Kerseys Solicitors June 2025 Newsletter

Christina Morlham, Senior Associate Solicitor in the Residential Conveyancing department at the Woodbridge office has specialised in residential conveyancing since 2013 and has a wealth of experience in all conveyancing transactions. Christina would be happy to discuss how to protect your property and assist in making any relevant applications to the Land Registry.

If you would like any further assistance or a quotation for the sale and/or purchase of your property please do not hesitate to contact Christina at the Woodbridge office on 01394 813736 or [email protected]

Property Fraud – Kerseys Solicitors

Our new office in Felixstowe is designed to offer a welcoming, professional environment for both clients and staff, and is conveniently located in the high street.

Kimat Singh, Managing Partner says “This move marks an exciting step in Kerseys Solicitors continued growth and long-standing commitment to the local community.

Our firm has been supporting individuals, families, and businesses in and around Felixstowe for many years and now, with more space and improved facilities, we are able to make the experience even more welcoming and accessible for our clients.

Whether you are moving house, preparing or updating your Will or LPA, navigating family difficulties, or dealing with a business matter, we are here to help – right in the heart of Felixstowe.”

Conveyancing, Probate, Wills, and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

The Felixstowe office is open from 9:00am to 5:15pm, Monday to Friday. To schedule an appointment, please contact us on 01394 834557 or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can visit our website at www.kerseys.co.uk and request a call back.

The firm’s new office is 87 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7BQ

Our Equity Partners, Kimat Singh,Jane Riley, and Matt Clemence, along with the newly appointed
Mayor of Felixstowe – Cllr Corrine Franklin – officially opened the Felixstowe office Thursday 5 June 2025

New Faces to Kerseys Solicitors

Amanda Powell joins us as Legal Assistant to Sarah Whitein ourPrivate Client Lawteam based in Ipswich.

Vanessa Jones joins ourResidential Property Lawteam in Felixstowe supporting Jenny Dawson; along with Rebecca Ward, who will be based in reception, and assisting the Felixstowe team.

Mental Health Awareness Week
12 – 18 May 2025

Staff enjoying an extra tea & biscuit break
Mental health is everything, everywhere, everyone

As an employer you have a duty to consider your employees’ mental health every day.

Mind states that that ‘Every year, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem. But too many of us aren’t getting the help we need’, and goes on to explain that ‘over 2 million people are waiting for NHS mental health services, and since 2017 the number of young people struggling with their mental health has nearly doubled’.

We recognise that there are a wide range of mental health conditions which will affect each individual differently. On that basis, our Employment Law team briefly outlines ways your business can support its employees.

Looking after your employees

As an employer you could:

• Regularly check in with your employee and ask if they have any wellbeing concerns. It is key to maintain strong communication and know your staff well;
• Offer mental health support – Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can provide support on personal and work-related issues in order to increase your employee’s wellbeing. It is key that all employees are aware of such programmes, and know how to access the same;
• When onboarding new employees, try to help them make new connections. For example, a buddy scheme is a great way of doing this to ensure they feel supported at work;
• Disability – under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is defined as a mental or physical impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Employers must make reasonable adjustments when:

Charities

Danielle said the training was “Both physically and mentally draining but the feeling you get once you have achieved a new pace or completed your long run makes it all worth it. I could not have completed the training without all of the support and motivation I received from family, friends, and colleagues, and I really do mean that with all my heart.

“The marathon itself was an emotional rollercoaster! There were happy tears, there was sad tears, there was tired tears, but I would not have changed it for the world. The atmosphere was phenomenal. Running over the London Bridge was unbelievable. I kept reminding myself that I was doing this for all of the women out there struggling with endometriosis, and that I could not let all the wonderful people who have supported me down. The crowd really does also keep you going, and I do not think I would have had such an amazing experience if it had not been for my partner and family being there on the day supporting me at multiple different miles.

“Straight after, I was a blubbering mess and I could hardly walk, but it was rather hilarious! I was on such a high for a good week or so afterwards, I would randomly get emotional thinking about what I had just achieved both running 26.2 miles, and raising money, and awareness, for such an important cause. I did also say that I would not pick up my running shoes again, but I have actually entered the Ipswich half marathon, I just cannot help myself!

I found running to be a massive positive impact on my mental health. It boosted my mood, reduced my stress, and actually relaxed me overall. I would recommend everyone to chuck on their trainers and go for a run. You will not regret it.

Danielle has raised £1,359 so far. If you wish to donate – Danielle Ryder is fundraising for Endometriosis UK

What is the empty homes premium, when does it apply, and what plans are there to extend it to second homes?

The council tax system in England, Scotland and Wales allows billing authorities (district and unitary councils) to charge higher rates of council tax on properties that have been “unoccupied and substantially unfurnished” for certain periods of time. The aim of this is to encourage owners to bring empty properties back into use. This power dates from 2013 in England and Scotland and 2017 in Wales. Further legislation was passed in 2018 in England extending the maximum additional charges.

The law sets a maximum charge that a council can make. For instance, after a property has been “unoccupied and substantially unfurnished” for one year, an authority in England can charge up to 200% of the normal council tax bill (see the table below). The calculation of the empty homes premium is based on the normal council tax band of the property. The band itself is not affected by the empty homes premium.

The ‘reset period’

When a property is reoccupied, the premium is no longer payable. However, if the property becomes empty again before the ‘reset period’ has elapsed, the premium will apply again immediately. If the property is reoccupied for longer than the reset period, a further one-year period will have to elapse before a premium can be charged again. This is to prevent people from occupying a property for, say, a few days in order to have the premium disapplied, then moving out again.

How do the rules on council tax premiums differ across Great Britain?

When does an empty homes premium not apply?

In England, an empty homes premium cannot be charged if:

• The property that had attracted a premium is let out. The tenant will then become liable for council tax payments. The premium will cease to apply because the property is no longer empty.
• The property is empty because the owner has to live in armed forces accommodation for job-related purposes.
• The property is an annexe that is being used as part of the main property (annexes will often have a council tax band of their own).

New exemptions from the empty homes premium have also been introduced from 1 April 2025:

• A 12-month exemption running from the date probate is granted, for a property that is empty because the occupant has died.
• A 12-month exemption for a property undergoing major repairs or structural alterations. This exemption cannot be re-used until the property has been sold.
• A 12-month exemption for a property being marketed for sale or let. This exemption cannot be used again until the property has been sold, or let for at least six months.

These three exemptions beginning in 2025 could be used one after the other. For instance, the probate exemption could be used for 12 months, and the sale or let exemption for a further 12 months. However, these are exemptions from the empty homes premium, not from the entire council tax bill.

The categories of exemption are explained at greater length in a government consultation response from March 2024, and in statutory guidance that the government published in November 2024. Guidance from the Welsh Government (PDF) on other circumstances in which a premium cannot be charged is also available.

The owner of a property is liable to pay the empty homes premium. The buyer of a property cannot become liable for a premium that was due before they bought the property.

Microsoft will end Windows 10 support for security updates on 14 October 2025. Your device may be able to be updated to Windows 11 but if not please seriously consider adding a new computer to your Christmas list. Running on Windows 10 after that date is a dangerous option and puts yourself at risk.

Safe and Secure Web Sites
A web site address link will start with https:// not http:// If not, the web site is not secure. Do not click a link to this web site

Fake Emails (Phishing)
If in any doubt never click a link in an email

• The email display name is different to the email address – hover over the display to check it
• If you have never received something from the sender before and are not expecting it, delete it. If it is important they will contact you
• If there is no email address in the “TO” box
• Check the company number on the bottom of the email

• If you receive a call asking about account information, or telling you there is a problem with your internet, your bank, etc., ask them for a contact number. They will hang up on you
• NEVER give out a personal user names, password or account information
• NEVER agree to provide them with access to your device