More Features and Opinion – Page 6
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FeatureAsk the experts
Roger Buston reviews a new multi-author title covering the practice of residential conveyancing, from compliance to clients, and from mortgage fraud to fees
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OpinionSign of the times
Whether we like it or not, conveyancing practices will have to adapt to meet the demands of 21st century communications, says Peter Rodd
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FeatureBlessed relief?
Iles v HMRC is the latest in a series of claims for the capital gains tax private residence exemption. But, as Peter Vaines explains, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine whether a property is a ‘residence’ at al
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FeatureTaking care
Paul Philip will be giving the keynote plenary speech at the National Property Law Conference in October. Here, he outlines some of the findings from the SRA’s 2014 Risk Outlook and gives the SRA’s perspective on where firms need to be extra vigilant
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FeatureMaking way
With the economy seemingly on the rise, and the government pushing forward with its plans for HS2, compulsory purchase schemes are back in the spotlight. Richard Flenley guides us through the process
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FeatureChecking it out
The Immigration Act 2014 introduces a raft of substantial changes to UK immigration law. Bethan Owen looks at the new requirements for landlords
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FeatureEnergy bar
Prospective legislation in the Energy Act 2011 could mean that from April 2018 landlords cannot let environmentally inefficient properties. Karin Horsley and Joanne Anderton outline the steps to take now
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FeatureOpen house
New legislation offers homebuyers and tenants greater protection from misleading statements about properties, but it will also affect property agents and solicitors. Robert Bolwell explains
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FeatureAfter the flood
Insurance for properties at risk of flooding has been uncertain since the end of the ‘Statement of Principles’ last year. The new ‘Flood Re’ arrangement seems to offer light at the end of the tunnel, but, asks Jo Morgan , will it be fit for purpose?
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FeatureSafe as houses
Conveyancing has traditionally been considered a high-risk area for complaints and insurance claims from both clients and lenders. Steve Ray explains how conveyancing firms can allay these concerns for the insurers and get the best out of this year’s renewal process
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FeatureBeyond repair
The changes to chancel repair liability are now almost five months old, but there remains little clarity about their impact in practice. Jennifer Slade investigates, and members of the Property Section executive committee provide their own perspectives
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FeatureA helping hand
The Help to Buy scheme launched almost one year ago, but many solicitors have still not had to deal with it in practice. Kathryn Taylor explains what it is, how it works, and the solicitor’s role within it
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FeatureLease is the word
Residential leasehold law can sometimes be a complex area of the law to navigate. Anthony Essien explains how the Leasehold Advisory Service can help guide leaseholders, landlords and lawyers alike
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FeaturePushing the envelope
Chris Sykes explains how the government is seeking to prevent the practice by which residential property is held by companies based in tax haven jurisdictions to avoid stamp duty land tax – and warns that ‘de-enveloping’ can have important implications for inheritance tax
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FeaturePoor conditions
Jonathan Smithers offers advice on how to comply with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Protocol in relation to standard and special conditions of sale, and warns against the unnecessary inclusion of additional conditions, with some practical examples
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FeaturePassing the buck?
Chris Hall explains the new responsibilities likely to be imposed on landlords in an attempt to deter illegal immigration, and raises questions about the impact of the scheme, which he warns could become a revenue-generating exercise for government
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FeatureService industry
Roger Buston reviews an in-depth book on commercial and residential service charges, which successfully manages to pull together a number of often confusing threads of both regulation and case law to inform the busy practitioner
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FeatureOn the borderline
David Parton and Anne Pacey explain the differences between Scottish and English conveyancing law and practice, and look at the advantages and disadvantages for buyers and sellers of the two very different systems
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FeatureA house divided
An increasing number of people are buying property with someone who is not their spouse, and unless there is a declaration of trust in place to determine their beneficial shares of the property, problems could arise when they come to sell, or if they die. Fay Copeland explains