Blog

Unlocking Lease Surrender

The process of surrendering a lease is a nuanced aspect of landlord-tenant relations that demands careful consideration. Trainee Solicitor, Jill...

Addressing the Rogue Builders Challenge

In his latest monthly Q&A, Property Litigation specialist Will Bartley delves into the rising concerns surrounding new-build housing and the surge in...

Ground rents – Government consultation on capping

The Government utilised the King’s Speech last week to introduce further proposals to reform leasehold ownership of homes. One proposal was the...

Everything You Need to Know About Restrictive Covenants

When it comes to real estate, the concept of restrictive covenants plays a significant role in shaping land use and property development. These...

TOLATA disputes - What happens to jointly owned Property after a break-up or dispute?

Property Litigator Will Bartley, discusses what happens when joint-owners no longer wish to jointly own their Property, and what steps can be taken...

Renters (Reform) Bill 2023

After years of delay from its original announcement in 2019, the Renters (Reform) Bill 2023 was finally introduced in Parliament on 17th May. The...

Changes to No-Fault Eviction Rules

UK government’s proposal to limit a residential landlord’s ability to evict tenants without a specific reason, commonly known as “no fault”...

How to Rent Guide 2023

In March this year the Government published a new 'How to Rent' guidance checklist.

In a tangle over Japanese Knotweed...

Options: Yes, No, Don't Know...These were the responses available to a vendor of a property in London whose claim by the purchaser has recently hit...

Do I need to use a solicitor when buying a house?

There is no requirement that you use a solicitor, or licensed conveyancer, when buying a house. You could choose to represent yourself. However, when...

Covid-19 and buying or selling residential property

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about buying or selling residential property during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Residential Property Partner recognised for National Award

We are delighted that newly appointed partner, Michelle Wilson, has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) National...

When should I instruct my solicitor when buying or selling a house?

The earlier the better is the answer. Property sales and purchases are often fraught with unnecessary difficulties and delays, such as chains...

How do I obtain a copy of my deeds for my property?

‘Deeds’, as most people remember, is a large parcel of old documents, such as conveyances. These show how the property has passed between each person...

Stamp Duty Relief for first-time buyers

At last, we have had some long-awaited good news from the budget for the housing market.

Sellers beware...

When you come to sell your property so much happens very quickly, especially if you are lucky enough to find a buyer promptly.

Property fraud: what precautions can you take?

Over the years there have been several cases whereby unscrupulous people have sold or tried to sell properties that are not owned by them.

Family breakdown over a property dispute

The legal principles surrounding property ownership can be complicated and promises made can be binding.

Stamp Duty Land Tax changes for second home buyers

It was announced in the Autumn budget last year that an additional Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) charge of 3% on the entire purchase price would be made...

Whither now?

This time last year I commented that the changes in lending rules in the Spring were likely to lead to a flurry of activity before the changes were...

Stamp Duty Land Tax changes - how might that affect you?

The Chancellor’s announcement on Stamp Duty Land Tax levels is a positive and welcome move. I welcome the very short notice which meant that no-one...

To register or not to register… that is the question

In England & Wales we operate two forms of conveyancing: one for property which is unregistered and the other where the property is registered with...

Rising interest in the bank of mum and dad

With property prices in the south west remaining high in relation to salaries and more attractive mortgage deals only being available to those with a...

Landowner’s liability for trees

The recent High Court case of Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd v Hind (2014) has reconsidered the landowner’s duty to inspect trees on their land....

ATED – a very uncuddly tax

Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) on property acquisitions is expensive. It is a tax which has not kept pace with inflation. The bands for SDLT have not...

Tenancy Deposit Scheme – Double trouble for landlords

Landlords of residential properties, and their agents, who may have thought they were up to speed on the regulations governing registration of...

The end of chancel repair liability?

As we commented in a previous blog post, chancel repair liability still continues to cause headaches for property lawyers and owners.

What is "Caveat Emptor"?

At Porter Dodson, we try to avoid bamboozling clients with legal jargon, but often get asked what is meant by the term “Caveat Emptor”. Translated...

Search properly or pay the price

When you are discussing the costs of buying a house or flat with your solicitor, he or she should mention searches. If you are getting a mortgage to...

What is chancel repair liability?

Our property lawyers have been struggling with the knotty subject of chancel repair liability for decades, so why has it only just come to the...

What is conveyancing?

We often a get asked for a “conveyancing” quote, so we thought we’d take a look at what the term “conveyancing” means; although we prefer to talk of "