• Welcome to Humble & Clark Legal
  • 01434 602531
  • admin@humbleclark.com

Latest stories and updates

News

At Humble & Clark, we keep up to date with industry news and will report, here, on latest initiatives and important changes

Beware of conveyancing scams

Homebuyers are being targeted by criminals by exploiting the conveyancing process. While the overall number of cases is much lower than for other types of fraud, the average amount stolen was the highest per victim. Find out how to protect yourself from conveyancing scams ...

Jun 18, 2024

Budget 2024

Stamp duty relief for people who purchase more than one dwelling in a single transaction, known as Multiple Dwellings Relief, is scrapped.

Mar 06, 2024

Easter opening times

With Easter fast approacing please bear in mind the following when considering completion dates ...

Feb 12, 2024

New Year, New Will

No one knows for certain what lies ahead. Now is the time to make a Will to ensure your final arrangements will be made according to your wishes. Then you can focus on new opportunities and all that 2024 may bring.

Jan 03, 2024

Christmas update

We are closing on Thursday 21 December and will reopen 9 am Thursday 4th January, 2024.

Dec 13, 2023

Christmas and New Year Closure

With less than 5 weeks to go until Christmas it is worth bearing in mind our festive closure and how might this affect your transaction.

Nov 21, 2023

Christmas and New Year opening times

Our team will be taking some time off this holiday season to spend time with family and friends.

Oct 17, 2023

Codicils

A codicil is an additional legal document that explains or alters your Will. But when, why and how should you use a codicil?

Jun 21, 2023

The New Building Safety Act 2022

This Act is a new legislation that aims to improve the safety of high-rise buildings in the UK in response to the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 people and raised serious concerns about the safety of buildings in the country. It represents a significant overhaul of the building safety regulations in the UK and is a positive step towards ensuring that the UK’s high-rise buildings are safe for residents and occupants.

Jun 12, 2023

Our fees

Humble & Clark Legal offer fixed fee conveyancing that reflects the level and speed of service that we offer.

Jan 10, 2023

BEWARE...

Criminals are actively targeting property purchases, with the aim of tricking you into transferring your house deposit and/or the balance of purchase monies to them. These schemes can be highly sophisticated ...

Oct 17, 2022

Festive closure 2022-2023

With only 13 weeks to go until Christmas it is worth bearing in mind our festive closure for the 2022 -2023 period. How might this affect my transaction?

Sep 23, 2022

Chancellor announces increases to the Stamp Duty threshold

The chancellor has announced increases to the Stamp Duty threshold. What impact does this have on your purchase?

Sep 23, 2022

Conveyancing fraud

Payment diversion fraud is increasing with criminals targeting home buyers, due to the high volume of transactions and the large sums of money being transferred. We can all play a part in making such crimes more difficult for the criminals by being vigilant ...

May 17, 2022

Buying a listed building

Listed properties are unique and full of character and period charm. If you want your own piece of English history, then a listed home may be at the top of your wish list. But there are a few things you should consider before buying…

Mar 15, 2022

HM Land Registry's free Property Alert

Protect your property from fraud by signing up to HM Land Registry's free Property Alert Service. The email alert will tell you each time there is significant activity on the property.

Nov 03, 2021

Festive closure

Our festive closure has been extended this year. Please bear this in mind when considering completion dates particularly in early January.

Oct 12, 2021

Short term holiday lets.

Can I use my home as a holiday let or even as an Airbnb?

Aug 27, 2021

The Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday continues for purchasers of residential property in England and Northern Ireland.

Purchasers of residential property could save up to £2,500 Stamp Duty Land Tax.

Jul 02, 2021

Stamp Duty Land Tax - Multiple Dwelling Relief (MDR)

What is Multiple Dwelling Relief (MDR) and why does everyone want to claim it?

May 26, 2021

Budget news

Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the stamp duty holiday will be extended until the end of September and announces a new mortgage guarantee scheme designed to help first-time buyers onto the housing ladder.

Mar 03, 2021

Possible SDLT extension

The lead story in The Times this morning says the Chancellor Rishi Sunak WILL EXTEND the stamp duty holiday deadline until the end of June.

Feb 24, 2021

Changes for non-UK residents purchasing in the UK

From 1st April this year, all non-UK residents buying residential property in the UK will need to pay a 2% stamp duty surcharge

Jan 14, 2021

New Year 2021

Our industry is currently experiencing a large increase in residential conveyancing transactions across the UK, as buyers rush to take advantage of the ' stamp duty holiday'. Regardless of what you and the other parties in a chain hope and intend, there is no guarantee of any particular time frame.

Jan 04, 2021

Home moving permitted

The government has issued guidance on the new pandemic restrictions for England alongside this evening's announcement by the Prime Minister.

Jan 04, 2021

Stamp Duty deadline approaching

We will do everything we can to ensure your transaction completes before the Stamp Duty holiday deadline of 31 March, 2021. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees: but what reassurances are there?

Nov 10, 2020

Alston Lease

Home owners in Alston, Cumbria tend to have issues when they sell, due to their legal titles being created out of the “Alston 1,000-year Lease”. As the title is leasehold, rather than freehold; the lease is unavailable and the landlord is unknown, this impacts the marketability of the property (ask any estate agent) and could affect the value.

Nov 06, 2020

Changing Pandemic Restrictions

The government’s announcement of a one-month lockdown in England and with Wales in a short ‘firebreak’ period, the pattern of restrictions across the two nations is becoming more complex. In England, the standard three tiers of restrictions do not affect home buying or selling. The government is committed to keeping the property industry moving wherever possible (read more)

Nov 02, 2020

As a business, we are committed to complying with the anti-money laundering legislation.

It is a legal requirement that we obtain satisfactory evidence of your identity, address, and details regarding your source of funds, if you are purchasing, when we start work for you.

Oct 16, 2020

SIMs

Simultaneous exchanges and completion (SIMs) are becoming more widely used following Government guidance in light of Coronavirus. But does the risk of failing to complete, far outweigh the potential risks of Coronavirus?

Sep 23, 2020

Stamp duty holiday update

The recent announcement of a "Stamp Duty Holiday" seems simple in principle, but there are some considerations to bear in mind ...

Jul 15, 2020

Stamp duty holiday 2020

Those looking to buy a new property will be pleased to hear that under the chancellor’s plans, the £125,000 threshold for stamp duty will increase to £500,000. Speaking from the House of Commons, Rishi Sunak said, “I have decided today to cut stamp duty. Right now, there is no stamp duty on transactions below £125,000. Today I am increasing the threshold to half a million pounds.”

Jul 08, 2020

Conducting identification and source of funds checks remotely

As part of our Know Your Client and ID process, we now invite clients to complete and submit their personal information via our third party app ‘Thirdfort’.

Jun 05, 2020

Coronavirus - Restrictions relaxed

Last night, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick  announced new guidelines to kick-start the housing market, but what does this mean for our clients ....

May 13, 2020

Do Wills Need a Witness?

In these unusual times we are taking some unusual measures. And sometimes, in the best interests of our clients, we need the think outside the box....

Apr 01, 2020

Coronavirus - Latest guidance published by the government

Government have made it clear that they will not interfere with established contract law, so there will be no Coronavirus "get out" clause inferred to enable parties to unilaterally withdraw from contracts. If both parties do not agree to delay, then the contractual completion date remains binding. Government has suggested...

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus - Advice to clients re exchange and completion

There are special legal considerations for clients who are entering into contracts for the sale and purchase of properties that we want to make you aware of during these challenging times.

Mar 25, 2020

Coronavirus - What it means for us.

In these uncertain times, we wanted to let you know what we are doing here at Humble & Clark Legal. As responsible employers and business owners, we are committed to taking reasonable precautions within our control to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus while maintaining full business services.

Mar 17, 2020

Landlords – how will you deal with the scrapping of “no fault” evictions?

Number 10 briefings to the national media suggest that the scrapping of Section 21 will be one of four key measures to be announced in Thursday’s Queen’s Speech.

Dec 18, 2019

WHY DO WE FINISH EARLY ON A FRIDAY?

A 4:30 pm finish isn't about slacking off, it's about being more productive. It's a day where we leave the office a little bit earlier so we can do more of the things that are important to us ...

Dec 17, 2019

Will Boris live up to his various and varied promises to reform Stamp Duty?

During his campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Johnson made several vague, but tantalising suggestions as to what he would do to reform Stamp Duty. What are they and how will this impact buyers and sellers?

Oct 23, 2019

People in Property Quiz

The Humble and Clark quiz was arranged to get Northumberland law firms and estate agents who deal with each other on a daily basis, to meet up and see the face behind the name.

Sep 05, 2019

Staff development

At Humble & Clark we want to retain our younger members of the team as they offer a fresh approach, allowing us to keep up to date in an ever changing market place.

Aug 05, 2019

Septic Tanks – why the panic?

All owners of homes served by a septic tank must have it checked to ascertain whether it requires replacing/upgrading, whether selling or not, although it really is a priority if delays in the sale are to be avoided.

Jul 03, 2019

Waiver of Stamp Duty for First Time Buyers

According to recent research, around a third of first-time buyers either don’t know if they will benefit from the Government’s waiver of stamp duty for their first home or said that they didn’t know how much they would save if they bought their first home.

Aug 13, 2018

Are Listed Buildings exempt from the need to have an EPC?

Much has been said and written which suggests that there is an absolute exemption from the need for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for Listed Buildings.

Mar 29, 2018

Landlords – how (energy) efficient are your properties?

From 1 April 2018, it will be unlawful for a landlord (of residential or commercial premises) to grant a new tenancy if the property has an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating lower than band "E".

Mar 08, 2018

Help to Buy: ISA

With the government offering a boost of 25% to first-time buyer's savings, you'd be mad not to take advantage of this scheme to save your deposit for a home.

Feb 16, 2018

Refund of Power of Attorney Registration

Under a new Government scheme, those who paid a registration fee for a Lasting Power of Attorney in England or Wales, between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017, can apply for a partial refund as they were charged more than was necessary.

Feb 08, 2018

Stamp duty - Additional Homes

From 1 April 2016, Stamp Duty Land Tax rates change to introduce an additional 3% duty on any property bought, where the buyer already owns a property in their own name or jointly with others.

Feb 05, 2018