Top tips for choosing a family lawyer

family-lawyer

There can be a lot to consider when you’re looking for a family solicitor. Given how demanding the circumstances can be surrounding the need to find a family lawyer. The emotional stress and anxiety is often incredibly demanding and can take a huge toll on you, which means it is vital to quickly find the services of a reliable family solicitor.

In this article we’ll look at the top five things to do when choosing a family solicitor – offering a guide for successfully finding an effective family lawyer to help you through whatever trouble you’re having.

1. Look at reviews and search for referrals

It’s to know you’re working with someone you can trust. One of the best ways of doing this is by looking into reviews online and seeing what people have said about their experiences working with a solicitor. This can allow you to shortlist potential options – allowing you to build up a selection of solid choices.

Other professionals may also be able to provide solid referrals. Psychologists and accountants frequently work with divorce and family lawyers, and so can provide fantastic recommendations. As can previous clients of lawyers and solicitors – who can give you a solid indication of the performance and ability of a professional.

2. Get an expert and an experienced solicitor

Family law is a complex and expansive field which is constantly seeing changes and adjustments – which means it is vital to find an expert or specialist in family law – someone with years of experience and the accreditation and qualifications to help you. You need to find a proper family lawyer, and one with extensive experience both in mediation and outside of the court room.

In larger firms, it will be possible to find professionals who work in specific niches of family law. This includes specialists in child law, financial settlements, and work in prenuptial agreements. Gaining access to these skillsets is invaluable when it comes to mediation as well as court room work.

You must remember to choose an expert who is ready not only to engage in work in the courtroom but is experienced in meditation – which is a key part of the work which solicitors do. The goal of a solicitor should be to mediate – not aim for the courtroom.

3. Talk about the approach – how do they plan to resolve the case

You’ll want to know what kind of approach a family solicitor will be taking towards the situation. As noted, it’s important that a lawyer understands that the court is the final choice – something to be avoided if possible. Cases which go to court are demanding and costly and come with a huge amount of stress and anxiety – so it is better to try and mediate an out of court settlement. This can save you a massive amount of money and ensure things go far, far smoothly. At the same time, you’ll want to know if your solicitor will be ready to manage things if a case goes to court – and what experience they have in that area as well.

4. Who are you going to be instructing?

This might seem like a stupid question to some, but it’s an important one to ask.

When you choose a solicitor, you’re likely to be working with them for some time – so it’s important you know who exactly you’re going to be working with. There’s a chance you’ll be engaging at first with a partner, but then have the work delegated to either a junior solicitor or a paralegal. This can be a bit frustrating if you picked a firm based on an individual solicitor being recommended. You will want to know exactly who will be helping you out over the course of a case.

5. Do you like the solicitor?

This may seem like a strange question, but it’s quite a vital one. Do you like or get on with the solicitor?

A family lawyer Clarkston is going to be working closely with you as a team; you’re going to have to engage closely with them on both personal and financial matters – and be confident they can be trusted with this information. There will often have to be a great deal of frank discussion – especially if it concerns a child or financial settlement.

If you get on well with a family solicitor, it’ll be far easier to reach a proper settlement, since they can advocate for solutions and compromises, they understand you will be able to feel comfortable with. This level of honesty and frankness is often very important for securing effective conclusions and avoiding a case going to court.

Therefore, it is so important to have a good relationship with a solicitor. The better you get on, the easier it’ll be to resolve the issue.

How to hire a lawyer on retainer

Law firm Glasgow

If you are considering hiring an attorney on retainer, you need to know exactly how retainer agreements work and how your lawyer’s fees will be paid.

Paying a lawyer

Here are multiple different ways that an individual or business can pay for the services of a lawyer.

The payment structure will depend largely on whether you are hiring a lawyer for a one-off service or word with them on an ongoing basis.

For major firms, a lawyer may be hired on a full time-basis solely to work on their behalf but for the majority of businesses, having a lawyer on retainer is the most cost-effective way forward.

Attorney fees will be determined using a number of different factors including the time taken and the nature of the service that needs to be done.

Some of the main factors which contribute to deciding an attorney’s fee include:

– The standard billing rates in the area for the legal services you required

– The complexity of the case

– The number of hours required

– The result expected and the result achieved

– Whether or not the lawyer is on retainer

There are not only a number of factors which go into determining the exact amount a lawyer will charge but also a number of different ways that these fees can be paid.

The most common methods of paying an attorney include:

Contingency fees – this involves your lawyer taking a percentage of what you receive should a case be found in your favour. This percentage is negotiable, and this payment arrangement is only possible in dispute cases.

Hourly rates – You pay your lawyer a flat rate for every hour they work on your behalf. Be wary of hiring a lawyer based solely on a low hourly rate as they may do the same work in double the time of a more experienced lawyer. Get an estimate of the hours expected before entering into an agreement.

Flat fees – For simple one off tasks such as examining a contract or a bankruptcy filing, attorneys may offer a flat fee for the completion of the task.

– ‘On Retainer’ – If an attorney is ‘on retainer’ they are paid a certain fee on an ongoing basis in return for being available at a moment’s notice if required by the client needs them. They will then be paid additional fees for the services they carry out.

Types of Retainers

A retainer is a fee paid to an attorney in advance for legal aid that they will provide in the future.

There are several different types of retainers that an attorney may discuss with you.

General Retainers

General retainers are paid to attorneys in return for their availability over a specific period of time. Any questions or concerns you have regarding legal matters during this period, your lawyer will be on hand to assist.

Special Retainers

Special retainers refer to a flat fee that is paid for the completion of a legal service or project.

Retaining fee

Paid in advance, a retaining fee is a lump-sum given to an attorney that they will put into a trust fund and draw from as the case progresses.

Any money left over at the end will be returned.

Retainer Agreements

No matter which type of retainer is paid to a lawyer at Law Firm Glasgow, a retainer agreement will be signed detailing what was paid and what services will be provided in return.

A retainer agreement will ensure that both lawyer and client have an understanding of the fees involved in arrangement and the period over which they will be paid.

It will also detail every aspect of the working relationship in depth including:

– The type of payment that will be made, how much the compensation will be, and details of how the fee has been calculated

– The work that the attorney will do

– Any additional costs that will occur throughout the process, including ones which are dependent on certain outcomes.

– The schedule of payment

What happens upon failure of payment?

Should you fail to pay your lawyer according to the fee schedule detailed in the retainer agreement the lawyer will likely charge you significant interest or take out a lien on the documents that you have provided them with.

Basically, your property that you provided your attorney in order to help them build your case will be kept until such time as the money you owe has been paid.

The consequences of a missed payment will vary from lawyer to lawyer but the retainer agreement should specify this in more detail so there is no confusion.

A guide to slate roofs: What to know before you buy

Roofing

Slate roofs are a classic roofing option, giving your home a timeless appearance, and are the go-to choice for many architects and builders.

Whilst the rustic, elegant appearance of slate is one of the main attractions of this popular roofing type, looks are only one consideration when purchasing a new roof.

A new roof is a big commitment that you will have to live with for many decades, and this guide will help give you a better idea of the benefits and limitations of slate, helping you to make a more informed decision as to whether it is the best option for you.

Types of Slate Roof

One of the main attractions of slate is that it comes in a wide array of different hues, textures, shapes, and sizes.

Being formed from natural stone, some of the most popular slate types in the UK are named after the geographical areas that the original stone was taken from.

Slate varies in quality from quarry to quarry, with the following being some of the most commonly used slate types in the UK construction industry:

Welsh Slate

Welsh slate is a premium slate choice, known for its distinctive blue hue, and is favoured by many architects and those designing their own bespoke homes.

However, it is also much less common than other slate types making it a more expensive and unsuitable choice for those on a tight budget.

Imported Slate

Whilst varying in quality depending on the country and quarry of origin, imported slate that meets the required quality standards is much cheaper than slate found in the UK, and could be a smart cost-effective choice.

Chinese and Brazilian slates are some of the cheapest options on the market, however, they are not recommended for use in coastal areas of the UK due to their susceptibility to degrading when exposed to extreme weather.

Spanish slate, on the other hand is an all round solid choice, offering fantastic value for money, whilst remaining durable and weather resistant, with a potential lifespan of around 70-80 years.

Slate Roof Installation

Installing a slate roof is a process that requires a huge amount of expertise and experience to get right.

Slate is a heavy roofing option and in some cases, may require additional supports to be put in place before your home will be ready for installation.

Your roofer will need to sort the slates carefully prior to installation by thickness and texture to ensure that each slate is arranged in such a way that a cohesive and strong unit is formed to withstand even the most extreme weather conditions.

Any mistake, even just a chip in a single slate, can compromise the weather resistance and durability that slate is renowned for, meaning that you should only ever use a respected professional installer when purchasing a new natural slate roof.

Maintaining a slate roof

Properly installed high quality slate will require very little ongoing maintenance, however, cheaper slate may deteriorate faster, and it is worth having your roof checked at least once or twice a year to ensure that there are no cracked or broken slates.

If you live in a more rural area, especially one that is surrounded by trees, you may find that leaves and moss gather on your slate roof that may require specialist cleaning to avoid deterioration occurring.

As all slate roofs are unique, depending on the quarry and type of stone used, replacing slates can be difficult as it can be hard to find the precise shade and texture many years down the line.

For this reason, ensuring that you take good care of your slate roof and do all you can be avoid putting pressure on or standing on your slates is vital.

If you have recently purchased a property with a slate roof already in place and are unsure about the best way to care for it, get in touch with an expert local roofing company Glasgow who will be able to conduct a survey of your property and give you all the information that you need.

Given the extraordinary durability of slate, as long as the roof on your new property is in good condition when you make the move, there is a good chance that you will never need to splash out on an expensive roof replacement whilst you live there.

Synthetic roof alternatives

For those looking for the same look and elegant finish as slate, but at a lower price point, there are now numerous synthetic slate options on the market.

Fibre cement tiles, for example, are manufactured specifically to a precise size and colour, offering excellent customisation options for buyers and architects.

They are also much easier to install than slate with pre-drilled holes and a consistent thickness in each tile and a textured finish that looks remarkably like the real time.

Extradition in the UK

Extradition-Law

Extradition is a cooperative law enforcement process where one nation agrees to deliver an individual accused or convicted of a crime back to the nation where the alleged crime was committed in order for them to face their charges.

The extradition process begins with a request being made from one jurisdiction to another and is resolved in a court case where a judge will consider whether there are any bars to extradition.

Facing extradition is a stressful and traumatic experience and having expert legal representation on your side is essential to building your defence.

Aamer Anwar are one of the UK’s leading extradition law firms supporting those facing this daunting prospect at all stages of the process.

Extradition Agreements

In order to facilitate fast and smooth extradition between countries, some groups of nations have come together to create a standardised agreement for extradition between the two countries.

One of the biggest of these is the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) that operates between member states of the European Union and removes several of the usual bars to extradition, such as the ability of a nation to refuse to extradite one of their own nationals.

As the UK has now left the EU, extradition cases in this country are now no longer part of the EAW, making the process a lot more complex when dealing with extradition requests from fellow European states.

However, the UK still has over one hundred extradition treaties in place with nations all around the world meaning that if you are the subject of an extradition request, the case will progress extremely quickly.

Unless you can quickly prove that there is a genuine reason that you should now be extradited, a court will waste no time in approving a request from a country with an extradition treaty in place.

For this reason, it is essential that if you are the subject of an extradition request, or fear that you may be in the near future, that you seek the advice and representation of a specialist extradition solicitor.

What to consider when facing Extradition

An extradition solicitor will help guide you through every stage of the extradition process, reducing some of the stress from a complex and often upsetting process.

Some of the most important considerations you will need to make when facing extradition include:
Bail

One of the first things that will be considered when an extradition request is made is whether the subject will be granted bail

In order to have the best chance of bail being granted the application should be prepared well in advance with careful attention paid to details such as whether surety will be provided by insurance and the nature of restrictions on travel.

Communication with foreign bodies

Possibly the most important factor in determining if extradition will be approved is what is deemed the intentions of the country making the request.

If it can be proven that extradition may put your human rights at risk, or that the real intention behind the request is not to see you prosecuted for a crime but for an ulterior motive such as paying a debt, the request will be denied in court.

To get this sort of information and evidence communication with solicitors and officials in the requesting country will be essential.

A good extradition solicitor in the UK, therefore, must not only have an extensive understanding of UK extradition law, but also have good working relationships with fellow professionals across the world.

Court Defence

The main role of an extradition lawyer is to represent you in court and present the strongest possible defence as to why extradition should not be granted.

As mentioned, extradition between countries with established treaties can be a fast and streamlined process with limited opportunities for appeal so getting your approach right first time is crucial to your chances of success.

Some of the possible reasons for extradition to be denied that your solicitor may suggest as a defence could include:
  • Double Jeopardy – If you have already been tried for the offence that a foreign nation is seeking to extradite you for, no matter the outcome of the trial, it will likely be considered double jeopardy and the request denied.
  • Human rights violation – Extradition will be denied if it can be proven that there is a significant chance of your human rights being compromised once you have returned to the country in question.
  • Ulterior motive – If the real reason behind an extradition request can be shown to not be simply so you can face the charges against you, a judge may reject the request based on this ulterior motive. Some of the reasons that requests have been denied in the past are because it was decided that race, sexual orientation, religion, or political belief was a factor in a country wishing to convict an individual.
Contact Aamer Anwar Today

For legal assistance from an expert team of extradition specialists, contact Aamer Anwar today by phone at 0141 429 7090, or by email at office@aameranwar.com.

Does my Business Require a Fire Alarm System?

fire_alarm-system

As a leading supplier of tailored fire safety solutions to commercial customers across Scotland, at Central FS we are often asked if all businesses require a fire alarm system.

You may be surprised to hear that a fire alarm system is not actually a legal requirement, but it is required for all business owners to put a form of fire detection in place on their premises.

Having a fire alarm system in place will allow for the early detection of smoke and heat within your property, and you and your staff will be alerted to the situation through both visual and audible alarms.

By law, all business premises must undergo a fire risk assessment of the site to determine exactly what level of detection, alert, and prevention is required to prepare for a fire that might take place.

What type of fire security do you need?

Every commercial property requires some form of on-site fire safety in place.

However, the type of alarm needed for your site will depend greatly on its usage, nearby properties, and the nature of the contents.

A fire assessment will determine exactly what level of protection is required in terms of an alarm system and other fire detection, and containment measures.

For example, a vacant property that is on its own plot, well away from neighbouring property, with little or no flammable contents, will likely be deemed low risk and may not legally require a monitored alarm system to be put in place.

An office building in the middle of Glasgow or Edinburgh, however, with hundreds of staff and many other properties in very close vicinity, will require a much greater level of fire security in place, as the risk of property damage and significant threat to life is much greater.

Similarly, a warehouse with high quantities of fire sensitive stock and potentially combustible machinery will require a fully operational alarm system in place to ensure early threat identification and limit any damage caused by a fire on the site.

Who will conduct a fire assessment?

As the owner of a business, it is your responsibility to ensure that an appropriate fire risk assessment is conducted on your property.

The assessment itself must be conducted by a competent and responsible person, and reviewed on an annual basis.

If you yourself, or another individual at the company does not have the time or expertise to conduct a fire risk assessment, you can hire the services of a professional company such as Central FS to carry out the survey and determine the fire safety requirements of your property.

Many people prefer to take this approach as a professional fire security officer will have years of experience conducting risk assessments and will be more confident in making recommendations on exactly what is required to create an effective fire protection system on the site based on a number of factors.

What does a business fire alarm system involve?

Almost all commercial premises will be required to install a fire alarm system on site, as this is by far the best way to ensure early detection of fires.

A business fire alarm system installed by a professional BAFE accredited installer such as Central FS will generally have the following features in place:

  • Heat and Smoke Detection Technology
  • Loud audio alarms
  • Visual alarms to maximise attention and act as a back up in the case of an audio malfunction
  • Manual call points
  • Fire suppression technology activation – Fire doors, shutter, sprinklers etc.
  • Control Panel
  • Emergency Service Alert – Professional fire alarms will be linked to emergency service control centres to ensure rapid response to fire and allow you to focus on evacuation with knowledge that help is on the way.
Other Fire Prevention Services

Besides fire alarms Glasgow, there are a number of other measures that we offer that may be recommended by a fire risk assessment to ensure an effective response to fire related incidents.

These include:

Fire Extinguishers

All major fires should be left to the professionals, but placing fire extinguishers on your property, alongside the correct training, can allow staff to tackle a small blaze or to clear an escape route.

Sprinklers

A sprinkler system can cover entire rooms or areas in water, suppressing and even extinguishing fires.

Water Mist Systems

A similar concept to a sprinkler, water mist systems will act like a gas, supressing a blaze by spraying a mist from above.

Safety Signs

Signs indicating escape routes, and reinforcing fire safety protocol, backed up with training, will help make sure your staff are aware of the appropriate procedure in the event of a fire.

Contact Central FS

For more information on fire alarm maintenance or to arrange an installation contact Central FS today on 0141 530 1244 and our BAFE accredited team will be delighted to help.

6 key tips for getting a mortgage

mortgage-loan

Applying for a mortgage can be a daunting task that many people find hugely stressful, but by following a few simple steps you can significantly improve your chances of success.

Mortgages are huge financial commitments that you may have to deal with for several decades so it is essential you secure the best possible deal.

The top 6 things that you can do to improve your chances of securing your perfect mortgage are:

1. Be Realistic

There is nothing worse than falling in love with your dream property only to be rejected by a mortgage lender.

The first thing you should do when starting a property search is to go through your finances and work out the deposit you would be able to place and how much you would be able to borrow whilst still meeting monthly repayments and living costs.

This will allow you to determine a realistic budget and ensure that you are not disappointed when you are finally ready to make your move.

2. Check your credit

Your credit score will be one of the first things checked by any mortgage lender when they are determining your eligibility for their products.

Before applying for a mortgage, you should, therefore, get a copy of your own credit report through an online agency such as Experian.

If your rating is poor, you can take action to improve it through simple measures such as making small easily repayable purchases on a credit card and ensuring you are on the electoral roll.

3. Repay Debts

A mortgage lender will want to see evidence that you pay off your debts promptly before they agree to enter a long term repayment plan with you.

Before submitting your mortgage application, you should therefore try to reduce or completely pay off any outstanding debts such as old credit cards. Being debt free will also mean you may be able to borrow more, helping to open a much wider range of properties.

4. Stay in the same job

Proving financial stability is key to securing a mortgage and although you will only need to supply three months of bank statements for the lender to examine, you have a better chance of success if you have been in the same job for at least six months.

If you are looking for a new job at the same time as a property it may be worth waiting until after you have secured a mortgage before moving on.

5. Build your deposit

The larger the deposit that you are able to provide, the higher your chances of securing a mortgage.

Although some mortgages are available at just 95% loan to value, meaning you only need to provide a deposit of 5% of the property’s value, lenders are increasingly asking for upwards of 15% and will certainly make their best rates available to customers with a larger deposit.

If you are a first time buyer, you may need to provide a slightly larger deposit to secure a mortgage but whatever stage you are at, it is worth saving up as much as possible to help secure the best rates and benefit from lower monthly payments during the mortgage term.

6. Consult a Mortgage Advisor

If you want to make sure that you are getting the best deal, aren’t sure what deals you are eligible or simply want to take some of the stress out of the complicated mortgage application process you could benefit from talking to a professional mortgage advisor.

A mortgage advisor will scour the market, finding the perfect deal for your needs, and give you an idea of the type of property you could realistically expect to secure a mortgage on.

Some of the best mortgage deals are only available to customers who apply through an accredited mortgage advisor paisley so no matter how extensive your search is, it may be impossible to find your perfect mortgage without help.

If something does go wrong and you find yourself committed to an unsuitable mortgage agreement after using the services of a mortgage advisor you will be able to make a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, an option you would otherwise not be entitled to.

Contact Us Today

CSR Financial Services is a family-run business that has been providing expert mortgage advice to customers for over 30 years.

Based in Paisley, near Glasgow, we provide advice for people across the UK, with the majority of our clients being based in the West of Scotland, and aim to make the process of applying for your new mortgage as smooth and stress-free as possible.

To speak to one of our expert mortgage advisors today contact us by phone on 0141 212 2636, or drop us anemail us at colin@csrfinancial.co.uk.

Do CCTV cameras attract burglars?

CCTV CAMERAS

With just 14% of domestic homes in the UK having any form of CCTV surveillance, many people are worried that installing cameras will make their home stand out to burglars.

At Central FS potential customers often express a concern that despite their intention, CCTV may actually make them more vulnerable to crime as criminals may see cameras as a sign that there are valuable items to protect.

In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth with the vast majority of burglars either ignoring or not noticing CCTV cameras at all or being deterred from targeting your property by their presence.

However, if you are really concerned about CCTV attracting burglars to your home there are two completely opposing options you can take.

The first is to make your cameras less obvious to potential intruders and the second is to emphasise their presence and create a more effective deterrent.

1. Make your CCTV system less noticeable

The first way to prevent burglars targeting your home due to the presence of CCTV is to reduce their visibility on your property.

The ways that you can do this include:

Purchasing Smaller Cameras

The smaller the CCTV system, the less likely that it will be noticed by potential burglars.

At Central FS we understand that there is no one size fits all solution to our customer’s CCTV needs and offer a wide range of different options.

If discretion is essential to you then we will design a bespoke system incorporating smaller sized cameras that are discreet and unnoticeable to the casual observer.

Installing cameras where they won’t be spotted

The type of camera that you have installed on your property is just one factor in whether passers-by will notice you have CCTV in place.

Where you place your cameras is just as important and by placing them in inconspicuous places on your property you will significantly reduce the chance of them being spotted.

Under the guttering on the roof of your house or garage, or on the trunk of trees in your garden are just some of the best places to install cameras you do not want to be seen.

You can also place them on surfaces that are a similar colour to the cameras themselves or paint the body of them yourself, so they are camouflaged.

2. Make your CCTV an active deterrent

Despite what many believe CCTV will actually put off the majority of burglars rather than attracting them to your home.

Burglars value stealth and avoiding drawing attention to themselves above all else and 9 times out of 10 if they see a CCTV system installed on a property, they will simply move on to an easier looking target in the area.

Beyond this, some CCTV camera systems come installed with smart technology that actively work to help prevent crime taking place.

These features include:

Auto Tracking

Auto-tracking allows cameras to not only record when they are pointing at but actually track motion, following movement within their field of view and providing a much greater chance of attracting attention or catching intruders in the act.

Additionally, your auto-tracking cameras work in unison, and when one camera loses sight of an individual on your property another will pick them up, making sure they are constantly observed until they are off the premises.

Security Monitoring

If you have security staff in place, they will be able to remotely monitor your CCTV system and act immediately if they see any sign of an intruder.

As soon as a motion detection alarm is triggered, they will be able to identify exactly where an ongoing incident is taking place and respond appropriately.

If they are off-site at the time or you are using a professional security company such as Central FS to manage your security from a remote location, having CCTV will allow your security staff to alert the relevant keyholder or emergency service.

HD video recording

Whilst this CCTV feature may not actively prevent burglars from entering your home it is essential that you use a respected installer to install cameras that record high quality footage.

The last thing any criminal wants is to be identified in the act and given that many court cases are decided based upon CCTV footage, the idea of being recorded on your property is usually enough to make a potential burglar move on.

If they fail to do so, you will still have a much greater chance of securing a conviction, finding the perpetrator, and recovering your stolen goods if you have actual footage of the crime taking place.

Get In Touch

If you want to maximise your home security and deter criminals from targeting your home, contact Central FS for more information about our industry leading CCTV systems in the Glasgow area on 0141 530 1244, or info@centralfs.co.uk.

Utilizing the latest in CCTV technology, our expert technicians will design a bespoke cost-effective solution that will provide maximum security for your home.

Air Source Heat Pump Grants

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps are increasingly one of the most popular eco-friendly home heating options in Scotland and the UK. One of the most appealing factors is that they can often be backed up by financial grants.

The UK Government’s domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (or RHI for short) can provide you with quarterly cash payments over the course of seven years if you’ve invested in and installed a renewable heating technology.

This isn’t the only grant available. There are others also provided for homeowners in Scotland, which we’ll also go over. 

One of these renewable heating technologies are Air Source Heat Pumps, which are recognised as being one of the most eco-friendly heating sources on the market.

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An Air Source Heat Pump is a renewable energy-based heater which works by drawing in warm air from outside of your home. It doesn’t burn any fuel or convert any energy to heat; it simply makes use of the existing heat. It is not 100% carbon free in most cases, because it will still need electricity to run (though if it is connected to a source of renewable electricity like solar panels, it is possible to reach 0 carbon emissions).

Heat Pumps have become popular because of this factor and the government has included them in options for grants. Other benefits of a Heat Pump include its minimal requirements for maintenance, which mean in the long term it less costs than other conventional options (such as boilers, which can require a lot of maintenance). It can also cut down on logistical issues like fuel deliveries, and overall, is a simple and easy system to make use of.

What is RHI?

Renewable Heat Incentive provides quarterly payments over the course of seven years. 

How Much Can I Get?

How much you’ll be paid depends on the size of your property, the system and how you use it. The Government provides a handy calculator to give you an idea of how much the payments can vary from. In some cases, it has ranged from £500 to £2,900. This can mean that you can easily recoup the costs of the initial system installation.

In general, the biggest savings you’ll make come from replacing the following systems,

  • Electric Boilers
  • Oil Boilers
  • LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) Boilers
  • Or Coal based systems

Other factors that determine how much you get include,

  • The kind of technology you end up installing
  • Tariffs for that technology
  • Metering

As previously noted, the government provides a calculator for figuring out just how much you’ll make quarterly from RHI. You should always consult this before making any choices.

Eligibility

So, am I eligible? Well, that depends on several factors. Most importantly, whether your renewable system is a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified product and has been used a MCS certificate.

This is one of the reasons it’s important to always go with an MCS certified installer and ensure the products they’re installing ae properly certified and come with an MCS certificate.

When it comes to eligibility for Heat Pumps, An Air to Water Air Source Heat Pumps is eligible. An Air-to-Air Heat Pump on the other hand is not (as it doesn’t provide the entire home with heating and cannot provide hot water).

Applying

The following kind of people can apply for RHI,

  • Self-builders
  • Owner-occupiers
  • Private Landlords
  • Registered providers of social housing

If you want to apply, you must do so within one year of your new system being commissioned. To apply, you’ll need to either go onto the Energy Regulator Ofgem’s website OR give them a call at 0300 003 0744. When you reply, it’s crucial you have the following details,

  • Your MCS installation certificate number (for the system)
  • Bank Details
  • And an Energy Performance Certificate number

Other Installation Grants and Loans

The RHI doesn’t pay for the upfront costs of the system. While it can overtime help you recoup the cost of the initial installation, you will still need the funds to purchase the original system.

However well as RHI, there’s a range of other schemes and loans for clients in the UK Scotland. Among these include,

  • Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme – low-income households or vulnerable people can get Air Source Heat Pumps Scotland via a Warmer Homes Scotland grant.
  • Home Energy Scotland loan – this is an interest free loan from the Scottish government who’ll pay for the upfront cost of an air source heat pump. The maximum loan for a heat pump is £10,000.  

This can be made use of alongside the RHI, which makes it a fantastic way to save on the system.

Why CCTV Towers Are Vital for Your Construction Site

CCTV for construction site

Prime Secure provides a range of CCTV Tower options to clients in the construction industry. Here we’ll talk about some of the benefits CCTV Towers can offer you and your property.

Deterring Criminals

Criminals tend to avoid properties which have visible security measures. This is for several reasons,

  • A CCTV System can capture criminals in the act; this increases the potential not only to be apprehended by the police, but to be prosecuted.
  • CCTV Systems can be used to alert manned guarding services, who will present a serious problem for any criminal activity.
  • CCTV Systems are indicative the property is being monitored and has other security measures.

As such, Criminals and Vandals will be aware that attempting to breach the property brings significant risks and legal ramifications. Because of this, they will usually avoid a property with security systems.

This is obviously beneficial because it means crime can be prevented before it even happens. This means a significant cut down in repairs, replacement, and damage to employ morale and the hassle of having to deal with the crime in the first in the first instance.

With Prime Secure CCTV Tower Systems, you can be certain of deterrence. The towers feature 7ft telescopic poles which provide a domineering, distinct appearance offering construction site security.

Helps In Worse Case Scenarios

Even with security systems, crimes can happen. It is in these cases in which these services become invaluable, as CCTV Systems provide evidence of the crime.

Not only can footage provide police services with valuable evidence to begin their investigation, but footage can also help to guarantee an arrest and prosecution. This is of course vital for protecting your property, as well as helping to cut down on insurance premiums and other issues.

You can be assured by going with Prime Secure you’ll get access to the best camera technology on the market. Our CCTV Towers come with 4K, HD, 60FPS cameras that possess low-light technology. This guarantees that you’ll always have crisp footage, which can ensure a prosecution takes place and provide the police with invaluable evidence.

Allows you to Check in on Employees

Interested to see how work is going on your site and how everything is progressing, but not in a position to travel down there or having to attend to something else? CCTV with remote access will allow you to view the progress on your property from wherever you might be. This also encourages workers to work harder.

Prime Secure CCTV Towers come with a range of remote access features which ensure you can access your cameras at any time from any place. This invaluable feature saves both time and money, and lets you keep a keen eye on your property.

Superb for Health and Safety as Well

If an accident occurs on your site, a recording of the event is invaluable. Not only will it allow you to see exactly what occurred in the workplace (making it excellent educational material) and ensure it does not reoccur but provides evidence necessary for any compensation claims. As such, this makes it a superb way to keep your workers safe. Not only from potential criminal acts, but safety issues as well.

With 24/7 Recording and the ability to view remotely from a dedicated app means you have direct access to any incidents that occur through Prime Secure tower systems. With 4TB storage as well, you’ll never have to worry about space for footage storage either.

  • Captures Incidents

A dispute or incident on site can be difficult to resolve – but if you have video evidence of the affair it can easily go in your favour. With CCTV Towers from Prime Secure, you can ensure you have detailed recordings of all that happens on your property – including any incidents. If you are required to enter any kind of negotiation to handle a dispute on your property, these can prove to be invaluable and an exceptional asset.

  • Cuts down Insurance Costs

Many companies will provide businesses with CCTV systems installed lower insurance costs. Why?

CCTV is a highly reliable record of all that occurs on a property. It provides a wealth of information – especially in the case of a crime; thieves and vandals can be caught and recorded and helps to ensure they’re caught. It also helps to capture incidents, accidents and any other events on the site which might be of interest to your insurance company – making it a highly reliable record.

This means that in the long term you can save a ton of money. With Prime Secure CCTV, you can not only protect your property but save money in the long run.