There are some important changes afoot. This sheet is to remind you of particular recent developments that may be of interest or concern. Further information can be provided promptly on request, although you may care first to visit other areas of our website as mentioned below for more expansive guidance on the issues involved.
Home Information Packs (“HIPs”)
A HIP is now (or soon will be) required to sell your property.
Kite Griffin is a provider of fully compliant HIPs to existing and prospective new clients, utilising a method that seeks to maximise safeguards but minimise expense and delay.
Further details, including information as to probable cost, can be found at our HIP introduction page
If you are likely to need a HIP please contact Sheila Birchall, sheila@kitegriffin.co.uk, telephone 01344 425367 for full written details, including a formal cost estimate. These can be sent promptly to you by email and/or by post, on request.
Enduring Powers of Attorney (“EPAs”) and Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”)
Legislation has been introduced to completely change requirements for the future. The current system has worked well for many years, with limited exceptions. However, an extensive review has resulted in a determination that considerably more complicated arrangements should now be made.
The new regime will bring in LPAs and is due to come into effect in October 2007. Any EPAs created beforehand under the “old” law will remain valid, notwithstanding the changes. Clients of Kite Griffin, may therefore wish to take advantage of the relative simplicity and low cost of existing EPA documents and procedures, whilst there is still time. Our own charge for an average EPA of this type is £50.00 plus VAT.
It is not yet possible to accurately forecast the cost of new LPAs, after the change. The government has been slow to produce the complex regulations that are to apply. However, there are two different forms, both of which may be necessary in any individual case; each form is significantly longer (10/12 pages); each has to be registered with the Court of Protection before utilisation; there is to be a court fee of £150.00 upon each registration (i.e. potentially £300.00 for one individual); and once registered, the new powers can only be exercised under court supervision.
If you do not yet have a current valid EPA and would like to discuss arrangements for putting this in place (perhaps for yourself and your partner), please contact Katherine Allen, katherine@kitegriffin.co.uk, telephone 01344 425637 for details, or visit our Powers of Attorney page
