Tayntons LLP Solicitors warns "Staycation" second homes can be legal minefields

26th August 2011 17:09

Tayntons LLP Solicitors in Gloucester says the popularity of second homes in the UK, which are often used as holiday homes, could expose owners to a "minefield" of risks.

The popularity of "staycations" - staying in the UK rather than travelling overseas for a holiday - has seen more second homes being used by "staycationers."

Statistics from the English Housing Survey", Household Report 2009-10 shows that there are 279,000 second homes in England, but Tayntons LLP Solicitors, which holds the Law Society's excellence in home buying accolade - the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), is warning that owners are not always aware of the potential problems of owning a second home.

Sarah Mitchem, conveyancing expert and LLP Partner says: "Second homes are often unoccupied for long periods of time.  However, they could become targets for squatters, or there could be legal considerations to take into account when renting them out for short periods to holiday makers, and there are often insurance issues to take into account, not to mention the types of issues that come with buying any home, such as any legal anomalies or liabilities attached to the property.

"There are also tax implications for second home owners that need to be considered.  It is essential that anyone buying a second home contacts a CQS accredited solicitor such as Tayntons LLP to look at the potential risks and benefits of buying.  Equally, anyone who already owns a second home for their own holiday purposes, but plans to let it be used by family members or others for extended periods could be changing its status as a holiday home without realising.

"During off seasons second home owners might look to rent out the property for long periods of time and suddenly you have a landlord and tenant relationship which carries with it a host of additional obligations and liabilities."

Tayntons LLP underwent a rigorous application and assessment by the national Law Society to become part of the CQS initiative, which recognises high quality in residential conveyancing. CQS has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association, Legal Ombudsman and the Association of British Insurers.

For further information contact Sarah Mitchem LLP Partner on 01452 509853, sarah.mitchem@tayntons.co.uk or Jane Davies, LLP Partner on 01452 509873, jane.davies@tayntons.co.uk