Selling a home to appeal to eco-conscious buyers

Eco features matter more to some home buyers than the size of the garden, according to a recent survey by Money.com. Solar panels now rank ahead of ensuite bathrooms on our property wish-list and, as energy prices rise, this trend looks set to continue. So, if you are selling your home, how do you appeal to today’s eco-conscious buyers? ‘Buyers are certainly more concerned about energy efficiency,’ agrees Catherine Edge, a Solicitor in the Residential Property team with Ware & Kay.  ‘Fortunately, you can improve your home’s performance and make it easier to sell without spending thousands of pounds on innovative technology.’ Your EPC can help you You will need a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before marketing your home, and it will then be available to any potential buyer. The EPC is a short report…

Farming family disputes are not just in soap operas

A dispute between members of a farming family is fertile ground for the scriptwriters of popular soap operas, as they draw out the tensions and ramifications to entertain listeners and viewers.  But sadly, our solicitors know from experience that real life disputes among family members who farm together are not uncommon and can have serious repercussions.  In the worst cases, it can even lead to the farm having to be sold or split up. Robert Bellhouse, Family Law and agricultural law specialist at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton outlines some common situations that can give rise to a dispute, and he provides guidance on how to avoid them. A farming business is unusual in that it serves as both the family home and a source of income, so there an emotional investment in…

Building your own dream home

Shows like Channel 4’s Grand Designs reflect the growing popularity of self-build, which accounts for 13,000 new homes every year in the UK. So, if your dream is to build your own home, should you take the next step towards making it a reality? There are certainly a lot of advantages. Self-build lets you create a home which fits around your lifestyle and individual aesthetic requirements. However, there are many more issues to consider than with a conventional purchase. So, it is especially important to get the right professional advice. What type of self-builder are you? There is no standard definition of self-build, and it can be better to think of it as a spectrum. At one end, those with relevant skills and experience may undertake all the work themselves. At the other, an individual may…

Employment Law Newsletter July 2022

This article covers: 1. Early Conciliation: How to Avoid the Employment Tribunal 2. Part-Time Workers Rights 3. “Wellness” in the Workplace 4. Was Dismissal of Employee Fearful of Covid-19 Fair 1. Early Conciliation: How to Avoid the Employment Tribunal The obvious route to avoid the employment tribunal is for employees and employers to discuss workplace issues as they arise and to resolve them before they become disputes. However if informal workplace conversations or more formal approaches such as a grievance procedure don’t work, employers can find themselves facing a claim in the employment tribunal. The question is, how to avoid the claim being heard, in public, in the employment tribunal. Before commencing a claim in the employment tribunal the employee must inform Acas – please note strict time limits apply at every stage so don’t delay…