Page 74 • The HERALD • 24th October 2024 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v ASK A PROFESSIONAL YATES & CO Chartered Accountants Specialists in providing accounting and taxation advice to small businesses and individuals Contact: Colin Yates A.C.A. Telephone: (023) 8086 1550 E-mail: enquiries@yatesco.co.uk Personal and Friendly Service PLEASE CALL HEATHER STERLING ON 023 8110 3104 Jasper Vincent Solictors 59 High Street, Lyndhurst SO43 7BE Tel: 023 8110 3104 e: Hsterling@jaspervincent.com Jasper Vincent realise that any relationship can sadly come to an end for a multitude of reasons and this can be an incredibly stressful time for all involved. That is why it is so important to choose an experienced family team who can guide you through the process by providing the very best legal advice tailored to suit your specific requirements. We believe in a proactive approach to resolving family disputes by opening dialogue at round table meetings where circumstances are suitable. Jasper Vincent will always strive to minimise the impact of court proceedings in a family breakdown by offering ways to achieve an out of court settlement. Where mediation fails or the situation dictates, we will strenuously pursue court proceedings to achieve the best possible outcome for the client and the children of the family. Our team of Solicitors will discuss everything with you and show sincere sensitivity for all your needs and we are also able to arrange mediation, if this is considered the best way forward for you and your family. Jasper Vincent specialise in the following aspects of family law: • Divorce and separation • Property and financial matters • Cohabitation • Pre and Post nuptial agreements • Children’s issues • Mediation • Domestic abuse YOU’RE IN LOVE AND BUYING A HOME TOGETHER Advice from Jasper Vincent Solicitors Purchasing a property with your signi cant other is an exciting time. It is also o en the most valuable asset in a person’s estate. It is all too easy to lose sight of the legal implications while caught up in planning the décor for your new nest. e law relating to property ownership for married couples di ers signi cantly from property ownership for unmarried couples. is article gives a broad overview of the legal position where unmarried couples purchase property together. Should you purchase a property as an unmarried couple, without noting your respective contributions towards the property it will be owned as joint tenants. Owning a property as joint tenants means that you both own 50% of the property and in the event that one party dies, their 50% share of the property would automatically pass to the surviving partner. By contrast, owning a property as tenants in common means that the parties can stipulate their ownership percentage and that the parties can leave their percentage ownership of the property to a chosen bene ciary, be that their surviving partner or a third person. Holding a property as tenants in common caters for the situation where one party has invested more money in the property than the other partner. Although holding a property as tenants in common o ers some degree of protection, an additional safeguard would be to conclude a deed of trust setting out any further issues of owing a property. A deed of trust could regulate issues such as payment of the mortgage and utility bills, renovations to the property, in particular, what portion each party will pay. Of particular importance would be a clause detailing the steps to be followed by the parties in the event of a breakdown of the relationship, for example attending mediation in an attempt to resolve the dispute, how the property will be valued for purposes of sale and an option for one party to purchase the other party’s share in the property. A potentially di cult conversation with your partner before purchasing a property could well save much heartache, not to mention money, later! Property Expert On How to Rainproof Your Home as the Wet Weather Continues Advice from House Buy Fast Jonathan Rolande, the founder of House Buy Fast outlines the eight things all property owners need to do to rainproof their property: 1. Check your roof, gutters and downpipes when it rains. It’s worth getting wet if you spot a problem with blockages - ideally, gutters should be cleared twice a year. 2. Examine brickwork or render for gaps and cracks. Water penetrating through gaps can cause dampness and, more worryingly, structural damage to the property. 3. If you can, inspect at roofs for “ponding”. Even minor ponding can increase the risk of punctures in the roof membrane and water penetration, plus it can cause serious structural damage as the excess weight can exceed the safe weight that a home can carry. 4. Ventilate rooms when you can, especially a er cooking/bathing. A lack of ventilation can cause condensation to settle on walls and windows and quickly lead to mould and damp issues. 5. Consider installing vents to problem areas. ey can be a very e ective way to prevent damp and mould, as fresh air is constantly drawn in to replace humid air. 6. Plant a tree! e roots will draw on water accumulating in waterlogged soil and can help stop drainage being overwhelmed during wet periods. 7. Ensure air bricks are not blocked deliberately or with soil as ower beds gain height over the years. It is easy to overlook these but they are crucial as they allow air to circulated in wall cavities and prevent cold spots and damp on walls 8. Check your buildings and contents insurance o ers up to date cover. You may nd that you are not adequately covered for wetter weather and could be le with he y bills in the event of a ood Jonathan added: “Cavity wall insulation can bridge the inside and outside layers of bricks, allowing rain to transfer to the inside walls. Removing soft ground in favour of driveways so rain runs off rather than soaking in. Reducing tree numbers that shelter gardens and help to remove excess moisture. Insulation and double glazing make homes almost airtight so any dampness that does penetrate has nowhere to escape. Washing and drying clothes indoors, decreasing air circulation due to more possessions and higher density per property can also cause problems. Extreme weather seems to be happening more often and homeowners and tenants can do a lot to prevent problems before they arise.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=