Blogs

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Could tiny homes help solve the housing crisis?

Earlier this week we blogged about last month's extension to permitted development rights. A major issue that PD has thrown up in the past is space standards, with some developers accused of exploiting the relaxation of planning rules to build very small residential ...

Permitted Development Rights - what do you think?

At the end of March, the Government gave the go-ahead to newly extended permitted development rights. This means commercial premises such as offices, shops and hospitality can now be converted into new homes without planning permission. Not everyone is happy about th...

Why both parties must commit to mediation - or it won't work

It seems that mediation is literally flavour of the month. Following hot on the heels of the announcement that TDS Resolution is expanding its mediation service, the Government has now published details of its own mediation pilot scheme.The Government initiative, ann...

Taking a property problem to court should always be the last resort

With the courts now facing at least a six month backlog of rent arrears cases alone, if you have a grievance with your landlord or tenant, it will be some time before you will be able to resolve the problem. This is hugely stressful – and potentially costly – for eve...

New lease-break app could be a life saver – but it comes with a caveat

The COVID-19 evictions ban has been extended again until May to support tenants facing rent arrears. But with pandemic restrictions now being eased and Government support coming to an end, some tenants will inevitably find themselves with rent to pay that they can no...

Whatever happened to building back greener?

What a mess. Over the weekend the Government announced it is pulling the £1.5bn Green Homes Grant in favour of delivering funding for energy efficient home improvements via local authorities. The failed scheme was only set up in September 2020 and is the second initi...

Don't forget - electrical checks are mandatory from 1 April

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 come into force for existing tenancies next week. From 1 April, all private landlords must ensure that electrical installations in their rental properties are inspected and tested...

Two new ways to speed up the homebuying process - we hope!

The launch of HM Land Registry’s first Digital Identity Standard on12 March sets the scene for conveyancers to check homebuyers’ identity online for the first time. This is good news for homebuyers because it means that in future identity verification can be done ‘an...

Leaseholders are struggling but spare a thought for your property manager too...

As well as the challenges of the pandemic, upcoming changes in the way agents manage buildings and the stresses created by residents’ own concerns about the blocks they live in are taking their toll on property managers. It's tough out there at the moment and the imp...

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Eviction ban is extended - again

The Government has announced a further delay to the end of the eviction ban, which will now run until 31 May. The latest extension has met with a mixed response. The industry is not impressed. Landlords’ ability to start court proceedings has been kicked even further...