Category Archives: Conveyancing & Property Development

Agricultural Property Relief – is planting trees the best option for your estate?

For those farmers engaging in succession planning, it’s well known that farmland in the UK is eligible for Agricultural Property Relief (APR) which provides 100% relief from Inheritance Tax (IHT) and that Tenancies under the 1986 Agricultural Holdings Act, are afforded 50% Inheritance Tax relief. What remains less-well known is that land which is turned…

Upcoming EPC changes to rental properties

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…

Building Safety Act 2022 – Protecting Leaseholders from building safety costs

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).…

Frank Smith, Managing Partner of Frank Smith & Co Solicitors reveals what it is he loves about his job. I am the managing partner of Frank Smith & Co Solicitors in Cheltenham. I set the business up on 2016 to deal with a range of legal matters. We cover all legal matters from agriculture to…

We wish to join the nation in congratulating HM The Queen on an unprecedented 70 year reign of duty and service to all her peoples. From all at Frank Smith & Co Solicitors we hope that you and your loved ones enjoy the long weekend of Jubilee celebrations.

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…

Potential Development Land – What You Need to Know

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,…

Category Archives: Conveyancing & Property Development

Agricultural Property Relief – is planting trees the best option for your estate?

Upcoming EPC changes to rental properties

Tied to the Mast

Building Safety Act 2022 – Protecting Leaseholders from building safety costs

Does a mobile home have to be mobile?

Capital Gains Tax on second homes

Meet the MD – Cotswold Life

HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee

Tackling Onerous Ground Rents

Potential Development Land – What You Need to Know

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