Inheritance Tax Projections Increase
The news that HMRC is projected to receive more inheritance tax (IHT) than initially forecast over the next five years should ring alarm bells for people with estates that are likely to be valued over the IHT threshold. IHT planning should now be a fundamental part of estate planning for everyone in this situation. Inheritance […]
Reports Give Insight into Property Market
The latest House Price Index from Halifax has revealed that UK house prices over the last three months (August-October) were 2.3% higher than in the previous three months (May-July). House Prices Rise In addition, prices in the three months to October were 4.5% higher than in the same three months a year earlier. The annual […]
The Impact of Technology on Will Making
The Law Commission for England and Wales recently conducted a public consultation exercise over reforms to the laws governing will writing in England and Wales. The consultation closed on 10th November, and a number of interested organisations have now published details of their responses to this consultation. One such organisation is the Institute of Legacy […]
Complete Clarity Solicitors to Sleep Out in aid of Scottish Homelessness
On Saturday 9 December, the solicitors at Complete Clarity will don their winter woollies and bear the cold in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens as part of the “worlds largest ever sleepout event” to raise money for Scottish homelessness. The Sleep in the Park event is organised by Social Bite, and the money raised will go […]
Why Does British Property Change Occupier So Regularly?
New research has looked at the average length of time between British property house moves. The study, by Zoopla, found that the average person in Britain moves home every 22.7 years. Geographically, Scotland is home to the most frequent movers in Britain, where the average person changes property every 19.6 years. South West England is […]
House Prices Rise but Activity Remains Subdued
The latest UK House Price Index has revealed that average house prices in the UK increased by 5.0% in the year to August 2017 (up from 4.5% in July 2017). According to the Office for National Statistics, which published the Index, the annual growth rate has slowed since mid-2016 but has remained broadly under 5% […]
Housing Market Confidence Slow to Recover
Housing Market Confidence Slow to Recover Consumer confidence in the UK housing market has yet to fully bounce back following June’s General Election, according to new research from the Building Societies Association (BSA). The study found that 27% of respondents do not believe now is a good time to buy a property, compared to just […]
Over-50s Prioritise Leaving an Inheritance over Personal Spending
New research has revealed that the over-50s are choosing to cut back on personal spending so they can build an inheritance pot for their loved ones. However, their children don’t share this view and would rather their parents spent their money on themselves during retirement instead of leaving it behind. The study, by Saga Money, found […]
Mortgage Lending Increases in Scotland
Recently published data from UK Finance has revealed that Scottish home buyers borrowed £2.5bn in the second quarter of this year, which is an increase of 35% quarter-on-quarter and 18% year-on-year. The data also showed that: First-time buyers borrowed £1.1bn, up 29% on the first quarter and 17% on the second quarter last year. This […]
The Importance of Updating Your Will
Charity will campaign Will Aid has highlighted the importance of keeping your will up-to-date to reflect any changes in personal circumstances. It recently conducted a study, which found that more than 46% of people who made a will five years ago have had a change in circumstances that might affect how they want their estate […]
