiring to see how many have rebuilt their lives. It proves just how valuable the work of YMCA Exeter is. We are very happy to be able to support them and the Sleep Easy event.”
Find out how you can join the Sleep Easy event here
21st February 2018
If at or approaching retirement age or it may be possible for you to release equity in your property by taking out a Mortgage under an Equity Release Scheme. As interest rates are high careful consideration must be given before proceeding with such a Scheme to ensure it suits your needs and requirements. Usually, however, this means you will obtain a cash sum or income which will not be repayable until you move out or the property is sold. We are able to deal with all conveyancing aspects of such a Mortgage.
20th February 2018
Help to Buy Loans may involve first time buyers and existing owners being loaned money to buy a newly built home to live in but the purchase price must be no more than £600,000 and buyers must have at least 5% to contribute towards the price. The loan would be no more than 20% of the purchase price and made by the Government. The remainder could be obtained from a mortgage lender such as a Bank or Building Society.
Help to Buy ISAs are available from many Banks and Building Societies and used by first time buyers whose savings are boosted up to 25% so for every £200 saved a buyer obtains an additional £50 but up to a maximum of £3,000 for each buyer.
Our conveyancing team are able to assist with the draw down of monies as part of the conveyancing process which is in the case of loans is more complicated than for a normal conveyancing transaction due to the procedures which need to be followed.
Read more on our Help to Buy page.
– Jane Gawn, Partner, Head of Department, Property
19th February 2018
The abolition of stamp duty for purchases up to £300,000 has been a bonus for first-time buyers and has had some impact on the market generally. No doubt this will increase as more properties are put on the market in February and March.
18th February 2018
Normally the deposit is held by a third party under a Designated Deposit Scheme and should be refunded to the tenant when the tenancy comes to an end. In cases when it is not or there is difficulty in obtaining the refund there is a Dispute Resolution Scheme. If this does not result in a refund then it may be necessary for the tenant to go to Court but approach a solicitor first to ensure this is the best step to take.
17th February 2018
The landlord must comply with statutory requirements which include placing any deposit paid under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy with a Designated Deposit Scheme, ensure gas and electricity installation complies with current Building Regulations, fitting of smoke alarms and ensuring any furniture left at the property complies with current safety standards. The landlord is also responsible for insuring the property and can produce a copy of the insurance policy if required by the tenant.
15th February 2018
There are different considerations when buying a business property due to the nature of the purchase, which could include the assigning of a commercial lease or the purchase of equipment or the goodwill of a business. VAT and stamp duty are treated in a different way and there are different standard conditions used. Generally it is more expensive to purchase a business property although there is a certain overlap, particularly if a freehold property is involved.
