Category Archives: Conveyancing & Property Development

The Government has published plans to change the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating required for rental properties. The current regulations state that only properties with an EPC rating of A to E are legally allowed to be rented, and it is now being proposed that all rental properties will need an EPC rating of…

Landowners who accommodate mobile masts on their land have recently responded to a survey describing a substantial drop in received rental payments. Although something of an eyesore, not to mention an inconvenience, these masts were once a good source of income for landowners.  In recent years, however, the needs of the public have eclipsed the…

Leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act came into force on 28 June 2022. It looks to deliver protections for qualifying leaseholders from the costs associated with remediating historical building safety defects, and further measures that will allow those responsible for building safety defects to be held to account. The Act makes it clear that…

Disputes between caravan owners and local council planning officials over the status of mobile homes are something of a longstanding concern. Are these caravans mobile homes or developments? Recently, in the Appeal of Sally Turner a lawful development certificate was refused by Canterbury council for siting a mobile home for use ancillary to the main…

Tax implications, in respect of property, vary depending on numerous factors such as whether you are buying or selling and whether it is your main or secondary home. Generally, you won’t need to pay tax on the sale of your main home. However, second homes and buy-to-let properties are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT).…

Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 – Tackling onerous ground rents The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 is the first in a series of proposed reforms relating to residential leasehold properties and follows increasing pressure to deal with onerous ground rents. The purpose of the Act is to make owning a leasehold residential property…

Most landowners will have had some experience in either selling land for residential development or perhaps putting sites forward into local area plans. Often, the transaction will be very lengthy, costly and will require the need to maintain a clear line of communication throughout between the seller, solicitor and land agent. In spite of this,…

Regulating Future Telecommunications On the 28th December 2017, the Government made substantial revisions to the Electronic Communications Code to further regulate the telecoms market and to make it easier to formulate agreements with landowners. The consensus by those working in the industry is that the need for connectivity is increasing, but there is a delay…

  There are two scenarios where listed building consent is required: The total demolition of a listed building; and Alterations or extensions that would affect the listed building’s character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. That being said, not all works, or alterations carried out to a listed building require this specific…