Residential Conveyancing

Landlords beware (again!) - new deposit rules now in force

Posted on: 10/05/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Residential Conveyancing

The government has now acted to give this law its teeth back. From 6th April 2012, by the Localism Act 2011 the law has been considerably tightened up.

Landlords must comply with new tenancy deposit rules

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Residential Conveyancing

Landlords need to ensure they comply with tougher new tenancy deposit rules which came into effect on 6th April.

If they fail to do so, they could face fines and find it harder to evict tenants.

More 'reluctant landlords' entering the housing rental market

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Residential Conveyancing

The number of homes coming on to the rental market because their owners cannot sell them is increasing, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Be prepared for Bank of Mum and Dad debt call

Posted on: 07/02/2012 - Residential Conveyancing

Home-buyers who turn to the “bank of mum and dad” and increasingly the bank of grandparents to buy their home to prepare for the all eventualities, as generous family members tighten their belts.

Stamp Duty Holiday to End

Posted on: 07/02/2012 - Residential Conveyancing

With the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers buying properties under £250,000 due to end on March 24, there could be a rush to buy amongst first time buyers.

Local authorities lose appeal over planning permission for HMOs

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

Three councils have lost their appeal for a judicial review of the Coalition Government’s decision to scrap the need for planning permission when converting single dwellings into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Don't overlook new tax relief for property investors

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

Investors buying properties consisting of two or more flats could be spending far more than necessary if they don’t take advantage of a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief introduced in the Finance Act 2011.

£400m and mortgage indemnity scheme to boost home building

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Residential Conveyancing

Ministers have announced plans to boost the construction industry and help people to buy a new home.

The two key measures are a £400m ‘GetBritainBuilding’ fund and a scheme in which the Government will provide indemnity for mortgages of up to 95% of the value of new houses.

Government calls time on unfair practices that restrict pubs

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The Government has announced a number of reforms to end unfair practices which it says have been holding back Britain’s pubs.

Ministers say the strengthened code will abolish the enforcement of upward-only rent reviews and force pub companies to be transparent with their lessees on issues such as charges for dilapidation repairs and income from gaming machines. 

Businesses need customers to protect a trading name

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Residential Conveyancing

The High Court has made it clear that having a business reputation is not enough to justify the protection of a trading name – the business must also be able to show that it has customers in the UK.

Landlords still being hit by unfair terms from letting agents

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned that consumer landlords are still being presented with potentially unfair terms in contracts with some letting agents.

Government to release enough land for 100,000 new homes

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Residential Conveyancing

The Government plans to release enough public land to build 100,000 new homes.

Tenancy deposit protection "still misunderstood by landlords"

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

It is now four years since tenancy deposit protection schemes were introduced yet some people still don’t realise they are a legal requirement, according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

Energy performance certificates needed for holiday lets

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

Landlords who rent out a holiday home on a regular basis will soon need an Energy Performance Certificate or risk facing a fine.

New credit directive gives more protection to consumers

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Residential Conveyancing

The new EU Consumer Credit Directive has now come into force giving more protection and power to consumers.

Private rented sector 'to continue expanding into 2012'

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The demand for rental property will continue to outstrip supply until at least next year, according to research by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Localism Bill could 'cause chaos' in the property market

Posted on: 30/03/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The Localism Bill could cause uncertainty and chaos in the property market, according to the Law Society.

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