Associate Solicitor Manisha Bhula, head of our Residential Property team, takes a look at the current housing market.
Blandy & Blandy’s award-winning Residential Property team has experienced a 40% increase in new clients during July and August versus 2019, according to team head Manisha Bhula.
In part, the rise follows the introduction of a Stamp Duty ‘holiday’, for those purchasing residential properties before 31 March 2021, introduced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 8 July 2020.
It means that during this period, anyone purchasing a main property valued at under £500,000 (including first time buyers, who have been exempt on paying SDLT up to £300,000 and have paid 5% on any portion between £300,000 and £500,000) will pay no SDLT. Buyers of higher value properties will pay a reduced amount of SDLT, saving up to £15,000.
Partner Luke McMath recently appeared on BBC Radio Berkshire to discuss the changes.
Manisha said: “This summer, we have seen record levels of activity in the housing market, boosted by the Government’s Stamp Duty holiday and historically low interest rates.
Our experienced team is committed to providing clients with clear, practical and effective legal advice, a responsive and highly personal conveyancing service and, crucially, value for money.”
Blandy & Blandy’s specialist team, based in Reading and Henley-on-Thames, is accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and continues to receive outstanding client feedback. Recently, feedback has included:
“I don't think I'd ever trust any another solicitor to act on my behalf again - Blandy & Blandy will always be my first port of call.”
“When the estate agent asked which solicitor we were using and we said Blandy & Blandy, they smiled and said: 'Good decision... they are the best in the area.' And they were!”
And: “A professional conveyancing solicitor can save you time, money and problems in the future. Put quality above price.”
For further information or legal advice, please contact law@blandy.co.uk or call 0118 951 6800.
This article is intended for the use of clients and other interested parties. The information contained in it is believed to be correct at the date of publication, but it is necessarily of a brief and general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice.
