Legal
‘Shocking’ lack of knowledge about leases is a ‘ticking time bomb’
A law firm has warned of a "shocking" lack of knowledge about how leases work and the consequences of failing to extend, after carrying out a major survey of UK property owners.
Required Reading: How to work with restrictive covenants
Although you might think your hands are tied, there are a number of ways to deal with the existing private agreements that may be hanging over a site, says Glenda Ferneyhough...
No-go for Veyo as Law Society and Mastek ‘decide against further investment’
After all that, it sounds like the Law Society and Mastek have taken the call to bin "game-changing" online conveyancing portal Veyo.
Holland Park basement developer hit with hefty fine
A developer has been ordered to pay £4k in fines and costs for cracking on with a basement extension after being served up with a stop notice.
Offshore Storm: The future of UK residential property structures for non-UK domiciliaries
Kate Rees-Doherty talks us through the current state of play and has some advice for those who might be affected by the new raft of measures designed to encourage the transfer of properties out of offshore…
Conveyancer jailed for £350k stamp duty swindle
A conveyancer from north west London has been jailed for three years and four months after being found guilty of "swindling" his clients and HMRC out of £352,500 in stamp duty.
Adverse Effects: Squatters, property developers, landowners and the law
In the wake of recent high-profile cases involving a property on Grosvenor Street in Mayfair, the former Stock Exchange building in Manchester and land near the Magna Carta memorial in Surrey, Nick Martyn…
Superprime Cybercrime: Avoiding and dealing with property transaction scams
Increasingly sophisticated methods of cybercrime are causing havoc for property investors and law firms, with conveyancing firms proving particularly vulnerable.
HNW advisory Berkeley Hurrell bolsters legal team
Boutique resi property and private wealth firm Berkeley Hurrell has strengthened its PCL offering with the hire of Beth Carey as solicitor.
Required Reading: Selling a property with a nuisance neighbour
Trying to shift a property with a nasty neighbour can be pretty nightmarish, but a recent ruling could provide some hope for harangued homeowners, explains Ed White...
Required Reading: Understanding Building Regulations
Building regs can sometimes be overlooked in the course of a transaction, but non-compliance can have expensive and potentially dangerous real world consequences.
Watch Where You Tread: Wooden floors and leasehold apartments
It might look great, but the potential consequences of installing wooden flooring in breach of lease can be pretty expensive. Denielle Rickman and Rachel Kerr advise on how to avoid any slip ups...