More Features and Opinion – Page 15
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Feature
Taxing matters
David McDowell of HMRC outlines the key changes in force from 22 November 2017 to stamp duty land tax and the annual tax on enveloped dwellings
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Opinion
Ring in the new year
In his first Comment of 2018, Property Section chair Warren Gordon looks at the year ahead for residential and commercial property solicitors – and how the Section can help
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Feature
Top of the hill
Duncan Wood talks to Hillyer McKeown’s head of commercial property, Caroline Jones, about how her firm is winning awards for its innovative approach to IT in its conveyancing practice
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Feature
Think tank
Clients who are buying or selling a house with a septic tank or small sewage treatment plant need to know about the relevant regulations and their implications – which could include immediate and ongoing costs. William Marriott explains
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Feature
Coded message
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to introduce a new handbook regime, and the changes are the most significant since 2011. Property professionals face some of the most controversial changes. Paul Bennett outlines the proposals and their impact
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Feature
A site to behold
Karen Lee provides a step-by-step guide to the role of the developer’s conveyancer, from site acquisition to plot sale
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Feature
Within reason
Recent case law and regulations confirm that local planning authorities must give reasons for either granting planning permission or refusing to grant it. Anna Russell-Knee explains what this means for those wanting to challenge a planning decision
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Feature
Just desserts
How many times have you heard from a client the words ‘I just need your signature’? But beware. Taking declarations and swearing affidavits may simply not be cost-effective, but other, similar activities, may contain significant risk. Peter Rodd explains
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Feature
Committee to memory
Russell Hewitson, chair of the Conveyancing and Land Law Committee since September, outlines the work of the committee and its upcoming priorities
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Feature
Common sense?
The government’s recent announcement about setting ground rents for new leasehold houses and flats to zero may make commonhold a more attractive prospect than it has ever been since its commencement in 2004. James Driscoll explains.
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Feature
Leasehold: a feudal system?
Sarah Dwight discusses the feudal origins of freehold and leasehold ownership and what the future of it may entail.
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Feature
Serving section 146 notices: get the timing right
Landlords must comply with contractual pre-conditions before serving notice on a tenant.
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Feature
Put your house in order
In a volatile market, it may be hard to find time to address practice management, but, says Peter Rodd, you can’t afford not to. Are you eally working as efficiently and profitably as you can be? And if not, what can you do about it?
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Feature
Broader horizons
The benefits and importance of capital allowances in commercial sales and purchases has been well publicised, but did you know the relief also needs to be considered in some residential and landlord and tenant matters? Sophie Raniwala explains
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Feature
Breaking ground
Escalating ground rents have been headline news in recent months. They can make a property not only unaffordable, but also potentially unsaleable. Lucy Barber explains how enfranchisement could help, and outlines the legislation
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Feature
Quality time
In the latest of our series of regular updates from HM Land Registry, Andrew Robertson looks at requisitions, and the role of both HM Land Registry and conveyancers in improving application quality
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Feature
Coded message
New Property Section chair Warren Gordon outlines the implications of the new Electronic Communications Code
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Feature
Best interests
Do you know your obligations around identifying and addressing potential conflicts of interest? Tracey Calvert provides a refresher guide to conflicts in conveyancing practice
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Feature
Street smarts
A prospective buyer of a property on a private road or in a new development may not realise the risks ahead if the road isn’t adopted as a highway. Ann Morley and Chris Bond introduce new guidance and what solicitors need to know