Blog Posts: August 2011

How to negotiate a Lease is one of the most frequent questions I get asked. Before signing a Lease of business premises Tenants should always try and negotiate the best deal with a Landlord or their agent. Listed below, in no particular order of importance, are the key things to ask for and check: 1. Get expert advice on the Rent A Tenant should not just rely on the Landlord’s view on the market rent for the property. If in any doubt get your own surveyor to give a valuation 2. Servic.... (read more...)

More than you might think and yours might be one of them! Now I’ve got your attention, let me explain. Every website should have a set of policies, designed to protect you and also the visitors to your site. If you sell products or services via your website, the requirement is even greater; not only do you need a Terms of Use and Privacy Policy but you also need detailed Terms and Conditions which need to cover such things as delivery arrangements, the refund process and policy as well a.... (read more...)

I have blogged previously about the pros and cons of doing business without properly drawn up contracts - Contracts – insurance for business and Beware contracting by email. From 1 October 2011 the issue of how you contract becomes even more important for companies in the construction and engineering sectors.Changes to the Construction Act mean that informal and verbal construction contracts will fall within the auspices of the Act and this has significant consequences for smaller constru.... (read more...)

Many businesses and indeed anyone who has suffered loss as a result of the recent riots may find that they are not insured. Most insurance policies exclude losses caused by riots. But there is a possible source of compensation, if only for damage to buildings. The Riot (Damages) Act 1886 covers loss to buildings and allows claims against the Police provided they are submitted within 14 days. It has been reported that the Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that this will be increased to 42 .... (read more...)

The government and its predecessor have been under pressure to relax the heavy hand of regulation strangling the music scene in pubs, ever since the “2 in a bar” rule was abolished in 2005. Before Westminster departed on holiday, proposed changes were thrashed out in the House of Lords, and will no doubt complete their journey through Parliament in the autumn. So what will be the changes? The original “Small Premises” provisions were confusing, and the latest change.... (read more...)

It never fails to surprise me how many small businesses appear to have been misinformed when it comes to how they use their standard terms of business. I’ve seen them printed on the reverse of an invoice, included with a delivery note, even a payment reminder. If you have gone to the trouble of preparing standard terms and conditions for your business, it is usually because you want to cover yourself legally. Whether your business is the supply or purchase of goods or services, your terms .... (read more...)

Although the noises coming from BIS (the Department for Business Innovation & Skills) are upbeat when it comes to the fight against Red Tape, we have yet to see real changes. I wonder how much is just noise (and distraction from the awful economic growth figures) and whether the government’s Red Tape Challenge will actually prove to be more than just a website and encouraging sound bites. Of course, the real issue with excessive red tape comes from Europe and not the UK government. Mos.... (read more...)