General News

couple buying a house

Property Market Opens for Business – Pictons Ready to Respond

  The government has recently announced that estate agents can now re-open, viewings can be carried out and removal firms and conveyancers can restart operations. This is all subject to the social distancing and health and safety regulations that are now in place. The BBC has estimated that there are approximately 450,000 buyers and renters…

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terms and conditions

Business Lending and Legal Obligations

  Businesses large and small are currently looking at ways to borrow more to see them through the current lockdown. The recently announced ‘Bounce Back Loan’ scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. Under this scheme the Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees…

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auction gavel

Property Auctions – opportunity or risk?

  Property auctions could be set to rise as we come out of the pandemic. The impact of the lockdown may require property owners to change strategy and seek to dispose of stock superfluous to requirements.  Many pubs and restaurants if unable to trade until December could be severely impacted and investment owners may look…

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housing market

COVID-19 and the Housing Market

  Reasons to be optimistic in the mid-term? One positive is that low interest rates should be available for a while and will likely be held low until the economy recovers. Although it is possible we could see some inflation as a result of quantitative easing, it is unlikely to happen quickly with businesses being…

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thinking

Will writing, BBC reports – how we are helping

  The BBC recently reported that there has been a spike in people seeking to draft or amend their wills. This is not surprising given the current health concerns. However, regularly reviewing the provisions of a will is good sense. Circumstances change, such as relationships, assets and simple wishes for how an estate should be…

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NHS Wills Offer

Special Offer for NHS Workers

  We all value the hard work and determination of NHS staff at this difficult time. As such Pictons is keen to do what it can to help. We are therefore offering discounts to NHS workers across our range of services. If you are an NHS worker looking for legal support with any service we…

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commercial property

Commercial Leases and COVID-19

  The current outbreak has caused substantial problems for businesses in terms of how they carry on trading. Depending upon the sector in which they operate there have been a variety of announcements regarding Government support. For example, the Government has announced cash grants for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector. Under this scheme there…

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stressed lady

Families Under Pressure

  The current restrictions are placing families under considerable pressure. The ‘lockdown’ is limiting movement, whilst those parents who can work from home are having to juggle work, with schooling and normal parenting. Health worries and concerns over friends and relatives add to a level of anxiety that can compound the stresses faced by family…

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Coronavirus: Pictons’ Business Update

  Pictons is open for business. We have put in place plans to ensure that we continue to provide the advice that you need during this difficult period, without compromising the health and safety of our staff and our clients. If you need legal advice please contact us and we will be able to help….

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key in hand

Leasehold Property in the Spotlight

The leasehold sector has recently been in the spotlight again following a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation. The findings suggest that some buyers continue to be unclear as to the nature of their purchase and subsequent costs that they may incur. The CMA said some homeowners found themselves in “serious traps” after being misled…

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