All Property articles – Page 42
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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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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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FeatureCredit where it’s due
With tenant insolvency on the rise in the commercial sector, Simon Wood outlines the different potential approaches to dealing with an insolvent tenant, and examines the benefits and drawbacks of the various options
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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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FeatureA valuable commodity
Richard Burcher pushes back against the perception that property work has become commoditised, and explains how the approach taken to communicating with clients about the cost of legal services can make all the difference in how a firm’s services are valued
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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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FeatureThe fightback begins
Ian White experienced a surprisingly positive mood among embattled practitioners at the Property Section’s annual conference. He reports on the new weapon being developed for the solicitors’ profession as it seeks to fend off competition from other providers
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FeatureNew tricks
The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 heralds a number of changes to the law relating to listed buildings. Matthew Stimson explains
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FeatureRestricted movement
In the first of a new series of articles in association with Land Registry, Richard Hill explains the process for removing or cancelling the ‘joint proprietor restriction’ under form A
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FeatureA run for your money
Solicitors’ involvement in property fraud may be very small, but they remain an attractive target for fraudsters, with potentially dire consequences for both them and their firms. Grania Langdon-Down looks at what solicitors can do to protect themselves
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FeatureTaking its toll
The Community Infrastructure Levy has been in force for over three years, but there are still concerns about its impact on both the costs of development and individual buyers, tenants and landlords. Warren Gordon explains
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FeatureSafe as houses?
The recent high-profile Superstrike case has wide implications for landlords and tenancy deposit schemes. Steven Wood, whose firm acted for the claimant, outlines the case and the current legislation covering tenancy deposits
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FeatureFace value
The VAT treatment of a transfer of a business as a going concern is a tricky maze to navigate, with lots of pitfalls for the unwary. Marlon Appleton explains how it works in practice and how to avoid the most common mistakes
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OpinionThe main event
Property Section chair Peter Rodd looks ahead to the Property Section’s 2013 annual conference, just over five weeks away
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FeatureRinging the changes
Duncan Field outlines a number of recent additions and amendments to permitted development rights, including on change of use and residential extensions
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FeatureThe ties that bind
The enforceability and modification of restrictive covenants in freehold land present many uncertainties. Michael Poulsom examines how five recent cases might be of assistance to practitioners
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FeatureAiming high
In the first in a series of articles in association with the Law Society’s Law Management Section, Andrew Otterburn offers a simple solution to assessing and improving the profitability of your firm’s conveyancing work
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FeatureMoney from home
Alison Clair looks at property fraud, particularly where the property is retained, how mortgage lenders are combating it, and how solicitors and mortgage lenders can work together to stamp it out
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FeatureUnder the hammer
Auction sales can be challenging even for the experienced property solicitor. Paul Clark explains how the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Common Auction Conditions can help
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FeatureLife’s great mysteries
Winning business is one of the biggest challenges in today’s hugely competitive market. But, as the results of a recent mystery shopping exercise show, many conveyancing firms are failing at this vital step. Richard Mathias outlines the lessons to learn