A common concern for our clients and their families is the prospect of having to sell the family home in order to meet care costs,’ explains Cathal Murray a solicitor with James McNulty & Co. in Omagh. ‘There are many articles and schemes online which seem to indicate that selling a home can be avoided, but often these schemes [...]
Given the rising age profile of farmers, it is worrying that so few have a succession plan in place. This not only puts farmers’ own financial security at risk, but it also potentially lines up problems for their families and successors. As with all business decisions, the starting point for succession planning is clarifying your long term aims. Do [...]
Shows like Channel 4’s Grand Designs reflect the growing popularity of self-build, which accounts for 13,000 new homes every year. So, if your dream is to build your own home, should you take the next step towards making it a reality? ‘There are certainly a lot of advantages’, says Cathal Murray of James McNulty & Co. Solicitors. ‘Self-build lets [...]
Summer is here and it is not uncommon to want to prolong that holiday feeling and dream of investing in a holiday home which allows you to return to your favourite spot more frequently. Holiday home ownership has boomed recently and in 2021 second homes accounted for more than 24,000 purchases. Many of these were on the coast or [...]
First-time buyers today must find, on average, a deposit equal to a year’s salary. With almost half relying on parental assistance, the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ has never been so popular. House price affordability and the phasing out of the Help to Buy scheme make this trend set to continue. ‘It is natural to want to help your [...]
When a child is involved in an accident, the injuries they suffer can be severe and possibly life changing. As a parent all you want in this situation is to make them better, but this can be hard if the treatment they need is not readily available or if your family is under financial strain because of extra expenses [...]
Have you had an accident at work? Employers have a legal duty to ensure they provide a safe working environment for their employees. If you’ve had an accident at work and suffered an injury due to your working environment, then you may be entitled to compensation. What should I do if you had an accident at work? If you [...]
A wood burner or open fire is an attractive feature in a property, especially as the nights draw in and temperatures drop. If are buying a property with one, or you plan to install a log burner in your new home, there are important things to consider. ‘Most people know gas boilers and electrical wiring need to meet certain [...]
A home buyer on an internet forum asked, ‘What is the pettiest thing your seller has removed?’ Most replies are light-hearted: a loo roll holder, the curtain rails, a basketball hoop from above the garage door. Some tell a different story of buyers moving in and discovering missing kitchen units or damage from ripped out features. Others tell of [...]
Sewers and human waste may not be the first things you think about when looking for a new home, but many rural and semi-rural properties do not have mains drainage and so rely on a septic tank. This can have important legal, practical and costly implications, particularly since environmental regulations could mean that an old system is now unlawful. [...]
