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 It is with great sadness that Veitch Penny Solicitors record the death on 3rd July 2010 of former Managing Partner, Simon Young.
Simon joined Veitch Penny in 1995 as an articled clerk swiftly progressing into partnership upon qualification. He initially dealt with general private client work but gradually over the years his role within the firm developed into that of the Managing Partner and it was thanks to his foresight that this firm was one of the very first in England to achieve the Lexcel accreditation award.
His Management role within the firm as well as on the practical side, also kindled a more intellectual interest as well, which lead to him pursuing his MBA in Legal Practice Management in Nottingham. He also at that stage started to undertake work in the field of legal publishing and legal consultancy.
Simon’s publications included Tolleys Limited Liability Partnerships handbook, the Partnerships Title of the Encyclopaedia of Forms & Precedents and the Law Society’s New Partners Guide to Management.
He also became very well known as a speaker at seminars and conferences both for national training contractors, but also in house very many national and local firms.
Simon joined the Law Management section in 1999 and became a member of their executive committee and in 2001 was elected to the Council of Law Society to represent that section. He served on the council’s standard board and regulatory affairs board and was chair of its rules and ethics sub committee.
Simon left Veitch Penny in 2002 to pursue his legal management consultancy work and also his writing career which continued to flourish and expand until his sad demise. Simon’s interests were many and notable and extended to both the practical and academic interest in the art of cookery, dining and fine wines, plus a love of cricket.
He will be missed by colleagues, friends and clients for his courtesy, kindness, intelligence and sense of humour. |
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Home Information Packs Abolished! |
As from yesterday, Thursday 20th May, the new coalition Government have made a statement to say that effective from this date, Home Information Packs (HIPs) will no longer be required, when selling a property.
The legislation which was put in place in 2007 has now been frozen to enable the packs to be suspended, pending primary abolition of the legislation, which has to be dealt with by way of formal process.
The coalition Government has responded very quickly to this topic, in the hope that the demise of HIPs will boost the housing market recovery.
Although HIPs have now been suspended, pending abolition, you are still required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate to your buyer, which was previously part of the pack and declares the energy and environmental efficiency of your property.
One of the main advantages that is felt by both government officials and businesses involved in the property market is that with the HIPs now gone, this will free up the market and encourage home owners to sell their property as there is no longer any hefty costs to pay up front.
With speculation of a rise in Capital Gains Tax on the horizon, the abolition of the HIPs may come as welcoming news for second home owners who are trying to expedite sales on their second properties in order to beat the tax hike.
If you require an Energy Performance Certificate to be carried out on your property, or would like a free no obligation quote for your conveyancing, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Local Solicitors welcome abolition of HIPs |
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Date: 20th May 2010
Contact: Senara Shapland - 01392 288380 (
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Local Solicitors Veitch Penny, based in Exeter and Crediton, are today celebrating with estate agents that the red tape surrounding house sales has finally been cut with the abolishment of Home information packs (HIPs).
The new coalition Government has responded very quickly to this issue in the hope that the demise of HIPs will boost the housing market recovery.
Veitch Penny welcomes this change and believe it will be fully supported by the industry. It is great news to anyone thinking of selling their property, as the abolishment of the HIP will mean that it no longer overcomplicates the selling process and will allow it to become considerably cheaper. For sellers, this means there will no longer be any hefty costs to pay up front when selling your property.
Although HIPs have now been suspended, one element of the pack will still remain. You will still be legally required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to your buyer.
The EPC is not only vastly cheaper, but it will also rate the energy efficiency of the property. However homeowners will face a fixed penalty fine of £200 if they do not provide an EPC, which must be commissioned, if not available, before a home can be put up for sale.
Katie Blackburn at our Crediton office says; “There is also speculation of a rise in Capital Gains Tax on the horizon, so the abolition of the HIPs may come as welcome news for second home owners who are trying to expedite sales on their second properties in order to beat the tax hike.”
These rapid changes to the housing market remind us of the importance to seek appropriate legal advice for your Conveyancing when moving home. If you have any questions about the changes to Home Information Packs, Energy Performance Certificate or would like a free no obligation quote for your Conveyancing, please do not hesitate to contact Veitch Penny Solicitors on Exeter 01392 278 381 or Crediton 01363 772244.
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New Planning rules for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) |
If a Landlord lets a property that is classed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) they are required to have a licence. The rules concerning what constitutes a HMO are quite complicated and if you are unsure whether they apply to you we recommend you contact us and check.
By now Landlords will be fairly familiar with the licensing requirements however since 6 April 2010 the Government has now introduced HMO’s into planning law. As a result of the recent change, any Landlord who changes a family home into a HMO will be required to get planning permission.
The Government has been quick to let Landlords know that the new rules will not be applied retrospectively to existing HMO’s so if you have been letting a HMO since before 6 April 2010 you will not be required to apply for planning permission.
However, before Landlords of existing HMO’s think they are off the hook they need consider that, if challenger by a Local Authority, the onus will be on them to prove that their property has been let as a HMO since before April 2010 and if they can’t do so they would need to obtain planning permission. Because of this, we would strongly recommend that Landlords of HMO’s gather together as much evidence as possible (such as Tenancy Agreements and Deposit Protection Service Certificates) to prove that their property has been occupation as a HMO since before April 2010.
If you think that the rules concerning HMO’s may affect you, or if you have any other queries relating to rented property, then contact Veitch Penny LLP on 01392 278381 and we are happy to offer a free half hour consultation.
Please note: This article does not constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied on as such. You should take specific advice regarding your circumstances before taking any action based on the information contained within this Update.
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