Articles in ‘Property Disputes’ Category

The creation of online search portals for buying homes was a game changer for people looking to buy a house but it also changed the landscape for estate agents. But has this change marked an improvement in how we buy and sell houses? 

After only 27 days in the role, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak is ready to reveal his first ever budget, the UK’s first in over 18 months and first as a Non-EU member state in over 40 years. Although no one can be certain what will be inside the famous red box, from the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s comments within the last few months, it is likely we will see Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) take the stage in some way.

With the property market now in the spotlight our Residential Property team have a few thoughts on how to keep the transaction secure and limit the financial risks. Keeping yourself virus free is one thing, but if you are not careful your sale and purchase could become a costly victim of the virus too.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has taken drastic action to protect citizens. One promise it has given is that social and private tenants will not be evicted during these times of hardship. However, the temporary emergency legislation, the Coronavirus Bill (“the Bill”) actually says something a bit different.

While the government is supporting tenants by preventing them from being forced out of their homes during the pandemic there is no exemption from paying rent. Tenants are reminded that they do not have a right to pay a reduced rent or no rent. They remain under a legal obligation to pay rent in full.

Whilst the housing market is in lockdown, there may be opportunity to get your house in order to speed up selling your home when the restrictions lift.

How can the new build residential property market lead the way in the whole market getting back on track? Here we look at ten reasons that makes accelerating new build construction, the right choice in this unprecedented time.

The Coronavirus Act 2020 came into force on 26 March 2020 in England and Wales and will be in place until 30 September 2020.

The legislation covering assured shorthold tenancies, regulated tenancies and fully assured tenancies has made changes to the notice period for Section 21 notices and Section 8 notices.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted many, if not all, areas of our personal and business lives. But one area that has ground to a halt is the housing market. So if you were in the process of buying a house, or were looking whilst the lockdown took effect, we have put together a few FAQs for house buying during coronavirus.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is urging the Government to introduce an emergency stamp duty holiday to help revitalise the post-pandemic housing market. This is a measure that we would certainly support.

Associate Beth Heley in our Residential Property, Farms & Estates looks at the pros and cons of a simultaneous exchange and completion for residential property sales and purchases, as the country awaits guidance on easing the current lockdown measures.

Landlords have been able to make new possession claims during the lockdown but there has been a stay on the Court issuing new and progressing existing proceedings until 23 August 2020. Urgent changes have now been made by the Government dealing with how claims will be managed by the Court. Court Practice Direction 55C has been introduced and comes into force on the 23 August 2020. These temporary provisions will be in effect until 28 March 2021