Dementia Awareness Week 2021
Today sees the start of Dementia Awareness week in Scotland which, prior to the pandemic, would have culminated with Alzheimer Scotland’s annual conference. Sadly, the conference will not be taking place again this year due to current restrictions. However, during this time we can all continue to show support and continue to raise awareness for […]
Windows and Skylights – What is part of a roof?
Are Velux windows and skylights part of a roof? We explore the interesting case of Waelde -v- Ulloa: The Background A single dwellinghouse in Edinburgh had been converted into three flats – top, middle and bottom. The skylight and velux windows served only the top floor flat. The Sheriff agreed the roof skylight was common […]
Eviction Bans and Notice Periods: Private Sector Tenancies
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (“the 2020 Act”) contains emergency powers relating to coronavirus and health protection in Scotland. In exercising these powers the Scottish Government have introduced rules which have afforded additional protections to tenants by increasing the notice periods required before eviction action can start and banning the enforcement of eviction orders in […]
Guardianship for Young Adults
Young adults who lack capacity – guardianship orders Any parent of a young adult who lacks capacity and is approaching 16, or has just turned 16, should take advice on whether they should apply for a guardianship order. Until the age of 16 you have been able to make decisions on behalf of your child. […]
Regulations Facilitate Adaptations to Common Parts
Historic position Historically when a disabled proprietor wanted to make an alteration to the common parts of a tenement to allow them to continue to use and enjoy their home by, for example, introducing a stair lift, access ramp or additional handrails by dint of the Common Law they required the consent and agreement of […]
New Year To Do List – Will and Power of Attorney
To do list: Prepare a Will Prepare a Power of Attorney For most people preparing a Will and Power of Attorney are tasks […]
Managing Your Affairs During a Pandemic
Life has changed dramatically for us all since March 2020. We had hoped that we would be getting “back to normal” sometime soon – would any of us have thought we would still be living under restrictions more than 8 months later? Many of us have put things off, vowing that we will do this […]
Short-Term Lets and Airbnb
Airbnbs and Short-Terms Lets have become a contentious matter in Scotland in recent times. The Scottish Government have recently conducted research into Airbnbs and Short-Term Lets in Scotland which confirmed there are 31,884 active Airbnb listings, three times as many compared to 2016. It was found that in Edinburgh’s City Centre 16.7% of properties are […]
First-time Buyers Should Consider Lifetime ISA
A Lifetime ISA, or ‘LISA’ as they’re regularly referred to, offers a similar deal to Help to Buy ISAs but with considerable differences which you should watch out for or take advantage of. Some people may be taking advantage of a LISA to save for later in life (over 60), however there are benefits of using a LISA […]
How Important is the Appointment of an Executor?
When it comes to Wills, most people are focused purely on how the estate will be distributed. Questions such as ‘have I given enough to my grandchildren?’ and ‘will my spouse be adequately provided for?’ are, obviously, very important matters to consider. However, the appointment of an Executor is just as important. Who should I […]
