Scottish Private Residential Tenancies
A new leasing regime is being introduced by the Scottish Parliament in terms of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. The Scottish Private Residential Tenancy – or SPRT – will replace the existing private leasing regime in Scotland. At present, privately let properties are let on a short assured tenancy. The beauty of a […]
Continuing and Welfare Powers of Attorney….Why Should You Have One?
They are recommended by solicitors universally, and are becoming ever more popular; but what is a Power of Attorney, and more importantly, why do you need one? The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 provided a framework for protecting the welfare and managing the finances of adults who lack capacity due to mental illness, […]
Q1 Market Commentary
By Scott A. Middleton, Chartered Financial Planner James & George Collie Financial Management Despite a perceived background of worldwide uncertainty and volatility the Q1 of 2017 has witnessed further upward growth for many investors. The FTSE 100 Index increased in value by 2.86%, the FTSE World Index by 2.89% and there was a significant upturn […]
Improving your chances of selling your home
With more than 98% of buyers using the internet in the search for their new home, the first few seconds’ viewing can be ‘make or break’. Check the competition and you will see some showing bright, sunny rooms with a minimum of clutter, flowers on the table and fresh towels and bedding while others could […]
Overseas Broadcasts of Football Matches
There have been a large number of cases recently where companies such as the FA Premier League, BT and Sky have been pursuing publicans for damages in respect of showing “live” football matches. This area of law has become quite complex over the last few years. There is a great deal of confusion for members […]
1 April 2018- Three years of LBTT and the implications for Commercial Leases
With a limited number of exceptions, all new commercial leases in Scotland since 1 April 2015 have required an LBTT return to be submitted to Revenue Scotland shortly after the “relevant date” which varies depending on the particular circumstances. In some circumstances commercial leases in place prior to April 2015 which have since been varied […]
James & George Collie Managed Portfolios – Review of Q2 2017
by Scott Middleton, Chartered Financial Planner, James & George Collie Financial Management Limited Executive Summary The James & George Collie Model Portfolios again posted a positive return during Q2, extending the gains made in the first quarter of 2017 Equity markets continued their upward trend in the second quarter of 2017, with an improving global […]
Residential Property Sales – 2017 Review
2017 was another challenging year in the Aberdeen Property market, however not to the extent of the previous year. In 2016, average prices fell by 10%; in 2017 the fall was 3½%. This reflects the general feeling that we are either at, or very close to, the bottom of the current downturn, with prices not […]
Building Warrants – An Art and a Necessity
Aberdeen City Archives recently held an exhibition called “The Art of the Building Warrant”. The exhibits were original building warrant plans of iconic Aberdeen buildings past and present such as the Northern Hotel with its Art Deco frontage, the police office at Lodgewalk, the Pittodrie Pavilion and the Tivoli Theatre. Looking in particular at the […]
Reasons to be Cheerful – Another Quarter of Above Average Performance from the James & George Collie Model Portfolios!
Q3 2017 Update By Scott A. Middleton APFS BA (Hons) Chartered Financial Planner Comment Once again, we have had another quarter of continued positive returns for equity investors with both UK and Global Equities moving strongly ahead. In contrast, Fixed interest investors have seen little return from corporate bonds and there was actually […]