Cancelled flights and delays...what can i do?

So, the holiday season is over and hopefully we have all had problem free journeys to some exciting destinations. However, if things haven't gone quite according to plan, did you know you can now claim on a cancelled or delayed flight or for being bumped off a flight?

Compensation for cancelled or delayed flights is dependent on the reason for the cancellation or delay. If the airline can prove that either was caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’, then no compensation is payable.

Extraordinary circumstances are situations beyond the control of the airline, for example, security risk, political instability or severe weather that makes flying dangerous. Strikes can also be included in this category.

Technical issues can be 'extraordinary circumstances' but not where the situation should have been picked up by routine maintenance.

It's worth challenging your airline if you don't agree that there were extraordinary circumstances, for example if you are told you can't fly due to weather conditions, but other flights are departing. Airlines sometimes stretch the definition of extraordinary circumstances further than they should.

If you still feel aggrieved by the airline, then you should write to the airline setting out your cancellation situation.

If this doesn’t get you any compensation you can take the complaint further by writing to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or the European Consumer Centre (ECC) and then if all else fails to the small claims court.

If you need assistance with drafting these letters or if you have hit a brick wall and need help taking your claim further, our claims experts at the LawStore can help.

For as little as £30, we can draft an initial letter so you can claim up to £500.

For more information call us on 0845 603 6544 or email info@thelaw-store.co.uk

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Parents start to dig deep as young buyers feel the squeeze.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has reported that in June alone the market witnessed a 20% fall in the number of first time buyers. This is a 5% decrease on Mays figure and the lowest level recorded since May 2013. The report conducted on those aged between 18 to 30 years showed a definite first time buyer struggle as they represented only 3% of all house sales in June of this year, the lowest percentage ever recorded by the NAEA to date.

The managing director of NAEA has argued that “things are getting even tougher for first time buyers. Not only do they have to stump up ridiculously large sums of money in terms of deposits and stamp…but new rules mean buyers will also have to prove they can easily afford the repayments now and in the future…” As a result many young buyers are turning to the bank of mum and dad to get on the property ladder. 

Buying a first home with the help of mum and dad is continuing to play an important role in aiding the purchase of their child’s first home. A study from Santander Mortgages has revealed that current homeowners have received on average approximately 49% of their deposit from their own parents or their partner’s parents. Further results showed that 68% of parents providing money towards a deposit will not receive anything in return as it was intended as a gift.

In addition to this almost 3 in 10 (29%) who received money from their parents were given it as an equivalent of an interest-free loan whilst only 3% contributed towards their child’s deposit as an investment. And for those that are yet to purchase their first home, the average amount children look to receive from their parents is £17,900. An estimated 34% of parents who have children will contribute money towards a deposit in order to help them on to the property ladder.

If you are a first time buyer looking to get your foot on the property ladder but find the prospect of entering the market daunting, LawStore Conveyancing can help you. LawStore Conveyancing offers expert and sound advice to those looking to buy or sell a property. Our on-board solicitors provide all the legal knowledge and support you need to keep you house move on track. To find out more or to get a free instant online conveyancing quote then visit us online today. Or simply call us on 0845 603 6544.

Pay double to rent in the capital

Those renting in London are paying twice the amount than other tenants across the rest of Britain. The average monthly rent in the capital has hit £1,412 compared to just £694 in the rest of the country. In a report which compares rent prices to tenant incomes, the North-east of England, Scotland and Wales were said to be at the most affordable level. In London, the average tenant spends around 45% of their annual income in order to stay in rented accommodation.

According to the HomeLet Rental Index, 10 out of 12 regions in Britain are experiencing a rise in rental prices. Those in both the South-west and South-east are also feeling the squeeze after paying 39% and 34% of their yearly income on rent. While some argue that the average wage in London is much higher than other areas throughout the UK, the ability to afford rent is still at a tight squeeze. The chief executive of Barbon Insurance, Martin Totty has argued that “for a rental property to be affordable, a tenant’s gross income must be at least 2.5 times his or her annual rent. Our data shows that rents in London have pushed beyond that”. 

The table below shows the average monthly and yearly rental prices across the UK in comparison to the average income and % of income used from salary to pay for rent based on location.

RENT PRICES	MONTHLY	ANNUALLY	TENANTS INCOME	% OF INCOME
Greater London	£1,412	£16,944	£37,800	45%
East Anglia	£781	£9,372	£28,900	34%
Wales	£584	£7,008	£24,300	29%
South-west	£813	£9,756	£24,900	39%
South-east	£863	£10,356	£30,300	34%
West Midlands	£625	£7,500	£23,400	32%
North-west	£665	£7,980	£24,100	33%
Yorkshire & Humber	£600	£7,200	£22,700	32%
N Ireland	£567	£6,804	£23,800	29%
East Midlands	£579	£6,948	£23,300	30%
North-east	£507	£6,084	£22,700	27%
Scotland	£578	£6,936	£24,200	29%

 

So is there any way you can get cheaper rent? 

Although it may not seem possible but there are several things you can do to negotiate a cheaper rent.

ü   

    - Do your homework and see how long the property has been on the market for.

ü   - Check out what prices the other homes in the area are renting for.

ü   - It’s always good to sell yourself; other references will help show that you have a good credit rating.

Remember; the more information you have the easier it is to strike up a deal. In addition to this, you can also offer to sign a longer lease for less rent because it actually costs the landlord money when a tenant decides to move out. Therefore, the longer your stay, the more appealing your offer as you offer both stability and a regular income. 

If you are a tenant and you are facing some legal issues with your landlord contact us today for straightforward and jargon-free advice. Also, if you are thinking of buying a property and leaving your rented accommodation behind visit us online for more information and advice. A free instant online conveyancing quote is also available here.

Tenants Vs. Landlords

 

A new survey conducted by Ocean Finance reveals that half of those who rent privately have been ‘ripped off’ by either their landlord or letting agent.  The poll conducted from 2,000 UK adults shows a high level of dissatisfaction amongst tenants in regards to the service they receive.  The reasons given were:

·         53% of tenants were unhappy due to a failure to do repairs

·         47% of tenants were unhappy by the delays in getting things fixed

·         37% of tenants were unhappy about tenancy deposits not being refunded

·         25% of tenants were unhappy with the unreasonable reductions from the tenancy deposit

·         23% of tenants were unhappy with the unreasonable  increases in rent

·         22% of tenants were unhappy being handed unreasonable fees to start the tenancy agreement process.

As a result, Citizens Advice Bureau has highlighted that there has been a growing concern among private tenants who are facing evictions despite being up to date on their rent payments. In addition to this, the CAB is also witnessing a 38% increase in those without rent arrears who have been threatened with an eviction. According to the CAB, over 5,000 issues in regards to tenant evictions have been reported in both 2013 and 2014. Around 3,750 issues had been reported the year before.

So what about buying a home?

Latest statistics show that more and more people are teaming up in order to buy a home. New research conducted by Santander Insurance shows that 22% of people who wish to make a joint purchase within the next 2 years will do so with their unmarried partner. 13% of those wishing to purchase will share the purchase with their parents, whilst 4% will make a joint purchase with a friend or other relative.

23% believe that the main reason for making a joint purchase is that it is the only way for them to get their foot on the property ladder. Other statistics show that only one fifth of those planning to make a joint purchase will do so as they simply want to live with that person. Whilst 16% will make a joint purchase as they believe that it will leave them less financially stretched. And finally, 15% will do so in order to afford a larger property.

So whether you are a tenant or a landlord in need of some legal advice, contact us at LawStore Conveyancing today for a straightforward and jargon free solution.  If you’re thinking of making a joint purchase on a property then visit us in store today to ensure all the legal forms needed are completed and up to date. Or simple call us on 0845 603 6544 or visit us online.

At LawStore conveyancing, we offer a fast and cost effective solution to all your conveyancing needs. Get a free online conveyancing quote when you visit us online and see how much we can save you.