The Complete Property Solution for Court of Protection Deputies
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Our Vision To be the leading independent provider of Court of Protection property valuations, property sales and managed property solutions across the UK. Being an industry leader means providing an outstanding, cost effective, quality of service, achieving the best possible outcomes and pricing for our clients.
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courtofprotectionsolutions.co.uk
Who Are We? We are a friendly, approachable company that provides a complete end-to-end service to help deal with situations where the property owner no longer has the capacity to make decisions. Working with Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) and Deputies, whether professional or individuals, we aim to make the process of managing or selling property stress-free for every client at this difficult time. By combining extensive expertise with accessible advice, we promise to deliver high quality customer service that can be relied upon.
Working Together Our sister company - Executor Solutions - already enjoys a close working relationships with solicitors across the UK, assisting them with all their probate property requirements. “The Team are approachable and kind and, although I have not met many of them, they feel like an extended work family. Given the vast geographic area we cover and the varied types of properties we encounter, nothing is too much trouble and everything always gets done. The weekly reports and updates and sales progression are great. With the large number of properties we have on the books at any one time, if it wasn’t for you we would literally do nothing else except chase estate agents for info. Personally I feel that ES makes my job easier and my days more enjoyable when speaking to your lovely team!” Joanne Pitchfork, Paralegal. Our new division - Court of Protection Solutions - aims to provide the same high quality services for property sales and management with a familiar time-based fee structure that will provide the necessary transparency to keep you compliant with the current reporting requirements.
Cost Effective • Compliant • Customer Orientated
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How We Can Help • We offer effective property sales services that can be tailored to your requirements • We can arrange everything from one-off maintenance work to fully-managed refurbishment projects • We can supply emergency maintenance support as well as ongoing maintenance to prevent a property falling into disrepair • We only work with high quality, local tradesmen to provide the best service for every property • We offer a choice of service levels to suit your requirements
Saving You Time & Money Sourcing suppliers, requesting quotes, managing the job and handling the invoicing is a time intensive process and takes your team away from their valuable fee earning time. Time that could be better spent on your business and clients. Court of Protection Solutions employs a team of vetted and appropriately insured property professionals to handle any job, no matter the size, so you and your team can focus on yours. Utilising a network of property professionals, our solutions will not only save you time, but also money. Our pricing is completely transparent; in addition to the amount invoiced by our property partners, we will simply charge you for the time it takes us to organise each service based on an hourly rate of £80 plus VAT. Assuming a paralegal hourly rate is £125 per hour, that represents an instant saving to you of over 30%. The following examples show the approximate amount of time we spend arranging works on properties; Changing locks
30 minutes
£40
Plumbing system drain down
15 minutes
£20
Securing a property
45 minutes
£60
Pick up post on a weekly basis
15 minutes
£20
Weekly vacant property check
15 minutes
£20
Organising a fortnightly gardener
30 minutes
£40
Decorator
60 minutes
£80
House clearance
60 minutes
£80
Vehicle sale
60 minutes
£80
Deep clean
30 minutes
£40
Electrical check
30 minutes
£40
Plumber visit
30 minutes
£40
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Extra Solutions We have an extensive network of contractors across the UK that are available to perform almost any task required to take care of a property whether it’s being sold or re-occupied when the owner’s health improves. All the costs associated with these services will be discussed and agreed before anything takes place, allowing you to control exactly how much is spent on preparing the property for market. Above all, we are here to help you with what you need.
Property Security Step one is to make sure any vacant property is and remains secure. The most immediate tasks will involve locks, keys and ensuring everything is switched off but it’s ongoing problem – houses that appear empty are more likely to appeal to thieves and vandals so it’s important that it looks like someone is taking care of it. We can arrange the following: • Vacant Property Insurance • Locate all keys • Change of locks • Check property is secure • Drain down heating & plumbing system • Electrical Safety Report • Electrical Installation Condition Report • Gas Safety Certificate • Locate and secure specific items of value • Locate and secure specific paperwork
Property Clearance While items of value to someone under the Court of Protection will hopefully be going with them to their new home, that could still leave a phenomenal number of belongings to sort through. Under most circumstances it’s a huge undertaking but if family is unable or unwilling to take the task on, we can sort it out for you: • Value and sell furniture • Check and clear loft spaces • Locate and value jewellery, artworks, memorabilia etc • Remove personal effects • Remove damaged carpets, curtains etc • Empty and clean fridges and freezers • Deep clean kitchens and bathrooms • Clean rooms, windows, fittings etc • Arrange regular property inspections • Remove junk mail
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Surveys If the property is to be sold, the minimum you’ll need is a realistic, compliant valuation and a valid EPC. Buyers may also ask for evidence that the building is in good working order so there may be more you need to invest in. Depending on the age of the house you may wish to consider: • Valuation Appraisal (Section 160 of IHT Compliant) • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) • RICS Valuation Survey • RICS Homebuyers Survey • Damp & Timber Survey • Drain Survey • Wall Tie Report • Tree Risk Assessment • Japanese Knotweed Report
Garage Clearance Garages and sheds are often forgotten when planning property clearance and they bring their own unique set of things to deal with. We can help with: • Valuing and selling or disposing of vehicles and bicycles • Disposing of tools and appliances • Clearing garages and sheds of anything stored • Disposing safely of any chemicals, paints or stored fuel
Garden Maintenance Getting gardens into shape and keeping them maintained is an important service, especially in the growing seasons when gardens can quickly become overgrown. Our contractors will: • Clear overgrown lawns and flowerbeds • Remove any rubbish including vehicles, play equipment, garden furniture • Arrange regular garden upkeep
Redecoration Works If the owner is expected to return to a property it may need updating or adapting to suit their needs. We’ll be happy to advise if we think it would help. • Boiler servicing • Boiler replacement • Kitchen or bathroom replacement • Redecorating – refreshing walls and woodwork with paint • Make good any interior damage from accidents, animals, neglect or poor DIY
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Arrange a Valuation Should the property need to be sold, the first step we take is to prepare a Property Valuation Appraisal. Produced by senior staff members with many years of practical valuation experience, the Appraisal will make recommendations on what we believe the market value of the property is and will detail all the information and advice that was taken into consideration to determine the proposed figure.
Every factor we believe could affect the valuation will be diligently researched, including a detailed investigation of the local market, consultation with at least three local Estate Agents and a comprehensive comparison of similar homes for sale or recently sold in the immediate area, using online house selling sites and Land Registry data. There is a sample report at the back of this brochure or you can download one at courtofprotectionsolutions.co.uk. This report is yours to keep whether you choose us to sell the property or not. It will include a suggested monthly rental value if selling is not a priority.
Valuation Only Our all-inclusive charge for a Propery Valuation is just ÂŁ249 plus VAT. Should you opt to stop the process with us at this point we will be happy to invoice you and allow you to proceed on your own. If, at any time, you decide you would like our assistance in Property Valuation Appraisal
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selling the property, we’ll be on hand to help.
Property Sales Once we’ve sent you the Property Valuation Report we’ll call you to discuss our recommendations agree the next steps. In addition to the Extra Solutions available to keep the property safe and sellable, we have two service packages to choose from. Both service levels come with our full customer service commitment.
Premium Service
Standard Service
• No sale, no fee, no contract or tie-in
• Fixed fee payable up front
agreement • Percentage-based fee payable on completion
• Market the property on Right Move as Property Solutions Group
• Arrangement of an open-house event
• Offer negotiation
• Market the property on Right Move as
• Buyer financial qualification
Property Solutions Group
• Weekly updates on progress
• Listing with three local Estate Agents • Offer negotiation • Buyer financial qualification • Weekly updates on progress
If time is of the essence and a fast sale is required, we have a network of cash purchasers who will guarantee to complete within set timescales. Alternatively we can organise for the property to be sent to auction with a reserve to ensure the best possible price is achieved.
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Books in dining room – for sorting and packing relevant ones for storage:
No Job Too Big When Penny W.’s asked for our help in November, the biggest challenge she faced was distance. Her mother had to move into a care home and the house she was living in desparately needed sorting out before they could even think of putting on the market. Unfortunately mum lives in Essex while Penny lives in Canada. After talking to us she made a comprehensive list of the tasks she needed immediate help with so that the property could be sold for enough to support
2 sewing machines & cupboard her mother in the new home. The jobs included: • Two new bathrooms
(1 is inside) – to go into storage:
Sock making machine in sitting room, for packing and storage:
• A new kitchen • Complete garden renovation • New carpets throughout the house • Exterior and interior paintworks • Valuation and sale of personal items • Delivery of armchair and stool to the care home • Weekly inspections as property currently insured though AA and requires weekly inspections • Post sent to Canada every two weeks
Loft furniture that stays with house: (desk and drawer units a
• Secure document storage • Storage unit to be arranged for personal items • Alarm installation
Booksinspection in dining • Electrical and Plumbing
room – for sorting and packing relevant ones for storage:
The plan is to have the works completed before Penny comes to the UK in the new year to finalise the sale of the property and review which items should be kept - a deadline we are confident is achievable.
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Sock making machine in sitting room, for packing and storage:
No Job Too Small “We need to get the locks changed” the message said. “And they need to be done as soon as possible” The situation around the Court of Protection case had become contentious with family members and friends unable to agree on the best course of action. The Deputy decided that, while it was being sorted out, it would be prudent to get the property secured with a change of locks. We got the job done within 90 minutes.
No Job More Important After an accident left the owner with lifechanging injuries we were contacted to help make adjustments to the house to enable them to continuev living there. The rennovation required was substantial and included bathroom, bedroom and kitchen adaptations which were specific to the clients injuries and required living standards. We liaised with the Deputy and care workers throughout regarding timetables and schedule of works to get everything done as quickly as possible.
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About The Company Court of Protection Solutions is the latest addition to a group of companies originally founded in 2010 by a team of property experts with a shared belief in delivering unbeatable results and a passion for offering exceptional customer service. The sister brand, Moving Made Easy, now leads the way as an independent provider of Part Exchange and Assisted Sales services for the UK’s housebuilders. Applying this expertise to other specialist markets was a natural next step for the business and enabled the group to expand the services they are able to offer. Executor Solutions was one of the first specialist expansions, helping to sell probate properties. From helping to sell property left suddenly empty by the demise of it’s owner, to helping those no longer able to live alone and needing to sell in order to finance specialist housing or care, was a very short step. Court of Protection cases require many of the same solutions to simplify one of the hardest life changes to manage. Our dedicated teams combine expertise with sensitivity to provide bespoke solutions that fit each client’s requirements perfectly. We offer a beginning-to-end service to sell properties quickly and for the best possible price, ensuring complete customer satisfaction and the best possible outcome both for you and for your clients.
“It is my privilege to be able to assist solicitors and their clients through what can be an incredibly stressful and emotional time. The team at Court of Protection Solutions aim to make difficult circumstances just a little easier with the unbiased, consistent advice and support they offer.” Barry Mattock, Managing Director
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courtofprotectionsolutions.co.uk
0808 164 6390 courtofprotectionsolutions.co.uk The Fairways, Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne, Essex CO6 2NS Court of Protection Solutions 2020 E&OE