Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors

Right to Buy discount extended

DGooch — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:22:19 +0000

The government has confirmed the extension of the right to buy discount to up to £75,000 for social housing tenants.

People who have lived in a council house for five years, could receive a 35 per cent discount, with an extra one per cent for each added year up to the maximum of £75,000.

NewBuy Scheme launched

DGooch — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:19:01 +0000

The launch of this new government initiative will mean that both existing and first time buyers will be eligible to use a 95 per cent mortgage to purchase a new home.

The builders and the government will be the co guarantors of the scheme which is supported at the moment by Barclays, Nat West & Nationwide.

Stamp duty concession to end soon

DGooch — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:21:23 +0000

Unless the government decides to extend it – the concession which applies to first time buyers on Stamp Duty Land Tax will cease on the 24th of March.

It remains to be seen whether this will be extended to keep some momentum behind the housing sector, this does seem unlikely – but we all live in hope !

Increased qualifying period for Unfair Dismissal

DGooch — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:08:56 +0000

Subject to parliamentary approval the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase from one to two years. This is expected to come into force on the 6th of April 2012.

It will also increase the qualifying for entitlement to written reasons for dismissal, also from one year to two years.

The changes will not affect those employees whose period of continuous employment begins before the 6th of April 2012.

These measures were originally announced as part of a wide ranging initiative to improve business confidence and boost economic growth.

Clarke announces delays to reforms

DGooch — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:45:01 +0000

The government has postponed the implementation of its legal aid reforms by six months.

In a written ministerial statement today, justice secretary Kenneth Clarke said the government will push back a consultation on crime tendering from late-2011 until autumn 2013, taking account of changes such as the advent of alternative business structures, in addition to the legal aid reforms.

Implementation of ‘all’ the highly controversial legal aid reforms currently going through parliament will be pushed back six months, from October 2012 to April 2013.

Find a Buyer Quickly

DGooch — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:10:57 +0000

This is an extract of Graham Ireland’s response to a question in his regular Telegraph column.

The most important factor is price – start at a realistic level – remember its a buyer’s market – so ask for plenty of professional advice and ask for supporting evidence in support.

Make the property attractive – most buyers have already made a decision not to buy within the first minute. Its a good idea to get a good friend or family member to cast a critical eye to highlight anything you have missed.

So tidy that front garden, buy a few plants, consider painting the outside windows, give that tired looking front door a new lease of life. Remember first impressions count.

Smells – even unpleasant or stale odours can put people off – so bake some bread or put a pot of coffee on !

Be aware of the impact of stamp duty charges when negotiating – if its close to a threshold it can make a big difference.

Finally be prepared to be patient & good luck.

David Cameron vows to ” get Britain building”

DGooch — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:10:44 +0000

Buyers of new homes will be able to to borrow up to 95% of their value as part of plans Cameron says will help get “Britain building again”.

The mortgage indemnity scheme, in which the government will underwrite part of the risk to lenders, could help up to 100,000 people in England. The proposal should enable lenders to provide mortgages of up to 95% to would be buyers – most of whom are expected to be first-time purchasers – supported by government guarantees.

The initiative is expected to start in July 2012.

Right to Buy discounts

DGooch — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:18:39 +0000

Right to buy discounts are to be increased in a bid to raise the scheme’s popularity and rejuvenate the housing stock, Prime Minister David Cameron has promised. Following Cameron’s announcement at the Conservative conference, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has pledged that for every council house bought under the right to buy scheme, a new affordable home will be built – over and above the government’s existing plans. In a statement, CLG said: “Every additional pound generated by the sales will be invested in paying down the debt associated with that property and on building new housing for affordable rent.”

Major Investment Grant for Burnley Bridge Business Park

DGooch — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:20:08 +0000

Grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund has been confirmed for the 70 acre site adjacent to Junction 9 of the M65.

When completed the Business Park will be able to offer up to 650,000 sq ft of mixed use Commercial Buildings.

Boost to local economy with fast rail link go-ahead

DGooch — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:25:05 +0000

Over £8m. of Government money is coming to East Lancashire.

The long-awaited cash boost will bring a faster rail link between Burnley and Manchester with the reinstatement of the Todmorden Curve length of track near Cliviger.

The news could lead to 1,000 new jobs being created over the next decade and boost the redevelopment on the Weavers Triangle.

The Government has approved an £8.8m. bid for the two linked projects from its Regional Growth Fund that helps create economic growth and new jobs. The cash means another step towards a direct rail link between Burnley and Manchester and halve current journey times to 45 minutes.