Legal
Required Reading: Changes to the planning regime for high rise residential buildings due this summer
Developers may have to submit a fire statement alongside a planning application for relevant multi-occupied residential buildings from 1 August 2021, write Fiona Bishop & Rebecca Delaney of Macfarlanes.
Conveyancers can now quickly check estimated completion dates on the Land Registry
The Land Registry has added an instant "Estimated Completion Date" to its View My Applications portal.
Five definitions that have ‘the potential to profoundly improve’ international real estate markets
Billed as a "world-first" that "has the potential to profoundly improve consistency" of international real estate markets, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has published new global best practice…
RICS launches boundary dispute mediation service
The Boundary Disputes Mediation Service has been set up by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Property Litigation Association to provide a quicker and less costly alternative to litigation.
AML warning for letting agents as HMRC deadline looms
‘The ramifications of not being prepared or compliant are serious and could result in an onerous fine or even worse the long-term reputational damage of a business,’ says AML specialist.
Housebuilder sues for £6m over tax advice
London property developer Mount Anvil is reportedly suing KPMG after receiving an unexpectedly large tax bill.
New app promises to solve complex Stamp Duty calculations
"Compass" has been created by a team from Cornerstone Tax Advisors.
Holland Park neighbours block architect’s new-build home on aesthetic grounds
Well-known architect Sophie Hicks has lost the latest round in her battle to build a modern house in Kensington.
How agents can & should protect vendors from dual fees
"In today’s competitive housing market, it is not uncommon for sellers to move agents", says Paul Offley.
Majority of leaseholders think service charges are ‘unfair’
Nearly three-quarters of recent leasehold buyers think service charges are "unfair", according to some new research, while nearly all (96%) would like more transparency over how charges are spent.
What ‘material information’ should be legally required on property listings?
"Consumers want more information", says National Trading Standards's Estate and Letting Agency team, as it launches a survey to find out what property agents think should be essential on all portal listings.
On stamp duty deadlines & search insurance
Local search indemnity insurance has come to the fore as buyers look to beat the new stamp duty deadlines, writes Lucy Barber.