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Many sectors of the financial world have their own independent oversight bodies. The best known is probably the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) but similar organisations operate in various areas of finance. One notable exception, though, has been the debt enforcement sector — but that may be changing. A prominent think-tank has brought together various sides of the sector and proposed a framework for a new oversigh

If you’re in court, whether bringing a case or defending it, you clearly want to win, but the minimum is that you don’t want to be hit with unnecessary court costs. You’d think that would be obvious to anyone, but it’s surprising how many people behave as if they actually want to be charged. So, for those people, this is how to achieve your aim. For everyone else, this is what to avoid. Variou

Bounce Back Loans were a key plank in the government’s strategy for supporting SMEs through the Covid lockdown. Payment was deferred for a year, which for many seemed too far ahead to worry about — but we’re now into the second repayment month. So how is it going? What Were the Bounce Back Loans? So much has happened since last spring, when the scheme began, that even if you have a loan your memory of its

Early in the pandemic, the government brought in a moratorium on evictions for rent arrears. While this was good news for tenants struggling to pay, often through no fault of their own, it’s been a nightmare for some landlords, who have been unable to do anything about lack of rent. From 1st June, however, the moratorium no longer applies — but is this really back to normal for landlords? The History of the Mor

A Government report released in April shows a stark picture of how households are coping with their housing costs and savings in the pandemic. The problems apply to both the home-owning and rental sectors, but renters seem to have been hardest hit. The Second Wave Household Resilience Study After more than a year of the pandemic, the Government has published a study of how households are holding up in the wake of the

With lockdown being cautiously eased, many businesses are looking forward to reopening, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors. However, many of these have been closed, or at least operating on a restricted basis, for the past thirteen months and will find reopening difficult. However, a new wave of government support for businesses started on 6th April, under the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS). One Schem

On the 10th March, the Government announced that the current moratorium on evictions will be extended until 31st May, for both domestic and commercial tenancies. This is clearly good news both for people who rent their home and for struggling businesses, but not necessarily for equally struggling landlords. So, does this mean that no evictions can take place, regardless of the circumstances? The Extension of the Mora

If a company that owes you money has debts so extreme that there’s no possibility of payment, you can apply to the courts to have it wound up. This is a drastic measure and usually a final one — once the winding-up order is granted, it normally means the company is finished. Exceptionally, however, you might change your mind. It’s possible to apply to have the order rescinded, but the process is complicat

The financial effects of the pandemic have been severe on many of us, whether we’re acting as companies, landlords or individuals. One lifeline has been the ability to take “payment holidays” in the repayment of mortgages, loans or debts. This has been invaluable — but is it really the straightforward benefit it seems? Recent research by Resolver suggests it may not be. Payment Holidays Early in the

Are you one of the many SME owners who have been forced to close your business, wholly or partially, during the Covid-19 lockdown? If you have Business Interruption insurance that covered closure due to disease, you may have been one of the policyholders refused payment by your insurer. However, there’s good news. A ruling by the Supreme Court on the 15th January has established that in most cases closures due