Legal
Legal Ease: “Game-changing” conveyancing portal boots up for launch
The Law Society's "game-changing" paper-free conveyancing portal is gearing up for launch, with testing due to begin in early 2014
Pickles weighs in on rogue landlords
Eric Pickles has come down hard on "rogue landlords", publishing the first draft of the Tenants' Charter and launching a package of proposals designed to give more rights to private tenants
ATED avoiders must disclose schemes – or be fined up to £1m
In an effort to thwart tax avoidance, HMRC is demanding that all schemes designed to get around the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) be disclosed to them - or face a fine of up to £1 million.
LPE1 form to speed up leasehold transactions “by 5-10 days”
It's lift-off day for the new Leasehold Property Enquiries Form, or LPE1 to its friends.
Green light for Village Green development
It's now a bit easier to build on village greens, thanks to new landowner rights that came in yesterday (1st October 2013)
The Law Review: Village greens and unfair prices; constructive criticism and Planet Property
Mishcon de Reya’s round-up of the latest legal happenings in the property world.
Letting Away With It: The murky world of “secret commissions”
After a property maintenance firm claimed to "blow the whistle" this week, former lawyer Jonathan Monjack calls for an end to "secret commissions" throughout the rental sector..
Treasury targets holiday let tax dodgers
The Treasury is launching a new campaign to chase up landlords - including those with holiday lets - who don't pay every penny of tax due on rents they receive.
HMRC estimates that up to 1
Guidance published on advertising lettings fees
The Advertising Standards Authority has (finally) issued some guidelines on the compulsory inclusion of fees in advertising by lettings agents
Making a Mint: Property investment lessons from the Crown Estate
What can property investors learn from the Crown Estate's remarkable success, asks Nicky Richmond...
Root & Branch: Why the UK’s outdated property tax system needs a serious overhaul
Stamp duty is now at a level that jeopardises the economic viability of a property purchase; a sliding scale would make far more sense, says David Hannah...
Landlords policing immigration would be “bureaucratic and overly cumbersome” – RLA
The Residential Landlords’ Association has put in its official response to the Government’s consultation on plans to introduce mandatory tenant immigration checks (announced back in May) – opposing the pl…