Sarah Brooks

Rishi Sunak has announced an extension to the Stamp Duty Holiday, which was originally announced in July 2020. The amendments form part of the support from the Government in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today announced an extension to the Stamp Duty Holiday, which was originally announced in July 2020. The amendments formed part of the support from the Government in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. ...

Following the announcement from Boris Johnson on Saturday 31 st October, Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has confirmed that the housing market will continue to operate despite entering a second national...

The Government has overnight published new guidance for those who are currently buying or selling a property. In light of the current restrictions on movement across the UK and the importance of self-isolating, it is understandable that this will...

With Help to Buy ISAs set to be shut down on November 30^th 2019, you may be wondering if it is still worth opening one. Here Sarah Brooks, Head of our Residential Conveyancing department, explains why Help to Buy ISAs are still a good way to get your foot in the door as a first time buyer, and the difference between a Help to Buy ISA and a Lifetime ISA.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee last week announced that their interest rate will increase from 0.5% to 0.75% on 2 August 2018; the highest percentage since March 2009. Whilst this may mean that the interest rates in your savings...

Not a day goes by when we are not faced with news of identity theft or online fraud, and so it should be no surprise that if you are buying or selling a property, as your lawyers, we will ask you for several documents to confirm your identity and also query...

Many people think that purchasing a property is not achievable, and that their only option is to rent. But how much truth is there to this?

In yet another move to drive the housing market forward, last week Chancellor Philip Hammond and Housing Secretary Sajid Javid announced the investment of £866 million for local housing projects.

Springtime is traditionally the busiest time for the property market, but with a knotty problem affecting more homes than ever, it’s worth doing some horticultural homework before you start, whether you’re buying or selling.

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in his Budget yesterday that Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is to be abolished with immediate effect for first time buyers. Sarah Brooks, Residential Property Partner, explains the practicalities of the move from the Chancellor and what happens next for first time buyers.

A recent survey by HSBC revealed that UK millennials, ie those born between the early eighties and the mid-to-late nineties, are less likely than their counterparts in other countries to own a home. But there lies hope, and it lies in Southampton! Post Office Money recently interviewed more than 1,000 people who have bought their first property in the last two years.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced that the Help to Buy Scheme, which was launched in 2013, is to continue until at least 2021. The news comes amid rumours that the scheme was to be scrapped, which led to shares in leading house builders falling earlier this month.

EPC certificates were first launched on the 1^st August 2007, and were introduced as a way to provide energy usage and costs on a property, as well as making suggestions about how the property could be more energy efficient. This is based on a rating between A to G; A being most efficient and G least efficient.

When the General Election was called in May, possible uncertainty in the housing market was forecast once again, similar to a year ago in light of the EU referendum. Recent research however, and figures from local law firm Warner Goodman, has shown that this has not been the case, and the property market continues to grow apace.

The housing market across the UK continues to stabilise since the uncertainty in 2016, as news comes from various sources showing that the number of first time buyers remains on the rise month on month, boosting the overall market for all home owners and potential buyers.

As the housing market improves, so does the availability of homes in Hampshire as news comes of a new garden village to be developed in the area, sharing access to a £6million fund over the next two years. Welborne will be situated just outside Fareham as part of the Government’s new Garden Village framework in a bid to provide high quality, affordable housing.

Signs of the recovery of the UK property market were proven once again today as new figures show the number of first time buyers in 2016 reached its highest level since the start of the financial crisis in 2007. Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner, here reviews the news across the UK as well as here in the South.

Serving in the armed forces will naturally mean spending time overseas, but what about your life at home while you are away? If you are looking to buy or sell your home and then are deployed, there will be matters to arrange, and with you not contactable this could lead to unnecessary delay or even the house purchase or sale falling through. Sarah Brooks, Head of our Residential Property team, explains here how a Power of Attorney could help you keep things on track.

Recent years have seen many changes to property tax and it appears this is unlikely to stop as Community and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid, has hinted that more could come in this month’s Autumn Statement.

During last month’s Conservative Party Conference, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced his plans to take the focus away from the budget surplus and instead invest in the development of new homes.

Those serving in the Army, RAF or Navy can struggle to get on the property ladder; they are not always based in the UK and can find it harder to raise a deposit. These members of our society make a commitment for our country and so in April 2014, the Forces Help to Buy Scheme was launched. Earlier this year, for their two year anniversary it was announced that loans have reached £100million.

As summer approaches and we look into making the most of our valued weekends and potential summer holidays, we weigh up the options of buying a rural or coastal retreat.

With house prices across the UK continuing to rise, we can also report a record increase in the number of people they have helped buy or sell their home in the past year, both encouraging signs that the UK housing market is improving.

News of the sinkhole appearing in St Albans last week has prompted many people looking to buy a new home to consider the stability of the land where their future home sits. Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner advises here that purchasers may to wish consider investing in thorough checks as these types of concerns are impossible to identify with the naked eye.

Under new regulations, landlords must comply with the introduction of individual metering and charging on communal heating and other forms of heat networks advises Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner. The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 have been introduced in the UK in response to the European Energy Efficiency Directive, and landlords who currently operate a communal heat supply have until December 31st to comply with regulations.

In a bid to improve EU energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the UK, new laws have been introduced that require all rented properties meet a minimum energy performance standard by April 2018. Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner, advises landlords to start planning for any adjustments that will need to be made, otherwise risk facing a penalty fee or a restriction on renewing contracts.

As technology and its users continues to become more sophisticated, property fraud is one threat to home owners that is also on the rise. Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner, explains how the Land Registry has taken steps to minimise the risk of property fraud, a system that is whole-heartedly supported by the firm.

The property market was top headline for Chancellor George Osborne in this year’s Autumn statement, with a radical change to stamp duty which should see 98% of buyers better off.

Savvy property owners who club together to buy a home are turning to no-nups to safeguard their investment. Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner, explains how cohabitation agreements, or no-nups as they are becoming increasingly known, can help fix the outcome if things go wrong between a cohabiting couple or two or more friends clubbing together.

The Residential Conveyancing Team at Hampshire based law firm Warner Goodman LLP are continuing their support for Under 12 football team Widbrook United Tornadoes by sponsoring their away kit for the second season.

The Conveyancing Association (CA) recently reported figures from their members’ survey showing the significant delay that can hold up leasehold property purchases and the impact this has. Consequently, the group has approached MP’s in Westminster with the proposition to tighten up the process between management companies and solicitors, a move that is welcomed by Sarah Brooks, Residential Conveyancing Partner.

Property owners and landlords caught the eye of the Chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn statement, which included a package of measures designed to stimulate the housing market whilst bringing in more taxes from the property sector. Sarah Brooks, Head of the Residential Conveyancing Team at Hampshire based law firm Warner Goodman LLP here reviews the statement and what this means for the property market.

The Residential Conveyancing Team at Hampshire based law firm Warner Goodman LLP have taken another step in their support for the local community by sponsoring Under 12 football team Widbrook United Tornadoes. The team, who are currently top of the table in the Portsmouth Youth Football League and also play in the Mid-Solent League, have used the sponsorship for their new away kit and here Sarah Brooks, head of the Residential Conveyancing Team, explains why they have decided to be involved with the promising young players.

This quarter has seen the highest amount of buy-to-let mortgages in 5 years according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, with 40,000 approved compared to 33,000 in the last quarter. But what does this mean for landlords looking to grow their existing portfolio, and for those first time buyers looking to move out of their rented accommodation?

Hampshire based law firm Warner Goodman LLP has secured membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme – the mark of excellence for the home buying process.

Although most of us listened eagerly to the Budget to hear about the increasing cost of fuel and food, those involved in property will have been surprised to discover a proposed tax rise for approved alterations on listed buildings.