In this candid conversation on BBC Radio 5 Live, Will Oakes shares his perspective on Angela Rayner’s stamp duty row, offering insights on housing policy, tax fairness, and public trust in politics.
Attwells Solicitors named Top Law Firm among England’s SME Apprenticeship Employers
Attwells Solicitors, with offices in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Colchester and London, has been ranked 22nd in the 2025 Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers league table, released today by the Department for Education and Rate My Apprenticeship. The result places Attwells as the highest-rated law firm in this year’s rankings.
The annual list celebrates small and medium-sized businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment to creating high-quality apprenticeships, championing social mobility and improving diversity within their sectors.
“Apprenticeships open doors that might otherwise remain closed. We are proud to be recognised nationally for investing in new talent and for making the legal profession more representative of the communities we serve,” said Nick Attwell, Founder and Managing Partner.
Attwells’ apprenticeship and training programme is led by Charlotte Reason, Senior Associate & Head of Training and Development. Under her stewardship the firm has welcomed more than 20 apprentices in the past five years, many of whom have progressed from entry-level roles to fee-earner positions across conveyancing, private client and commercial departments.
Current apprentices include Adam Smith, Alanis James, Alice Turner, Alima Bojang, Ben Friar, Ella Sheppard, Ellie Houghton, Holly Foskett, Holly Waldron, India Badini, Isabella Thompson, Jacob Abadom, Josh Barber, Konstantina Karamintzou, Kristian Bitter, Mia Curran, Tara King, Tom Gall and Weronika Smagala. who are combining paid legal work with formal study toward CLC, CILEX and Level 7 solicitor qualifications.
For more information, please visit www.attwells.com.
Whether you've been impacted by the recent National Insurance update or just want to learn more, visit our website: www.attwells.com
Whether you have been faced with a settlement agreement or simply want to learn more, visit our website: www.attwells.com
Today I’m joined by Charlotte from our Auctions Team and we discuss buying and selling property at auction.
What are the benefits to selling a property at auction? 0:23
What are the benefits to selling a property at auction? 1:03
How fast can you get a review done on the legal pack? 1 minute, 50 seconds
How much work is involved if I were to buy through a company at auction? 2:18
How long does it take to buy a property at auction? 2:50
How do I prepare my property for being sold at auction? 3:28 seconds
What is a bridging loan and what’s the difference between that and a mortgage and how do you get one? 4:07
Do you have any tips for people who are looking to buy a property at auction for the first time? 5:11
If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
Welcome to today’s episode of The Property Pod. Today I am joined by Steven, an independent estate agent based in Suffolk, and a member of the EXP network. Today we are going to discuss the property market in 2024 and 2025. Can you start by telling me a bit about your background and your business? 0:30 What are your general predictions for the housing market in 2024 and 2025? 1:36 Do you think the property market for the rest of 2024 and into 2025 is going to be more of a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? 2:47 How do you think buyers and sellers should prepare for these market conditions? 3:44 Are there any particular regions or types of properties that you expect to see more significant value change for that? 4:42 What advice do you have for sellers looking to maximise their property’s value in 2024 and 2025? 5:44 How can estate agents help sellers navigate the market? 7:35 How do personal service agents maintain client relationships in a rapidly changing market? 8:36 If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to like, share and subscribe.
Welcome to today’s episode of The Property Pod. Today I am joined by Charlotte from our Auctions Team, and we discuss everything you need to know about purchasing a property at auction.
What should buyers do when purchasing a property at auction, what should they consider? 0:20
How do you help with the property-buying process? 2:16
What risks can buyers face when purchasing a property and how can you help? 2:48
Are there any specific laws or regulations that buyers need to think about when buying a property at auction and how can you assist them with this? 4:18 seconds
What legal implications are there when buying a property at auction with existing tenants or lease agreements involved? 5: 26
What are the typical fees involved in hiring a solicitor? 6:43
Can you explain the steps involved from bidding to ownership transfer? 7:24
If you enjoyed today's episode, please don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
In today's episode, I am joined by Josh and Rishi from RB Financial Advisors and we're going to be discussing everything you need to know about buy-to-let mortgages. So could you provide a brief overview of what sets apart buy-to-let mortgages from regular residential mortgages? 0:20 seconds How does the prospective income of a buy-to-let property influence the approval process for a buy-to-let mortgage? 1 minute, 25 seconds Are there any specific property types that are not eligible for buy-to-let mortgages? 3 minutes, 5 seconds And apart from the mortgage itself, are there any other costs that landlords should take into account? 4 minutes, 10 seconds Are there any noteworthy tax considerations associated with buy-to-let mortgages? 4:55 seconds For those interested in multiple properties, how does managing a buy-to-let affect mortgage arrangements? 6 minutes, 29 seconds What responsibilities do landlords have to fulfil in regards to property standards and regulations? 8 minutes, 5 seconds If you enjoyed today's episode, please don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
Hi and welcome to today’s episode. Today I am joined by John from Fosters Financial and we are going to discuss equity release and mortgages.
So John please can you tell me what a mortgage is and how it works? 0:19 seconds
What factors should you consider when you’re choosing a mortgage? 0:45 seconds
Can explain what equity release is and how it differs from a traditional mortgage? 1 minute, 55 seconds
What are the pros and cons of equity release? 2 minutes, 56 seconds
What are the potential risks associated with equity release?4 minutes, 37 seconds
What advice do you have for someone who is considering either a mortgage or equity release? 5 minutes, 30 seconds
What steps should someone take before considering equity release? 6 minutes, 20 seconds
If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to like, share and subscribe!
In today's episode, I am joined by Holly and Nick from Patrick James Property Consultants and today we'll be discussing navigating the property market in 2023 as a first-time buyer.
What is the average price for a first home in 2023? 0:22 seconds What are the current trends for the housing market for first-time buyers at the moment? 0:55 seconds What advice would you give to first-time buyers looking to navigate the current property market in 2023? 2 minutes,16 seconds Are there any legal or regulatory changes that first-time buyers should be made aware of? 4 minutes, 5 seconds Are there any government schemes or incentives this year that are different from other years that are available for first-time buyers? 5 minutes, 28 seconds What should first-time buyers look out for in a property viewing? 7:15 minutes What is stamp duty and how much does a first-time buyer have to pay in 2023? 11 minutes, 9 seconds Can you provide any insights into the negotiation process involved in buying a property or putting an offer on a property? Is there anything a first-time buyer can do to make sure they’re negotiating well? 12 minutes, 12 seconds Are there any extra costs first-time buyers should account for in 2023? 18 minutes, 17 seconds
If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
What should buyers consider when purchasing a property at auction? 0:17 seconds How do you help with the property-buying process? 3 minutes, 40 seconds What risks can buyers face when purchasing a property and how can you help? 4 minutes, 59 seconds Are there any specific laws or regulations that buyers need to think about when buying a property at auction and how can you assist them with this? 6 minutes, 48 seconds What should buyers do in terms of due diligence and legal preparations before participating in a modern auction? 8 minutes, 28 seconds What legal implications are there when buying a property at auction with existing tenants or lease agreements involved? 10 minutes, 10 seconds What are the typical fees involved in hiring a solicitor? 11 minutes, 36 seconds Can you explain the steps involved from bidding to ownership transfer? 12 minutes, 19 seconds How do property auctions differ from traditional real estate transactions in terms of procedures and buyer protections? 14 minutes, 39 seconds What happens if a buyer discovers defects or undisclosed issues with a property after they win it at auction? 15 minutes, 49 seconds
In today's episode, I am joined by Charlotte and we discuss everything you need to know about auctions. What should buyers consider when purchasing a property at auction? 0:17 seconds How do you help with the property-buying process? 3 minutes, 40 seconds What risks can buyers face when purchasing a property and how can you help? 4 minutes, 59 seconds Are there any specific laws or regulations that buyers need to think about when buying a property at auction and how can you assist them with this? 6 minutes, 48 seconds What should buyers do in terms of due diligence and legal preparations before participating in a modern auction? 8 minutes, 28 seconds What legal implications are there when buying a property at auction with existing tenants or lease agreements involved? 10 minutes, 10 seconds What are the typical fees involved in hiring a solicitor? 11 minutes, 36 seconds Can you explain the steps involved from bidding to ownership transfer? 12 minutes, 19 seconds How do property auctions differ from traditional real estate transactions in terms of procedures and buyer protections? 14 minutes, 39 seconds What happens if a buyer discovers defects or undisclosed issues with a property after they win it at auction? 15 minutes, 49 seconds If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
In today's episode, I am joined by Will from our Litigation Team and we are discussing everything you need to know about Collective Enfranchisement. What is Collective Enfranchisement? 0:17 seconds How do you get organised for Collective Enfranchisement? 3 minutes, 43 seconds How do you assess the purchase price? 4 minutes, 40 seconds What does the solicitor do? 5 minutes, 55 seconds If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
In today's episode, I am joined by Hannah and Stuart from our Suffolk Conveyancing Department. We are discussing all you need to know about conveyancing. Plus Hannah and Stuart answer your conveyancing questions!
In today's episode, I am joined by Sam from Carter Dawes and we are discussing everything you need to know about Inheritance Tax.
In today's episode, I am joined by Anna and Mishal and we talk about their experience with the training contract scheme at the firm.
What inspired you to go into a career in the legal sector? 0:20 seconds
What did you guys find challenging about securing a training contract? 1 minute, 8 seconds
What’s a typical day in the Attwells office like? 1 minute, 53 seconds
What seat are you currently in and what are your responsibilities? 2 minutes, 30 seconds
What’s your favourite part about being a trainee? 3 minutes, 14 seconds
What advice would you give to prospective trainee solicitors? 3 minutes, 49 seconds
Hi and welcome to today’s episode of the Property Pod, today I’m joined by Danielle from Fitch and Fitch and we discuss everything you need to know about remortgaging.
So tell me a bit about Fitch and Fitch. 0:20 seconds
What is Remortgaging? 0:42 seconds
Why should people remortgage? 1 minute, 29 seconds
When should people start to think about Remortgaging? 2 minutes, 9 seconds
How does someone go about Remortgaging? 3 minutes, 26 seconds
What should people do to prepare for Remortgaging? 5 minutes, 25 seconds
How much can someone borrow to remortgage? 6 minutes, 28 seconds
Are people credit checked? 7 minutes, 8 seconds
Where can people check their credit score and rating? 7 minutes, 41 seconds
How much does it cost to remortgage? 8 minutes, 12 seconds
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
Hi and welcome to today’s episode of the Property Pod, today I’m joined by Nicola from our Private Client Department and we discuss Lasting Power of Attorney.
What is Lasting Power of Attorney and why would you need one? 0:20 seconds
What does Lasting Power of Attorney cover? 0:44 seconds
What is involved in making a Lasting Power of Attorney? 1 minute, 49 seconds
Does a Lasting Power of Attorney need to be registered and when should this happen? 2 minutes, 50 seconds
What is an Attorney? 3 minutes, 30 seconds Who can be an Attorney? 3 minutes, 52 seconds
When can an Attorney act? 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Can I appoint more than one person as an Attorney and how many people can I appoint? 4 minutes, 56 seconds
What is the difference between an Enduring Power of Attorney and a Lasting Power of Attorney? 6 minutes, 7 seconds
How much does it cost to make a Lasting Power of Attorney? 6 minutes, 56 seconds
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
Hi and welcome to today’s episode of the Property Pod, today I’m joined by Gavin and Samantha from our Litigation team and we discuss transferring a property into a business.
So tell me a bit about Scrutton Bland? 0:23 seconds
What is meant by transferring a property into a business 0:49 seconds
Do you have to own a business first to be able to do this? 1 minute, 15 seconds
What are the benefits of transferring property into a business? 1 minute, 35 seconds
And what are the disadvantages? 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Is there a recommended number of properties that you should own before transferring a property into a business? 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Do you need an accountant to undertake your bookkeeping and accountancy once your property is owned as a business? 6 minutes, 36 seconds
How can Scrutton Bland help people to transfer their properties into a business? 6 minutes, 59 seconds
Do businesses still have to pay stamp duty? 7 minutes, 40 seconds
What happens to the profits from rent received from selling a property? 8 minutes, 12 seconds If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
Hi and welcome to today’s episode of the Property Pod, today I’m joined by Will from our Litigation team and we discuss possessions proceedings.
What types of legal measures can you put in place before renting a property to protect against rent arrears? 0:21 seconds
What is the best way of documenting a tenant’s pattern of behaviour? 1 minute, 40 seconds
How do you document any late payments? 2 minutes, 28 seconds
What’s the best way to communicate with your tenants once any late payments have occurred? 3 minutes, 5 seconds
If a tenant has stopped paying rent and there’s no reasonable expectation of payment, is it possible to evict them? 4 minutes, 6 seconds
What timescales are involved if you’re looking at court action? 5 minutes
What are the costs for a possession claim and is it possible to recover these from the tenant? 7 minutes, 21 seconds
How can a landlord claim back unpaid rent? 9 minutes, 4 seconds
What should you do if the tenant has caused any damage to the property and how do you recover the cost for this? 10 minutes, 24 seconds
Are there any changes on the horizon? 12 minutes, 50 seconds If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!