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Yes, Thames Water has legal powers to install meters at customers' properties, even if you do not want one. Smart meters are a new kind of gas and electricity meter gradually being introduced across Britain as part of a government scheme.
To give you more context, smart meters can automatically send meter readings to your supplier, meaning they can bill you accurately for the energy you’ve used.
You won’t have to pay upfront to have a smart meter installed - smart meters will be paid for through everyone’s energy bills, just as old-style meters are
In this case, you don’t have to accept a smart meter if you don’t want one. However, if you refuse a smart meter, you might find it hard to access all tariffs. This is because in the future the cheaper tariffs offered by suppliers might only be available to customers with smart meters.
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If your supplier tells you that you must have one installed, contact the consumer helpline here: Consumer Helpline
You can request them the reference for what legislation they are referring to. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs confirms smart water meters are not compulsory. You can use the file you have attached here recently against them.
The law dictates that for a trust to be valid, it must establish three certainties: the intention of the settlor to create it, the subject matter (assets) that will make up the trust property, and the objects (beneficiaries) who will receive the income and assets from the trust.
To set up your trust in a way that establishes these certainties beyond dispute, you will need the help of a legal expert – ideally a solicitor with knowledge of legal, financial and tax matters.
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Yes, it is possible for the same person to be appointed as both Executor and Trustee. In fact, this is not uncommon. There is no legal reason why the same person cannot be appointed in two or more of these roles, but it's important that they are clear on the specific duties and responsibilities of each.
2. Yes.
3.
If the property is owned in the sole name of the deceased and the property title is registered at the Land Registry, then the transfer process is relatively straight forward.
The Executor will need to transfer the property to the person who is entitled to inherit under the terms of the Will (if there is one) or inheritance laws (if there isn't).
If the property is to be transferred to a beneficiary the Executor or Administrator will need to submit a document called an 'Assent' to the Land Registry, with a copy of the Grant of Representation. The Land Registry will then transfer the property into the name of the new owner.
It's important to note that the property cannot be transferred without a Grant of Representation, as this tells the Land Registry that the Personal Representative has the authority to transfer the property.
This is also applies if the property is to be sold. The Grant of Representation gives the Personal Representative authority to sign the transfer document that will transfer the property to the buyers.
4. Prudent yes.
Yes however it will be best to formally instruct a solicitor with regard to the same. Would you like details on how to locate one?
You can find a solicitor at the following link: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/