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Covid-19 Update

We are now pleased to announce that our office and viewings have recommenced following the strict guidelines and regulations of the Government’s Health and Protection Covid-19 restrictions (England) (amendment) (no.2) 2020.

Under social distancing rules, our office and staff will be at work and our viewings will be held following such regulations until further notice. With any inquires please contact us via phone +442077023666 or at info@justusglobal.co.uk

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COVID-19 – Important Message From Just US

Dear Visitors

While the advice from the government and the measures that have to be taken against the Corona Virus progresses, we are doing everything we can to keep our employees, friends, families and our overall community safe as we continue to give the highest standard of service to our clients.

We are taking all the necessary measures seriously

We have internally implemented a rotation within our staff to work from home while in isolation. We take all the advice given from the government very seriously and are on the lookout for new information and updates daily, as we get to understand this virus and how it affects us with time.

We are working as normal for all our clients

Our service to our clients is our priority as well as keeping our business environment as healthy as possible. We are not letting the change in circumstances affect our business and our commitment to our clients. Even though we have implemented changes in the office, we will do business as usual and are always on top of our duties responsibilities to our colleagues and clients.

In this time of confusion and fear, we believe it is best to keep our hopes up and act responsibly to help one another and overcome these hard times.

Our thoughts are with all who have been affected by this illness and wish for their fast recovery.

Best Regards,

Just Us Global

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Why London is a great place for student living

Student accommodations in London

London frequently sits at the top of lists ranking the top global cities for students to study and live. There are many reasons for this, including its vibrant social life, world-leading educational establishments, diversity and multiple employment opportunities. Here are some more reasons why students should consider making London their home this academic year.

Academic provision

London is home to some of the world’s top universities, colleges and further education institutions. These include UCL, Imperial College, City, University of London, Birkbeck College, SOAS, King’s College and the London School of Economics. There are also all kinds of specialist music, dramatic arts and sports educators, as well as language schools galore. London is very used to dealing with students from around the world and the support systems that exist are second to none.

Independent living

Living in a busy capital city allows young men and women to experience their first taste of independent living, yet still enjoy the security of knowing that everything they need is just a short tube journey away. London living offers a more adult experience than choosing a campus-based university or college, and you can quickly make friends and settle into the way of life. There are many part-time job opportunities available for students seeking to supplement their income and lots of ways to contribute to the wider community through volunteering, clubs, places of worship and student organisations.

Gateway to Europe

Thanks to its collection of major national airports, excellent train links, proximity to the Eurostar and easy access to several UK ports, London offers unrivalled transport links to continental Europe. You can be in France, Germany or Belgium in a matter of hours. Many young Europeans have made London their home and, despite Brexit drawing closer with its March 2019 deadline, London is still the place to meet people from across Europe and make lifelong international friends and future travelling companions.

Social life

Talking of making lifelong friends, London is a socialite’s dream. Students wanting to spend time between classes having fun are spoilt for choice. There are countless nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as world-class theatre, a vibrant film scene, all kinds of sports and leisure pursuits to enjoy and landmark tourist attractions around every corner. Plus, while Londoners may have the reputation of being less than jovial while travelling on underground trains, when they come out to play they are, on the whole, a friendly bunch.

Post-studies

Finally, if you are nearing the end of your studies, or are in London on a gap year, it is a great place to consider settling down in longer-term to start a career. Pretty much every business sector is well represented in London, with globally recognised names setting up offices and HQs in the financial districts of the UK’s capital. London

is also home to world-class hospitals, research labs, schools and political organisations. Plenty of options to kickstart an amazing post-grad life in the UK.

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Why you should use a mortgage broker to buy your next property

Mortgage brokers speaking

A mortgage broker specialises in offering financial advice to people seeking to take out or renew a mortgage. They work closely with their customers to recommend the most suitable mortgages, based on financial circumstances, available properties and longer-term financial projections. So, why should you use a broker when looking to buy your next property? Why can’t you just go out and find a mortgage by yourself and thus avoid paying out any extra fees or commission?

You are, of course, perfectly entitled to do your own search. However, a mortgage broker can take much of the strain away from you, while also offering a whole range of additional advantages…

Expertise

A good mortgage broker will come with many years’ experience in the financial sector, as well as property-related matters. Brokers operating in the UK need to be qualified to give financial advice, which can provide you with peace of mind when the different options start to feel very confusing. They will know the industry inside out, including the most up-to-date legislation, interest rates and application processes.

Protection

If you simply drop into a bank or ring up a call centre in an attempt to secure a mortgage, chances are that the advice you will receive will not be as thorough as if you go through a mortgage broker. Individual lenders tend primarily to be interested in selling you one of their own products, rather than show you the wider picture. Hence, you may not receive enough information to be able to safely consider your overall, long-term position.

Mortgage brokers are obliged to act in your interests rather than those of the lenders. If you feel that they have not acted correctly, you can put in a claim for compensation against them in a way that you are not able to do so when dealing with an individual mortgage provider.

Support

Your mortgage broker will be alongside you every step of the way, seeking out the best deals and negotiating with the lenders on your behalf. Their advice will be unbiased and professional and they will be able to get to know you better and show you a wider range of products to suit your specific needs. You can ask any questions that you may have to make sure that you fully understand the commitments that you may be getting into.

Added extras

As well as mortgages, brokers can also work with you to find other financial products to meet your needs. They can advise you on areas such as buildings and contents insurance, motor or pet insurance, life and critical illness coverage. Or you can ask them to help you plan for future redundancy or retirement through making recommendations for long-term savings options, pensions or even funeral plans. Put

simply, your mortgage broker can help you plan all kinds of aspects of your life and offer you invaluable advice to ensure a financially secure future for you and your family.

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What First-Time Buyers Need To Know About UK Stamp Duty Relief

Young couple looking at their first property to buy

In November 2017, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Autumn Budget speech that first-time buyers would, under certain circumstances, become exempt from paying stamp duty land tax. The news was welcomed by many; however, it is crucial to understand exactly how the new arrangements will affect you if you are a first-time buyer considering investing in a UK property.

What is stamp duty?

Stamp duty is a tax that must be paid when purchasing a property or piece of land in England or Northern Ireland that is over a certain price. At the time of writing, the price threshold is £125,000 for residential properties and £150,000 for non-residential properties and land. Similar laws apply in Scotland where buyers are liable for Land and Building s tax, and Wales where they must pay Land Transaction Tax if the sale was completed on or after 1 April 2018.

Different rules apply if you are buying a property for the first time.

What are the rules for first-time buyers?

As of last year’s Autumn Budget, first-time buyers who purchase their property on or after 22 November 2017 can be eligible for relief from stamp duty, so long as the property costs less than £500,000 and the purchaser intends to use it as their only or main residence. Properties worth less than £300,000 will not require any stamp duty tax at all, while those costing more than £300,000 but less than £500,000 will only pay 5% on the amount above £300,000.

What kinds of property sales are not eligible for stamp duty relief?

The purchase must include only one, single dwelling and must not be linked to any other separate property or land transactions, except when there is land attached to the property, for example, a garden. The tax relief also does not apply to non-residential properties or land, or any properties that are ‘mixed use’, i.e. a shop with a residential flat above it. Any properties over the value of £500,000 will also not fall under this legislation.

How does the government identify a first-time buyer?

To be considered a first-time buyer, you must not have acquired a major interest in a property or land anywhere in the world prior to this transaction. You cannot have purchased property or land before or inherited or been given it as a gift. If a property is being bought jointly, by more than one party, all people involved in the purchase must meet these conditions for the sale to be considered eligible for first-time buyers’ stamp duty relief.

How can I find out more?

Your estate agent and solicitor should be able to answer most questions or point you in the right direction for further details. Additionally, there is plenty of information available online via the UK government’s website at www.gov.uk. There are also online stamp duty calculators where you input the relevant figures to see if you are eligible for tax relief and if not, how much stamp duty you would need to pay if you go ahead with a property transaction.

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Make The Most Of Your Buy-To-Let Investment This Summer

Buy to let apartments in London

The buy-to-let property investment sector is buoyant right now, with new developments coming onto the market all the time and up-and-coming locations seeing unprecedented interest from potential investors. Whether you already have a thriving buy-to-let portfolio or are just starting out, here are some ways to make the most of the phenomenon over the summer months.

Holiday hotspots

Recent figures from the UK Office for National Statistics show a rising trend in holiday lets, up from comparative figures in 2016/17. At the same time, landlords are being hit with more stringent tax reforms, such as the removal of mortgage interest relief and tighter rules around borrowing. Switching the target audience for your empty rental properties located in popular tourist areas to short-term holiday lets could help maximise your property’s earning potential over the summer months for very little effort on your part. Due to a weaker pound and worries over Brexit, people in the UK are holidaying ‘at home’ more and more, thus creating more demand for your newly-reassigned summer holiday let.

Summer spruce up

While shorter-term holiday lets can help bring in a lucrative seasonal income, they will also inevitably create more work and maintenance costs for landlords. Early summer is a perfect time to assess your buy-to-let properties for any damage that needs to be repaired, as well as any decorative work needing doing to spruce up its appearance. Check especially that exterior walls, fences, outhouses, paths etc. are all in good order and give the garden some attention too. Once that is done and your property is looking at its best, it could be a good time to take some photos for marketing purposes after the summer sun has faded and the light is not so flattering.

Student Central

Landlords of student tenants will be all too familiar with the academic timetables that see students depart from rental properties in droves as soon as exams are over, leaving empty properties scattered across prime university and college hotspots. All is not lost, however, and there is no reason why your buy-to-let property should stand empty all summer. Some students prefer to carry on paying rent so that they can access their term-time home even after the studying stops. Many universities and colleges run short summer courses, often for foreign visitors who will be looking for a temporary home. Talk to your local education providers to get your property added to a list of short-term seasonal student lets.

Financial detox

If the summer is a slow time and you cannot, or do not wish to take advantage of short-term holidays or student lets, then take the opportunity to conduct a summertime financial ‘detox’ to see where you could be saving money on costs and maximising your rental earnings. Are you happy with your landlord insurance? Legal support? Letting agency fees? Mortgage terms? Make an appointment with a financial advisor now to see how you can use the summer to prepare for your most

profitable autumn and winter yet and to plan further ahead for ongoing success into 2019.

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Why living in central London is like nowhere else on Earth

London shopping destinations

London regularly tops lists of the best places to live on Earth and there are many reasons why. From a glorious history and beautiful green spaces to superb shopping and iconic transport, here are some of the reasons why, once you live in London, you won’t want to live anywhere else.

History for all

London has more than 2,000 years of history, from Roman times through to the present day. Much evidence exists of the eras the city has lived through, not least within its stunning architecture. Prominent buildings range from palaces and cathedrals to theatres and museums with plenty for history buffs to enjoy. Even better news is that many of these places cost absolutely nothing to enter, allowing anyone to see cultural masterpieces and admire architectural and scientific prowess for free.

Pomp and pageantryIconic London Travel

Britain is the world-leader when it comes to pomp and ceremony. The recent Royal Wedding showed off the country’s resplendent architecture, towns and fashion sense to the max, with scenes of majesty and awe-inspiring splendour beamed around the globe. London is home to many impressive state occasions too, from church services and celebrations at Westminster Abbey and St Pauls that are attended by royalty and celebrities to the regular Changing of the Guards displays at Buckingham Palace. There really is nowhere else in the world to match how the British show off their royal and military regalia. After all, Londoners love their Queen very much indeed!

Shopping to die for

While there are many impressive shopping capitals in the world, few can compare with London. Harrods, Fortnum and Masons, Harvey Nichols, Liberty… the list of high-end shops where you can be treated like a king or queen is long indeed. If you prefer your shopping to be a little more down to earth, the cultural diversity of the UK capital has resulted in vibrant street markets growing up in such areas as Brick Lane, Old Spitalfields, Brixton, Portobello Road and Covent Garden. Choice of goods, food and drink are endless and offer a fascinating insight into some of the many global cultures that call London home.

Somewhere that’s green

Despite its position at England’s capital and a world centre for finance and commerce, there is still lots of room for nature to thrive in London. An estimated 8.4 million trees grow in the city, with 300,000 gardens and hectares upon hectares of publically accessible parkland. The Royal Parks comprise a collection of immaculately maintained parks situated across the capital, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’ Park and Richmond Park.

London transport

London is a very easy city to navigate and many areas are eminently walkable, especially on a beautiful day. The transport system, however, is one of the best in the world, founded in Victorian ties and feted internationally as a marvel of engineering. In fact, it is so well-regarded that it has become an iconic part of London in its own right. The London Underground or ‘tube’ has its own museum, while its red buses and black cabs are internationally-recognised symbols of the city. Black cab drivers are famous for their grasp of ‘The Knowledge’ – the memorising of 320 separate driving routes taking in 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks. Impressive!

Open to all

Finally, London has grown into one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, welcoming more than 270m nationalities and embracing 300 languages. This is never more apparent that across the city’s diverse cultural districts that represent the very best in international cuisine, theatre, film, music, sport and religion. Young Londoners from different cultural origins mix comfortably together and bring the very best of each other’s cultures together to create a lively ethnic mix of customs, values and philosophies.

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Investing in UK Properties

London Property market

The UK property market is looking bright and confidence is high. Property has been a good investment option for a long time now and many people are turning to it as a reliable source of income. However, entering the UK property market is not quite so straightforward and it pays to do your research before you take the plunge. Some simple planning can make all the difference between an average return on your investment – and a veritable gold mine.

Question timeProperty investments in London

Before you get carried away looking at properties online and dreaming about interior design, ask yourself a few key questions. What type of property are you looking for, and what kind of tenants would be attracted to it, or are you intending to live there yourself?

Are you hoping to achieve rental income from it or capital growth – or both? Where in the UK are you wishing to invest? Do you know which areas are lucrative, ‘up-and-coming’ or on the wane in popularity terms? What is your budget and how much time do you want to invest personally in running your property portfolio?

Location, location, location

As above, choosing the right location is vital to the success of your property investment. Even within a single UK town, postcodes can vary wildly in their character, desirability and access to essential amenities. This is especially true of London, with its diverse communities and distinctly different districts. Think with your heard, not your heart and make sure you have chosen an area that will offer the best returns.

If you choose wisely, you can get in ahead of the crowds in some pretty lucrative locations. To get an idea of your chosen locations ahead of purchase, try to visit the area at different times of the day and night, or even book a night or two in a local hotel to allow you to properly explore.

Watch the money

While UK property investment can provide landlords and property owners with a pleasing income, it is always worthwhile maintaining a realistic outlook. Have ‘back-up plans’ to help you whether such eventualities as periods of time without tenants, mortgage rate increases or needing to pay for repairs or upgrades to your property.

Seek expert tax advice too to minimise your tax burden while remaining confident that you are correctly adhering to your legal responsibilities. Make a budget well in advance and stick to it, even if your heart is telling you to ‘go for it’. Property investments can go down in value as well as up. You should look at the longer-term prospects, rather than an impulsive purchase that you could come to regret.

Management methods

Think about whether you want to be ‘hands-on’ or ‘hands-off’ in your management of your UK property portfolio. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. You can save money on management fees if you take a proactive approach, but you will be responsible for finding tenants, conducting viewings, sorting out all the paperwork and maintaining the property. If you would rather entrust an expert to do it on your behalf, engaging a management company will save you a great deal of time and travel – useful if your main residence is not in the UK. A ‘hands-off’ approach also leaves you free to pursue other investment opportunities. It does, however, distance you from the daily running of your portfolio which, for many investors, is the most rewarding aspect.