Commercial property landlords and COVID-19 – what are your options?

After the immediate shock of the lockdown and the March quarter day which came soon afterwards, commercial property landlords are taking stock and working out their options for the next few months. Landlords who take the right steps now, with the right advice, will have the best chance of preserving a strong portfolio for the future.   ‘Collaboration will be the key to surviving this economic shock,’ says David Hyams, commercial property solicitor with Ware & Kay in York.  ‘Commercial property tenants are leading the way with requests to defer rent and make other changes to their leases.’ Most commercial property landlords understand the need to work with their tenants but it is important to discuss any proposals with your solicitor, who will explain any long-term consequences and make sure any changes are properly documented. Rent…

COVID-19 furlough scheme update and key risks for employers

As the lockdown continues, the Government has extended access to its coronavirus job retention scheme and employers are settling in to a new way of working. Business life may have drastically changed, but employment law still applies. Gillian Reid, employment law expert with Ware & Kay in York highlights important developments to the furlough scheme and addresses three key risks facing employers. You should check the Government website for the latest guidance in conjunction with this article, as the guidelines on the coronavirus (COVID-19) are changing daily. The guidance and the Treasury direction are inconsistent in places. You should speak to your solicitor for specific advice for your business. Coronavirus job retention scheme update The HMRC online portal opened on 20 April to allow employers to claim the grant covering some employment costs while staff are…

Beware increased fraud risk during the coronavirus – nine scams to watch out for

Unfortunately, alongside all the goodwill and community spirit which is coming to the fore during the current crisis, the coronavirus pandemic will also be seen as an opportunity for criminals and fraudsters. Action Fraud have advised that fraudsters will use any opportunity they can to take money from people. This includes exploiting tragedies and global emergencies and preying on the kind nature of people. Everyone needs to be extra vigilant at this time and watch out for scams such as these. 1. Tricking you into revealing personal information Watch out for suspicious and unexpected emails or text messages asking you to: update your details; click on a link to approve or validate something; or login to your account via a link. 2. Tricking you into handing over your bank card and pin number Take…

Content sources for Government support for UK businesses during the coronavirus pandemic – as at 30 March 2020

Business owners should take advice from an expert commercial solicitor on specific contracts and how the issues set out could apply to their own business.  There are a number of sources of information on the internet that can be consulted for more general guidance some of which will be updated on a regular basis. General guidance can be found by navigating from the Government website. Sources of specific support are listed below in alphabetical order by topic and include: Accommodation providers Bank lending Business loan interruption scheme Business rates Business rates review Business rents Business support grant funding Businesses trading internationally Compulsory closure of businesses: www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close?utm_source=77e9a975-dcba-4146-b1f9-d36e8d01465f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plans-to-enforce-closure-of-businesses-and-other-venues--2 www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance Corporate financing facility: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-larger-firms-through-the-covid-19-corporate-financing-facility www.bankofengland.co.uk/markets/market-notices/2020/ccff-market-notice-march-2020 Data protection…

Government publishes advice for landlords and tenants during the coronavirus crisis

The Government published ‘COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities’ on 28 March 2020. This guidance gives details of measures to help renters during the current coronavirus crisis. It clarifies the proposals, which the Government announced previously, for a temporary ban on evictions. If you are a landlord, you may be worried about what will happen if your tenant fails to pay the rent and you cannot get your property back. Firstly, the guidance stresses that tenants should continue to pay their rent where they can and to discuss any problems with their landlord. Your tenant will still be liable for the rent during their occupancy and, if they are struggling financially because of the crisis, the possibility of missed payments and default increases; So, it therefore makes sense to address any issues…

Family and children and coronavirus FAQs

We are living in worrying times and while we are all anxious about the health risks arising from the coronavirus pandemic, there are additional concerns for parents of young children.  Alongside disruption to schooling and usual routines, there may be additional concerns arising from relationship breakdown, domestic violence or other family disputes. Robert Bellhouse family law expert at Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby takes a look at some of the frequently asked questions on the impact of the coronavirus on family law matters. You should check the Government website for the latest guidance in conjunction with this article, as the guidelines on the coronavirus (COVID-19) are changing daily. Q 1 - During the ‘lockdown’ should my children see their other parent? Michael Gove MP has confirmed that travel is permitted to allow children…

Coronavirus FAQs for employers - 30 March 2020

Since the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, the Government has responded with a raft of new measures to help employees and employers.  Although the circumstances are exceptional, employers need to take care that they comply with the usual employment law requirements. These changes have been pushed through quickly and it is uncertain how some of these will play out. Gillian Reid, employment law expert with Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby responds to some of the big questions arising out of these changes, with a focus on statutory sick pay and the new scheme to help employers avoid making their staff redundant.   You should check the Government website for the latest guidance in conjunction with this article, as the guidelines on the coronavirus (Covid-19) are changing daily and speak to your solicitor for specific…

Agricultural workers sick pay

As the coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to wreak havoc across the world, the government is now advising everyone to work from home unless they absolutely cannot. For agricultural businesses, Covid-19 is particularly challenging given that if their workers fall ill or have to self-isolate, very few can carry out their duties from home.  When it comes to allocating sick pay for ill or self-isolating agricultural workers, the situation can be more complex than it is for other industries, as Gillian Reid employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby explains. Most workers who are advised to self-isolate or have fallen ill with Covid-19 will be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from day one if: they are classed as an employee and have done some work for their employer; have been ill for at least…

Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus outbreak

Given the situation in the UK with regard to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government is urging parties involved in home moving to adapt and be flexible, and to alter their usual processes. Holly Stevens, a Solicitor in the residential property team with Ware & Kay outlines the key points from the latest advice released on 26 March 2020. Click here to read the Government announcement. Buying and selling homes during this stay-at-home period There is no need to pull out of a transaction, but we all need to ensure we are following guidance to stay at home and away from others at all times, including the specific measures for those who are presenting symptoms, self-isolating or shielding. Prioritising the health of individuals and the public must be the priority. Moving into an empty property…

What are Ware & Kay’s arrangements for making a Will during the coronavirus pandemic?

Ware & Kay has offices in York, Wetherby and Malton, and although these are closed to the public we have robust plans in place to minimise any disruption and to protect our clients, our staff and the wider community.  Our staff are fully equipped for homeworking, and can be contacted by email and telephone, or through our online contact form.  Solicitors from all three offices have already been advising existing and new clients on reviewing and making Wills during the pandemic.  We can send you a questionnaire to complete and return to us, followed by a conversation by telephone or video call.  We will then send you the draft Will by email or by post, respond to any queries you have, and then post you the original Will with instructions for you to sign this at…