Archive for the ‘Residential Conveyancing’ Category

“Staycation” second homes can be legal minefields, warns Ridley and Hall Solicitors

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Ridley & Hall Solicitors HuddersfieldRidley and Hall in Huddersfield says the popularity of second homes in the UK, which are often used as holiday homes, could expose owners to a “minefield” of risks.

The popularity of “staycations” – staying in the UK rather than travelling overseas for a holiday – has seen more second homes being used by “staycationers.”

Statistics from the English Housing Survey: Household Report 2009-10 shows that there are 279,000 second homes in England, but Ridley & Hall which holds the Law Society’s excellence in home buying accolade – the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), is warning that owners are not always aware of the potential problems of owning a second home.

Alison Mason Head of Residential Property at Ridley & Hall says: “Second homes are often unoccupied for long periods of time. However, they could become targets for squatters, or there could be legal considerations to take into account when renting them out for short periods to holiday makers, and there are often insurance issues to take into account, not to mention the types of issues that come with buying any home, such as any legal anomalies or liabilities attached to the property.

“There are also tax implications for second home owners that need to be considered.”

“It is essential that anyone buying a second home contacts a CQS accredited solicitor such as Ridley & Hall to look at the potential risks and benefits of buying.”

“Equally, anyone who already owns a second home for their own holiday purposes, but plans to let it be used by family members or others for extended periods could be changing its status as a holiday home without realising.”

“During off seasons second home owners might look to rent out the property for long periods of time and suddenly you have a landlord and tenant relationship which carries with it a host of additional obligations and liabilities.”

Ridley & Hall underwent a rigorous application and assessment by the national Law Society to become part of CQS initiative, which recognises high quality in residential conveyancing. CQS has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association, Legal Ombudsman and the Association of British Insurers.

For further information please call Ridley & Hall Solicitors on 01484 538421 or visit www.ridleyandhall.co.uk

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New partner at Ridley and Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Ridley & Hall Solicitors HuddersfieldHuddersfield Solicitors, Ridley & Hall, have appointed solicitor, Adam Fletcher, as a Partner. Adam was previously a partner at Harley & Worstenholme in Pontefract.

Senior partner, Nigel Priestley said, “I am delighted to welcome Adam on board.  He will be heading up our Business Development activities, following his successful project management of our new venture, elderflower. This brings together a network of legal and financial specialists to advise older clients on issues that affect them”.

Mr Priestley continued, “At Ridley and Hall we’ve recently acquired 3 new partners; Michael George, Kevin Ludgate and Adam Fletcher. I’m confident that by growing, we are in a stronger position to meet the changing needs of our clients both regionally and nationally.”

With over 10 years’ experience in residential property,  in addition to his business development role, Adam will continue to undertake property work for his large client following, who appreciate his proactive approach and excellent client service. He has been instrumental in gaining the firm the newly launched Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, which is a mark of excellence in the home buying process.

Adam Fletcher Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Adam commented,  “ I’ve joined at an exciting time for the firm, with the launch of elderflower which I think meets a real need for those approaching retirement especially.  There are difficult times ahead for high street law firms, with huge legal aid cutbacks and the introduction of ‘Tesco Law’ – but I’m looking forward to the challenge and I think that Huddersfield has a vibrant business environment.”

For further information please call Ridley and Hall on 01484 538421 or visit the Ridley and Hall solicitors website or the Elderflower website

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Expanding Property Team at Ridley & Hall gains Law Society endorsement

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield ConveyancingRidley & Hall has become one of the first law firms in the country to gain accreditation for the Law Society’s Conveyancing Scheme – the mark of excellence in the home buying process.

Head of the Property Team, Alison Mason, commented “Our team underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks us out as meeting the highest possible standards in the residential conveyancing process”.

In order to qualify and become members of the scheme, Ridley & Hall had to demonstrate excellence in the following four areas: integrity, reliability, quality of service, and, service delivery.

So what does this mean for the Home buyer and seller? “The reassurance for clients is that in Ridley & Hall they have chosen solicitors who are recognised for their expertise and they can be sure that their transaction will be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible ” continued Alison.

Accreditation comes at a time when Ridley & Hall’s Property Team is expanding ready for the inevitable upturn in the property market. Recently strengthening the team are solicitors Adam Fletcher and Kevin Ludgate, who together with Alison Mason and Julie Devenport bring over 60 years of conveyancing experience to the firm’s clients.

ThLaw Society Conveyancing Quality Schemee CQS scheme has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, The Building Societies Association, the Association of British Insurers and the Land Registry. Prospective clients should seek out the CQS logo which is set to become the benchmark of quality conveyancing.

For further information, please contact the property team at Ridley &  Hall Solicitors – Tel: 01484 538421 or visit www.ridleyandhall.co.uk

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Motorcycling lawyer motors into growing firm

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Ridley & Hall Solicitors HuddersfieldLocal Solicitor Kevin Ludgate, a former British motorcycling champion, has joined Ridley & Hall.

Commenting Mr Ludgate said “I have always practiced as a solicitor in Huddersfield, working for other firms before forming Ludgates in 2000. This later became Ludgate Morrell and has been a firm favourite of local residents for their house moves for over a decade.

For more than 20 years I have specialised in providing plain speaking face to face legal advice in conveyancing and wills & probate.

I am delighted to be joining Ridley & Hall as a partner. They have a long established reputation in conveyancing and they really understand the needs of local people. Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions a family can make and I want to make sure that whether the family is buying or selling they are getting the best advice.

I am very pleased that I will continue to be assisted by Liz Wallis, a Licensed Conveyancer.  Together we have acted in an impressive 5,000 plus house moves during the last decade alone.  “

As to his past life in motorcycling, he said “Now that I am married with two children and approaching half a century, my passion for motorcycles is restricted to fair weather days when the temperature is above 20 degrees!”

Solicitor Kevin Ludgate former British Motorcycling Champion joins Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Sarah Young, Managing Partner said “I am delighted to welcome Kevin as a partner.  He has an excellent reputation in Huddersfield, gaining all of his work by recommendation.  I believe that by strengthening our property team we can offer an even better all round service to our clients.  Although we act for clients all around the country our heart will always be in Huddersfield.

We may be the firm in Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for bikers -Kevin is joining another motorcycling solicitor at Ridley & Hall. Michael George, whose firm merged with Ridley & Hall last year, has his own “big bike” and is a real enthusiast!”

At the same time, Ridley and Hall have promoted solicitor Julie Devenport who specialises in commercial property law, to Associate Solicitor in recognition of her experience and ability. She said “It’s been tough for business owners in recent years – I aim to offer practical, personal advice to my clients to help them weather the problems they face.”

Ridley & Hall has become a local firm with a national presence having succeeded in winning a number of ground breaking cases nationally in recent years in community care, judicial review and kinship care law.  The firm has won Yorkshire Lawyer specialist law firm of the year awards in 2006 and 2008 as well as many other awards and commendations.

For further information, please visit www.ridleyandhall.co.uk

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