Ask from our Property Experts

What our customers are asking:

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 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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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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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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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 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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What is the aim of LVC?

LVC must ensure that the benefits of public investment and planning decisions are shared more fairly across society.

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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 is the new 2024 energy efficiency target for landlords in England and Wales?

By 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band C. This applies to private and social housing as part of the government's effort to improve energy efficiency.

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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 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 90 day short let cap?

Airbnb replied to the concerns about the number of listings and their impact and stated that they take housing concerns seriously and have previously worked with the Mayor to enforce a 90-night cap on rentals in London.

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What made Wembley Park famous?

Wembley Park became famous because it hosted Olympic Games, World Cup, and Beatle's last concert in the UK.

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How long does it take to get an EPC?

Landlords or sellers can get a call within 48 hours of filling out a form. The survey must be done within 10 days. The EPC is provided the day after the assessment is completed.

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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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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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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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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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What financial support is available for heat pump installations?

The UK government offers grants through schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), Energy Company Obligation (ECO), and Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan program, providing up to 7,500 grants and additional funding for eligible rural homes.

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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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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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What criticism has the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) faced regarding leasehold insurance irregularities?

The FCA has been strongly criticised by Insurance Business magazine for its lack of action in addressing leasehold insurance irregularities.

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What does a bank reconciliation entail?

A bank reconciliation is a routine check that should be carried out on any bank account to ensure that the cheques written leave and clear the account and that cash paid in is received by the bank. Monies that have not been received (i.e. perhaps lost in the banking ...

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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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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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The interpretation and enforcement of provisions regarding service charges under residential tenancies by pointing out the need for reasonableness and transparency in property management.

Akorita v 36 Gensing Road Limited [LRX/16/2008]SummaryThe cases are similar the Akorita v 36 Gensing Road Limited [LRX/16/2008] as they pose a cause against management and service charges in connection to a property. Mr. Akorita was the lease holder in the case and t...

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Who are most likely to be affected by the rise in energy bills?

The elders and those yet to settle into their jobs are among the most vulnerable. The elders, because their aging bodies cannot cope with the freezing temperature, and the recently employed ones because they will not be able to raise more money to pay the extra charges.

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How does the Energy Company Obligation scheme 'ECO4' scheme help the UK households?

The UK government's ECO4 scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades to qualifying households as grants. These free upgrades help them reduce energy requirements, electricity bills, and carbon emissions. The ECO4 grants fund wall or cavity insulation and new heat...

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What is included in a homebuyers survey?

The inspection for a Homebuyer Survey includes an investigation of damp issues, rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation as well as timber defects such as over-stressed timbers and beetle infestation. A Homebuyer Survey does include a visual inspection of the s...

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What is the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service?

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is a new government initiative in England and Wales offering free legal assistance to people at risk of losing their homes.

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Ask our Experts

What our customers are asking:

Are agents obliged to offer a digital solution?

What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods

What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?

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.

What is the LA FLEX scheme?

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

What is the aim of LVC?

LVC must ensure that the benefits of public investment and planning decisions are shared more fairly across society.

How will building biology make future homes more sustainable?

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

What is the new 2024 energy efficiency target for landlords in England and Wales?

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

What are the 3 Notices called?

What is the 90 day short let cap?

What made Wembley Park famous?

Wembley Park became famous because it hosted Olympic Games, World Cup, and Beatle's last concert in the UK.

How long does it take to get an EPC?

Landlords or sellers can get a call within 48 hours of filling out a form. The survey must be done within 10 days. The EPC is provided the day after the assessment is completed.

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

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

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.

How much can households save with heat pumps?

What financial support is available for heat pump installations?

How have service charges for flats changed over time?

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.

What criticism has the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) faced regarding leasehold insurance irregularities?

The FCA has been strongly criticised by Insurance Business magazine for its lack of action in addressing leasehold insurance irregularities.

What does a bank reconciliation entail?

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.

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 interpretation and enforcement of provisions regarding service charges under residential tenancies by pointing out the need for reasonableness and transparency in property management.

Who are most likely to be affected by the rise in energy bills?

How does the Energy Company Obligation scheme 'ECO4' scheme help the UK households?

What is included in a homebuyers survey?

What is the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service?

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is a new government initiative in England and Wales offering free legal assistance to people at risk of losing their homes.

Ask from our Property Experts

What our customers are asking:

What our customers are asking:

Are agents obliged to offer a digital solution?

What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods

What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?

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

What is the LA FLEX scheme?

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

What is the aim of LVC?

How will building biology make future homes more sustainable?

What is the new 2024 energy efficiency target for landlords in England and Wales?

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

What are the 3 Notices called?

What is the 90 day short let cap?

What made Wembley Park famous?

How long does it take to get an EPC?

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

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

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

How much can households save with heat pumps?

What financial support is available for heat pump installations?

How have service charges for flats changed over time?

What criticism has the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) faced regarding leasehold insurance irregularities?

What does a bank reconciliation entail?

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?

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 interpretation and enforcement of provisions regarding service charges under residential tenancies by pointing out the need for reasonableness and transparency in property management.

Who are most likely to be affected by the rise in energy bills?

How does the Energy Company Obligation scheme 'ECO4' scheme help the UK households?

What is included in a homebuyers survey?

What is the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service?

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