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Calculating holiday pay – change on the horizon?

In the UK, many employers calculate holiday pay based on basic salary alone – even if an employee usually receives commission. However, a landmark court case seems set to change this.

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House sellers are facing testing questions

Springtime is traditionally the busiest time for the property market, but with a knotty problem affecting more homes than ever, whether you’re buying or selling, it’s worth doing some horticultural homework before you start.

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How to make money from home: rent a room

In 1992 the government introduced the Rent a Room Relief. This allows individuals to make a tax-free income for renting a furnished room in their residential home.

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Gender Pay Gap Reporting

Historically, men have been paid more than women undertaking the same role. In July 2015, former PM David Cameron announced steps to end the gender pay gap in a generation.

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Wealth Tax or Stamp Duty Land Tax?

Many observers of the London property market would have been hoping for a reduction in Stamp Duty Land Tax rates in the UK government's recent budget announcement, but to no avail.

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Vacant properties ‘stolen’ by fraudsters

A recent High Court case, Dreamvar (UK) Ltd -v- Mishcon De Reya (A Firm), demonstrated that the Land Registry could spot a fraudulent transaction.

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Insight

Mince pies and the minimum wage 

A reminder to employers that seasonal staff must receive the correct pay and holiday entitlements over the festive period. With temporary and irregular-hours workers now a core part of Christmas trading, businesses are urged to double-check minimum wage compliance, holiday accrual, and payslip transparency to avoid costly HMRC scrutiny.

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Shifting the balance: How the leaseholder-landlord relationship has changed

Back in 2017, the Conservative government pledged to ‘Improve consumer choice and fairness in leasehold.’ But making a commitment and delivering on it are two very different things - as Stuart Jacobs explains in this article.

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Menopause awareness month: Legal protections and what employers need to know

October is Menopause Awareness Month, highlighting the transition and the support available for those affected. While there are currently no menopause-specific employment laws, existing protections apply, and the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill is expected to introduce clearer obligations for employers.

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DIY probate in England – understanding the risks

In England and Wales, probate is the procedure by which the deceased’s will is proven in court and the executors are given authority to distribute the estate. If there is no will, a similar process applies through “letters of administration”.

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What happens if there’s no will?

Someone passing away without a valid will is more common than you might expect. When this happens in England, the person is said to have died intestate, and it means the law steps in to decide what happens to their estate.

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Upward-only rent reviews to be banned in new commercial leases

The government has announced a significant reform to commercial property law in England and Wales. As part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, upward-only rent review clauses will be banned in new commercial leases, marking a substantial shift in landlord–tenant dynamics.

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