Why Use A Mortgage Broker?

Are you thinking about buying your first home? Congratulations on taking this big step! Becoming a homeowner is exciting, but finding the right mortgage can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the process. 

The complexity of navigating through the different mortgage options available can be daunting, particularly for first-time buyers. This is where engaging the services of a mortgage broker can be a useful strategy.

So, why use a mortgage broker? Let us delve into the number of reasons why entrusting your mortgage journey to a broker can yield significant benefits, particularly for those who have zero experience and are about to take their first steps onto the property ladder.

 

Expertise in the Mortgage Market:

Mortgage brokers are seasoned professionals with comprehensive knowledge of the mortgage market. It’s their job to stay abreast of the latest trends, rates, and lender policies. This expertise enables them to match you with the most suitable mortgage product tailored to your unique financial circumstances and homeownership goals.

Professional Connections:

Mortgage brokers often collaborate with a network of professionals involved in the home-buying process, including real estate agents, appraisers, and attorneys. Leveraging these professional connections, brokers can facilitate a smoother and more cohesive homebuying experience. Whether it’s coordinating with your real estate agent to ensure seamless communication or recommending reputable service providers, brokers enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of your homebuying journey.

Access to Multiple Lenders:

Unlike traditional banks or lenders, mortgage brokers have access to a wide network of lending institutions. This extensive network includes banks, credit unions, and private lenders. By leveraging these connections, brokers can scout the market to find competitive rates and favourable terms that may not be readily available to individual borrowers.

Customised Mortgage Solutions:

Every homebuyer’s financial situation is unique, and one size certainly doesn’t fit all when it comes to mortgages. Mortgage brokers analyse your financial profile, including income, credit history, and down payment capabilities, to tailor a mortgage solution that aligns with your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re aiming for a fixed-rate mortgage, adjustable-rate mortgage, or specialised loan program, a broker can guide you toward the most suitable option.

Streamlined Application Process:

Applying for a mortgage involves mountains of paperwork and numerous complexities. Mortgage brokers streamline this process by handling the paperwork on your behalf. From gathering necessary documents to liaising with lenders, brokers manage the entire application process efficiently, saving you time and minimising stress.

Negotiation Power:

Securing the best mortgage deal involves negotiation, and this is where mortgage brokers truly shine. Armed with market insights and negotiation skills, brokers advocate on your behalf to secure favourable terms, including lower interest rates, reduced fees, and flexible repayment options. Their ability to negotiate can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.

Time and Stress Savings:

The home-buying process is multifaceted and time-consuming, requiring extensive research, paperwork, and coordination with various parties. By enlisting the services of a mortgage broker, you offload much of the legwork and administrative burden onto a skilled professional. This not only saves you time but also alleviates stress and anxiety associated with navigating the complexities of the mortgage process independently. With a broker handling the details, you can focus on other aspects of the homebuying journey with peace of mind.

Personalised Guidance and Support:

Buying your first home is a monumental milestone, but it can also be intimidating. Mortgage brokers provide invaluable guidance and support at every stage of the home-buying process. From explaining complex mortgage terms to offering advice on improving your credit score, brokers serve as trusted advisors, ensuring you feel empowered and informed throughout your homeownership journey.

Objective Advice:

While lenders prioritise their own financial interests, mortgage brokers are committed to serving your best interests. They provide objective advice without any bias toward specific lenders or products. This impartiality ensures that you receive unbiased recommendations that are solely focused on helping you achieve your homeownership goals.

Continued Support Beyond Closing:

The relationship with your mortgage broker doesn’t end once you’ve closed on your new home. Brokers offer ongoing support and guidance, addressing any questions or concerns you may have even after the ink has dried on your mortgage documents. Whether you’re considering refinancing, upgrading to a new home, or exploring investment properties, your broker remains a valuable resource every step of the way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision to use a mortgage broker is a wise choice, particularly for first-time buyers embarking on the exciting journey of homeownership. From their expertise in the mortgage market to their personalised guidance and negotiation prowess, brokers play a pivotal role in simplifying the mortgage process and securing the best possible terms for their clients. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge into homeownership, enlist the expertise of a mortgage broker and take the first step on your homebuying journey with confidence.

 

Data Protection and Commercial Law: Compliance in the Digital Age

As digital transactions and interconnected technologies continue to proliferate, data protection in commercial law has never been more paramount. Businesses increasingly rely on digital platforms for conducting operations and understanding data protection laws has become essential to maintaining legal compliance and protecting sensitive information.

 

This article investigates this intersection of data protection and commercial law while exploring some of its unique challenges concerning businesses operating within digital environments.

 

  1. Digital Transformation Landscape:

Discuss the pervasive influence of digital technologies on commercial activities. Explore how businesses are harnessing data for strategic decision-making, marketing and customer experience improvement while emphasising the necessity of robust data protection measures.

 

  1. Legal Frameworks Affecting Data Protection:

Investigate the legal frameworks governing data protection, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), regional or industry regulations and more. Consider how these laws provide individuals with rights and set obligations on businesses handling personal data.

 

  1. Types of Personal Data:

Define and explain what constitutes personal data in a commercial setting, from customer records to employee databases, as well as any legal responsibilities that stem from its processing and storage.

 

  1. Consent and Transparency:

Discuss the principles of consent and transparency in data protection. Emphasise the importance of seeking informed and clear consent from individuals before processing their data, as well as exploring how open data practices create trust with customers and partners.

 

  1. Data Security Measures:

Explore the legal obligations governing data security. Focus on the necessity of implementing robust security measures to guard against data breaches, unauthorised access, and cyber threats; then outline potential legal ramifications associated with failing to adequately secure sensitive information.

 

  1. Cross-Border Data Transfers:

Study the challenges and legal considerations involved with moving data across international borders, with special regard for standard contractual clauses, binding corporate rules, and other mechanisms as tools in ensuring compliance with data protection laws in a global business landscape.

 

  1. Data Breach Response and Reporting:

Discuss the legal requirements for responding to data breaches. Discuss the importance of having an incident response plan that includes prompt notifications to regulatory bodies and affected individuals in case of data breach incidents, and examine any legal ramifications caused by noncompliance in such an instance.

 

  1. Vendor and Third-Party Management:

Discuss the legal considerations related to managing data shared with vendors and third parties. Learn about contractual obligations, vendor selection process due diligence requirements, and legal agreements used as guarantees that third parties abide by data protection standards.

 

  1. Impact Analyses and Accountability:

Explore the concepts of data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) and accountability, as mandated by various data protection laws. Explore how businesses can proactively assess the effects of their data processing activities on individuals while showing compliance through accountability measures.

 

  1. Emerging Trends and Challenges of Tomorrow:

Conclude by discussing emerging trends in data protection, including increased regulatory scrutiny, data ethics as a rising concern, and changing privacy laws. Finally, explore how businesses can adapt proactively and adaptively when it comes to protecting data in today’s dynamic digital era.

 

Conclusion:

Given that data remains the core of commercial operations, adhering to data protection laws is no longer only a legal requirement but an essential aspect of responsible business practices. Navigating this complex landscape of data protection in an interconnected world requires having an in-depth knowledge of legal frameworks, a commitment to transparency and an overarching proactive strategy for safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights and freedoms.

Why Should I Get A Wealth Manager To Manage My Finances??

Personal financial management may be challenging and time-consuming, especially as your wealth increases. While some people prefer to manage their money on their own, there comes a time when getting expert advice is necessary, especially from reputable ones such as Raymond James.

An asset manager can help in this situation. A wealth manager is a financial expert who offers personalised guidance and complete services to assist people in navigating the complexities of successfully managing their money. In this post, we’ll examine the main factors that make hiring a wealth manager a smart move for your financial security.

 

What Is Wealth Management?

Making choices about your assets is the wealth management process, sometimes in collaboration with a wealth manager. Investments in money, tax preparation, estate planning, and other financial problems fall under this category.

 

Who Is A Wealth Manager?

A wealth manager is a licenced professional who helps clients who require wealth management assistance with their financial decisions. They are a certified financial expert who often offers a wide variety of services such as Investment management, financial planning, insurance sales, tax guidance, and estate planning.

 

Why Should You Get A Wealth Manager?

There are a few advantages to getting a wealth manager to manage your finances. Here are some of the points: 

 

They Have The Proper Knowledge And Expertise

The wealth manager’s ability and in-depth understanding of the financial environment are two of the main reasons to be taken into consideration. These professionals have extensive training in investing methods, tax planning, risk management, and estate planning. 

They keep updated on the most recent market developments, legislative changes, and investment possibilities. You may obtain access to an extensive amount of information and make decisions that are suited to your financial objectives by utilising their experience.

 

Personalized Services

Since every person’s financial circumstances are different, a one-size-fits-all strategy rarely works. Wealth managers are aware of this and create tailored financial strategies based on your individual needs, objectives, and risk tolerance. 

To develop a tailored roadmap, they do a complete examination of your financial status, taking into account your earnings, outgoings, assets, and obligations. This thorough plan considers both short- and long-term goals, retirement planning, funding for schooling, and legacy preparation. 

You can be sure that your financial strategy is personalised to your requirements and ambitions when you work with a wealth manager.

 

They Will Keep Your Portfolio Diversified

A crucial component of wealth building and maintenance is clever investing. Your varied investment portfolio may be built and managed with the assistance of wealth managers. In-depth research is done, risk profiles are evaluated, and suitable investment possibilities are found across a variety of asset classes, including equities, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments. 

Investment diversification is a strategy used by wealth managers to lower risk and increase possible profits. They continually keep an eye on your portfolio and make adjustments based on the state of the market and your changing financial objectives.

 

They Can Help You Manage Your Risks

Risk management that works is vital for protecting your wealth. Wealth managers use tactics to reduce risks and safeguard your funds from unanticipated circumstances. To reduce possible vulnerabilities, they might offer advice on insurance choices, estate planning, and asset protection strategies. 

Working closely with a wealth manager gives you a partner who can guide you through trying market and economic times as well as unforeseen life events, guaranteeing the long-term protection and expansion of your money.

How To Find A Good Optician

To maintain excellent eye health and guarantee that your visual demands are met with the greatest standard of care and skill, finding the ideal optician is important. Choosing the best optician is essential whether you need a routine eye checkup, new glasses or contact lenses, or specialised care. 

 

This article aims to give you insightful information and helpful advice so you may locate the ideal optician such as Bill Opticians to meet your unique eye care needs.

 

Things To Do When Choosing An Optician

While looking for an optician can be stressful, we have compiled a list of factors to consider when you are choosing an optician. 

 

You Should Know What You Need, Or Don’t

Assessing your needs should be one of your first steps before even finding an optician. Finding the specifications of your needs can direct you to find opticians that specialize in your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself: 

 

  • Do you require normal eye care or are you in need of specialised treatment for a specific eye condition?
  • Are you seeking for an optician with experience in a particular field, such as low-vision care, contact lenses, or paediatric optometry?
  • Do you prefer an optician with flexible appointment times?

 

Find Recommendations From Other Sources

Ask for referrals from loved ones, acquaintances, and coworkers who have had good experiences with opticians. Personal recommendations can offer insightful information about the level of skill, knowledge, and general satisfaction of patients.

 

Look For Credible and Reputable Opticians

Check the qualifications and credentials of the optometrists you are considering. Seek out professionals who have the necessary optometry boards or associations registrations and licences. Consider their professional background as well, especially if you have severe eye issues or need specialised treatment.

 

Check Their Reviews

Look into the credibility of the eye doctors on the shortlist you have created. Investigate their website, social media accounts, and online review sites to learn more about their reputation, patient reviews, and general customer satisfaction scores. Pay close attention to the particulars that patients have brought up, such as the level of professionalism, the selection of eye care alternatives, and the quality of the service.

 

Are They Utilizing The Latest Technology Available In The Market?

Think about the equipment and services that various opticians provide. Modern technology and advanced diagnostic tools can increase the precision of eye exams and raise the standard of treatment. 

 

A full variety of services, including eye exams, vision therapy, specialised treatments, and a large number of eyewear alternatives, should be offered by opticians. These professionals should also invest in the latest advances in technology.

 

Get Yourself An Appointment With Opticians

Schedule a consultation or an initial appointment with your favourite optician once you have reduced your options. This will enable you to evaluate the office’s culture, the staff’s degree of professionalism, and your general comfort while under their care.

 

Consider Their Communication Method Or Customer Service

Your total experience with an optician depends on clear communication and excellent customer service. Make contact with the optometrists you are thinking about and evaluate their responsiveness, attention to your queries or concerns, and capacity to clearly and understandably explain complicated topics in eye care. Your level of satisfaction can be considerably increased by a helpful and qualified staff member.

 

The Benefits Of Anti-Skid Surfacing

Safety is a key concern across several industries, including maritime. Surfaces that are slippery may be extremely dangerous and result in injuries and fatalities. The anti-skid surface is useful in this situation, as organisations can increase safety standards and lower surface maintenance needs by implementing anti-skid surfacing technologies. 

Before we discuss the many advantages of anti-skid surfaces in this post and explain why it’s a crucial investment for any company, it is important to understand that finding the right anti-skid surface provider is also very important, as they provide proper installation and quality checks.

 

What Is Anti-Skid Surfacing?

High-traffic regions are covered with anti-skid surfaces, a type of surfacing material also known as high-friction surfacing. It is primarily utilised at car parks and intersections, two places where safety must be improved to prevent collisions, or in industry contexts such as marine applications. In contrast to asphalt, anti-skid covering offers a surface with significantly more friction, which shortens stopping distance and increases grip.  

The maritime sector requires flooring that creates a certain amount of friction, a type of coating called marine grade non-skid coating is applied to marine buildings and boats.  These anti-slip coatings create a secure non-skid environment while preventing metal substrates from impact or heat.

 

What Are The Benefits It Offers?

 

It Increases The Overall Safety

It’s inevitable to encounter safety risks when fast-moving boats, irregular weather, and big oceans are involved; it’s part of life as a user of any maritime vessel.

The huge increase in safety that anti-skid surface offers are the main benefit that organisations are looking for. Frequent accidents involving slipping and falling are very dangerous, especially in locations near wetness, oils, or other chemicals. 

The result of increased traction from anti-skid surfaces lowers the risk of accidents due to slick surfaces. Even in rainy weather, it improves friction, making overall situations safer for staff members, clients, and everyone in general.

Cost Efficiency

Long-term cost reductions from anti-skid surface investments can be substantial. The advantages significantly exceed the costs, even though the initial installation costs could be more expensive than any traditional surfacing solutions. 

The materials used in anti-skid surfacing are made to be tough, resistant to damage, and long-lasting. Compared to normal surfaces, they require less regular maintenance like painting or repairs. Reduced maintenance requirements result in cheaper operating expenses and higher overall effectiveness.

Besides, with anti-skid surfaces, people are less prone to accidents, which will lead to lower costs in managing or facing penalties. 

 

It’s Customizable

In order to satisfy particular industrial needs, the anti-skid surfacing is able to offer a great degree of adjustability and customisation. Common materials such as concrete, metal, and wood can all be coated with a variety of finishes. 

Due to their versatility, anti-skid systems may be used by businesses in a variety of locations, which in marine contexts are bridges or maritime vessels. The colour, patterns, and texture of the anti-skid surface can also be altered to match the overall external environment.

 

Why Beneficiaries Might Contest a Will

Losing a loved one is always tough – but, unfortunately, if you’re a potential beneficiary of their will, it’s not always the end of the process. In fact, some beneficiaries may choose to contest a will for various reasons. In this article, we’ll explore the key reasons why beneficiaries may contest a will, especially in the UK, so that you can understand what can be done to avoid potential problems. For further details also check out this page.

 

Why Contest a Will

Lack of Capacity

One of the most common reasons for beneficiaries to contest a will is if they believe that the person who made the will did not have the capacity to do so. This can occur if the person was suffering from a condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease that may have affected their decision-making abilities at the time they drafted their will. If there are any doubts about the person’s capacity at the time of signing, it’s advisable to seek written medical confirmation before executing a will.

Undue Influence

If there is evidence to suggest that the person who drafted the will was unduly influenced when making decisions about who to leave their assets to, a beneficiary may choose to contest the document. This could be due to outside pressure from a family member or friend, who may have used coercion to influence the person’s decision-making process.

Legal Formalities

It is important to ensure that the will is drafted, executed and witnessed properly, as a beneficiary may argue that the will is not valid if these legal formalities have not been followed. For example, if the will was not witnessed in line with the legal requirements, the document may be considered invalid in court.

Family Provision Act

Beneficiaries may also contest a will if they have not been adequately provided for by the person who has passed away. If a beneficiary feels they have not received a fair share of the estate, they may choose to contest the will under the Family Provision Act of 1975 and claim further financial provision from the estate.

Forged Will

One of the most serious reasons for a beneficiary to contest a will is if there is evidence to suggest that the will has been forged. If the document was not original or it contains errors or signs that do not match the person’s signature, the beneficiary can argue that the document is not a legal will.

In conclusion, understanding why beneficiaries may contest a will is important for the person drafting the will, as well as for the beneficiaries. To avoid potential issues, it’s advisable to seek professional guidance when drafting or making amendments to a will. It’s also important to make sure that the will is executed and witnessed correctly, and that no external parties are exerting undue influence on the decision-making process. By implementing these measures, you can reduce the risk of beneficiaries contesting a will, making the probate process smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.

How often should a HGV be brake tested

Brake testing for HGV has always been a maintenance procedure that has been mandated by the government. In the latest guidance issued by DVSA, it listed how the operators should interpret the brake test reports, determining whether the vehicle passes the test. A vehicle that has passed the test does not mean it is foolproof, the operators should check for potential faulty parts. 

So, where should you get your brake testing done? We highly suggest using Capital Garage Equipment HGV brake testing as they have MOT test centres with high-quality brake testers, giving you accurate reports with peace of mind. 

 

Test Requirements

Test Frequency

First, let’s answer the question – how often should my HGV brake be tested? According to the UK government, you will need to test your vehicles at 4 times minimum, including the ones conducted at the MOT test centres. 

 

Vehicle Test Requirements

Before the test is conducted, it is compulsory to load your vehicle at 65% of its capacity. However, there are some exceptional cases that allow your vehicle to be tested unweighted. Vehicles that have design limitations or carry special types of loads such as human waste, live sticks or concrete mixers are exempted and allowed to be tested unweighted.

 

Where Should I Get My Brake Tested? 

You should send your vehicles to ATFs (Authorised Test Facilities). They will ensure that the procedures are followed according to government regulations, and your vehicles will be tested within an approved environment using high-quality brake testers. This is a good choice when you do not want to invest in brake testers, as you might potentially miss out on some steps that will cost you more time and money. 

 

Can I Get My Own Brake Testers?

Of course you can, but you’ll need to follow the government regulations tightly to ensure you do not miss out on any criteria listed. Here are some brief information on what you should do. 

 

Clean Your Brake Testers

Before conducting any tests, make sure that your roller brake testers are cleaned and well-gritted. It is also highly advised to go for checks and maintenance for your brake testers to ensure the brake testers are in good condition. 

 

Weights

Similar to testing in an ATF, you’ll need to load your vehicles up to 65% of their capacity unless under special circumstances. 

 

Can I Use Decelerometers? 

Unfortunately, not all vehicles are eligible for decelerometer testing, and it is only available in a few ATFs. Decelerometer is generally used for vehicles that are not able to be brake tested by a conventional roller blade tester, or in cases where roller blade testers are broken. 

 

Brake Test Reports: What Does It Show?

The brake test report is essentially the report that tells you if your vehicle passes or fails the brake test and the reason it did, or did not. 

The brake test report includes the vehicle details on the first page, such as the model type and the vehicle brand and etc. The second part shows information about the brake performance. It provides information on how each axle is performing and whether it passed the test. Finally, the last part consists of the overall result for each brake test, presenting your vehicle’s braking efficiency. 

This report is beneficial for vehicle owners as it ensures that your brakes are working up to a safe standard. In the process, it identifies problems your vehicle potentially has that need repairs, which prevents HGV road hazards. 

 

Conclusion

Overall, you will need to get your brakes tested 4 times per year, and they can be conducted in ATFs all around the UK. If you own a brake tester, make sure you follow the steps and the regulations of the government. Let us make the road much safer, for a better travel experience.

What should you look at when hiring a payroll specialist?

Salary distribution can be a very exhausting task as it is very repetitive and complicated, which is why hiring a payroll specialist is essential for businesses. Payroll is an essential component that ensures the business runs smoothly as they distribute the salaries to your employees in an accurate and timely manner. Besides, they are also responsible for keeping your records and statements, and also handling your taxes in accordance with the regulations.

With that said, it is important to get the right payroll specialist. Companies such as AccountedFor are specialized in this field, ensuring you get the best payroll services possible. Here are some factors to consider before hiring a payroll specialist. 

Certification

One of the key factors in choosing a payroll specialist is getting a certified payroll specialist. Certified payroll specialist has undergone proper training and they are also regulated by a proper body. 

In the UK, a payroll specialist can only be certified by CIPP (Chartered Institute for Payroll and Pension), as they are the only chartered institute in the UK. CIPP ensures that their members are always up to date on the newest payroll software and ensuring best practices for the company. 

Familiarity With Payroll Softwares

As we are heading into the era of technology, payroll software is constantly being updated with the introduction of new features. This trend has caused payroll specialist required to be especially familiar with computers and payroll software. The level of adaptation is also very important as there are various types of payroll software that differ in complexity. 

However, do note that although payroll software can help payroll specialists in complying tax regulations, it is definitely not 100% accurate, which is why a payroll specialist is constantly demanded in a business. It is very important to look for payroll specialists that are constantly updated about the political landscape.

Communication Skills

Payroll directly relates to people, as payroll specialists will be engaging with employees very often. A payroll specialist with good communication skills is able to handle problems and explain the situation in a clear manner, allowing employees to know what is going on with their salary. 

Besides, payroll specialist needs to teach employees to use the payroll software portals, which means good communication is essential as giving instructions to use complex software is not as easy as it sounds. 

Experience

Aside from technical skills, experienced payroll specialists should always be considered as they have been facing different types of situations. An experienced payroll specialist is able to handle difficult situations with ease as they have been met with similar situations before, significantly cutting down wasted time and effort. 

However, one thing to take note is about is the field that the payroll specialist was in. Different fields of business have different dynamics, and they might be very different from yours. Make sure to ask the right questions and the method they handled it to ensure they are a good fit for your company.

High In Adaptability

In this ever-changing landscape of technology, there will always be something new and changes will always happen, and adaptability has become one of the most crucial elements that businesses are looking for in all employees, including payroll specialists. Payroll specialists are usually expected to adapt during changes in business or even politics that will affect the payroll system. Situations such as tax policy changes should be adapted quickly to prevent government intervention or employee dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

We understand that getting a good payroll specialist is not easy, especially when there are so many candidates to screen through. If you are looking to find a good payroll specialist without wasting so much time and effort, look no further than payroll specialist companies such as AccountedFor, as they are helping numerous companies to handle their payroll processes and have done a great job throughout the years.

All You Need To Know About UK’s Employment Law

When you hear the term employment law you might think that’s a bit boring, but it’s so important that you understand it as it impacts businesses, you, me, and everybody who’s employed or employs people is impacted by employment law.

In this article, I’m going to tell you lots about employment law and how it impacts you and your businesses. Now, employment law can be complex as it’s made up of lots of little pieces of government legislation, but it’s designed to protect employees from exploitation in the workplace. When it’s broken down employment law is based on four key areas which form the basis of employee rights in the UK.

These are recruitment, pay, discrimination, and health and safety and in this article, I’m going to give you an overview of all four of these key areas and how legislation around employment impacts both employers and employees in the UK.

Recruitment

So first up it’s recruitment, when businesses are looking to recruit, employment law sets the standard, it guides businesses on what they can and cannot do when they’re looking to recruit new employees and what they can and cannot do with their current employees.

The key pieces of legislation that are involved in recruitment are the Equality Act (2010), which ensures that businesses treat all potential applicants and current employees fairly and do not discriminate.

This applies to the whole recruitment process right from the way that the job advert is written to the way that the job advert is publicized, so who and who cannot access and apply through to the interview and selection process.

The  Data Protection Act (2018) is also very important as it guides businesses on the types of personal information that they can and cannot collect from candidates and employees. And the third key piece of legislation that impacts recruitment is the Employment Rights Act (1996) which is in place to ensure that all successful applicants receive a formal written document or statement which contains all the key information about their new role and their responsibilities.

This includes information such as the job title, the job description, the rates of pay, and who they might report to. In addition to this employment law also guides businesses on how to treat employees who are going to be absent from the workplace whether this is through sickness or having a child.

For example, employment law guides the business and sets the minimum standard of treatment for that employee and once the business has been successful in its recruitment process, employment law then guides it on the types of checks that it must carry out on this successful applicant.

For example, if the role involved working with young children let’s say a teacher, then the school is required to complete a DBS check to ensure the successful candidate has got no criminal convictions and they are safe to work with children.

Pay

So we’ve talked a lot about recruitment so far but that’s just one of the four key areas of employment law, so we’re going to move on now to pay and when it comes to paying, employment law plays a huge role in the amount that you are paid in your role.

This is because a piece of legislation named the national minimum wage act 1998 sets the minimum amount of money that any employee should be paid. When working in the UK this minimum amount of money acts as a benchmark that’s the minimum that any business has got to pay its employees in the UK there are three key strands to this piece of legislation that impact how much you and anybody else will be paid.

These are the apprenticeship wage which applies to apprentices and currently, in 2022 this is four pounds eight to one an hour the national minimum wage which applies to anybody up to the age of 22 and ranges from £4.81 to 9.18 per hour depending on the age of the employee and then you’ve got the national living wage which applies to anybody who’s 23 and above. But importantly these rates of pay are reviewed yearly by the government so it’s crucial that businesses don’t miss any changes to these minimum wage requirements and find themselves breaking the law.

Now while we’re on the topic of pay the Equality Act (2010) comes into play again, making it illegal to pay employees who are deemed to be in the same or similar role different rates of pay which is just another key point that businesses and employers need to be aware of when deciding how much they’re going to pay their employees to ensure that they don’t get in trouble, they don’t upset their employees, and ultimately don’t end up in court.

For example, if a man and a woman were doing exactly the same role they should be on the same pay scales it’s as simple as that.

Discrimination

We now move on to discrimination which I’ve already mentioned quite a few times but that’s because it’s a pivotal part of employment law.

Essentially employment law is designed to make sure that everybody is treated fairly and nobody is discriminated against and to make it clear how employees are typically discriminated against. There are nine protected characteristics that employers should be aware of and they should be very careful not to discriminate or treat someone unfairly because of any one of these nine protected characteristics.

These nine protected characteristics are

  • age,
  • gender reassignment
  • being married or in a civil   partnership
  • being pregnant or on maternity leave
  • disability
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

For example, a business cannot refuse to give a job to a candidate because they find out that they are pregnant nor can a business discriminate against an employee or an applicant because they’ve got a disability.

In fact, businesses have a legal requirement to ensure that they’ve got adequate provisions in place to support candidates or employees who are disabled to ensure that all employees have equal access to employment regardless of their disability.

Health And Safety

We now move on to the final key area of employment law which centers around health and safety. So another reason why employment law exists is to ensure that the workplace is safe and to ensure employees are safe in the workplace.

A number of key legislations are there to guide businesses to prepare a safe working environment for all of their employees. One of the most important pieces of legislation when it comes to health and safety is the health and safety work act (1974).

This act sets out the general duties employers have to members of the general public and to their employees but it also sets out the general duties that employees have to themselves and to each other.

For example to provide a safe working environment employers are expected to deliver staff training around health and safety in the workplace, provide and maintain suitable tools for the job and PPE to protect employees,  report any serious accidents to the HSE,   and even go as far as providing employees with the basics such as toilets, running water, and washing facilities.

Then if we switch this on its head and look at what employees are expected to do they are expected to complete all mandatory training set by their employer, ensure they are using the PPE and safety equipment provided at all times, as well as use the correct tools for the job and employees should also take responsibility for their own safety in the workplace and if they identify any risk whatsoever they should report it straight away to their employer.

And the final key piece of legislation that I’m going to cover in this video is working time regulations (1998).   Now, this is a key part of employment law and is designed to keep the workplace as safe as possible and to reduce risk.

This is essentially achieved by ensuring that workers aren’t overworked by providing strict guidelines around working hours, breaks, and paid leave that employers must follow.   For example, the working time regulation states the maximum amount of hours that an employee can work in most circumstances is currently an average of 48 hours a week, employees are legally entitled to a 20-minute break if they’re working more than six hours, and employees are entitled to a minimum of 5 or 6 weeks of paid leave per year.

Now imagine if this regulation wasn’t in place, now I’m not saying every employer would do it and every business would do it but do you think you would get as many breaks? Would you get as much paid leave? Would you get sick pay? Would you have to work more than  48 hours? It’s a good question to ask and imagine if you did work 70 hours you didn’t get sick leave, you didn’t get holiday pay, you didn’t get breaks while you’re on shift, what would happen to you? You are likely to get very tired, and very overworked, you’ll lose your focus, the quality would go down, and risk would go up and most likely so would accidents.

Conclusion

And that’s it, a quick guide to employment law and its purpose in business. I hope that’s helped you understand how it impacts businesses as employers and also people as employees.

Conveyancing: How Much Does It Cost?

Conveyancing refers to the process of ownership transfer in legal terms. You can view it as an administrative process that we all need to go through before buying a house.

Looking for a good conveyancer such as MyConveyancingSpecialist is very important in getting your conveyancing fees justified. They will be able to handle stuff such as negotiating with your mortgage lender

 

 

Fees

Structure of Conveyancing Fees

So before asking exactly how much will these conveyancing fees cost, we will need to understand the structure of it. These conveyancing fees will be the amount you pay to ensure that a house sale is handled appropriately in a legal context.

 

The fees can be structured into 2 parts, which are:

Legal Fees: These are the service charges by the conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor

Disbursement Fees: These are charges by other companies for handling work scopes beyond the conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor. Eg. land registry fees, and search fees.

 

 

payment

How Much Should I Pay?

The conveyancing fees for buying and selling are a little bit different, however here are the average conveyancing fees for both buying and selling:

Buying: An average price of £1,000 to £1,500

Selling: An Average price of £600 to £800

The fees stated above are including conveyancing fees and disbursement fees, excluding stamp duty land tax. The fees are also only applicable to freehold property.

For leasehold properties, there will be other charges such as a leasehold property supplement fee or an unregistered property supplement fee. Just add around £150 to £400 extra on top of that.

 

Legal Fees

The legal fees will have minor fluctuations due to a few reasons such as :

  • Leasehold property Or Freehold property
  • Service Location
  • Property purchase price
  • Online or Offline
  • Are you hiring conveyancers or conveyancing solicitors

 

 

Conveyancing

Fixed Fee Conveyancing Service

These factors will affect the prices of the conveyancing fees, that’s why there are fixed-fee conveyancing services nowadays. Fixed fee conveyancing services refer to a fixed price on all the services provided without any hidden cost.

 

 

when

When Should I Pay The Fees?

In many cases, conveyancing solicitors will require you to pay conveyancing fees upfront. It depends on different conveyancing firms.

They require an upfront payment as they all cover the cost of the disbursements to conduct searches, checks, and many more.

The remaining balance will be paid by

 

 

leasehold house

Why Are Leasehold Properties More Expensive?

Don’t be shocked when you see a higher bill for your leasehold property. Conveyancing fees for leasehold properties tend to be more expensive because there are additional costs to the conveyancing process such as

  • Deed of Covenant (binds the agreement between landlord and buyer legally)
  • Leasehold Management Company
  • Notice Of Assignment or Notice of Transfer

As the prices vary, they can range from £300 to £1000 more.

 

No Sale No Fee Conveyancing

As the name states, if you don’t get the sale, you don’t pay conveyancing fees. This is one of the marketing tactics used by conveyancing firms.

However, make sure to know the terms and conditions before engaging these conveyancers. Some of them might just waive the legal fees instead of the whole amount. Get a clear explanation and understanding before fully committing to the conveyancing costs

 

What Are The Cost Of Disbursement?

There are many types of different disbursements, especially if you are buying a leasehold property.

  1. Money Laundering Regulations Checks – £6 – £20
  2. Bank transfer fees – £15 -£30
  3. Transferring Equity – £200 – £300
  4. Local Authority Search – £250 – £450
  5. Fraud Checks – £12 est
  6. Land Registry – Up to £1000
  7. Stamp Duty Land Tax – £2,000 – £2,500
  8. Estate Agency Fees – Depends

Conclusion

There are many conveyancers out there that are ready for your service, but please keep in mind to choose the right one for you such as MyConveyancingSpecialist.

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