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Oct 19, 2018

Rental Application and Upfront Fees - What is Allowed?!

Landlords are allowed to ask a fee to accompany a rental application. Some landlords may also ask for a move in fee to cover any damages caused to the building during the move.

However!

• There is a maximum limit allowed, depending on the country/state.
• There are rules as to refunds and the time limit within which to refund any money.
• A landlord can incur stiff penalties if he accepts an application (and fees) whilst knowing that a tenant will not qualify because of inadequate income.

Continue reading "Rental Application and Upfront Fees - What is Allowed?!"

Oct 17, 2018

Contesting a Will!

Time is of the essence when you want to bring a claim against an estate or challenge the validity of a will!

• Who has the legal right to contest or challenge a will?
• On what grounds can a will be contested?
• What are the costs involved?
• It is a good idea to add a no-contest clause to your last will and testament?

We review these and other important issues regarding family wills.

Continue reading "Contesting a Will!"

Oct 15, 2018

Selling Your Car Privately?

It's quite straightforward to have a bill of sale that spells out the terms and conditions of your agreement.

We've made it even easier for you, and provide two printable legal forms for either:

• Once-off payment for the full selling price. We also make provision for a holding deposit should you need that.
• Installment sale where regular payments must be made until the vehicle is fully paid.

Get your free legal forms here:

Continue reading "Selling Your Car Privately?"

Oct 12, 2018

Which Power of Attorney Form will Serve Your Needs Best?

You don't need the broad permission typically found in a general power of attorney if you only wish your agent for example, to sell a vehicle on your behalf.

It's very easy to stipulate exactly what, how and for how long you would like your appointed agent to perform any functions for you.

Start off by going through our general guidelines and then choose from our variety of free power of attorney forms to download the specific document that is most suitable for your requirements.

Continue reading "Which Power of Attorney Form will Serve Your Needs Best?"

Oct 11, 2018

Rental Applications - Legal Guidelines

Landlords need to find the best tenant for a rental property but also need to show no bias or discrimination.

So, on what basis can you reject an applicant and how do you need to word your rejection notice?

And how do you assess affordability or should you consider having a third party sign as guarantor?

We’ll guide you through many of these (and other) questions and supply the relevant free legal forms and documents.

Continue reading "Rental Applications - Legal Guidelines"

Oct 09, 2018

Important Facts About Your Last Will and Testament...

When you draft or review your document or you've been appointed as executor in the will of someone who passed away, you may want to consider the following:

• What can make a will invalid?
• When can a person be disqualified from inheriting?
• Can another person sign a will on behalf of the will maker?
• What is a Testamentary Trust?

Continue reading "Important Facts About Your Last Will and Testament..."

Oct 05, 2018

Buying or Selling a Boat Privately?

It's very simple to spell out the terms and conditions of your transaction.

Take a look at the two free templates we've compiled:

• Where a single payment will conclude the transaction. We've also added an optional clause if a holding deposit will be paid initially.
• Where multiple payments will be made.

Review the guidelines and download or print your sample document.

Continue reading "Buying or Selling a Boat Privately?"

Oct 03, 2018

How to Manage Your Renovations or Constructions

If you're planning to do alterations or a new building project, then cast your eye over our checklist to see whether you've covered:

• Warranty on materials and workmanship
• Insurance by both parties
• Progress payments and the issuing of lien waivers and releases
• The scope of the work
  ...and so much more.

We also provide a variety of free printable contracts and forms for every step or your project.

Continue reading "How to Manage Your Renovations or Constructions"

Oct 01, 2018

Time to Become a Landlord?

There's always a buzz in various media about investment property opportunities - whether commercial or residential - and whether you should or should not put your money in bricks and mortar.

We have always maintained that there's never a really bad time to invest in property. One would try not to buy when the market favors the sellers, but not having a crystal ball, it will be difficult to predict when the market will be at the optimum for buying.

The bigger question is WHERE to invest.

Take a look at our tips and free legal forms for landlords to assist you with managing your tenants and rental portfolio.

Continue reading "Time to Become a Landlord?"

Sep 28, 2018

Progress Payments to a Contractor - Why and When and How!

Apart from managing your cash flow and contractor effectively, there are a number of other very important reasons for determining the payment stages of your building or renovation project:

• Will you have anything to show (building materials) for the deposit you paid?
• Will you be getting receipts and more importantly, lien releases at every progress payment?
• Will the work pass the relevant inspections by the authorities prior to your paying for that work?
• How much money will be retained to cover items on the snag list and within what timeframe must that be addressed?
  etc.

We also supply a free contractor agreement and lien waiver forms to assist you with your project.

Continue reading "Progress Payments to a Contractor - Why and When and How!"

Sep 26, 2018

Can You Disinherit a Child or Spouse?

In some jurisdictions you have testamentary freedom and can dispose of your assets as you wish.

However, some courts recognize parents to have a legal or moral obligation to make provision for their children in family wills.

There are some steps you may need to take, to ensure your wishes expressed in your will hold true.

Continue reading "Can You Disinherit a Child or Spouse?"

Sep 24, 2018

Letter of Appointment - Why It’s so Important to Have

A letter of appointment is an opportunity to spell out the remuneration details of a position as may have been discussed during an interview.

Perhaps more importantly to the prospective employee, it serves as confirmation of the new position in order to tender his/her resignation at a current place of work.

Unfortunately it does happen that employers go back on their word!

Employees should therefore insist on having written employment offers and letters of appointment.

Continue reading "Letter of Appointment - Why It’s so Important to Have"

Sep 21, 2018

Construction Bids - How to Pick the Best One

Dialogue is key when it comes to pricing a project! Be sure to cover the following:

• Detailed breakdown of costs
• Deposits and pricing on variation orders
• Number of workers or sub-contractors employed
• Owner's prerogative to source fixtures or fittings
  etc.

It goes without saying that the lowest bid is not the best way to go. Check references, ask for recommendations from friends and trust your instincts!

Continue reading "Construction Bids - How to Pick the Best One"

Sep 19, 2018

About Security Deposit Receipts for Tenants

Regardless whether it is a legal requirement to issue a receipt, it simply is good business practice to do so.

It also works the other way. When it's time for the landlord to refund the tenant, be sure to get that acknowledged in writing too.

Especially if such payment is made in cash!

Use our printable deposit receipt template to ensure you have proper records of your transactions.

Continue reading "About Security Deposit Receipts for Tenants"

Sep 17, 2018

Contractor Agreement - What Should Your Document Contain?

From the smallest construction, addition or alteration, to extensive work such as building a new house, this is one document that needs to be comprehensive.

Our free template is especially useful to assist you in compiling your list of all the elements that you need to consider as either contractor or homeowner.

We also offer additional guidelines as to clauses that an owner should not agree to and how to verify a contractor's credentials.

Continue reading "Contractor Agreement - What Should Your Document Contain?"