Residential service charges
This article endeavours to explain what a service charge is, when consultation is required, the penalties for failing to comply with consultation requirements and the time limits for making service charge demands. […]
Tenancy deposit schemes
Many private residential landlords, particularly those with large tenant portfolios, will be concerned by a recent County Court decision. The court held that, even if the tenancy deposit had been protected at the outset of the fixed term of the assured shorthold tenancy (AST), the registration requirements must be followed when a statutory tenancy arose [...]
Home Buying – A Brief Guide to the Conveyancing Process
Buying a house is an exciting event in many people’s lives. Whether you’re a first time buyer or a veteran of the property ladder, the process of buying and selling a house is littered with potential pitfalls. […]
Co-ownership of property – A Checklist
Co-owners can own a property in one of two ways: As joint tenants. As tenants in common. It is important to specify how you want to own the property when you are buying it, to avoid any uncertainty in the future. […]
Tenancy Deposit Schemes
A recent High Court case has highlighted the obligations that are owed to a tenant under the terms of a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). The decision has significance for both landlords and their agents. […]
Party Walls checklist
This checklist highlights the key features of the law that governs work on a party wall. It summarises the steps for existing walls, new walls and excavation works. It also explains the consequences of failing to follow the correct procedures. […]
Implications of the increase to the AST rent threshold
From 1 October 2010, legislation will come into force in England that increases the annual rent threshold for an assured tenancy to £100,000. At the moment, a tenancy cannot be an assured tenancy if the rent is more than £25,000 a year. These tenancies are known as “common law tenancies”. […]
Channel 4 advice – shop around for your HIP
Anyone wishing to put their house on the market should shop around for their Home Information Pack. […]
Buying a repossession property – key considerations
With repossession properties being sold on average at a third less than their market value, and in some instances even less, you are right to think that they offer excellent opportunities to investors, developers, first time buyers and a wide range of purchasers. […]