Insights

Heat Network Regulation Changes and How They Affect Developers
Heat Network Regulation Changes and How They Affect Developers 1000 571 James Hallam

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, recently announced some changes to the way they will regulate heat networks.

In this post we will take a look at what these heat network regulation changes entail, and assess how they may affect developers.

What are the New Heat Network Regulation Changes?

The heat network regulation changes include a set of new consumer protection rules. The goal is to ensure that all customers can:

  • Better understand their bills
  • Trust that they are paying a fair price
  • Depend on their heat supply
  • Know who to contact for help, if necessary

These consumer protection rules are already in place for the gas and electric networks. The changes will simply ensure that heat network customers can expect the same level of transparency and reliability.

At the same time, Ofgem anticipates that building a more stable regulatory environment will attract more investors to the sector. In the long-term, they believe this will lead to new services and technologies that will benefit both customers and network operators.

When Will The Heat Network Regulation Changes Come In?

The new regulatory framework will be phased in between early 2026 and 2028, but they are expected to be in full force from 2027.

Ofgem is encouraging heat network operators and suppliers to join the Energy Ombudsman Heat Network Supplier scheme, to help manage any unresolved customer disputes.

From April 2026, all existing operators will need to register on Ofgem’s new digital service, which will enable them to stay up to date on the new regulations while demonstrating compliance.

How Will The Heat Network Regulation Changes Affect Developers?

As these new regulations come into force, developers may have to deal with higher upfront costs and certain delays to the planning process. In the long-term, they will have to commit to more demanding monitoring and reporting responsibilities too.

Higher Upfront Costs, Longer Turnaround Times

Installing a compliant heat network requires a centralised plant room, heat exchanges, elaborate pipework, and smart meters. Any new heat network will have to be smart compatible from the start, as retrofitting can be prohibitively complex and expensive. All of this will lead to higher upfront costs for new developments.

These elaborate systems will also lead to more complex designs and longer lead times. For instance, the construction schedule will have to account for lengthier installation times, along with sufficient time for testing.

Stricter Regulations, Growing Responsibilities

Developers will have to ensure that any heat network they install meets the applicable standards on performance, transparency, and consumer billing. To stay compliant, there will have to be accurate metering systems for every individual unit.

In the long-term, developers may be held responsible for the ongoing monitoring of these systems, and for regular reporting to regulators. This means managing:

  • Customer support
  • Emergency response procedures
  • Accurate billing processes based on actual use
  • Maintenance and servicing schedules

Developers may choose to appoint an operator to oversee these processes. But this will still add some additional long-term responsibilities, along with added costs.

What Are The Fines If You Don’t Meet Heat Network Regulations?

As part of these new heat network regulations, Ofgem will have certain powers to enforce compliance. You could face severe fines and penalties if you do not meet the regulations, or if you do not properly register and maintain your heat networks.

Also, as these new regulations are designed with consumer protection in mind, you may also face legal claims from residents, which may ultimately lead to serious reputational damage.

Developers: Are You Ready For The New Heat Network Regulation Changes?

This is not the sort of thing you can leave until the last minute. To ensure compliance, and to avoid fines, penalties, and legal action, it is vital that you act as soon as possible. You must consider compliant heat networks as early as the concept and design stages, and you must account for higher costs, lengthier installations, and ongoing compliance.

Building partnerships with engineers, heat network operators, and compliance consultants could help you avoid a lot of trouble in the long-term. It’s also important to ensure that you have the right insurance in place for all your development projects and that’s where our specialist real estate team at James Hallam can help.

Find out how we can help you today.

Destination Training For Travel Agents: What Questions To Ask
Destination Training For Travel Agents: What Questions To Ask 1000 667 James Hallam

Destination training allows travel agents to build the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to offer truly unforgettable travel experiences.

In this post we will outline what you might expect from your destination training, and explore how asking the right questions can help travel agents make the most of this opportunity.

What is Destination Training?

Destination training is a specialist course that can help travel agents understand travel trends, customer preferences, and the risks and opportunities associated with popular destinations.

Destination training may involve attending an in-person course or workshop. On rare occasions, it may involve travelling to a specific tourism destination for on-the-ground learning. But nowadays most destination training providers use online learning modules.

Some travel agents will choose to undertake routine destination training, as it can help them stay ahead of emerging trends.

Destination training is not to be confused with a familiarity trip. A “fam trip” is not a formal training course. It is a dedicated excursion for travel agents to help them promote a new package or property.

The Benefits of Destination Training

Destination training can offer travel agents the opportunity to:

  • Develop expert knowledge of popular destinations
  • Understand emerging travel trends and evolving customer preferences
  • Build relationships with hotels, tour operators, frontline staff, and other providers
  • Learn about the risks associated with popular destinations and transport options

What Questions to Ask During Your Destination Training

These are the questions you should bear in mind during your destination training. If you reach the end of the course and you find these questions are still unanswered, you should look for an opportunity to ask them yourself.

Who Chooses This Destination, and Why?

What makes a popular travel destination so popular? And how are providers in the destination adapting to evolving customer trends?

For instance, if the destination is particularly popular, you might wish to know what, if anything, providers are doing to address overtourism concerns. You might also enquire about what providers are doing to meet the growing preference for more sustainable travel options.

It is also important to understand what sort of traveller chooses each destination. Business travellers, or holidaymakers? Families, solo travellers, or young couples? And if the destination is popular among a certain demographic, what exactly do they find so appealing?

How Will Customers Travel To This Destination?

Travel agents sell transportation services along with accommodation and experiences. It is important to understand the specific travel options for every destination, along with the potential risks associated with each.

Again, you might bear in mind the growing preferences for sustainable travel options. Do customers have to travel by boat or plane to reach a destination? Is it possible to get there using greener transport options?

Are There Any Risks Associated With This Destination?

As well as transport risks, take the time to understand on-the-ground risks associated with popular or emerging destinations. These might involve enquiring about extreme weather, civil or political unrest, crime statistics, and potential health concerns.

The better you understand these risks, the better you can advise your customers on taking suitable precautions and the better you can protect your agency from risk.

What Insurance Will I Need To Sell Trips To This Destination?

This is another reason why it is important to understand the risks associated with any destination. This will help you ensure you have the right cover in place to ensure total peace of mind for you and your customers.

Once you understand these risks, we can help you get the cover you need at a competitive price.

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with access to a hand-picked selection of A-rated insurance providers. We have provided specialist business insurance for tour operators and travel agents for over 20 years.

We provide a one stop shop service for the travel industry, and over 700 travel agents and tour operators depend on us for dedicated business insurance services. Also, we act as the trusted insurance advisor to ABTA and AITO.

Find out how we can help you today.

 

What Insurance Do You Need To Open a Pub in the UK?
What Insurance Do You Need To Open a Pub in the UK? 1000 556 James Hallam

If you want to open a pub in the UK, dedicated pub insurance will give you comprehensive cover to help you manage and mitigate numerous risks.

In this post we will outline the key areas of cover that every pub owner should consider. We will also discuss a few other factors to bear in mind, from choosing the right location to ensuring you have enough money to cover your initial startup investment and your ongoing running costs.

What Insurance Are Pubs Legally Obliged to Have?

There are at least two forms of cover that you simply cannot do without:

  • Employer’s liability insurance. If you employ any staff, even if they are family members, then you have a legal obligation to get employer’s liability insurance. This will cover your staff for any accidents or injuries they may experience while on the job.
  • Buildings insurance. You may also be required to get a level of buildings cover as part of your pub leasehold or freehold arrangement. If you enter into a contract with a brewer, they may set certain cover requirements too.

Recommended Insurance for Pub Owners

Beyond this, you should consider the following forms of cover:

  • Contents cover: To cover your fixtures, fittings, equipment, and barware for loss, damage, or theft.
  • Public liability insurance: To cover your guests and other members of the public for any accidents and injuries they may sustain while spending time on your premises.
  • Business interruption insurance: This can cover your overheads should an unexpected event, such as a fire or a flood, ever prevent you from opening your pub.
  • Product liability insurance: To cover you for any issues with the products you sell in your pub, such as food and drink.

Read our full guide to pub insurance.

What Else to Consider When Opening a Pub

Choosing a Location For Your Pub

Your pub’s location may be the biggest driver of your future success. As we will see below, when it comes to choosing a location for your pub, your ultimate decision may ultimately come down to your budget. But you should certainly consider the following when sourcing possible locations:

  • How will people get to your pub? Is it in a public area with lots of footfall? And if not, is there adequate parking onsite or nearby? And what are the public transport links like?
  • Customer base. What sort of people live in the area where you will be opening your pub? How old are they, and what is their average income? Understand the local demographics and you will have a better idea of how you can tailor your pub to meet their preferences.
  • Are there any other pubs in the area? Are they successful, or are they struggling? What are they doing that you could emulate? And crucially, what are they not doing that you might be able to do better?

How Much Does it Cost to Open a Pub?

The amount it will cost to open a pub will depend on whether you want to enter a pub tenancy, or buy a pub outright.

  • Pub Tenancy – This means that you will run an established pub for a set amount of time, which is usually around five years, without taking out your own pub lease or freehold. According to Greene King, which offers pub tenancies as well as franchise options, it costs at least £20,000 to enter a pub tenancy agreement.
  • Buying a Pub Outright – The amount you pay to outright buy a pub will depend on the pub’s location, and its condition. The overall costs of acquiring and refurbishing the property could easily reach five or six figures.

Calculating Your Pub Running Costs

  • Equipment, fixtures, and fittings: You will have to make an initial investment in a POS system; in fridges, coolers, and racks; in bar furniture; in lighting and décor, and in glassware and other barware. If you want to serve food, you will also need kitchen equipment. As well as the initial setup costs, you will also have to consider the ongoing costs of maintaining this equipment, and of repairing and replacing items where necessary.
  • Utility costs: You will have to pay for gas, power, and water. Businesses pay different rates for utilities than homes. Take a look at the latest UK business energy rates.
  • Supplies: You will regularly need to order new barrels and casts of beer and ale, while also keeping your supplies of wines, spirits, and soft drinks topped up. And if you want to serve food, you will also have to stay on top of your food stock. Pubs often enter a contract with a specific brewer to help streamline this process, as it may mean that they only have a single point of contact for arranging supplies.
  • Business rates: This is a tax applied to all properties that are used for business purposes. The good news is that pubs are eligible for the Business Rates Relief scheme. Head to the Government’s website for more information on how to apply.

Get Dedicated Pub Insurance From James Hallam

As an independent Lloyd’s broker, we have been providing dedicated insurance solutions to hundreds of pubs and bars across the UK since 1982. With our specialist Touchstone scheme, we can design a pub insurance package to match your unique requirements, whether you run a traditional pub in a small village, a high street wine bar, or a pop-up bar at events.

Learn more about our bespoke insurance services for pubs.

 

Risks Facing Hotels in 2026, and How To Mitigate Them
Risks Facing Hotels in 2026, and How To Mitigate Them 1000 667 James Hallam

In this post we will take a look at some of the trends and challenges that hotels may have to deal with in 2026. We will also explore how hotels and other hospitality businesses may manage and mitigate these risks.

Key Risks Facing Hotels

In 2026, we expect to see a range of risks continuing to impact the hospitality industry. In particular, we expect to see hotels continue to face the following challenges:

  • Cyberattacks
  • Rising Costs and falling profits
  • Staff shortages

We’ll look at these risks in more detail and explore what hotels can do to help mitigate the risk.

Cyberattacks for Client Data

Cybercriminals are getting smarter every year. Advances in artificial intelligence means that their cyberattacks are getting harder to detect, and harder to resist.

Hotels are prime targets for cybercriminals. Hotels store lots of valuable client data on their systems, and it is unlikely that your hotel staff will have received dedicated cybersecurity training to help them understand the risks.

How can your hotel meet the growing risk of cybercrime?
Through investing in staff training, and in advanced cybersecurity solutions. You could also acquire specialist cyber insurance. In the event of a cyberattack, cyber insurance can provide cover for customer data loss, for system breaches, and for any legal fees you might face following the incident.

Be sure to read our full guide to cyber insurance, and what it covers.

Rising Costs, Falling Profits

In recent years, hotels have struggled with rising energy prices and supply costs. And the problem is that guests are also feeling the pinch. If fewer people can afford holidays, then hotels across the world will see their profits tumble.

How can hotels mitigate the risk of rising costs?
There are a few ways in which hotels can stay afloat in this precarious economic landscape:

Hotel Staff Shortages

Across the world, hotels are struggling to attract and retain the skilled staff they need to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Low wages, demanding working conditions, and a lack of career progression means that many have left the industry to look for better paid and less stressful opportunities.

How can hotels tackle staff shortages?
How can you recruit and keep talented workers in such an environment? Through endeavouring to be the best possible employer:

  • Pay your staff as generously as you can. Also think about benefits, including healthcare, paid sick leave, pension contributions, and staff discounts. Yes, all of this will increase your overheads. But investing in your staff can lead to vastly improved customer satisfaction scores; while reducing staff turnover will help you make savings on recruitment costs.
  • Think about the work/life balance. Hotels run round the clock, which can lead to unpredictable rotas and unsociable hours. Consider ways you can help your staff manage these demands, such as through flexible hours, job sharing, time-off-in-lieu, and so on.
  • Aim to create a culture of open communication. Encourage your staff to talk about their concerns, and you may be able to intervene and offer solutions before any serious problems arise. Your frontline staff may also have some great ideas on how you might improve your hotel’s overall operational efficiency too.

Will Your Hotel Insurance Give You The Cover You Need in 2026?

Finally, as we enter the new year, it may be worth reviewing your hotel insurance to ensure it is still giving you the cover you need. The risk landscape for hotels is changing all the time, so a “comprehensive” policy from a few years ago may not necessarily cover you for all risks today.

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance specialists. We are committed to protecting your hotel, your staff, and your guests from every risk you might possibly face in 2026 and beyond.

Find out how we can help you get a bespoke and cost-effective hotel insurance policy today.

 

Why Has Hairdresser Insurance Been Increasing?
Why Has Hairdresser Insurance Been Increasing? 1000 667 James Hallam

If you are a hairdresser, or you run a hair salon, then you have probably noticed a rise in the cost of hairdresser insurance over the past few years.

In this post we will take a closer look at the issue, exploring some of the underlying causes and outlining how you can best protect yourself, and your customers, as a hairdresser.

How Much Is the Cost of Hairdresser Insurance Rising?

The cost of public liability insurance for hairdressers has almost doubled over a period of two years. In 2023, hairdressers were paying, on average, £47 a year for a public liability policy. By 2025, they were paying £93 for an annual policy. This means that the cost of cover increased by almost 100%.

In the same period, public liability insurance for hair salons decreased slightly, from an average of £230 a year in 2023, to £201 a year in 2025.

Do I Need Public Liability Insurance as a Hairdresser?

Public liability insurance is essential for hairdressers and salon owners. This will cover your customers, along with other members of the public, for any accidents or injuries that may happen as a result of your work, whether that is in a salon or elsewhere.

If a customer injures themselves on your premises, or if you cause an accident on your customer’s property, they may make a claim against you. In this case, your public liability insurance would cover your legal fees, along with any compensation payments that may arise.

What Is Causing The Rise in Hairdresser Insurance?

The Impact of Inflation
The rising cost of hairdresser insurance can largely be attributed to inflation, which has increased insurance costs for all businesses. The hair and beauty sector may have seen a higher rate of claims in recent years too, which will have contributed to rising premiums.

However, there is another important underlying cause at play.

The increasing prevalence of independent and freelance hairdressers
Independent hairdressers may work from their own premises, or they may rent a chair in a salon. Some may even do home visits. This creates a lot of potential for accidents and injuries: Slips, trips, and falls in a salon; spilled hair products in a client’s home; unattended hair straighteners leading to a fire; and so on.

Growing numbers of independent hairdressers means insurers may have to consider a much broader range of risks and, potentially, more frequent and costly insurance claims. This, unfortunately, will drive up the cost of cover for all hairdressers and salon owners.

How to Keep Yourself and Your Clients Safe

Effective risk management is vital for keeping you, your customers, and your premises safe, and comprehensive hairdresser insurance is an essential part of this.

Many businesses are currently struggling with rising costs, and increased insurance premiums certainly will not be helping.

Do Not Go Without Public Liability Insurance
However, no hairdresser or salon owner should go without public liability insurance. Accidents happen, and if they do, your liability insurance will help you meet all costs. Without this cover, you would be liable to meet these considerable expenses yourself.

Compare Quotes or Use an Independent Broker
If you are worried about the rising cost of cover, there may be some ways you can make savings. Be sure to compare quotes from multiple providers to ensure you are getting the best deal. Some insurers will also provide a discount if you get a combined policy, rather than a number of separate policies.

Working with a dedicated insurance broker can also make a huge difference. At James Hallam, we have helped hundreds of hairdressers and salon owners across the UK get the specialist insurance they need at a truly competitive price.

Find out how we can help you today.

What Insurance Do I Need as a Photographer?
What Insurance Do I Need as a Photographer? 1000 667 James Hallam

If you are a professional photographer, you will need dedicated insurance to cover you, and your customers, for the specific risks associated with your role.

In this post we will outline the key forms of cover for photographers, including some forms of cover that you may be required to get by law.

What Insurance Do Photographers Need?

There are a number of risks which photographers and videographers face due to the nature of their job. As a result, photographers should consider the following types of insurance as essential:

  • Equipment insurance
  • Employer’s liability insurance (legally required for employers)
  • Public liability insurance
  • Professional indemnity insurance

We’ll explore each of these to look at what they cover and what it means to you and your photography business.

Photography Equipment Insurance

Equipment insurance, which may be referred to as contents insurance, will cover your expensive equipment for loss, damage, or theft. This can include your camera, lenses, lights, laptop, smartphone, development equipment, and whatever else you use as part of your role.

If any of this equipment is lost, damaged, or stolen, your insurance can cover you for repairs or replacements.

Employer’s Liability Insurance

If you hire any staff, then you have a legal obligation to get employer’s liability insurance. This will cover your staff for any accidents or injuries they may experience while working for you.

You need employer’s liability insurance even if you only hire a single temporary assistant for a few hours a week. And you even need this form of cover if friends occasionally help you out.

Public Liability Insurance

This will cover members of the public for any accidents or injuries that may occur while you are working. If a member of the public makes a claim against you, then your public liability insurance can cover your legal fees, along with any compensation payments that may arise.

Here are some situations where your public liability insurance would provide essential cover:

  • While photographing a wedding, a guest trips and falls over a loose wire, or one of your bags.
  • While visiting a client’s home or premises for a shoot, you accidentally damage their property, such as through spilling a cup of coffee on their carpet.
  • A client, contractor, delivery person, or other member of the public slips, trips, or falls while visiting your photography studio.

Professional Indemnity Insurance for Photographers

This can cover you for claims involving negligence, breach of contract or trust, or defamation.  Depending on the sort of photography work you do, professional indemnity insurance may prove invaluable:

  • If you are a product or a fashion photographer, your client may not be satisfied with your work. They may make a claim against you, alleging that your work did not meet the terms of your contract.
  • If you are a photojournalist, the subject of one of your photos may feel that your work does not paint them in the most flattering light. As a result, they may make a claim of defamation against you.
  • If you are an event photographer, someone may allege that you took their picture without their consent. This could result in a claim of breach of confidentiality or trust.

In each case, your professional indemnity insurance would cover your legal fees along with any compensation that may arise as a result of a claim.

Get Dedicated Photographer Insurance From James Hallam

At James Hallam, we are proud to support the photographic industry sector through our sponsorship of:

  • The British Institute of Professional Photographers
  • The Association of Photographers
  • The Master Photographers Association

We understand your unique insurance requirements, and you can count on us to get the specialist cover you need at a competitive price.

Learn more about our specialist photographer insurance services.

 

 

What AI Tools Are Travel Agents Using and How Do They Affect The Industry?
What AI Tools Are Travel Agents Using and How Do They Affect The Industry? 1000 667 James Hallam

Many travel agents have turned to advanced AI tools to help them in their day to day role. In this post we will look at some of the key AI tools travel agents are using, and explore how they are changing the industry.

How Travel Agents Are Using AI

There are a number of uses of AI for travel agents to help them with their day to day tasks, and to do an outstanding job for their customers. There are a number of key ways travel agents are using AI at the moment, including to help:

  • Plan trips and anticipate up-coming trends
  • Tailor exceptional experiences for their customers and their interests
  • Offer real-time customer service

We’ll explore the specific AI tools travel agents are using to help with each of these tasks and what exactly they can help with.

AI Tools For Travel Agents Planning Trips and Identifying Trends

Some AI tools are specifically designed to make life easier for travel agents when it comes to planning complex trips:

  • Pruvo – This application uses AI models to monitor hotel prices after booking, sending automatic alerts if it detects a price drop. Travel agents can use this service to help their clients make significant savings on the cost of accommodation.
  • Mindtrip – This application can plan personalised trips based on a user’s preferences. The travel agent may need to check on the quality and the feasibility of the app’s suggestions, but this can still make planning tailored travel itineraries a lot quicker and easier.
  • Clickup – This application relies on dedicated AI prompts to help travel agents identify trending destinations and generate personalised itineraries, all while navigating the complex regulatory landscape.

AI Admin Tools For Travel Agents

These AI tools can automate certain admin tasks, which can help travel agents streamline their processes:

  • Legalese Decoder – Ever struggled to understand how certain laws and regulations may impact international travel? This application uses AI to simplify complicated legal documents, to help you ensure your trips stay compliant with all relevant laws. Skimit is a similar tool that can summarise lengthy articles and documents, helping travel agents stay on top of the latest travel trends.
  • Runware – Formally known as PicFinder, this is a tool that can automatically source high quality images to suit your specific content needs. Combined with an AI outreach tool such as Hotreach, this can make content marketing a lot easier for travel agents.

AI Customer Service Tools For Travel Agents

Finally, many travel agents have started to explore the potential of chatbots for providing high quality, real-time customer service around the clock. Previously, customers had to call or email their travel agents and wait for a response, which may have taken hours, or even days. But with chatbots, customers can quickly get the information they need, precisely when they need it.

Advanced chatbots are driven by Natural Language Processing (NLP). This gives them a greater understanding of context and nuance, which makes them much more effective at responding to customer requests and queries. They can even handle cancellation requests and visa questions.

Kayak on ChatGPT is one such chatbot that can help users quickly make detailed travel plans. Some travel agents are looking for ways to integrate such chatbots into their apps, websites, and booking platforms, enabling them to deliver high quality customer service and tailored travel experiences with ease.

Looking To Enhance Your Travel Agent Services With Advanced AI Tools?

At James Hallam, we specialise in providing bespoke insurance packages to UK travel businesses. We are the trusted insurance brokers to ABTA and AITO, and we have close partnerships with ABTOT, Advantage, ABTOI, PTS and ITT.

These specialist travel bodies are actively exploring the potential of AI for transforming the world of travel. So if you want to revolutionise your processes with advanced AI tools, our trusted partners will certainly be able to help. And at the same time, we can help you ensure you have the dedicated insurance you need to cover you and your customers for whatever the future might hold.

Find out how we can help you today.

 

What Does Solicitors Professional Indemnity Insurance Cover?
What Does Solicitors Professional Indemnity Insurance Cover? 1000 667 James Hallam

Professional indemnity insurance is an essential form of cover for all solicitors and law firms. In this post we will explain what solicitors professional indemnity insurance covers; to help you understand why you need it.

What Is Professional Indemnity Insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance, sometimes referred to as PI insurance, can cover law firms, along with sole practitioners, partners, and other employees, against claims of negligence, breach of trust or confidentiality, or defamation.

If someone makes a claim against a law firm, professional indemnity insurance can cover any legal costs that arise, plus any compensation payments that may be due. If you or your firm does not have professional indemnity insurance cover, then you or your firm will be liable to cover these costs.

Who Needs Professional Indemnity Insurance?

The Law Society outlines a few scenarios in which you are required to get solicitors professional indemnity insurance:

  • You are a solicitor working in private practice.
  • You work in-house for clients other than your employer, particularly if you provide commercial legal advice services.
  • You work at a law centre, at a charity, or at another non-commercial legal advice service provider.
  • You work for a foreign law firm.

There is no such requirement to get professional indemnity insurance if you only work in-house for your employer (as your employer will most likely have cover in place); or if your firm operates entirely overseas. However, some overseas jurisdictions may impose their own indemnity insurance requirements.

What Does Solicitors Professional Indemnity Insurance Cover?

If one of your clients makes a financial loss as a result of using your service, they may make a claim against you. Professional indemnity insurance can cover you for:

Negligence Claims
For example, a solicitor provides conveyancing services as part of a house purchase, and they neglect to request certain key documents, such as building regulations approval for extensions and renovations. The buyers may ultimately receive a fine for non-compliance with regulations. If so, they could make a claim against their conveyancing solicitors, for failing to properly research the compliance before the sale.

Breach of Trust or Confidentiality Claims
For example, a solicitor may accidentally leave a laptop or another device on a train, which could compromise sensitive client data. This could put clients at risk of data fraud or identity theft. As a result, some clients may make a claim against the solicitor on the grounds of breach of trust or confidentiality.

Defamation Claims
A client may feel that a solicitor has misrepresented them, whether in court or in dealings with other clients. If the client feels that they made a financial or a reputational loss as a result of this alleged defamation, they may make a claim against their solicitor.

Get The Specialist Solicitors Professional Indemnity Insurance You Need From James Hallam

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who care about protecting your business.

Whether you are an independent solicitor running a private practice, or you are a director or partner of a law firm, we can advise you on the regulatory requirements concerning professional indemnity insurance, and other forms of cover. We can then help you get the tailored cover you need at a competitive price.

Find out how we can help you today.

Beach Huts vs Second Homes: Mudeford Owners Push Back on Council Tax Reclassification
Beach Huts vs Second Homes: Mudeford Owners Push Back on Council Tax Reclassification 1000 750 James Hallam

Beach hut owners on Mudeford Spit, Dorset, are investigating the legal basis of proposals that could see their huts reclassified as second homes for council tax purposes.

BCP Council, which covers Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, plans to remove discounted tax rates on the iconic sandbank huts, meaning more than 300 owners may have to pay full council tax from April 2026, pending cabinet approval.

The Mudeford Sandbanks Beach Hut Association (MSBHA) has criticised the move, arguing that the policy is being applied to structures it describes as wooden sheds with no mains connections or individual toilet facilities.

There are 344 beach huts on the spit, many of which can only be stayed in overnight for part of the year and are used seasonally (typically up to 8 months annually). Despite their limited facilities, such as no running water, power, or private toilets, huts can command six-figure sale prices, sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of pounds.

How Much Could Council Tax Increase for Mudeford Huts?

While 2026/27 council tax rates will be formally set in February 2026, estimates based on current Band A property rates (2025/26) indicate:

Current council tax    Expected under second-home classification
£618 per year    £1,236 per year

This represents a 100% increase, effectively doubling annual council tax liabilities for affected owners.

BCP Council hopes the change will generate approximately £211,000 in additional revenue to help address a £9 million budget shortfall.

The proposal will be debated by the council cabinet on 14 January 2026.

Rising Fees, Stagnant Services: Owners Voice Frustration

The reclassification comes at a time when beach hut owners are already experiencing sharp cost pressures. Annual fees have nearly tripled to over £5,200, as the council moves to standardise coastal charges.

Many owners argue that they might accept increased fees if infrastructure and services improved but report minimal investment in facilities for decades.

What This Means for Beach Hut Owners

If approved, this decision could set a wider precedent for beach hut taxation across the UK, raising important questions:

  • How do councils define habitable property?
  • Can seasonal, non-serviced structures be fairly taxed as residential homes?
  • What legal challenges might arise from classification disputes?

One thing remains clear: beach huts are valuable assets exposed to weather, theft, fire, storm damage and coastal risk and require specialist insurance protection, now more than ever.

Protect Your Beach Hut with Specialist Insurance

At James Hallam, we arrange tailored insurance solutions designed specifically for coastal properties.

Whether your hut is for family use, rental income, or long-term ownership, having the right policy ensures you’re protected against unexpected financial loss.

Unlike traditional home insurance, a specialist policy can provide:

  • Protection for high-value huts
  • Storm, flood and coastal weather damage cover
  • Fire and theft protection
  • Public liability (important for rental owners)
  • Contents cover designed for seasonal use 

Protection for High-Value Huts

Our beach hut scheme provides cover for huts with a rebuild value up to £50,000 and contents up to £10,000.

If a hut’s rebuild value exceeds £50,000, it may fall outside the scheme limits. In these cases, we can explore alternative options, such as a specialist holiday home policy. Please note that this may not offer the same tailored cover as our beach hut scheme.

We work with specialist insurers and will always aim to place huts under the beach hut scheme where possible, provided the rebuild value is within the £50,000 limit. For huts above this threshold, we’ll advise on the most suitable alternative cover.

Get a quote or speak to our insurance specialists today

 

What Happens If You Leave a House Empty?
What Happens If You Leave a House Empty? 1000 667 James Hallam

If you own a second home or a holiday home, then it is likely that your property will be left empty for months at a time.

In this post we will discuss the main risks associated with leaving a house empty; while exploring some steps you can take to secure your property while it is unoccupied.

What to Consider When Leaving a House Empty

There are a number of things to consider if you’re going to be leaving your house empty or unoccupied for a significant period of time (over 30 days), including:

  • Home insurance implications
  • Risks of leaving your house empty
  • Utilities
  • Security

In this post, we’ll discuss each of these in more detail and what you can do to help keep your house safe when it’s unoccupied.

Home Insurance For Empty Properties

The first thing to bear in mind when leaving a house empty is that, typically, home insurance policies will only cover occupied homes. The cover will not apply if you leave the home unoccupied for a specified period of time. In many policies, you can only leave a home unoccupied for 30 days before your cover expires.

So if you own a second home or a holiday home, no matter what steps you take to secure your property, it is a good idea to arrange for a dedicated insurance policy to cover your home whenever you leave it unoccupied.

Read our full guide to second home insurance.

What Are The Risks of Leaving a House Empty?

There are many risks associated with leaving a house empty. The main issue is that, if anything goes wrong in the house, it could be months before you or anyone else finds out. This means that small issues could ultimately snowball into major disasters.

Theft and Vandalism

Thieves may actively target empty properties, as they know that it could be months before anyone discovers the break-in. Vandals may target the home for similar reasons. Vandalism and forced entry could also leave the home vulnerable to other issues, such as trespassers and water damage.

Floods and Escape of Water

A house does not have to be located on a flood plain to be vulnerable to flooding. Low temperatures could cause the pipes to freeze and burst, which could result in escape of water and extensive water damage.

Fire

A fire could break out for any number of reasons, whether as a result of an electrical fault or arson. Fire could also spread from an outbreak in a neighbouring property. As we mentioned above, if your home is unoccupied, then even a small fire could soon escalate into a devastating blaze. And even if the fire is contained, if you are not around to address the damage, it could result in long-term structural damage.

How To Keep Your Empty Home Safe

First, be sure to get some dedicated second home insurance to cover your property. A standard home insurance policy simply will not give you the cover you need.

Should You Switch Off The Utilities in an Empty Home?

It might seem like a good idea to turn off the water, electric, and gas when your home is unoccupied. But there are a few things to consider:

  • A house without any power will look unoccupied, which may encourage any burglars and vandals in the area to break in.
  • You may need an electrical supply to power the home’s security systems while you are away.
  • It may be a condition of certain policies for the heating to be left on in the winter months. This will prevent the pipes from freezing, which will help prevent floods.
  • It could cost money to disconnect the home’s utilities, and it could cost you even more money to reconnect them again. Put simply, switching off the utilities could be more trouble than it is worth.

Keeping Your Empty Home Secure

Above all, never make it obvious that any property you own will be unoccupied. This means that you should not share posts on social media talking about your property while hinting at when you will, and will not, be around.

  • Invest in CCTV cameras, extra locks, automatic floodlights, alarms, and other security systems. Some CCTV systems allow you to monitor the feeds remotely, meaning you can personally check up on any alerts in real-time.
  • You could also invest in alarm systems that automatically alert the local emergency services, so that they can check up on incidents if you are not around to do so.
  • Consider appointing a house sitter, or an onsite security guard, to monitor the property while you are not around.
  • If possible, lease the property as a holiday home any time you are not using it. This will create additional insurance implications, but it will at least mean that the home is not left empty for too long.
  • Arrange for any mail to get redirected whenever you are not around. If your second home is in the UK, you can use the Royal Mail’s redirection service.
  • You could also talk to your neighbours and ask them to keep an eye on your house when you are not around. They could collect any packages that delivery drivers may leave on or around the house, and you could also ask them to look out for any suspicious activity.

Get Dedicated Second Home and Holiday Home Insurance From James Hallam

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who specialise in protecting your second home, whether it is in the UK or abroad.

We can also provide expert risk management advice to help you keep your second home secure whenever you leave it unoccupied.

Find out how we can help you today.

 

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