Ask the experts: legal matters
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Do we need a deed of trust to reflect our shares in our house purchase?As an unmarried couple we want to protect our monies, but my partner is worried that if I pay for repairs her share will fall
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We are splitting up, what should we do about the house?How do I calculate how much it would cost to buy my partner out and who should pay ongoing housing costs such as insurance and repairs?
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Law of the landlordsLandlords must be aware of their obligations towards tenants, as well as their own rights when renting out a property, says Alan Wilson.
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Will my warranty cover my bike my repairs?
My boyfriend bought a motorbike with a one-year warranty. After a month an oil warning light came on the bike, but since filling it up the light remained on. We then realised the light had a joint purpose - low oil and to indicate a service was due. The bike then broke down due to low oil, but we assumed the light was lit because the service was due. Now we are told we're not under warrenty for ignoring the warning. What can we do?
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Can I buy a property with my sister?
My sister lives in a flat she owns with our mum, who doesn't live there. She is going to work in America, but they don't want to fall off the property ladder. My sister has a mortgage of £170,000, as well as £70,000 in cash. My mother has around £50,000 to invest. I have no cash but have a £36,000 salary. Will a mortgage provider a) lend to me separately from my sister, and b) accept three owners in divisible equity shares?
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Egg-shell skull principle
Egg-shell skull principle says a defendant must take his victim as he finds him. So if a person negligently injures someone by running them over, for example, they cannot complain if the injuries they have caused turn out to be more serious than expected because the victim suffered from a pre-existing weakness such as an unusually thin skull or a weak heart.
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Is my damp proof guarantee valid?
I bought a house two-and-a-half years ago, which I have since discovered has rising damp. According to the papers that came with the property a damp proof course was installed four years ago, and I have a copy of the associated 30-year damp proof guarantee. This wasn't conveyed to me when I moved, which apparently invalidates the agreement. What can I do?
Ask the experts: homebuying Should we hand all our house money to our conveyancer?