Residential Property

  • The Duties of Mortgage Lenders

    The instability in the financial markets recently means lenders are taking a tougher stance on lending and repossessions are rising. When mortgage arrears are serious and/or there is a breach of the mortgage covenants, the lender will usually seek an order...

  • Tenants Right to Buy

    The right of secure tenants to buy their homes was established under the Housing Act 1980. The original rules have subsequently been amended, however, mainly owing to a growing number of abuses of the system. These mainly involved property speculators who...

  • Selling Your House and Land: Tax Tips

    Most people buy and sell the property they live in without any thoughts about tax (other than, perhaps, Stamp Duty Land Tax). However, there are some circumstances in which selling the property you live in can cause tax problems. Some of the main ones are:...

  • Phone Masts - The Law and Practice

    Although a very recent technological development, the mobile phone is considered a necessity by many people in the UK. However, despite their popularity, the communication masts on which the networks depend have been regarded, since their inception, as...

  • Timeshares - Good or Bad?

    Although there are millions of contented timeshare owners throughout the world, the timeshare industry has certainly had a chequered history. On the one hand there is the promise of golden weeks in the sun or on the slopes at a fraction of the cost of buying...

  • When Can I Access My Neighbour's Land?

    Disputes between neighbours can cause a lot of unpleasantness. If you need to deal with your neighbours over matters related to land or property it is always advisable to try to get things done in a friendly way, whilst at the same time making sure you know...

  • Current Laws on Electrical Work

    Since 1st January 2005, all electrical work carried out in dwellings has had to comply with part P of the Building Regulations and be carried out by a person who is competent to do the work. All work which involves adding a new circuit...

  • Acquisition of Land Can Have Unforeseen Consequences

    A family who inherited land were also held to have inherited an obscure ancient liability, which ended up costing them dearly, after a recent decision by the House of Lords. When presented with a bill for £95,000 for repairing the...