A Look at the Impact of the Stamp Duty Holiday

The Stamp Duty holiday was introduced in July 2020 and since then homebuyers have not paid any stamp duty on the value of their homes up to £500,000 (£250,000 in Wales). In England and Wales the holiday is due to end on June 30th 2021 with Wales Land Transaction Tax (LTT) returning to normal rates and England’s Stamp Duty holiday moving to a staggered end until September 30th 2021. This article from the BBC looks at the Stamp Duty Holiday as it comes to an end and impacts it has had on the housing market across the UK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53319433 If you are looking to move house and require a conveyancing solicitor please get in touch with us on 0330 123 1131 or get a quote via our online quoting system.

Housing Enforcement Action Ban

The ban on enforcement action has now been extended in England until 31st May 2021, and in Wales until 30th May 2021. Understandably the Government(s) have had to make unprecedented decisions and difficult decisions in the last twelve months, however there are increasing concerns from both Housing specialists and Parliamentary committees regarding what will happen when these deadlines end, and how the Courts will cope with a barrage of eviction cases and the effect on Landlords and Tenants.   An estimated 20,000 cases are waiting in the wings to be dealt with, on top of the new cases. This is going to have a significant effect on Court resources, and we are aware that County Court Bailiffs are also in shortage. The Government has not indicated any extra resources towards recruitment of bailiff recruitment, and Landlords are feeling the pressure of trying to cope without their assistance.   The deadline for Landlords to apply for Mortgage Payment Holidays ended on 31st March 2021 and this coupled with the enforcement action deadlines, means a critical number of Tenants are likely to be evicted and made homeless from the middle of 2021, and for some time to come.   At Newbold we can offer advice to both Landlords and Tenants in these situations. We would recommend that these parties start to communicate openly with one another to see if such terms such as rent arrears (if there are any) can be negotiated and / or (for example) any allegations of anti social behaviour being resolved. If you would like to discuss your case with us, please call our dedicated team on 0330 123 1131.   Joanna McBride – Solicitor   More information on the services we can offer to Landlords and Tenants is available via the below links. Landlord Services Tenant Services Free No Obligation advice is available on a number of our services, we can help you decide how best to deal with your case.   Further information on the matter can be found via the Property Reporter.

Disrepair and Local Authority Housing

Having seen the ITV news last night and the appalling conditions that some local authority tenants are being forced to endure in Croydon it is important to remember that people should not have to live like that. Living in a property that is suffering from disrepair can have an enormous impact on both the physical and mental health of the tenants living in the property. In England alone around four million households live in social housing, and around 480,000 of those social housing homes do not currently meet the government’s ‘decent homes’ standards, according to the English Housing Survey, meaning they are suffering from disrepair. 200,000 of these homes, had a category one hazard such as damp, poor electrics, or fire hazards. Enduring those sorts of conditions in a normal year would be extremely tough but having to do that during numerous lockdowns would be unbearable. Landlords and local authority housing are required by law to ensure that any property they are renting out is in a good state of repair. Sadly, this is not always the case. The good news is that the law is there to help tenants who may be living in properties suffering from disrepair, tenants may be able to take out an injunction and claim compensation/damages. Many solicitors who offer expert advice in this area (like us) offer a no win no fee service. In cases where the claim is successful the landlord will be required to make good any disrepair within the property as well as paying the costs associated with the claim. Tenants should not suffer in silence.

Get in touch with our expert team today on 0330 123 1131 or visit our disrepair claims page for more information.

More information on the report from ITV News can be found here.

20% Discount for Blue Light & Defence Discount Service Card Holders

Do you have Defence Discount Service or Blue Light Card?

As a firm NewBold Solicitors are very proud to support those in our community who work within the emergency services and the armed forces. That is why we have teamed up with Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Service to offer all card holders 20% off our legal fees across our services. We can advise on a number of services including:
  • Property Litigation
  • Landlord Services
  • Tenant Services
  • Wills & Probate
  • Family Law
  • Conveyancing
It has been a difficult year for all of us and especially those working on the front line during the pandemic. We would like to offer our support where we can. If you would like more information on our services please have a look at the services page of our website or call us on 0330 123 1131. We hope to be able to assist you soon. *a valid Blue Light Card or Defence Discount Service card must be presented at the time of instruction for the discount to be applied. Discount for Blue Light & Defence Discount Service Card Holders You are eligible for a Blue Light Card if you are an employed and paid staff member of the following:
  • NHS
  • Police Service
  • Ambulance Service
  • Fire Service
  • HM Prison Service/HMPPS
  • NHS Dental Practice
  • HM Armed Forces
  • MoD Civil Servant
  • MoD Fire Service
  • MoD Police
  • Highways Agency
  • Border Force
  • Immigration Enforcement
  • UK Visas and Immigration
  • HM Coastguard
  • RNLI
  • Search and Rescue
  • 4x4 Response
  • Blood Bikes
  • First Responders
  • St Andrews Ambulance
  • St John Ambulance
  • Social Care
For more information on the cards please visit:

International Women's Day 2021

Happy International Women's Day

Today we Choose To Challenge gender bias and inequality.

As a firm we have 56 women working with us. 3 of our 4 Associates are female including our Senior Associate. With all women sharing their time between a high flying legal position and a busy young family life, and the Founding Partner being a woman, we believe we can certainly celebrate women’s day here at NewBold Solicitors. Check out or staff page to see many of our successful female employees.