Property Law

Impending tax and benefit changes will require residential landlords to adopt a change of approach to their property lets.  Slee Blackwell’s Terese Kingman and Iain Robinson review the new rules, their effect, and possible solutions for landlords.

Does a Landlord have a remedy against an Insolvent Tenant?

Insolvency is becoming more common.  Official figures indicate that personal insolvencies - bankruptcy orders, debt relief orders and individual voluntary arrangements - rose from approximately 8,000 in 2002 to approximately 35,000 in 2010.

Property Solicitor, John Pearn examines the legal issues of entering into a solar panel lease

It’s increasingly common for homeowners to lease part of their roof to an energy company who installs solar panels. However, there are a few legal points that a prudent homeowner should consider before going ahead.

Property Lawyer, Terese Kingman looks at the remedies available to a lender if a borrower defaults on mortgage repayments.

There are various remedies available to a mortgagee, or lender, if a mortgagor, or borrower, defaults on mortgage repayments.

The usual mortgage scenario involves the borrower making financial payments to the lender in respect of money advanced to purchase a home. The property itself is used as security for the borrowing.

Squatting in a residential building as a long-term trespasser became a criminal offence as of 1 September 2012. How might this affect you?

Relaxation in certain planning restrictions have been announced (but not yet enacted) by the Government.

Permitted development rights – the ability to extend existing buildings without planning permission – for both residential and commercial properties will be extended. The government hopes to raise activity in the construction sector.

Landlord and Tennant Solicitor, Iain Robinson issues a warning to unsuspecting landlords following recent tightening of the law regarding deposits

Recent changes to the law concerning the treatment of tenancy deposits could hit unwary landlords as hard as rogue ones.

Terese Kingman takes a look at an often misunderstood legal concept

What if someone is promised an interest in some land and relies on that promise (for example, by working on the land without payment) only to find that the landowner has gone back on that promise? Is there anything he can do? Can he enforce the promise?

It is in situations like this that the concept of proprietary estoppel can help.

How did proprietary estoppel develop?

Lawyer, Terese Kingman, answers some common questions

The definition of ‘land’ is found in Section 205 (1 )(ix) Law of Property Act 1925 and includes land of any tenure, mines and minerals, buildings or parts of buildings and easements (eg a right of way or a right to light).

What will I own when I buy a house?

Property lawyer, Terese Kingman, takes a look at easements and profits a prendre

What is an easement?
An easement is a right  to use land belonging to a third party in a particular way or to prevent the owner of that land from using it in a certain manner. An example of an easement is a right of way.