What's The Best Debt Solution For Me?

By Tom Doerr

Many people in Britain, particularly in the last few years, have found themselves with increasing debts and an inability to make repayments. Millions of people have lost their jobs and have struggled to make ends meet let alone repay their mortgages. When monthly outgoings exceed income it's time to look for a solution for your debt and there are several main options to choose.

If you simply have too many monthly repayments and you even find the quantity of them hard to keep on to of, you might benefit from a debt consolidation loan. The idea of borrowing even more money might sting but this kind of loan can allow you to reduce your monthly outgoings, spread your payments over a longer time and manage just one monthly repayment. Consolidating your debt won't even affect your credit rating, as long as you keep up with your repayments, you will be seen as a responsible borrower. Depending on who you buy from, there will be interest added to your debt but unfortunately nothing is free and this is the price you will need to pay to manage your debts.

If you cannot get a consolidation loan, the next best thing is to try and get help with a Debt Management Plan. There are many financial advisers who may not charge for setting up a debt management plan, they can do all the negotiating between you and your creditors and reduce your repayments into a figure you can manage. Although they cannot freeze interest or charges, they can allow you to decide when you pay and how much you can realistically afford. Your credit rating may be affected as a debt management plan is a negotiation of repayments different to an original contract, but this is not always the case.

If your debts are too large to be considered for a Debt Management Plan; you may need to seek approval for an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA). An IVA involves considering a debtor's capital, income and priority payments. To arrange and approve an IVA requires an insolvency practitioner and the arrangement must be approved by the creditors and can be arranged post-bankruptcy. You may wish to consider an IVA as, unlike bankruptcy, your credit rating is not as damaged, you will be able to continue trading and your property will be excluded from the arrangement.

If all else fails, there is one last option; to file for bankruptcy, this can be voluntary or involuntary depending on the size of the debt. Becoming bankrupt can immediately free you from debt repayments but it does come at a price. All of your assets will be shared equally among your creditors and you cannot act as a lawyer, accountant, justice of the peace, Member of Parliament and many other professions. There are severe consequences for your credit rating for many years after the annulment and you will have to obtain special permission to obtain credit over the value of 250. Some people see bankruptcy as the end of the road but it is a legitimate method of escaping damaging debt, after all its only money. - 32196

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Tips When Looking For Apartments For Rent

By Adriana Noton

Looking at apartments for rent can be tricky. There will always be something you over look or some question you forget to ask before you sign the lease. The trick is to know the really big issues that people often forget about in their search for the right size at the right price. These things are, of course, the most important. But certain apartments that are 'a steal' could be cheap because they present their own problems. You may want to pay a bit more for a smaller place and actually be happy there.

One thing to figure out is how this is going to affect your commute to work. Drive through the area to experience morning traffic. Find out if the roads get plowed and salted in the winter. Look for bad intersections that could be dangerous or traffic lights that stay red for an annoyingly long period of time. You must think of your car, since it is the other huge purchase apart from a place to live. There should be gas stations and car garages near by that you trust and are reasonably priced.

Find out all you can about the neighborhood for your apartment rentals. Look at the list of crimes in the paper and see if your town is the residence of any of these offenders. Is the school good? Are there street lights on the street? How far is it from the police station? Drive around at all hours to see what you think of it.

One of the ways landlords can take advantage of you is by not providing many services and sticking you with hidden costs or not taking care of you properly. Ask not only about what utilities you have to pay but if the landlord takes care of trash removal, house repairs, snow plowing, and on-site washers and driers. Check out the house's insulation to make sure you will not be throwing your money away on the heating bill.

Get a very specific list in writing from the landlord about what you can and cannot do in a house. You do not want to be surprised by not getting your security deposit back when you move out. Some do not like pictures or shelves to be nailed to the wall, but they will not tell you because then they can keep an extra month's worth of rent. Ask about growing gardens, pets, smoking, and painting.

Good apartments should come with a few appliances like a dishwasher and fridge. If there is room, a washer and drier should really be included. Some may even give you a vacuum cleaner in order for you to keep the apartment well maintained. Make sure to look at the stove and find the fire alarm. If there is no fire alarm, do not move in. Inspect the plumbing--the sinks and the shower should all be clean and in good condition.

How much space do you have in your current home? Do you need more? Measure your big furniture and check for closet space in the new apartment. Is there room in the basement to store things? Does the kitchen have enough cabinets? You should have ample space in linen closets and the medicine cupboard.

The landlord is another aspect of the apartment. This person must be willing to take care of your needs and respect your space, just as you will respect his or her property. If you do not like the person or have heard bad things about him or her, consider finding a different place. Ensure that you have multiple ways of contacting said landlord in the event of an emergency. - 32196

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How To Find The Perfect Apartment Rentals

By Adriana Noton

Finding an apartment can be one of the most exciting things that you do. Apartments can signal independence, and the next step in life. Or maybe you are moving to a new city, or simply changing from an old apartment. For whatever reason you are moving, apartment rentals can seem a bit overwhelming. How many bedrooms do you need, anyway? What type of neighborhood do you want? What amenities are you looking for? These are all good questions to ask and answer before beginning your hunt for the perfect apartment.

First, decide your price range. You may often be able to find great deals on apartments, but be sure that they are within your budget. No need to have a five bedroom six bath if it is just you, even if it is a steal of a deal. Be practical.

Next you need to find the place you want to look at. Check newspaper listings and the real estate section. Look for websites that guide you in your renting endeavors. Make a list of available places and rank them.

Pick apartments in an area that is good to you. If you commute, look for a place that is near your office. If you have kids, do not neglect to check the schools in the neighborhood. Ask the locals about the area to see if it is a good neighborhood or not.

Next, you must decide what size apartment that you want. If you are all alone, a studio or efficiency apartment may be a good choice. They have just one big room, making it ideal for those who do not need extra room. If you are a young couple, this may work as well.

Another couple friendly choice is a one or two bedroom apartment. One bedroom will perfectly suit your needs, while the two bedroom gives you a room to turn into a study, work room, extra bedroom, whatever you want.

There are a few other things to keep in mind as well. Many places are not quite as pet friendly as you might hope, so if you have a little Fido you take with you, ask them about their pet policy. There is often a weight or size restriction, as well as added rent per month. Check and see what each complex offers. Do they have a pool? Does your unit have a dishwasher? What about a washer and dryer? Hint: going to the laundromat every week gets very annoying, so try to find a building with this feature!

Finally: signing a lease can be scary. Find a lease that works for you. Month to month can be great if you are on the go, however, you will probably end up paying less if you do a six month or year lease. Ask about the utility bills as well. Are they included? What is a rough estimate of the monthly bill? Once you know these factors, finding apartment rentals is simple. Good luck and enjoy your new home! - 32196

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Thinking Of Lending Your Motorhome To Festival Goers? Make Sure You're Covered!

By Timothy Simons Grimshaw

If you are anything like me, your getting on a bit and you probably think you've seen the last of your summer music festivals with sweltering and uncomfortable tents as your only place to sleep. However, if you're still into your music (I particularly like early 70's bands like Soft Machine and Caravan) then you could always bring your motorhome (or someone else's) along to a music festival and enjoy the music and the atmosphere without the rough sleep under canvas. You can listen to Caravan in your caravan!

Many people have found that the motorhome route is the one to take if you want the best of both worlds. You get all the atmosphere of the festival with the added bonus of a shower and a cup of tea in the mornings, there's no queue for the loo and the bed is guaranteed to be dry and warm, or at least it will be as long as you don't leave the sunroof open in a downpour!

Many motorhome owners rent out their motorhomes for just this type of event with most not realising that any such hiring of their motorhome for "hire & reward" purposes will not be covered under their standard motorhome insurance policy.

I remember seeing a couple at Glastonbury last year, blissfully leaving their motorhome in the sunny early hours of the morning having breakfasted under the awning, only to return late at night to find that one of Glastonbury's famed monsoons had filled the awning with water causing it to twist, break and generally be ruined, That's about 1000 worth of damage and all uninsured if the vehicle had been hired out without the authority of the insurance company.

If you are thinking of letting your motorhome go to Glastonbury or any similar music festival this year, is well worth thinking about insurance.

If you're not going yourself, it is probably best to start by loaning your motorhome to friends or family rather than people you don't know because adding friends or family to an existing insurance policy is by far the easiest way to go. So you can watch the festival from the comfort of your own home, safe in the knowledge that your motorhome is being looked after and even if it isn't, you'll know you have the right insurance to cover it. - 32196

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The Versatility Of Caravan Insurance

By Timothy Simons Grimshaw

"For girls who go plump in the night" is the rather strange title of an album by 1970's rock band Caravan, which is not the kind of thing you would expect an insurance man to know, even if he does actually own one, (a caravan I mean!) An insurance man in a caravan is probably not that unusual but an insurance man in a caravan listening to Caravan? Surely not!

Although I'm not entirely sure why I start thinking about this, I'm pretty sure it's because I was looking back at some photos of last year's Glastonbury festival the other day and I noticed just how many caravans were there in one get-up or another. Being an insurance man, I was of course thinking about the cover they had and whether or not the underwriters knew exactly what they were being used for.

Caravans were being used for almost everything you can think of that needs a sturdy shelter, i.e. people were living in them, some were being used as resting places for tired musicians, some were being used for paid showers and some were being used shops by refreshment vendors, and I still mean proper caravans, not mobile catering units.

Over in the camping fields there were caravans sheltering security staff from the rain, acting as the temporary weekend home for ageing rockers (some may have even been fellow caravan fans who knows?) and as the meeting point for lost festival goers.

Of course, another big user of caravans at music festivals are the musicians themselves. They usually have massive ones with an extra wheel at the front for steering and they use them for changing in, for hosting after-show parties in and doing whatever it is that rock-stars do.I dread to think. Saying that, I'm not sure if Caravan ever used one, that'd just be too good to be true wouldn't it? Caravan in a caravan listening to their first album (which is called, you guessed it, "Caravan"). Or even better, maybe they went along in a convoy with their friends - a caravan of caravans including a caravan with Caravan in it, listening to Caravan!

But anyway, before I started ranting about rock-stars in caravan convoys I was thinking about whether or not these caravans had the correct insurance cover and lets be honest, the answer is probably not. If you are considering taking your caravan along to a festival this year then it is well worth thinking about getting proper insurance cover for it. Caravans can be damaged in all kinds of ways, especially at festivals where the fun loving, free-partying atmosphere can sometimes cloud people's better judgement and out of control festival goers and crowds and the like can do a lot of damage to your caravan, whether it is intentional or not. It could simply slide off on its own if the mud gets too wet, they can flood, catch fire, get blown away, and almost anything you can think of can happen. Fortunately you can insure caravans against more or less anything that could happen to it, even if it gets rammed into by an uninsured caravan being used as a refreshment stand! - 32196

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The Importance Of Having Caravan Insurance

By Timothy Simons Grimshaw

Chester Cooke was a man who one day decided that he wanted to have a caravan on the banks of the river Avon in a perfectly situated caravan site that was professionally owned, well maintained and had all the amenities that he could ask for. However, he wasn't the type to go spending the best part of twenty grand plus annual services on a caravan without properly thinking it through.

So he then called his broker and said that he was looking for some caravan insurance. His broker then told him that that shouldn't be a problem and he would be more than happy to get him a quote. So Chester gave his broker the details of the caravan and where it would be situated.

It was only a few minutes before the broker called him back and said that he unfortunately could not find him any caravan insurance. The reason was that although the caravan site itself was fine, it was the particular spot that Chester wanted that was the problem. It was next to the river Avon, right at the water's edge, and last year it had flooded which caused lots of insurance claims, meaning that now, insurers are unwilling to offer any insurance to caravans places right on the water's edge. If he was going to buy the caravan, it was going to be entirely at his own risk.

This news meant that Chester would have to re-think his ideas about buying a caravan. Since it was highly likely that the Avon would flood again at some point, he couldn't afford to risk placing it there without insurance. He asked his broker what the "normal criteria" of a caravan site was so that he could bare it in mind if he was still going to go ahead and buy his caravan.

In terms of insurance, the ideal caravan site should be a registered CaSSOA site, this is because these sites have security standards that all caravans must meet. If the caravan is to be placed less formally, for example, on a farm, then the caravan should have its own compound with a defined perimeter. Some insurance providers insist that a caravan site has a minimum number of caravans. A sort of, "safety in numbers" logic. Another thing to look for in a caravan site is a defined boundary that is secure and would not allow uninvited people to come and go as they please.

Before this, Chester hadn't really given much though to caravan insurance. He didn't think it was going to be such a big part his decision to buy a caravan. All he knew was that he was grateful to have a good broker who knew how to take care of it all because after all, all he really wanted to do was enjoy his caravan. The insurance was just to take the worry out of owning it. - 32196

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Lawn Mowing Company Forms, Contracts, Templates and Standard Letters

By Steve Sutherland

Running a lawn care business, like any other business, requires a great deal of administrative paperwork. Having relevant business forms, agreements, templates and standard letters available for every situation that you come across regularly in the day-to-day running of your business can save you from having to create a whole new document from scratch every time.

You may assume that the task of preparing all the paperwork that you will need for your business will be a major effort, but don't despair. There is now a huge amount of lawn care business related paperwork available online that you can borrow and adapt to your needs.

In this article we look at some of the forms, documents and various other paperwork that you will need to start up and operate your lawn business successfully. Then we let you know how you can go about accessing some of these resources.

1) Finance and Cash flow - You will need to be meticulous in the way that you record all cash flows coming into and flowing out of your business. It will be extremely helpful if you can view samples of business forms and letters that other lawn care professionals have been using so that you can put together your own set of documents for invoicing, receipts and chasing debts]overdue client accounts.

2) Client Relations - It is important that your lawn care business maintains good relationships with its clients so that you can keep customer accounts for many years and benefit from 'word of mouth' referrals. You should have letters that cover every aspect of your relationship with them, from welcoming them, letting them know about changes to your service and sending them a letter thanking them for their business at certain times of the year.

3) A Service Agreement - You should also have a standard service agreement that can be entered into with each one of your clients. Having access to a basic agreement that you can base your agreement on can give you ideas on some of the clauses that you should add.

4) Marketing and Other Documents - Having templates of promotional flyers that have shown good results for other lawn care businesses can also save you headaches and expenses related to testing. With permission you can just change a few details on the flyers that they provide you with on your computer in order to create your own company advertisement. Other documents useful to a lawn mowing business can include vehicle mileage forms, maintenance logs for tools and equipment and forms for managing crews of employees.

Having a great set of business forms, agreements, templates and ready-to-go standard letters can save you time and ensure that you get your lawn business off to the best possible start in a professional manner.

There are quite a few experienced lawn care business operators who sell 'start up' guides online that are designed to help entrepreneurs start up their own businesses. A lot of these guide books also come with other free resources that can be downloaded and used such as standard letters and lawn care business forms. Get your lawn care business off to a good start by developing a great set of business forms and letters that will help you to manage your business productively and get rid of some of your paperwork headaches. - 32196

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Thoughts On Insuring Your Motorhome

By Timothy Simons Grimshaw

I read an article in Insurance Times a few weeks ago where the financial ombudsman had said that he would support a policyholder against the insurer, excluding claims for leaving keys in or near a vehicle. I then wondered if the same would apply to a motor home.

The family and I had a late night in our motorhome playing cards and went to sleep very tired. As a result, when we woke up the next morning we were already late for a rendezvous that we had arranged with our close friends and fellow motor homers, the Wilsons. The usual queue for the shower ensued and by the time we were finally ready to go, our friends had decided to explore the country-side without us.

Then I couldn't find the keys. We looked everywhere, and in my usual patient and understanding way I first accused every member of the family of hiding them, progressed to accusing them of not helping me to look for them properly and concluded by accepting my son's version of events that aliens had come from Mars and stolen the keys to my motor home. I went to the cab to get my mobile and call my insurance company for help. I was stranded in the middle of a field with a grumpy family... and it was about to rain.

There, sat in the middle of the cab, next to my mobile phone were the keys! I had left the keys to my pride and joy on display in the cab, and I couldn't help but wonder if the motorhome would be insured if it had been stolen under these circumstances, and so my mind wound its way back to the Insurance Times article.

If my motorhome had been a car the ombudsman would have considered

Location

Was I in a position to deter a thief

Was I recklessly ignoring the risks

Mitigating factors

Whether I knew about the exclusion in the insurance policy

I would like to think that this kind of thinking would have applied to me and my motorhome. If you use an insurance broker there is a much higher chance of finding a comprehensive insurance policy to cover you whatever your situation. - 32196

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What Is An Individual Voluntary Arrangement?

By Tom Doerr

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is an alternative for people looking to avoid bankruptcy; it is an agreement with the creditors of an individual looking to continue to pay their debts but, due to a change in financial circumstances, can no longer make the originally agreed repayments.

The agreement can be flexible to meet the individual's circumstances and is based on a combination of capital, income and other payments. When an IVA is proposed creditors will make a decision via a vote which must see over 75% agreement to go ahead.

Although not mutually exclusive, an IVA can be used as an alternative to bankruptcy. An individual can apply for an IVA which would require approval of a proposed IVA and a Court annulment of the bankruptcy order if they have filed for and been made bankrupt.

An IVA can have advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation of the individual debtor, professional advice is usually required to choose upon the best option. An IVA will not automatically limit the debtor from attaining credit but a proposal usually will.

Unlike with bankruptcy, an individual will not have to disclose the fact they have an IVA but some lenders will usually ask. An IVA will not be viewed as bad as bankruptcy by creditors as it shows a commitment to repayment however the existence of an IVA in the first place would suggest poor credit on behalf of the debtor and both will stay on the individual's credit file for 6 years.

Once an IVA proposal has been agreed, a creditor is restricted by the decision and cannot take any enforcement action to recover the debt. In contrast to bankruptcy, an IVA proposal won't often include the property of a debtor or in some cases the creditor may suggest a re-mortgage or offer a degree of income based contributions because of the debtor's equitable interest in the property. - 32196

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My Way To Saving On A Cell Phone Bill

By Aimee Jones

When I was a kid, I didn't think about things like my parent's phone bill. In fact, I didn't much care at all about such things. I just wanted to play and have fun all day long. However, I do remember when the phone bill would be too high and my father would get upset.

At the time I feel my parents would spend perhaps $30 or $50 per month on their cell phone service. They had to pay extra for lengthy distance calling and other additional services like that. It was very ridiculous how considerably the cell phone corporations were able to charge for so little service that they provided.

Now, fast forward to the year 2010. We now live in a world where the same companies are charging even more for phone service. It's crazy. Instead of $30 per month total, it's $60 per month per person. How is that fair?

The average American family now spends somewhere between $70-120 per month on telephone service. Consider that number for a minute. That's nearly 4 times as considerably for cellular phone service. That doesn't make sense in any way.

The biggest reason that phone service has become so expensive is that people are now buying cell phones instead of landlines. Sure, landlines aren't really the most convenient form of phone service, but they do work reliably and cheaply. The problem is that phone companies want to charge exhorbant rates for services they've provided for years.

The real culprit is that people always want the next big thing and that basic phone service just isn't good enough anymore for people. Nobody really needs unlimited phone service, but they want it just because. Nobody needs to text everywhere, but they do it anyway.

If you want the secret to saving funds on your phone bill, it's merely this - switch back to a landline or possibly go with a prepaid cellular phone service. Use a crappy, outdated phone and be happy that it works. Also, be happy when you save $60 per month. That's enough every year to purchase a new HDTV. - 32196

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Caravan Insurance Advice And Help

By Timothy Simons Grimshaw

Owning a caravan gives you an amazing sense of freedom. You are able to go on holiday in your own mini home and have a wonderful time, but you need to be insured. Without the correct insurance you could find that your caravan holidays go very wrong if you have an accident or it gets stolen. For more information here is some important caravan insurance advice and help.

One of the first things you need to know is that there are lots of different kinds of insurance for caravans. For example if you have a static caravan you will need a certain type of policy. Caravans which are moved from site to site will need cover to take this into account.

You will also need to make sure that the items in your caravan are covered. Many people overlook just how much the contents of their caravan are worth. Make sure that you have noted any expensive items when you obtain your insurance and you will be covered.

If you like to visit new places with your caravan why not opt for insurance that offers members benefits. These can include monthly magazines with caravaning news in it or special offers for various sites. More insurers than you think will offer these types of incentives, so take a look at them.

Don't forget to get plenty of quotes. This is essential if you want to get the very best deal on your insurance policy. Use an online comparison website and you will be able to choose from a range of prices for the type of cover that you want.

Following these simple pieces of caravan insurance advice will mean that you get the best premium. Being insured is crucial if you want to enjoy your caravan without worrying. So get a quote today and get the policy that suits you. - 32196

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Life Insurance

By Rodney Daniel Bolton

You need a certain amount of life insurance to protect your dependents in case of death. Your family will need enough income to cover the same living expenses they had before your passing. A younger man should have more coverage than a man near retirement age. Rule of thumb is twenty-five times the amount of money you earn in one year from age twenty-five and for ten years after that. After thirty-five, you can lower the payoff for each additional year of life.

You may have to show proof of your income if the company isn't sure you can pay your premiums. If one of a married couple doesn't work, he or she is still entitled to purchase the same amount the working spouse can afford. The premium payments are equal of course. As soon as the prearranged term is up, insurance benefits cease and so do premium payments.

There are different types of policies. The most practical one is term insurance. Most wage earners will cover themselves in case of death so their family left behind can continue the same lifestyle as when he was alive. House payments and other expenses keep his family safe in their home and school without leaving the familiar neighborhood.

Term is a policy that is taken out to last for a period of time, usually till children are grown up. Buy a policy that has a level premium when you keep it for five to twenty years. It is always temporary whether long term or short term.

If your employer offers the term life insurance that is applicable to your situation, buy it from the company. Why? Group term insurance is the best buy among all policies.

Everyone automatically think insurance always has a lifetime coverage until death. That isn't true of term insurance. It is true of whole life. It stays active even when you no longer must pay premiums. Conditions vary as will be explained by an insurance agent.

The whole life policy has an added benefit. When you have accumulated enough in premiums, you can borrow against the policy. For example, if you have $1,000 paid in, you can borrow a portion of it in an emergency. You pay interest on your loan and try to pay it back as soon as you can. This is the life insurance that remains in effect for life and pays your beneficiary upon your death. - 32196

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Things To Know Before Searching For Life Insurance Quotes

By Rodney Daniel Bolton

Purchasing life insurance is a good decision and an important step in providing for the future of your family. But life insurance can be confusing; especially if it is the first time you are faced with this decision. There are a few things you should know before you search for life insurance quotes.

You will need to know what kind of life insurance is best for you, and how much you want to be covered for. On the market today, the most widely sold types of polices are term life and whole life insurance.

Whole life insurance is designed to cover you for your entire life. Whole life insurance policies have been around the longest and are still widely held by many consumers in the market.

Not only does whole life act as an insurance policy, but it can also be an investment. Money will accumulate in the policy account. For this reason, the payment you make will probably be higher at the beginning of the policy. It will lower as money has accumulated. If you ever find yourself in need, you will be able to borrow against the accumulated amount.

Term life insurance is for a specific amount of time that you choose. As long as you make the premium payment, you will be covered during the term of the policy. Unlike whole life insurance, term life insurance does not accumulate a cash value. Once the term is over, you receive no money and you are no longer covered.

If your salary is high and you have been able to put a lot of money aside for the future of your family, term life might be just what you need. If, on the other hand, you do not make much and have not been able to save much, a whole life policy might be a better choice for the future of your family.

With the knowledge of the policy that is best for you, it will not be difficult to find a policy. The Internet has made it easy for companies and brokers to offer you comparisons online. It will not take much time to find the life insurance quotes you need. - 32196

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What Do Mobile Notary Publics Do?

By David Stone

Understand the duties of notary publics.

A notary public acts as an agent who attests or certifies deeds and other documents. This is usually done under an official state seal . The notary may collect identification proof in order to make sure the person who signs has the indentity he or she claims. They may slo try to help make sure that papers are signed in the correct places.

Have you ever had to have a paper notarized? A public notary's duties are mainly related to instruments used in business transactions. Loan documents, contracts, and applications are common examples of things that need to be notarized. As you can see these are all procedures which require an impartial third party in order to validate them.

If you had to look for a notary, you would probably start your search at your bank, office, or other business. Many companies keep one on staff as a convenience for employees or customers. They may charge you a small fee, and that fee is strictly regulated by the state they work in. Sometimes the service will be free for clients and employees because it is underwritten by the company.

Who Needs a Mobile Notary?

A mobile notary (also called a signing agent) performs the same functions we already wrote about. But they will come too the place their services are needed. They will actually visit the place they are needed, and because of this, they usually only do business transactions so they can charge a higher fee that makes the travel worth it for them. Title companies often use these professionals to help facilitate closings. They can certify documents, collect signatures, and also make sure documents get moved from one place to another.

An authorized and trained professional agent can collect signatures and move documents from one location to another. This makes the whole process more convenient for everybody involved.

Notaries have some limitations.

Keep in mind that notary publics are not lawyers. You cannot ask them questions about your contract. You need to address those questions to the lender before you sign documents. They are simply agents who make sure that documents are completed and signed the way they need to be. - 32196

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What Should You Look For When Renting An Apartment?

By Adriana Noton

If you are just leaving home for the first time, or moving to a new location for work and looking for a place to live, you want to make sure that you make an informed decision about where you will be living. When choosing an apartment, you want to make sure all of your needs are met before you make your choice. There are a variety of different types of apartments rentals on the market with different amenities offered and different terms and conditions. Before you make your decision, there are many factors that you should take into consideration.

1. Apartment Location: When considering an apartment, it is important to factor in its proximity to such places as school, work, and other essential places such as hospitals, recreational centers, outdoor recreational activities, religious institutions, supermarkets, and shopping centers. For example, you may be looking for Toronto apartment rentals. If you do not have a vehicle, having an apartment that is within walking distance to the essential places is a good choice. If not, you should consider a place near a bus or subway stop. Often, the more expensive apartments will be in close proximity to the essential amenities and services. You can always consider a roommate. You should also look at the neighborhood. Is it friendly and well-maintained? Are the houses and other buildings in good shape?

2. Type of Apartment: Before you start shopping for apartments, consider what type of apartment you require. Consider the number of rooms and the size of each room. Make sure the kitchen and bathroom will be large enough to meet your needs. As well, consider such features as whether you need a shower, bath, or both. Also, some apartments will come fully furnished, but they will cost more. The size of the apartment will also depend on your budget. The bigger the apartment, the higher the rent will be. Also consider the noise level of the apartmenft. Are the walls paper-thin? Can you hear televisions, music, and people talking? You should also inquire about other costs such as water, lights, heat, cable, garbage collection...etc.

3. Leases and Rental Agreements: A lease is a contract that you sign when you rent an apartment. It details the landlord's terms and conditions. Before signing a lease you should carefully read it over and make sure you know your rights. The lease will tell you how much you have to pay, the amount of the damage deposit, how much notice you have to give when you plan to move out, how long you are locked into the agreement, and what happens if you break the lease. A rental agreement is generally a month-to-month contract. This is a good choice if you do not know how long you will be living in the apartment. Leases will lock a person into a contract to pay for a certain amount of time such as a year. It will then be renewed at the end of the year, or the renter will move out. A rental agreement gives more flexibility. Sometimes if you have found an apartment you like, you can negotiate the rent. It all depends on how firm the landlord is with the amount they are charging for rent.

There are many apartments that offer different types of amenities and services. When searching for an apartment, it is important to take your needs into consideration. You should thoroughly research a number of apartments before making your decision. You want to make sure that you are happy and comfortable with your choice. - 32196

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Ousting Third Party Defense From Professional Liability Contracts

By Tim Esler

Engineers' and architects' professional liability insurance policies are "indemnification policies" which means that the insurance carrier agrees to "make whole" any party that suffers loss or injury resulting from "negligent deliverance of professional services" up to the available limits of the professional liability insurance policy. Negligence is the operative word meaning that the standard of care is the "ordinary man" standard (not perfection).

It is a misfortune that many contract drafters that are used for architects' and engineers' professional services do not understand a professional liability insurance policy has no provision within the policy to provide "defense" to anyone outside of the design professional (unlike in a General Liability policy's "additional insured" provision providing affirmative defense of a third party).

Most owners are not educated properly to understand the implications that differentiate engineers' or architects' professional liability insurance policies from a contractor's general liability policy.

Perhaps you are wondering why this is not insurable. Professional liability is brought on by "actual or alleged negligence" and solely benefits the design professional. To grant affirmative defense to a third party due to alleged negligence is outside the policy's provisions. Professional liability policies will compensate an owner for costs accrued in their defense as long as the architect or engineer was actually negligent.

Additionally, ALL professional liability policies for engineers and architects contain a CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY exclusion that states that the only contractual coverage granted by the policy is "such liability that would have existed in the ABSENCE of a contact." [In short, this means that even without a contract the Design Professional is always held to the negligence standard of care.]

Clearly, you should remove the word "defend" from the professional liability policy contract and make sure that the balance of the indemnity provision is correctly based on your "negligence." Now, the only question is: "What do I actually do when the owner (or their attorney) recoils at the removal of the word "defend" from the contract? - 32196

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