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What our customers are asking:

What happens if they dont comply with the legislation?

Beneficial owners will not have an overseas entity ID and cannot register a change of interest at the relevant land registry. This will prohibit that entity from buying or selling property or land in the UK.

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What are the biggest causes of C02 or carbon emissions in the UK, housing sector influences?

The rise in C02 totalled 424.5m tonnes between 2021 and 2022. The increases were largely driven by transport (up by 10 percent), public service (up by 6.3 percent), and private business sectors (up by 5.9 percent). The fourth largest increase was in the residential ...

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What are obligations of landlords under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which stipulates that leaseholders must be consulted for major works or long-term agreements?

BDW Trading Ltd v South Anglia Housing: Section 20 ConsultationSummaryThe case of BDW Trading Ltd v South Anglia Housing is about obligations of landlords under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which stipulates that leaseholders must be consulted for m...

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How is Scottish Land & Estates proposing to address these issues?

The organisation is advocating for a more flexible approach. They want an open registration process maintained while actively engaging with the industry and its representatives to refine the regulations.

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How did coworking spaces become popular before the pandemic?

Before the pandemic, the GIG economy boosted the development of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces were popular among freelancers, professionals, and entrepreneurs who wanted to work in a professional environment for better networking opportunities.

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How does the tenancy agreement impact my rights in repair matters?

The tenancy agreement is a vital legal document outlining responsibilities. Understanding and applying it effectively can ensure protecting and enforcing your rights, especially when landlords fail in their repair obligations.

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how does The case of Johnson v County Bideford [2012] UKUT 457 (LC) deal with the issue of service charges in leasehold properties and the rights and obligations of leaseholders and landlords?

The case of Johnson v County Bideford [2012] UKUT 457 (LC) is a notable legal case that deals with the issue of service charges in leasehold properties and the rights and obligations of leaseholders and landlords.In this case, the claimant, Mr. Johnson, was a leaseho...

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Are agents obliged to offer a digital solution?

No. Currently, they dont have to offer a digital solution. However, the government is preparing the ground for letting agents embrace the digital-first approach. The process is faster and lessens the chances of fraud.

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What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?

The verdict serves as a clear warning to all building owners in Newham, underlining the necessity to promptly prioritise fire safety measures, including removing hazardous cladding. Failure to comply may lead to legal prosecution.

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How have service charges for flats changed over time?

Since 2018, service charges for flats in England and Wales have increased by 51.7 percent. It is the first time the average annual service charge has exceeded 1,000 per year. However, in the past 12 months, the increase has been more modest at 8.0 percent, aligning w...

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What is the LA FLEX scheme?

The LA FLEX scheme is suitable for households not receiving any benefits in the form of aid. The Local Authority Eligibility Flexibility (LA Flex) mechanism provides attractive discounts to households for energy efficiency upgrades. Under the LA FLEX scheme, the gov...

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What happens if the New Homes Ombudsman Service finds a developer in breach of the New Homes Quality Code?

If the New Homes Ombudsman Service determines that a developer has breached the New Homes Quality Code, they can order the developer to rectify the issues, provide compensation to the homebuyer, or take other appropriate actions to address the breach.

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What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods

Specifically the Act extents the limitation period to 15 years prospectively for claims under s1 and s2A (claims that accrue after the Act takes effect); and to 30 years retrospectively for claims under s1 (claims that accrued before the Act takes effect).

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Which types of buildings will fall under the higher risk regime?

Residential buildings (with at least two units), care homes, and hospitals that are 18m tall or have at least 7 storeys will be subject to the new regime.

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Why do we need a Company to run the block/site?

A company is need to run the block or site as under UK law only 4 people can own a title at land registry. The involvement of Freehold & Resident Management Companies enable larger groups of people to be in control of a block.

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When is an annual return required?

An annual return is required every year annually on the birthday of the company i.e. the anniversary of the date on which the company was incorporated.

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What are the risks of not doing Section 20 consultation properly?

You are at risk. However, since 2014 the Daejan vs Benson case suggests that a dispensation from consultation might be granted if it is just and reasonable to do so, eg, emergency communal heating failure in winter, else what you can recover from service charge paye...

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Why are rented homes becoming expensive in the UK?

The key reason for the increase in renting costs in the UK is the shortage of quality homes across the country. People who would ordinarily buy putting their plans on hold due to the cost of living crisis and rising mortgage rates, renting instead, and, the fact that...

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What measures should the UK government focus on to overcome the housing crisis?

The UK government needs to primarily focus on the supply side of the problem. This involves building more houses by providing available land and offering incentives for construction. Also, it is crucial to prioritise the quality and affordability of both new and exis...

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How much can households save with heat pumps?

Depending on energy prices, households can save substantially annually by using heat pumps with smart electricity tariffs and removing gas meters. Actual savings vary based on the heat pump's efficiency, but optimising insulation and radiators can further reduce costs.

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How will building biology make future homes more sustainable?

Building biology prioritises sustainability by encouraging eco-friendly practices and reducing environmental impact.

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What announcement was made by the Housing Secretary recently?

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the tenants. They have announced a series of measures that can provide relief to the affected tenants.

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There is a very bad Mould Problem in the Flat, I called the Management Company and after some time they sent round a Damp Specialist who told me that there wasn't a problem at the flat, Do I have the right to have my own “Specialist round?

Yes you do. The problem if not an obvious roof or gutter leak may well be condensation, an advice leaflet is attached to help you.

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What is the strategy for dealing with abusive and unreasonably persistent persons?

Termination of contact is the policy to deal with unreasonably persistent and rude persons.

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What are the 3 Notices called?

Stage 1 – Notice of intention. This notifies service charge payers of the planned works.Stage 2 – Notice of Estimates. This sets out quotations obtained for the work.Stage 3 – Notice of Reasons. If the contractor chosen was not the cheapest or is more expensive than...

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What is the BBRS Contemporary Scheme?

The BBRS Contemporary Scheme covers cases registered from 1 April 2019 onwards for businesses with a turnover of up to 10m per annum and total assets of up to 7.5m.

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We have 2 blocks on our estate - the leases provide that we collect service charges as a whole not block by block. At a previous AGM it was minuted that each block should have its own reserve towards its own repairs. This has been the convention since, but now this is being objected to by some and we need to understand how sound our decision was.

Sadly, you have fallen foul of the misconception that company resolutions can change leases. This is NEVER the case, so the minutes and intention is not enforceable in law an AGM should consider only the company accounts to be filed with companies house service charg...

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Is sharing The How to Rent Guide with tenants mandatory?

Yes, it has been made mandatory for the landlords to share the latest version of the How To Rent guide with the tenants at the beginning of the tenancy or on renewal since 10th June 2014. The guide has been updated 10 times since. The latest guide is March 2023.

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What is the difference between the Developer Remediation Contract 'DRC' and the Self Remediation Contract 'SRC'?

The Developer Remediation Contract 'DRC' applies in England and the Self Remediation Contract 'SRC' applies in Wales. Both are the government to address remedial works and life-critical fire safety defects in residential buildings measuring 11 meters or higher.

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What are the trading standards requirements for technology on words used for property listings?

The guidance was updated to enhance property-listing practices, making them more consumer-friendly and transparent, in line with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The terms formally defined are:Under Offer, Let Agreed, Let, New On The Mar...

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Ask our Experts

What our customers are asking:

What happens if they dont comply with the legislation?

What are the biggest causes of C02 or carbon emissions in the UK, housing sector influences?

What are obligations of landlords under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which stipulates that leaseholders must be consulted for major works or long-term agreements?

How is Scottish Land & Estates proposing to address these issues?

How did coworking spaces become popular before the pandemic?

How does the tenancy agreement impact my rights in repair matters?

how does The case of Johnson v County Bideford [2012] UKUT 457 (LC) deal with the issue of service charges in leasehold properties and the rights and obligations of leaseholders and landlords?

Are agents obliged to offer a digital solution?

What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?

How have service charges for flats changed over time?

What is the LA FLEX scheme?

What happens if the New Homes Ombudsman Service finds a developer in breach of the New Homes Quality Code?

What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods

Which types of buildings will fall under the higher risk regime?

Residential buildings (with at least two units), care homes, and hospitals that are 18m tall or have at least 7 storeys will be subject to the new regime.

Why do we need a Company to run the block/site?

When is an annual return required?

An annual return is required every year annually on the birthday of the company i.e. the anniversary of the date on which the company was incorporated.

What are the risks of not doing Section 20 consultation properly?

Why are rented homes becoming expensive in the UK?

What measures should the UK government focus on to overcome the housing crisis?

How much can households save with heat pumps?

How will building biology make future homes more sustainable?

Building biology prioritises sustainability by encouraging eco-friendly practices and reducing environmental impact.

What announcement was made by the Housing Secretary recently?

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the tenants. They have announced a series of measures that can provide relief to the affected tenants.

There is a very bad Mould Problem in the Flat, I called the Management Company and after some time they sent round a Damp Specialist who told me that there wasn't a problem at the flat, Do I have the right to have my own “Specialist round?

Yes you do. The problem if not an obvious roof or gutter leak may well be condensation, an advice leaflet is attached to help you.

What is the strategy for dealing with abusive and unreasonably persistent persons?

Termination of contact is the policy to deal with unreasonably persistent and rude persons.

What are the 3 Notices called?

What is the BBRS Contemporary Scheme?

The BBRS Contemporary Scheme covers cases registered from 1 April 2019 onwards for businesses with a turnover of up to 10m per annum and total assets of up to 7.5m.

We have 2 blocks on our estate - the leases provide that we collect service charges as a whole not block by block. At a previous AGM it was minuted that each block should have its own reserve towards its own repairs. This has been the convention since, but now this is being objected to by some and we need to understand how sound our decision was.

Ask from our Property Experts

What our customers are asking:

What our customers are asking:

What happens if they dont comply with the legislation?

What are the biggest causes of C02 or carbon emissions in the UK, housing sector influences?

What are obligations of landlords under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which stipulates that leaseholders must be consulted for major works or long-term agreements?

How is Scottish Land & Estates proposing to address these issues?

How did coworking spaces become popular before the pandemic?

How does the tenancy agreement impact my rights in repair matters?

how does The case of Johnson v County Bideford [2012] UKUT 457 (LC) deal with the issue of service charges in leasehold properties and the rights and obligations of leaseholders and landlords?

Are agents obliged to offer a digital solution?

What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?

How have service charges for flats changed over time?

What is the LA FLEX scheme?

What happens if the New Homes Ombudsman Service finds a developer in breach of the New Homes Quality Code?

What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods

Which types of buildings will fall under the higher risk regime?

Why do we need a Company to run the block/site?

When is an annual return required?

What are the risks of not doing Section 20 consultation properly?

Why are rented homes becoming expensive in the UK?

What measures should the UK government focus on to overcome the housing crisis?

How much can households save with heat pumps?

How will building biology make future homes more sustainable?

What announcement was made by the Housing Secretary recently?

There is a very bad Mould Problem in the Flat, I called the Management Company and after some time they sent round a Damp Specialist who told me that there wasn't a problem at the flat, Do I have the right to have my own “Specialist round?

What is the strategy for dealing with abusive and unreasonably persistent persons?

What are the 3 Notices called?

What is the BBRS Contemporary Scheme?

Is sharing The How to Rent Guide with tenants mandatory?

What is the difference between the Developer Remediation Contract 'DRC' and the Self Remediation Contract 'SRC'?

What are the trading standards requirements for technology on words used for property listings?

Insights, articles & blogs