Different Materials used for Shutters

Window shutters are a great alternative for your window coverings. They are durable and elegant and offer adjustability not found with other types of window coverings. They were traditionally used in the Mediterranean countries, such as Greece, Italy and Spain, but are now used much more widely, especially in Europe and North America.

Wooden shutters are the most common type of shutters but they are made from a variety of different woods as well as other materials. Below are some of the materials used for the manufacture of window shutters.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a solid wood material. It is sturdy and therefore strong and durable. Hardwood is often used in furniture due to its quality. It is a plain material; nothing fancy but it does the job. If you choose hardwood for your shutters you get good value for money.

Premium Hardwood

Premium hardwood has more style than regular hardwood. It is a straight-grained wood and the quality is again top-notch, with it being amongst the most resistant to warping.

Larchwood

Larchwood has a nice, distinctive grain pattern, giving shutters made from it a fresh and modern look. It is a hard wearing wood and therefore very durable.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood is a straight grained wood with a distinctive grain. Its natural colour is a reddish brown. It is perfect for interior shutters in the home as it gives off a warm ambience with an elegant look. It is a good quality of wood and resistant to decay.

Craftwood

This is an MDF wood and therefore a low priced option. It is another durable material suitable for the manufacture of interior shutters. It has a smooth finish but doesn’t have as much character as other woods.

Perma Wood

Perma wood has a timber core with a synthetic outer surface. The strong core ensures build quality with the outer material resulting in durability, while keeping the cost down.

Vinyl

Vinyl shutters are generally the cheapest type of window shutters. They are, though, not of as high quality and damage and warp more easily. They give a traditional look and require little maintenance.

Faux Wood

Faux wood is made with a synthetic material. It is cheaper than genuine wood but is not considered as elegant. It is durable, though.

Aluminium

Generally used for security rather than look, aluminium shutters are sturdy and strong, and cannot be easily broken through. They are often used on doors as well as windows, and utilised by shops and other businesses rather than for homes.

Iron

Iron shutters can also be used for security, but not exclusively. They are not to everyone’s taste, and where used in homes are used on the exterior rather than the interior. They give a certain traditional look.

There are many choices of material for window shutters. Some form of wood is generally used for interior shutters, though there are many woods available. They all have their own distinctive style and suit different types of shutters. Some are stronger and more durable, whereas others are more elegant.

Andrew Marshall ©

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wi-Fi Hotspots

There has been a large increase is Wi-Fi hotspots over the last few years. These allow people to access the internet using laptops or other devises when they are away from their home or office. There are a number of advantages to being able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi hotspots but there are also some disadvantages.

The main benefit is that people can access the internet from a variety of different locations. Most of the time they are not that far from somewhere they can obtain internet access, so if they need to catch up with their emails, for example, they can. Café’s, airports and on trains are amongst the places that tend to have Wi-Fi hotspots. This means those who regularly travel during the working day can use the internet for work while on the train, making them more productive and meaning they won’t have to catch up at another time. Wi-Fi means that if you need to do something online and have your laptop with you, you might be able to find a Wi-Fi hotspot and can therefore access the internet.

There has been a growth in ways of accessing the internet. People are using other devices apart from traditional computers and laptops, with mobile phones and smart phones the most common of these. People, these days, want access to their emails and the internet as easily as they can check their voicemail, and Wi-Fi is extensively used for this.

Some businesses have used Wi-Fi as a marketing tool, giving customers free internet access. These include Starbucks and McDonalds. Customers being able to access the internet while drinking their Coffee or having a meal has become one of their selling points.

While many benefit from being able to gain Wi-Fi internet access, especially when it is free, there are also some disadvantages. Access can be limited and coverage intermittent. It is not always as simple and reliable as accessing the internet from home. There are also security issues. Accessing the web from a Wi-Fi hotspot is not always secure, which could be an issue if you are dealing with sensitive information such as bank details and important passwords or working over a business network. Some criminals have seen Wi-Fi as an opportunity to hack into personal information others are dealing with. This is a lot easier when people are using Wi-Fi hotspots and this behaviour is more difficult to track as the guilty party is using the same network as many other users.

While security can be a major issue with Wi-Fi, there are things that can be done to reduce the risk. All business networks should have security measures in place, with a VPN being the best option. A VPN is a virtual private network which uses encryption so data cannot be easily intercepted. For other users, individual devices can have a VPN installed to prevent private information from being hacked into. They can also use WPA/WEP encryption. This will encode data transmitted between your computer and the wireless router. This will mean data travelling between your computer and the internet is encrypted so hackers cannot interpret it.

Andrew Marshall ©

VPN Provider

Interesting Ways of Creating Energy

Energy is generally generated by creating motion to drive a turbine. This is often done by creating heat which produces stream that drives the turbine, with 80% of the world’S energy created in something approaching this method. Nuclear power is one example of this.

We are constantly trying to come up with new ways of creating energy. The actual production of energy can be done fairly easily; it is just that you need to create enough to drive everything we need. There are some interesting ways of creating energy and below are some of these, some of which have been put into practice and some of which haven’t.

Kite Powered Car

A kit powered car has been produced, although it is more of a light-weight buggy than a car in the conventional sense. It is guided by the kite, rather than its engine being powered by it. This poses the question of whether you can create engine power through a kite-like device. Could the wind blowing through a kite flying above a car create energy that is harnessed into the car’s engine?

Power from Tornados and Hurricanes

Tornados and Hurricanes are obviously very powerful. They could, in theory, create enough energy to power a town, at least for a little while. How exactly this would be done is not clear, and if a tornado or hurricane is sweeping through your town using it as an energy source is the least of your worries.

Waterfalls

Water falling onto a turbine, or something controlling the turbine, can create energy. If you’ve been to the Science Museum in London you may have seen a contraption where visitors can create a small waterfall that powers a television. While this may not produce a massive amount of power, imaging what Niagara Falls could do. It could create a fair bit of energy, possibly enough to power a town, but it isn’t going to solve the world’s problems. Why not, though, use it to power the surrounding area if possible.

Spinach

Spinach is best known for increasing Popeye’s strength, but it has also been used to power a house… kind of. It is actually a house powered by solar energy but the way the system was designed means the house had to be covered in a solid-state photosynthetic solar cell based skin, which is derived from spinach. It is really a matter of spinach assisting with solar power rather than creating the power itself.

Exercise

It is possible to create energy from people exercising if it can be harnessed in the right way. If you watch television while exercising on an exercise bike then the television could, in theory, be powered by the bike. Imagine if you could harness power in this way from the Olympics, could you power the whole of London for a few weeks? Well, maybe not, but it’s a nice idea.

Generating power is actually fairly easy. Generating power for everything we need is not. If power can be harnessed in the right way there is no end to the amount of power that could be created.

Andrew Marshall ©

Energy Law

Is Now a Bad Time to Invest?

As most people are aware, the economy is currently not at its strongest. Does that mean it is a bad time to invest in stocks and shares? The stock markets don’t exactly appear to be getting stronger, and some are predicting gloom and doom for some time yet. This prompts the question of whether it is too risky to invest at this time.

There are a lot of ifs and buts as to whether it is worth investing or not. If you are not spending money, then what else are you going to do with it? Are you just going to leave it in a regular bank account? With the current low interest rates it won’t do much in the bank, with inflation rising quicker than your money will. Even once interest rates do rise, you would need a lot in the bank to see any real difference. Therefore, for growth, something needs to be done with it.

If you don’t want to take risks but do want your money to grow, then investing in a cash ISA might be wise. It doesn’t have the potential growth of a stocks and shares ISA, but there are no risks. Some may think of this as a sensible and more secure way of savings right now as you will not be losing anything, and could later switch into a stocks and shares ISA once things look better and significant gains seem more likely.

Some people will already be investing but might be wondering whether or not they should carry on. This is particularly likely if the value of their investments have already fallen. If this is the case with you, you might want to cut your losses but at the same time won’t want to sell any shares at a low point, losing what you put in. This could be a tough decision; losing money is never good but you may not want to risk losing more than you already have.

You might be thinking, is now the perfect time to invest? Some stocks could be at or near their low point and will increase again. And there is nothing better than buying low ahead of a rise in value, and later selling at a much higher price. For some stocks now is likely to be a low point. If you can find the right investments, looking for stocks at their low point could be a good investment strategy. If timed right it could indeed be the perfect time to invest but it is hard to predict when the low point is, and getting it wrong could mean losing all that you put in. At some point the stock markets will improve but getting the timing right is risky.

So overall, is now a bad time to invest? Well, it depends on the investment. It is a time when certain investment will be very poor choices but you could also time things just before they rise again. The sensible thing to do is seek some expert legal advice to help you decide when the right time is to invest in a particular investment product.

Andrew Marshall ©

Benefits of Academy Schools

Academies were introduced by the Labour government in 2000 in a bid to improve failing schools. The current government has encouraged more schools to apply for academy conversion and they have simplified the process of becoming an academy.

Academies are essentially independent schools that are state funded. Money that would go to local authorities to pay for the running of schools goes directly from central government to the academies themselves and they can spend this as they like.

The real benefit that an academy has is the freedom that they have compared with regular, state controlled schools. There are many areas where they can make their own decisions. Because they are outside the direct control of local authorities they have more say in how they operate.

If an academy wishes it can specialise in a certain area. For example, if an academy wants to specialise in sport, science, technology or IT, then they can. This has prompted many to start religion based academies. Although they can specialise wherever they wish they still have to teach English, Maths and Science. They can, therefore, put more resources towards their specialist subjects, with children spending more time on this.

Academies can choose their own curriculum to a large extent. Apart from having to teach English, Maths and Science they can essentially teach whatever subjects they like. They can teach additional subject that other schools do not and don’t have to teach all subjects that others do. Regular schools have their curriculum dictated to them much more than academies.

Individual academies have a choice of how to spend their money. They have a choice of what to pay teachers; they can put more of their budget towards teachers’ pay in an attempt to attract the best teachers if they wish. If there are certain things they feel are necessary, they can spend money on it. Regular schools do not have the same freedoms in this regard.

Academies can also raise money in other ways on top of the money given by central government. They get the same per child as local authorities get to put towards an individual school, but can raise additional funds if they wish. They can, for example, be sponsored by individuals or businesses. Some think this is a negative as a business’s needs becomes a priority instead of children’s education. However, it can mean children are better prepared for the working world. Businesses working with academies can encourage teaching that will genuinely help students once they get into the workplace, in turn improving children’s career prospects. And the main benefit of being able to raise additional funds is that larger budgets enable them to be more effective.

Another choice academies have is choosing their own term dates. They can alter them compared to the regular school calendar and structure the school day to suit them.

In some ways academies are a little like public schools in the state school sector. They are independent in many ways but cannot charge for entrance. Academies offer more choice for parents. Their children can go to a school they believe fits their needs. And more academies means more differences between schools and therefore more choice.

Andrew Marshall ©

An Introduction to Intellectual Property Law

What is Intellectual Property Law? Often referred to as IP Law, intellectual property law refers to the ownership of creations, for example ownership of music, artwork, literature, inventions, designs and ideas. These works are the intellectual property of the creator, meaning they own their creation.

Why is this important? It is important because if IP Law didn’t exist they could be used by others, possibly to make money from someone else’s work. It could have financial value so it is only right that the creator is the owner. This means they have to give permission for someone else to use their idea or creation, and are entitled to a percentage of any profit made. Intellectual property law ensures that an idea or creation is protected where necessary.

Businesses and Brands

Amongst the things that come under Intellectual Property Law is a brand or business idea. Simply thinking of an idea means you own that idea, and if someone else steals it they are breaking the law and are likely to have to compensate the creator. That said, it must be proved this has been stolen. The lines can be blurred but, essentially, if you come up with an idea someone else can’t use it without your permission. Company logos and branding is also under the ownership of the creator, much like artwork.

Music

If the lyrics, notes or chords of music are written down or recorded then it is officially the copyright of the creator, so they own the rights to it. It can then only be used by others with their permission. This is true whether someone else records it or it is played on the radio, for example. When it is played on the radio the radio station must pay a fee to the copyright owner. If someone else records it a percentage of the sale must go to the copyright owner. This is even the case if someone performs it live and earns money from this.

Artwork

When someone creates a piece of art, whether it is a drawing, painting, sculpture or photograph, then they are the intellectual property owner. It can therefore not be copied (whether redone or another copy made) without the permission of the creator. Payments must also be made where money is made from this. Museum shops often sell posters or postcards of the artwork on display in their museum. Some of the money made from this, though, must go to the copyright owners.

Literature

When someone writes a novel or a poem it is their intellectual property. Again, there must be permission and payment where someone publishes this. Usually publishing rights are sold to one publisher. They will then be able to sell it, whereas other cannot. Copyright does run out seventy years after the creator’s death though. Charles Dickens novels, for example, can now be published by anyone and sold without permission or payments given to his estate.

Intellectual property law covers many areas. The above are just some of the most obvious examples. Essentially, any ideas or creations are the intellectual property of the creator and they own the copyright to their work.

Andrew Marshall ©

Brief Summary of Hampshire’s Biggest Towns and Cities

Hampshire is a county in the South of England that covers approximately 1,400 square miles. The county town is the historic cathedral city of Winchester. Hampshire contains the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth as well as the New Forest National Park. Famous people have included Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This is a brief look at the five largest towns and cities in Hampshire; Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Gosport and Waterlooville, as well as Winchester.

Southampton

Southampton is Hampshire’s largest city. Much of its character comes from the city walls which were built to protect it after an attack by France in 1338. Around half of these walls still exist to this day. Southampton Port has played an important part in its history and industries, and was key in both world wars. In 1912 the Titanic sailed from Southampton to begin its fateful maiden voyage. Regular ferries still depart from Southampton to the Isle of Wight. Cross channel ferries no longer leave from Southampton but many Cruise ships do, in particular those going to the Mediterranean. It is also the largest freight port on the south coast of England. Southampton has good transport links that includes an airport with domestic and European flights.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth has a population of a little over 200,000, and settlements began before Roman Times. Like Southampton, the port has played an important role in its history. It is the world’s oldest dry dock and a major naval base with it having the headquarters of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marine Commandos. It is also a commercial port. A modern addition to Portsmouth is the Spinnaker Tower which was finally completed in 2005 after many years of delays. It is a 170 metre high tower that dominates the skyline and also goes by the name of the Millennium Tower. Designed to look like a sail to reflect the city’s marine connections it includes an observation deck with 360 degree views and a glass floor.

Basingstoke

Basingstoke is a market town that was greatly expanded in the 1960’s when it became a London overspill town. It has good transport links to London with a fast train service and the M3 motorway, with Basingstoke’s junction 50 miles from the capital. Settlements go back to the Iron Age. The town was targeted in world war two, with bomb damage that included St Michael’s Church in the town centre. These days Basingstoke is home to the headquarters of several large businesses. The town centre has recently been largely rebuilt, with the Festival Place shopping centre a major new addition.

Gosport

Gosport is on the south coast on a peninsular, with Portsmouth on the opposite side. Some think of Gosport as an extension of Portsmouth but it is a town in its own right. It used to be a major naval and military town but declined in the late 1900’s. It held the last specialist military hospital in the UK until its closure in 2007. The first recorded settlements in what is now Gosport were in Anglo Saxon times. Famous people include singer Joe Jackson, actor Keith Allen and former athlete Roger Black.

Waterlooville

The name Waterlooville comes from a pub that used to be in the centre of the town; the Heroes of Waterloo. It was so named because on its first day of opening it was visited by returning soldiers from the Battle of Waterloo. Many of the soldiers settled there. A pub of the same name still exists, though in a different location.

Winchester

Despite not being one of the largest cities in Hampshire in population, Winchester is one of its best known places and is the county town. It is a cathedral city with one of the most famous cathedrals in Britain, and one of the largest in the world. The cathedral was built in 1079. Settlements go back to the Iron Age and Winchester became a capital of England in 686, one of several. It became the main capital city in 827 and remained so until after the Norman Conquest. A fire in 1141 accentuated what was already a decline in the city’s importance. Winchester is now a popular city due to its history and character. Jane Austen died in the city in 1817 and is buried in the cathedral.

Andrew Marshall ©

What is a Trojan and how do I get rid of one?

A Trojan Horse is effectively a type of computer virus that works by imitating something that users might want or find useful, such as music download software or even anti-virus software. This is to encourage computer users to download the Trojan, unknown to them. The user is therefore downloading this piece of malicious software themselves that goes on to attack their computer. These Trojan’s will then infect the computer and allow the Trojan’s creator to benefit. Typically, Trojan’s allow hackers access to your computer; they are able to control your computer from their own meaning they can steal secure information it stores. If you store sensitive information on your computer, such as bank account details and important passwords, then they may be able to gain access to these.

So, if you establish or suspect your computer has been infected with a Trojan, how can you remove it?

There is software that can do this for you. If you have antivirus software (which you should always have installed on your computer) then you can try deleting the Trojan using this. Run a scan, and if the Trojan is detected is should give you an option to delete it. It may appear in a list of suspicious items. Where this is the case, select all the items you feel may be unsafe and delete them using the options available to you.

If you are unable to remove the Trojan using the antivirus software, you can delete it manually if you have a windows computer. First, click on the Start icon in the bottom, left-hand corner of your screen and click on this. A menu will appear, click on ‘Control Panel’ on the right-hand side of this menu. In the next box that appears click ‘Programs’. Underneath Programs and Features in the following box click ‘Uninstall a Program’. This will bring up a list of all programs installed on your computer. Here, select the program you wish to delete (the Trojan) and then click ‘Uninstall’, which is above the list of programs. This will uninstall the Trojan virus. Make sure you do not uninstall any programs that you wish to keep.

In an ideal world your computer won’t get infected by a Trojan to begin with. Although you can never 100% guarantee this won’t happen, there are things you can avoid to limit the chances. The first one may seem obvious; don’t visit websites you are suspicious of, and especially, don’t download anything you are unsure of. You should also avoid opening links in emails you are uncertain of, including those claiming to be from banks or government organisations, such as tax authorities. These are two of the most common ways that people contract viruses, including Trojan’s.

Does antivirus software prevent your computer from being infected by a Trojan Horse? Yes, it should, but it is not guaranteed. If a Trojan is more advanced that the antivirus software designed to stop it, then you might still get infected. You are, though, much less likely to get infected if you have antivirus software installed, and you should always make sure you are protected and that it performs regular scans.

Andrew Marshall ©

Future Generations expected to be Less Well Off than their Parents

Over the course of the last few generations each generation has had more disposable income, relatively speaking, than the last. This trend could soon change though. Those currently in their 30’s and 40’s are expected to follow this pattern and be better off than their parents, but their children are, on average, expected to be less well off.

According to a PWC study, those born in 1993 will be 25% poorer when they retire than those born in 1963.

Those born in 1963 were able to buy a home earlier, at the age of 29 on average, and benefited from rapid increases in the value of their homes. They had no student debt and many are likely to be able to retire early.

Those born in 1993 are likely to have a higher real income but they are also likely to spend more. The PWC study states that it is expected they will be able to buy their first home by the age of 35 on average. This could be higher, though, as the average is already more than that now. Many of those born in 1993 will have student loans to pay off. They will also live longer so their retirement pot must last longer.

So why is the trend of each generation turning? The wealth gap between each generation is already narrowing in relative terms. Pensions and property could be two key factors.

Pensions are getting worse. Fewer people are paying into a pension fund at all, and this problem is increasing with people living longer. So while bigger pension pots are needed, pension contributions are actually going down. This is already a problem for some who have retired and will likely get worse in the future unless something is done to revert this.

Property has risen sharply in the last few decades. With each generation benefiting more, each generation has become wealthier than the last. It has been easier to obtain a mortgage than it is likely to be in the future. Many house prices have now got to a stage where they have become unaffordable to many young people so getting on the housing ladder is become harder. Increases are also likely to be less in the future so future generations may make less on the property market.

A current issue is that wages are not rising comparably to inflation. So things are costing more relative to what people are earning.

Each generation since world war two has been wealthier than the previous, but this difference is becoming less. The tide is turning and those born now are likely to be less well off as adults than their parents.

Can parents help protect their children from what could be a decline in living standard? The answer is yes, if parents have disposable income they could save it on behalf of their children. The best way to protect against inflation could be to invest it, for example in a Junior ISA. The Junior ISA is the new savings scheme for children, whereby parents can make investments on behalf of their children where gains will not be taxed.

Andrew Marshall ©

Pros and Cons of doing your Christmas Shopping Online

Online shopping is becoming more and more popular and the numbers shopping online looks set to reach new height this Christmas. According to The Telegraph, Brits are expected to spend more than 350 million hours shopping online in the build-up to Christmas, a 15% increase on 2010. What are the pros and cons of doing your Christmas shopping online?

One benefit is that you don’t have to go out into town for your Christmas shopping. If doing all of your shopping online there is no need to travel to town or an out of town shopping centre on a cold winters day. It can all be done from the warmth of your own home and you don’t have to race around as part of the large Christmas crowds.

There are sometimes online offers to be found that are not available in the shops. With the increase in online shopping, retailers are targeting this customer base with enticing offers.

If you are shopping on the internet you have a choice of an endless number of retailers. If your favourite retailer doesn’t have a physical store then you would normally have to go somewhere else, but it doesn’t matter where they are if you are buying through their website. You might even be able to buy from retailers based abroad.

Christmas shopping can be stressful; rushing around at the last minute trying to find presents for everyone. Shopping online can take away the stress and make it a lot more relaxing.

While shopping through the internet has its positive side, there are also some negative points.

For one, you can’t see what you are buying prior to making a purchase. This means you won’t find defects that you might if visiting the shops. It is, therefore, more likely you will have the hassle of having to return items.

There can also be extra charges when shopping online, especially delivery charges. In some cases this can make online shopping a more expensive experience.

One of the main fears of shopping on the internet is online shopping safety. For example, it is possible your bank account details could be stolen or your computer could be infected with a virus.

So looking at the pros and cons, should you do your Christmas shopping online?

A large part of it comes down to personal preference. Some people love going into town for their shopping, while others hate it. But, is it safe? The reality is that despite all the stories we hear, in the majority of cases internet shopping is safe. Internet safety needs to be considered, but if the right precautions are taken then it shouldn’t be a problem. It is wise to only use websites that you know you can trust. There are two other key things to look out for; make sure there is a lock symbol in the address box of any webpages that ask for payment details and make sure the web address beings with ‘https’ instead of the usual ‘http’. You may be wondering if you can return items bought online. A misconception is that you cannot, but you have the same legal rights as if you were buying from a physical store. If in doubt, check the terms and conditions on the website or call the company.

Andrew Marshall ©

Should Cohabitation Law Change?

More couples than even are living together without getting married, whether never planning to get married or living together for a while prior to marriage. There are more than four million cohabiting couples in the UK now, with nearly half of children being born outside of marriage.

While a couple living together may not be a problem, it can become problematic if they separate. It can be confusing for people as they may not know exactly where they stand. For example, what happens if they own a home together or have children? Many have the wrong idea of family law in these cases, while others don’t consider it when they first move in together. After all, to some, simply living in a house with another person may not seem that bigger deal even if they are a couple. Some assume that cohabiting couples have the same legal rights as a married couple, with the idea of common law marriage, where couples who have lived together long term automatically have the same rights as married couples. This is not the case; the idea of common law marriage in the UK is a myth.

The problem at the moment is that people don’t really know where they stand, and many who think they know have the wrong idea. This issue has recently been in the news with the case of Ms Jones and Mr Kernott, who were an unmarried couple living together with their children. They separated and Mr Kernott moved out of the home with Ms Jones and the children continuing to live there, with Ms Jones paying the mortgage. Once the children had grown up Mr Kernott made a claim for the home, assuming he would be entitled to 50%. After many lengthy court battles the Supreme Court has awarded Ms Jones 90% and Mr Kernott just 10%. This could be a significant case in terms of determining entitlements of separating cohabiting couples.

Many legal experts have argued that with so many cohabiting couples the law needs to be changed and simplified. But how? There are many opinions as to what the law should be regarding separating unmarried couple who have lived together. Below are some of these arguments.

It should be balanced to reflect the assets that each person brought into the relationship.

This would be simple in many cases, as if one person owned the home the couple lived in, they would retain ownership after. Where both work, it would mean each keeping their own earnings. The problem would come where circumstances are different when they separate to when they moved in together. For example, if they have children and one parent gives up work to look after the children, then it would be unfair for this parent to be left with nothing. There is also the fact that just because one person owns the home doesn’t mean that that person is paying the mortgage. At the same time splitting the mortgage payments could be conceived as being the same as splitting rent on a rented property. The thing with this argument is that it should simplify things where the circumstances are straightforward but it would not work where it is more complicated and things have changed over time.

It should work just as it does with a marriage

In some ways this would be the easiest way for things to work, effectively bringing into law common law marriage. This would mean both halves of a couple would know exactly where they stand prior to moving in together and changes in circumstances would be taken into consideration during a separation. The reality, though, is that some couples when first living together have not got married for a reason; they do not want to be treated as a married couple. They might not be really for that sort of commitment, either emotionally or in terms of sharing assets in the same way a married couple does. Would it be right for a couple to live together only for a few months and then to have to split assets upon separation? And it could be argued that if you want to be treated as though you are married, then you should get married.

A couple should be able to make a legally binding agreement prior to living together

This could make things simpler. The couple could have a family law solicitor draw up a written agreement that states what would happen, and how assets would be divided if they were to separate. This would mean both know where they stand, and if they were to separate things would be fairly simple to sort out. However, changes in circumstances could prove problematic. For example they may have been splitting mortgage payments when they first lived together, but one person may have then been made unemployed and therefore hasn’t contributed to the mortgage. It may not be considered fair, therefore, that this agreement would still stand.

Family law can be complicated, and can be even more so where cohabiting couples are concerned. There have been calls for a change in the law, and it seems as though this would be a sensible step considering the number of cohabiting couples these days. However, it is difficult to establish how exactly it should be changed, considering the differing circumstances of different couples and how they could change over time.

Andrew Marshall ©

The Housing Markets Impact on the Rental Market

The circumstances are not at their best for buying property at the moment, something that has led to an increase in the numbers renting. The housing market has stagnated in the last few years, which is in stark contrast to the boom that preceded it. House and flat prices had previously rocketed and fast rises in value were almost thought of as a guarantee. Despite higher prices many were able to buy with mortgages easy to come by, with many providers even offering 100% mortgages.

The story of the economy and its impact on housing in the last three or four years has been well documented but, in short, it has made it a lot harder for people, and in particular first time buyers, to obtain a mortgage. A significantly higher deposit is now required to purchase a home.

The problem for those wishing to buy a home has been confounded by the fact that while prices have fallen, in most cases they haven’t fallen significantly. Home owners have been reluctant to sell for less than they bought for, and this along with it being harder to buy, has meant a lack of movement in the housing market. This has made buying a home less affordable.

The problems in the market for buying homes has led to a more flourishing rental market. More have been looking to rent a flat or house, something that has many benefits, some of which are outlined below.

Renting doesn’t carry the same commitment that buying a home does. If circumstances change, for example a change of job, then you can move quickly with a month or two notice. It is also a lot easier to find another place to rent as you don’t have to spend months trying to sell and find another property.

The most obvious benefit of renting is that it tends to be cheaper. In particular, you don’t need the same sort of deposit. A deposit for a rented flat is likely to be a few hundred pounds, not several thousand as it is for buying a home. This can mean renters have more disposable income or can live in a bigger or nicer place.

If things go wrong in a bought home, then it is the home owner’s responsibility to either fix it or pay for someone to do it for them. If renting, this is the responsibility of the landlord.

Being harder to buy a home has inevitable meant more people are renting. This has had a positive impact on buy-to-let mortgages. People are seeing the demand for rental properties and looking to buy for the purpose of renting the property out. The flourishing rental market has been a good opportunity for some to become private landlords. Although prices haven’t dropped as much as some expected, they have gone down so places are available for less. This has further assisted private landlords. They can collect rent to pay for the majority of the mortgage and wait for the value to increase before selling for a profit in the future.

For many renting has become a must recently, while for others it has become the sensible option to avoid having an unaffordable or risky mortgage. In some cases it is a choice, either because it is easier for practical reasons such as relocation or less responsibility, or because you can get more for your money.

Andrew Marshall ©