To provide further clarity for landlords and tenants, on 19 June 2020 the Government published guidance for the commercial property sector, in the form of a Code of Practice. The Code of Practice is voluntary and encourages good practice between landlords and tenants, promoting payment of rent by tenants where this is possible, but also […]
High-value country property transactions have enjoyed a boom over the past few months, leading to an increasing trend towards the use of Exclusivity Agreements, also known as ‘lock-out agreements’. An Exclusivity Agreement is normally a tool used by a buyer to provide them with an exclusive opportunity to do due diligence on a property, and […]
In an earlier edition of Rural News, we considered the proposals put forward in the Defra Consultation Paper on Agricultural tenancies. The most controversial of these proposals were: for AHA tenancies to be assignable by a Tenant at a premium where no eligible successor remained; the extension of the category of eligible relatives to include […]
As family lawyers, we work closely with colleagues in other teams to provide expertise to our clients going through relationship or marital break-up. This work could relate to company affairs, or ensuring our separating clients have their Wills and estate planning in order. Such matters often involve our property team. In most relationship breakdowns there’s […]
As I write this from my home office in the New Forest, I’m looking out on a picture-perfect postcard of autumn, with ponies grazing and squirrels gathering nuts in the oaks surrounding my home. Through the pandemic, the housing market has seen an exodus of people moving out of the cities, looking for their very […]
In his Summer Statement the Chancellor announced a temporary reduction in residential stamp duty land tax (SDLT) rates in England and Northern Ireland. The reduction applies to contracts exchanged between 8 July 2020 and 11.59pm, 31 March 2021. It means that the nil-band rate (below which no SDLT is payable) is increased from £125,000 to […]
Clare Andrews looks at the cut in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and what it means for the housing market. Following a couple of months of uncertainty in the property market as a result of Covid-19, the government has now provided some good news for home buyers, with changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax taking […]
If you have a dispute concerning property or land, then strategic advice at the earliest stage can help you resolve issues. Landlords and tenants are both becoming increasingly concerned about maintaining their respective obligations under leases and – if possible – avoiding them. The situation is changing rapidly and the government is seeking to react […]
Buying a house is often one of the largest investments that we make, making it one of life’s most significant decisions. Given the importance of buying the right property, the process is regularly fraught with stress and pressure, and often over a period of months. It is, however, possible to limit the length of time […]
In current times many tenants are finding themselves in financial trouble and will be looking at ways to keep their business afloat. Rent and other lease costs will be one of the reductions they will be looking to make to reduce their outgoings.
New landlord electrical safety regulations means that private sector landlords will have to carry out mandatory five-year electrical safety checks to avoid facing fines – but non-compliance will not invalidate a Section 21 Notice or be a barrier to possession.
Two new pre-action protocols were introduced on 13 January 2020. These were a new and revised pre-action protocol for possession claims by social housing landlords and a new pre-action protocol for housing condition cases in England. The new Pre-Action Housing Condition Protocol brings small changes to fully incorporate the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act […]
Many roles in the UK require employees to live close to their place of work. Sometimes, employees are required to live on site. In these circumstances, it is not uncommon for an employee to be offered accommodation as part of their overall work package. If you are considering providing accommodation for your employees, it is […]
The recent decision in The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v. Vauxhall Motors Ltd [2019] has expanded the Court’s jurisdiction to grant relief from forfeiture to licences deemed to give rise to possessory rights over land. The Facts Vauxhall Motors has a factory at Ellesmore Port, Cheshire, on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. […]
There are many ways of putting redundant agricultural buildings back into use. Diversification can help stabilise the farm across the calendar year and boost income. At Moore Blatch we regularly advise clients on diversification, which can range from barn-to-office conversions for activity farms, to more ambitious schemes such as holiday parks.
The High Court has recently confirmed that receivers appointed over individual borrowers can issue possession proceedings against those borrowers. Until now there has been no conclusive authority on this point upon which receivers, lenders and borrowers could rely. Menon v Pask [2019] EWHC 2611 (Ch) The case itself stemmed from familiar facts. Mr and Mrs […]
Hook and another v. Hawkins [2019] UKUT 147 (LC)
The recent case of Banner Homes Limited v St Albans City and District Council illustrates how the Asset of Community Value scheme can cause problems to development. In this particular case, a field was listed as an Asset of Community Value (“ACV”) – despite its use by the local community having been unlawful.
You can do more with your land than just farming it. Understand the options available and
At Moore Blatch, we regularly act for purchasers who are based in London and other urban centres who are looking to purchase rural homes and escape to the country. They may be relocating or looking to purchase a second property as an investment or lifestyle proposition.
Rural and agricultural properties and Estates often have boundaries that are not clearly demarcated by physical boundary structures.
On 5 April 2018, the Land Registry registered the first digitally signed mortgage deed.
At sunset, viewers are treated to the viewing of classic film favourites. I watched Notting Hill, but other films such as Jaws and Dirty Dancing are upcoming. It is all about the outdoor experience: picnicking outside in a beautiful part of the countryside, poshcorn, beetle cars, bbq’ing local meat and a great film.