Austins Solicitors Chiswick

26/07/2024

The project in Chester could boost the wellbeing of toddlers and elderly residents, say researchers

29/11/2023

25/12/2022

25/12/2022

The definition of a WOMAN is an Adult Human Female.
There are no ”alternative definitions” of the word WOMAN to include men, because men are never women. No human has ever changed s*x.
Women are adults, that are human & female.
The word WOMAN does not need to be replaced with insulting words & phrases such as “Bleeder” or “Black Birthing Bodies” or “Gestational Vessels” just to avoid hurting the feelings of lunatics & bullies who are trying to destroy language & force everybody else to pretend, comply & go along with a lie.

22/12/2022

JC nails it!

13/12/2022

Anabel Graetz has always known she had an interesting and unusual face. At the age of 80, it’s now paying the bills

02/05/2020

Are you Summer Sale Ready?

Despite the understandable changes necessitated by government guidelines to combat Covid 19, property transactions are still going ahead.

So this guide puts you in the best position to elevate yourselves above the competition.

Summer is the busiest time for property transactions. If you’re thinking of moving, are you
In addition use our legal checklists below to ensure you are summer sale ready.

Sales
1. Check the outstanding balance on any mortgages or loans related to your property and contents that will be included in the sale such as a new boiler, windows and shutters. Check if you qualify or need a mortgage holiday.

2. Gather together all your original paperwork especially for guarantees, warranties, planning permissions and building regulations.

3. Certificates of recent inspection for gas and electrical systems. Or arrange for authorised professionals to provide current reports prior to placing the property on the market.

4. Research local estate agents and be prepared to negotiate their commission and check if they offer online services including a virtual tour of the property for sale.

5. If you have a flat, contact your freeholder or managing agent to check your service charge account & ground rent are up to date.

6. Consider your timescales for moving. If it is less than 6-8 weeks special instructions may be needed.

7. Contact us for a fixed fee quote for our legal services, which will include a full breakdown of all related costs payable to third parties.

Purchases
1. Instruct an accredited law firm to act for you regarding the sale.

2. Instruct an independent financial advisor (not tied to one lender) for your mortgage needs.

2. Obtain a mortgage offer or at least in principle for a specific sum.

3. Check the date your mortgage offer expires. Usually 3- 6 months. After that your advisor may be able to extend it but only if the mortgage deal is still available. Under current circumstances lenders may extend the offer by 1-3 months but decided on each individual borrower’s circumstances.

4. Contact us to obtain a fixed fee quote for legal services, which will include the property related searches and stamp duty land tax calculation. The searches are specific to a borough and/or postcode and so the price may differ from borough to borough.

5. Stamp duty is calculated on the purchase price and also if it is a buy to let transaction.

6. Check if your mortgage lender has restrictions on who can be your solicitor. For example Austins is on the panel for Santander transactions.

7. Consider your timescales for moving. If it is less than 6-8 weeks special instructions may be needed.

8. Leasehold properties need at least 70 years left for a lenders to provide a mortgage.

9. If you are buying a flat have you factored in the annual service charges and ground rent?

Being summer ready is about prior planning and preparation. As a national Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited practice, we can assure you with a fair price for an efficient and professional service.

Contact us for further details.

02/05/2020

It is not quite Summer and the threat of frost isn’t quite past. However, now is the perfect time to review your finances and in particular your property and wills.

Wills
With a majority of working adults owning their own home, your will is the most important tax planning tool. It protects your beneficiaries and maximises the estate you can pass on.

So a professionally drafted will can assure your family, prepare for the future, reduce the tax burden and simplify your affairs.

Currently each person has an allowance of £325,000. So only your net estate (after mortgages, debts and liabilities) over £325,000 will attract inheritance tax at 40%. In Chiswick flats can sell for over £450,000.

However, from April 2017 there will be an additional allowance where your residence is inherited by close relatives. It will reduce the value of your estate by £100,000 in 2017. The allowance will increase each year by £25,000 until 2020 when it is worth £175,000. Like the main Inheritance Tax allowance of £325,00, this new allowance can be transferred between spouses and civil partners.

There will be conditions to the allowance that will need to be considered carefully when drafting your will. This become more essential if you have family trusts in place, more than one property or are considering downsizing.

Property
By far our largest investment, our home, is the cornerstone of our financial security. Increasingly we are using our home for a myriad of purposes and our service has developed to meet those needs.

In particular, professional legal planning and guidance is highly recommended if you are:

– extending your property
– negotiating a lease extension
– downsizing
– remortgaging
– converting to a Buy-to-Let
– transferring to relatives
We have extensive local knowledge of these popular transactions. We often offer fixed fees for your convenience and simplicity.

We can make the implementation of your choice a simple and clear process.

02/05/2020

From 24 March 2020 we will be doing telephone and video conferences instead of face to face meetings, in line with the current government guidelines. If you have a case in progress it will continue as normal, and we’ll send you an update by email, telephone or post