Bartletts Blog

Last month provided a significant boost for those looking to buy their first property, with the government’s mini-budget announcing that the threshold for paying stamp duty is being raised from £300,000 to £425,000 for first-time home buyers (the property must now cost less than £625,000 to be eligible for stamp duty relief, rising from the previous £500,000 threshold). This means that first-time buyers will now only start to pay the standard 5% stamp duty tax rate when the transaction is worth more than £425,000, and continue in line with the standard rate by paying 10% tax on the value in excess of £925,000, rising to 12% above £1.5 million.

The government’s announcement that the threshold for paying stamp duty is rising permanently from £125,000 to £250,000 was welcome news for all property buyers, including second-home owners. For purchasers of second homes and residential buy-to-let properties (as long as the buyer already owns their own home), the 3% stamp duty tax surcharge continues to apply, meaning they will have to pay the 3% rate on transactions worth up to £250,000, and 8% above £925,000, rising to 15% on property values above £1.5 million.

The amount of stamp duty due from buy-to-let property buyers can vary depending on their individual circumstances. For example, first-time buyers purchasing a buy-to-let property would still be exempt from stamp duty on property values up to £425,000, while UK non residents pay a 2% surcharge above the standard stamp duty rates. This is one example of the sometimes complex rules surrounding stamp duty which can make sound legal advice critically important for prospective property buyers. 

Our firm regularly handles the conveyancing process on behalf of both first-time buyers and second-home and buy-to-let property buyers, which includes advising on stamp duty liabilities and making sure that they are minimised. You can find out more about the stamp duty rules for first-time and second-home buyers in the residential conveyancing section of our website:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/liverpool-solicitors-for-first-time-buyers.html

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/residential-stamp-duty-on-second-homes.html

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/residential-conveyancing-solicitors-liverpool-city-centre.html

A reminder for those living in or visiting Liverpool this year to take a trip to the Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder exhibition at Liverpool’s World Museum, which opened on 27th May this year and runs until 30th October.

This thrilling interactive exhibition explores the world of science within the universe of Doctor Who, bringing it to life by exploring some of the Doctor’s most famous adventures and encounters across space and time. Visitors can engage with the TV show’s original artefacts, sets, costumes and props, giving a unique insight into the success of the longest-running sci-fi TV show in history, which still graces screens today after almost 60 years.

Presented by Sarner International under licence from BBC Studios, the Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder exhibition also celebrates Liverpool’s connections with the legendary TV show. Although the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, does not sound like it, he is intrinsically a son of the city, as well as being many people’s favourite Doctor. Meanwhile, Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor is more recognisably a creature of Liverpool from his accent, despite his Edwardian appearance, and these are just two examples of the multiple links binding Doctor Who and the city.

Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder at Liverpool’s World Museum runs until 30th October 2022. You can find out more about this unique exhibition on National Museums Liverpool’s website:

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/world-museum/exhibition/doctor-who-worlds-of-wonder

Dip dye hair colouring has been one of the most in-demand treatments at hair salons for over a decade now, with its popularity fuelled by social media exposure and numerous celebrities adopting the two-tone fading colour technique.

While dip dyeing is generally considered safe, the same level of skill and attention is required of hair stylists when mixing up dye products and applying them, including paying attention to how long they are left in the hair. Because dye is only applied to the tips of the hair and should not come into contact with the skin, no patch test is strictly necessary. However, the smallest error on the part of a stylist can mean that the dye comes into contact with the skin, with unpredictable consequences including the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Furthermore, dip dyes are often carried out before hair dye products containing para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a common trigger of allergic reactions, are applied to the main body of hair, and in such cases a patch test will always be necessary at least 48 hours prior to the treatment being carried out.

A hair dye patch test will therefore normally be advisable before a dip dye hair colouring treatment, and hair salons can be held legally responsible if they fail to carry out a patch test and a client subsequently experiences an adverse reaction to chemical ingredients contained in the dye solution.

Our female solicitors are experienced in claiming compensation for injuries caused by botched hair dyeing treatments, including allergic reactions to hair dye. Get in touch with our team for free legal advice that you can rely on:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/hair-beauty/compensation-for-allergic-reaction-to-hair-dye-at-hairdressers.html

The UK government is proposing a crackdown on dangerous cyclists, including updating what it regards as antiquated and insufficient current legislation covering prosecutions for injuries and deaths caused by dangerous cycling.

Cyclists can currently be prosecuted for bodily harm caused by ‘wanton and furious driving’ under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act (a crime originally committed by horse-drawn carriage drivers), with a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment. This is inconsistent with the law applied to motorists who may be jailed for life, and both government and campaigners believe this is one area in which the current system is both outdated and unfair to victims of dangerous cyclists.

The government proposals aim to extend speed restrictions that apply to motorists to cyclists, and enforce them more effectively, particularly in 20mph zones, with fines and penalty points handed out to cyclists exceeding the speed limit and riding dangerously, for example, cycling through red lights. Some form of registration system could be necessary to identify and prosecute dangerous cyclists, although plans for registration plates are viewed by many as impractical. 

Cyclists could also be legally required to hold insurance to provide cover in the event of accidents, injuries and deaths caused by dangerous cycling. Personal injury claims against dangerous cyclists would be on the same level as claims against dangerous motorists, giving injured pedestrians and other road users better legal rights and access to compensation.

While insurance is not currently mandatory for cyclists, many are fully insured and have third party cover for public liability accidents, including collisions with pedestrians and damage to property. Our solicitors have many years of combined experience in successfully representing pedestrians injured by dangerous and reckless cyclists. Contact our team of specialist lawyers today for free and confidential advice:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/pedestrian-injury-claims/compensation-for-pedestrian-injured-by-a-cyclist.html

While hair dye products are not necessarily unsafe for the under 16s, children have much finer hair and greater sensitivity to chemicals than adults, which increases the likelihood of hair dye solutions damaging their hair. They are also more likely to develop allergies from exposure to these chemical ingredients which may affect their health in the future. All legal hair dye products used in the UK are labelled as “not intended for use on persons under the age of 16”, and any salon which offers hair dye treatments to clients under that age will not be covered by their insurance in the event of a procedure going wrong.

Despite this, many hair salons ignore the possible consequences and continue to offer hair dye treatments to children. In 2017, BBC Wales sent a 12-year-old girl undercover to try and get her hair dyed at a hairdressing salon, and found that only one out of the 17 salons she visited refused to offer her an appointment. This largely reflects the unregulated and competitive nature of the hairdressing industry in the UK. Salons are not legally obliged to follow industry guidelines or the advice of hair dye manufacturers, yet should still be well aware of the risks.

The potent chemicals contained in most hair dye products include hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, which can dry the hair out excessively and harm its structure, as well as P-phenylenediamine (PPD), a common trigger of allergic reactions. Hair dye products may cause burns and hair loss if they are applied directly to the skin on the scalp, while children may also be affected by fumes from the ammonia contained in hair dye solutions, particularly if they are asthmatic.

Hair salons must follow the recommendations of manufacturers and industry bodies to avoid the possibility of children getting injured by hair dye treatments. You can find more about allergic reactions to hair dye and the legal service provided by our female solicitors who specialise in hairdresser treatment injuries:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/hair-beauty/compensation-for-allergic-reaction-to-hair-dye-at-hairdressers.html

As part of a new Transport Bill that could come into effect in 2023, the UK government intends to create a new category of ‘low-speed, zero-emission’ vehicles that will include e-scooters and most likely legalise their private use on public roads. While the government hopes that riders, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users have become increasingly familiar with the vehicles since rental trials began in 2020, the use of private e-scooters on public roads is controversial due to safety concerns over technical regulations and confusion over which areas they are allowed to access.

The benefits of e-scooters in official eyes include their positive environmental impact, especially reducing the number of cars and pollution in congested urban areas. The vehicles are also seen as an affordable and efficient method of transport, including for commuters and businesses delivering orders in towns and cities. E-scooter trials in operation across the UK are set to be extended until 2024, and the government hopes that sufficient information on the vehicles’ use will be gathered to ensure that technical regulations and safety standards are effective in the future.  

The problems caused by e-scooters on pavements and in cycle lanes and pedestrianised areas like shopping centres will almost certainly get significantly worse once private scooters are legalised on UK roads. Many private e-scooters can comfortably exceed the current 15.5mph speed limit, and a combination of confusion as to where the vehicles can be used, and irresponsible and inexperienced e-scooter riders will continue to pose a risk to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users for the foreseeable future. Legalisation will at least have the benefit of regulating the use of e-scooters and making insurance mandatory to guarantee compensation for those injured in collisions with the vehicles.

If you have been injured in an accident involving an e-scooter, contact our firm for expert legal advice from solicitors who are themselves cyclists with experience of e-scooter accidents claims:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/road-accident-claims/who-is-reponsible-for-an-escooter-accident.html

House prices across the United Kingdom have continued to rise rapidly, with Liverpool and Merseyside reaching record new highs in April 2022. Average prices in Liverpool rose by 10.5% year on year to reach £174,890, and by 10.2% to reach £184,880 in Merseyside as a whole. St Helens recorded the biggest annual increase of anywhere in Merseyside with 15.5%, followed by Knowsley with 13.5%, while Sefton had the highest average price at £201,519, representing 9.8% annual growth.

Record house prices nationwide are being driven by an imbalance caused by pent-up demand for properties and a concurrent lack of supply. In Liverpool, residential property sales grew by 30% in April to June compared with the same quarter in 2021, with the suburbs proving particularly popular as buyers look for better value and more spacious properties away from the city centre. Meanwhile, Liverpool waterfront has become one of the sought-after residential areas in the north west, following millions of pounds of investment in the regeneration and development of the area.

Many property market analysts believe that Liverpool and Merseyside are key areas for investment, with current and future regeneration projects providing long-term security for buyers. Analysts also highlight Liverpool as a good place for first-time buyers and property owners wishing to move homes. The city and region remain relatively cheap, with homes in Liverpool selling for around £237 per square foot, compared with London (£678) and Manchester (£353). Liverpool is also attractive to property investors due to its consistently high rental yields, while the city remains popular with both tenants and buyers due its vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle and unique cultural attractions.

Find out more about our Liverpool and Merseyside fixed fee conveyancing services:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/residential-conveyancing-solicitors-liverpool-city-centre.html

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/liverpool-solicitors-for-first-time-buyers.html

Being Human is a new exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral that opened this week on Wednesday 27 July and runs until 30 August. Created by the internationally renowned artist and sculptor Peter Walker, the exhibition explores the meaning of being human and what makes us who we are through multiple artworks located around the Cathedral, themed around connection, creativity, identity, and reflection. Inspired by Michelangelo, a sculpture entitled Connection will be at the heart of the exhibition, offering a contemporary twist on a Renaissance masterpiece.

Peter Walker is the artist behind Liverpool Cathedral’s previous Peace Doves artwork installation, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. He has created numerous artworks including sculptures, paintings, drawings, installation pieces, and Son-et-Lumiere for large-scale public art events, as well as for collections at the British Embassy in Paris, Chester Cathedral, and University Church in Oxford, among others.

Being Human at Liverpool Cathedral is available to visit until 30 August. The Cathedral is open daily between 10am and 6pm. You don’t need to book to visit the Cathedral, and viewing the installation is completely free:

https://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/visiting-us/being-human/

Bartletts Solicitors are proud to be long-term supporters of Liverpool Cathedral, with Thomas Bartlett, a direct ancestor of the firm’s owners, leaving a bequest for the construction of the array of 13 bells for the new cathedral which was then being built in 1912.

Recent press reports have highlighted the difficulties faced by council and housing association tenants when dealing with bed bug infestations at home. Some have been forced to temporarily abandon their properties for weeks on end, while still paying rent, utility bills and council tax, despite their homes being uninhabitable. Local councils and housing associations have been criticised for their failure to help tenants deal with bed bug infestations quickly and effectively. Pest control treatments to eradicate bed bugs are the landlord’s responsibility, and they must engage contractors to fumigate infested properties at the earliest opportunity once the issue is reported to them.

One of the problems tenants face with bed bug infestations is the fact that the tiny insects are tough and resilient, and adept at concealing themselves, reproducing (they can breed all year round) and surviving, meaning eradication methods need to be efficient and thorough to ensure a property is completely bed bug free. Bed bugs can live in clothing, mattresses, linen, bed frames, furniture and many other concealed locations, only emerging at night to look for food,  making them difficult to identify. Bed bugs can also be easily transported from room to room and house to house, and a single home infestation can therefore quickly result in neighbouring properties becoming infested. This is another reason why local councils and housing associations need to act as quickly as possible once they are made aware of a bed bug infestation. 

Both local council and housing association tenants have the legal right to sue their landlord for bed bug bites, any physical repercussions, the associated stress and trauma, and the financial costs of an infestation, including the possible expense of temporary relocation while the problem is dealt with. Sometimes a property is infested with bed bugs before a tenant moves in, but more often landlords fail to address infestations reported to them by tenants within a reasonable time frame, leaving them legally responsible for the negative consequences. 

Our firm has particular expertise in suing for bed bug bites, and has successfully represented hundreds of clients in these specialist claims over the years. You can find out more on these pages:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/accidents-at-home/suing-a-landlord-for-bed-bug-bites.html

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/bed-bug-claims/compensation-for-bed-bug-bites.html

Refractive Pool: Contemporary Painting in Liverpool is a new exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery which opened in April this year and runs until January 2023. It was borne from the Refractive Pool project which began life in 2019, and has since used events, a book and online resources to explore contemporary painting by Liverpool-based artists, and the diversity of painting styles and art being created in the city today.

The project’s work has culminated in this exhibition, for which Liverpool-based artists Josie Jenkins and Brendan Lyons have selected the work of 21 local artists, with the intention of providing an overview of the community of painters based in the city. A Refractive Pool book is also being released, featuring paintings by 40 local artists, which will also provide a snapshot of Liverpool’s current artistic community, and highlight creative collaboration between the different disciplines of painting, photography and poetry.

The Refractive Pool: Contemporary Painting in Liverpool is the climax of the project’s research into local artists, including meeting many of them in their studios, and getting a feel for who is making paintings in the city and what styles and techniques they are using. Located at the Walker Art Gallery – ‘the National Gallery of the North’ – the exhibition provides a unique opportunity for the younger generation of would-be painters to draw inspiration, and for the rest of us to appreciate the vibrancy and diversity of painters and painting in Liverpool today:

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/refractivepool