Widdows Mason 'Wear it Pink'

by Melanie Cosgrove

Head of Property Law Department at Widdows Mason

Staff at all seven Widdows Mason branches were proud to 'Wear it Pink' and support the Breast Cancer Campaign, which is a charity close to the hearts of all at the Firm.

All staff had to wear an item of pink clothing in return for a donation to the charity. As you will see from the photographs, the men in the office did not let the girls down and were happy to join in the fun for a worthy cause!

As a reward, staff were served pink cup cakes and other pink 'goodies'.

Make Sure You Are Energy Efficient!

by Melanie Cosgrove

Head of Property Law Department at Widdows Mason

As anyone who has been trying to sell a property since December last year will know, all residential properties being marketed for sale since the 14th December 2007 require a Home Information Pack. Home Information Packs were introduced last Summer and were intended to speed up the conveyancing process. A Home Information Pack (HIP) includes important legal searches and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) providing information relating to the energy efficiency of a building. The Certificate includes an energy rating, similar to the ratings that you would expect to see on the front of a fridge or washing machine. The Certificate, which can only be provided by an accredited Energy Assessor, will also include a recommendation report which includes advice and suggestions on improvements that could be made to save money and energy.

The Regulations have now been extended to include the rental and commercial property sectors. From the 1st 0ctober, anyone who wants to sell, lease, construct or modify a property will have to supply an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This will include sub-letting. An EPC must be made available to any prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than when a viewing is conducted or when written information is provided about the building.

Where commercial properties are concerned, the type of information that the assessor will need in order to prepare the EPC will be a lot more detailed than for a residential property. The assessor will need detailed information on the dimensions and construction of the building, plus details of heating and ventilation services.

Unlike residential transactions, the EPC may well be used by tenants as a negotiating tool - perhaps to reduce the rent payable if the property is not energy efficient. There could also be scope for some landlord to try to increase the rent or the service charge for providing a "greener" property!

The penalty for not providing an EPC is fixed, in most cases, at 12.5% of the ratable value of the building, subject to a minimum penalty of £500 and a maximum of £5,000. And remember - even if a fine is imposed, the EPC will still be required! It is important to remember that it is the responsibility of the Seller or Landlord to provide the EPC - even if an estate agent or letting agent has been appointed - so be sure to double check that any agents acting on your behalf are complying with the Regulations.

Widdows Mason Solicitors are able to assist in all areas of property law, including the obtaining of Energy Performance Certificates. Why not call us today on 01925 632267.

Stamp Duty Breakthrough

by Melanie Cosgrove

Head of Property Law Department at Widdows Mason

It has been announced that with effect from the 3rd September 2008, Stamp Duty Land Tax will suspended for a year on properties that cost less than £175,000 in a bid to boost the ailing housing market.

Presently Stamp Duty Land Tax is payable on properties where the purchase price is £125,000.01 and above at the rate of 1% of the purchase price. The level of duty payable increases at £250,000.01 to 3% of the purchase price. For properties being purchased at over £500,000.00 duty increases to 5% of the purchase price.

The announcement will mean an immediate saving of up to £1,750.00 for Buyers.

Other incentives announced will include an opportunity for first time Buyers with a household income of less than £60,000 to buy newly built properties with an equity loan of up to 30% of the property's value.

Finally, it is proposed that a scheme will be introduced to help people who are unable to keep up with Mortgage repayments on their home due to the worsening economic climate. It is proposed that Lenders would be able to "buy back" a share of the property, to ease the strain in making repayments, and the owners will be able to "rent back" that share of the property.

With Mortgage lending decreasing, more people are finding themselves at risk of repossession or falling into negative equity as they are forced to sell their property at a loss, and it is these people the scheme aims to help.

Want More From Your Home Information Pack?

by Melanie Cosgrove

Head of Property Law Department at Widdows Mason

The Home Information Pack Regulations were extended on the 14th December 2007. The Regulations now apply to the vast majority of property sales in England and Wales, with some notable exceptions.

Properties being sold to family members or friends, or by a landlord to an existing tenant will not require a Home Information Pack (HIP) to be put in place. If you were to put a "For Sale" sign in your front garden, advertising the property for sale though, then you would be considered to be marketing the property and a Home Information Pack would be required.

Other exceptions include properties being sold as part of a portfolio (where properties are not be separated from the portfolio), properties with either a purely commercial use (such as a shop), or properties with mixed use - for example a shop with a flat above it, which are being sold together.

In recent months, a number of businesses have sprung up, to take advantage of this new market. By instructing Widdows Mason, you can be assured that you will be dealing with a Conveyancing Team with many years of experience in Property Law.

Widdows Mason are ideally placed to provide you with your Home Information Pack. As your Solicitors we will ensure that:

• There will be no hidden charges - the price we quote is the price that you will pay. We don't charge extra for Home Information Packs for Leasehold properties
• Your HIP will be compliant with the Regulations
• We will prepare the majority of the HIP electronically, thus greatly speeding up the process for you and making the HIP easily accessible to you, your Agent, and your potential Buyer
• We only use official Land Registry documents and plans bearing the Land Registry "watermark", rather than Land Registry "views", ensuring that the documentation is recognised and guaranteed by the Land Registry

If you require any further information or advice concerning HIPs or the Conveyancing process, please contact Melanie Cosgrove.

Atherton and Culcheth Offices Relocate

Following a comprehensive review of our business structures it has been decided to relocate our Atherton and Culcheth Offices, which has resulted in the closure of the branches at these locations with immediate effect.

The staff from our Atherton Office including Sue Gregory, Family Specialist, are now based at our Westhoughton Office. Conveyancer Heather Foulkes relocates to Westhoughton from Runcorn Office.

Probate and Wills Specialist Janet Calvert and her staff are now based at our Hindley Office.

Conveyancer and Commercial Specialist Gary Jackson is now based at our Wigan Office and the Personal Injury Department headed by Michael Stockton is now based at our Bolton Office.

Managing Partner Keith Freer explains the changes: "In recent years we have invested heavily in the latest technology, including a branch-wide computer network, comprehensive Case Management software, a VOIP (internet-based) telephone system, and most recently BigHand Digital Dictation. Our aim is to build centres of excellence, and the changes to our branch network will help us to improve our efficiency and the standard of service we offer to our clients. Our main concern is that existing clients are inconvenienced as little as possible, and we are happy to offer home visits to any clients unable to make the journey to our new spcialist units. Any documents in storage with us at the Atherton and Culcheth Offices remain in safe storage."

Any queries regarding the branch closures can be addressed to Keith Freer.

Widdows Mason invest in the future with 'BigHand'

by Melanie Cosgrove

Head of Property Law Department at Widdows Mason

As part of Widdows Mason's continued investment in the latest technology, the Partners have adopted a new technology called BigHand3. BigHand3 is a digital dictation workflow system developed to assist Solicitors and their secretaries with their dictation/transcription needs, and day-to-day task management. The system essentially moves old fashioned tape-based systems onto the computer, enabling a Solicitor to record and send dictations instantly to his/her secretary via their PC - similar to sending an email.

We hope that the system will both ease and expedite the cycle of dictation and transcription, benefiting our staff and our clients alike.

As a major Law Firm with nine branch offices, our Managers certainly have their hands full, managing the movement of personnel and workloads within the various offices. By adopting BigHand3 technology, work can now be carried out across all our branches without the need to constantly try to juggle workloads with staff holidays and absences. It helps us to prioritise work and cope with any eventualities.

Widdows Mason are committed to helping our staff in terms of flexible working where necessary. BigHand3 technology will also help our Solicitors to submit dictations while away from the office - whether at Court, in meetings, or on the move - which in today's competitive market will certainly be a benefit to our busy clients.

Widdows Mason mourn the loss of a much loved colleague and friend

It is our sad duty to report the death of our friend and colleague Mark Mason who died on Tuesday 18 March 2008. Mark, aged 50, of Heaton, Bolton, was managing partner of Widdows Mason Solicitors and a Deputy District Judge. He was based at the firm's Bark Street, Bolton offices and had previously worked for 20 years at Widdows Mason's King Street, Leigh, head office.

Mark was diagnosed with lymphoma of the heart in August 2007. Initial chemotherapy treatment was successful, however in January 2008 the illness was found to have spread into his central nervous system and unfortunately could not be treated. He died in Bolton Hospice.
He leaves a wife Laraine, also a solicitor, and daughters Alexandra 12 and Victoria 10.

His business partner Keith Freer said: "He fought his illness with courage, determination and humour. He was a very well respected member of the firm and will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues. For a number of years Mark has also sat as a deputy district judge and, no doubt, were it not for his illness, he would most probably have received a full-time judicial appointment."

Many tributes have been paid to Mark by his friends and colleagues, and he will be sorely missed.

"I have known Mark for over 35 years. I was Mark's school friend, fellow student, his best man, and I chose Mark to be godfather to my children. Mark embodied all the really good characteristics of integrity, reliability, honesty, attention to detail, a wicked sense of humour and I will miss him."
Paul Donovan, Regional Chief Executive of Vodafone Plc

"It has been great knowing Mark, he was a great guy and a great family man - he will be sadly missed."
Shah Khan

"I knew Mark Mason more than twenty five years, firstly as a fellow solicitor in the Leigh area and subsequently, after my appointment as a district judge, as an advocate and, for the last 6 years, as a deputy district judge. As an opponent he was firm but fair, always acting for the benefit of his clients in the best traditions of our profession. As a judge he was knowledgeable and decisive. He made the difficult transition to a judicial role and proved himself able to make difficult decisions affecting people's lives but always being sympathetic and caring in the exercise of his authority. His death is a great loss to the legal profession locally and he will be greatly missed. My colleagues join with me in expressing our sympathy to Laraine, his daughters, his family and his work colleagues."
District Judge Swindley

Any enquiries or messages of sympathy can be sent care of Keith Freer at Widdows Mason Solicitors, Delta House, 99-101 Bark Street, Bolton, BL1 2AX.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday 25th March 2008 at Christ Church Heaton at 2.00 pm, followed by private committal at Overdale Crematorium at 2.45 pm. Family flowers only. Donations may be made if desired to the Funeral Directors which will be distributed at a later stage to Bolton Hospice and for research into lymphoma. Further details about who to make the cheque payable to will be in the obituaries in the Bolton Evening News and the Daily Telegraph.

All Widdows Mason offices will be closed on Tuesday 25th March 2008 to allow staff to attend the funeral.

Widdows Mason's new website 'Goes Live'

by Michael Stockton

The Partners of Widdows Mason are delighted to welcome you to our new improved website.

Please feel free to browse and let us have your feedback.