The Stamp Duty Land Tax
Threshold reverts to purchase transactions over £125,000.00 on 1st January 2010 for purchase transactions.

SDLT rates on purchase transactions are as follows:
Transactions over £125,000.00 up to £250,000.00 at the rate of 1%
Transactions over £250,000.00 up to £500,000.00 at the rate of 3%
Transactions over £500,000.00 at the rate of 4%

The VAT Standard Rate
Reverts to 17.5% on 1st January 2010.

Revised Lasting Power of Attorney
Forms came into effect on 1st October 2009

Home Information Packs (HIPs)
From 6th April 2009 these require a Property Information Questionnaire, searches and Energy Performance Certificate before the house can be put on the market. Ask us for further details and we will prepare a Pack for you and assist with the completion of the new PIQ form.

Lasting Powers of Attorney
Introduced 1 October 2007 replacing Enduring Powers of Attorney

Collaborative Law
A new approach to divorce property and financial provision settlement.

Inheritance Tax
The nil-rate band for 2009/2010 is now £325,000.00
Allowances are now transferable between Spouses and Civil Partners

Commercial Property
Energy Performance Certificates are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings from 6 April 2008.

Mortgage Arrangements
As well as regular mortgages, we can advise and act in arranging sharia law compliant mortgages.

FreeWill Service with Cancer Research UK
We subscribe to this Charity Will writing service. If you are interested in leaving a legacy to Cancer Research UK and using the FreeWill service please contact Roger Armstrong.

Statutory Legacies
From 1st February 2009 where there is no Will, statutory legacies will increase. Where the intestate leaves a spouse and children, the spouse’s legacy will be £250,000 (up from £125,000) and where there are no children but the intestate is survived by parents or brothers or sisters, the spouse’s legacy will be £450,000 (up from £250,000). It is important to make a Will and ask Roger Armstrong for details.

For further information and advice about any of the above and other matters, please contact us.

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