Comment
Homing in on fraud
Nicholas Gurney-Champion considers a recent Treasury paper that outlines wide-ranging modernisation plans for the home-buying process, and a High Court judgment that found conveyancers on both sides of a property transaction liable to a defrauded buyer
Features
The line of duty
The new higher stamp duty land tax rate for additional properties came into effect on 1 April 2016. Nigel Popplewell outlines how the changes apply to purchasers of residential property
Breathing room
As of 20 June 2016, the deadline for telegraphic transfers of funds – also known as CHAPs payments – will be extended by one hour and 40 minutes. Thom Wilkinson explains the implications of the change for practitioners
The long and short of it
Philip Askew outlines how to advise buyers of leasehold property on potential pre-completion or future lease extensions, including the complexities where the remaining lease term is less than 80 years
Moving with the times
Lucy Trevelyan looks at recent trends in the use of office space in law firms and beyond – including agile working, shoring and activity-based working – and examines the drivers for change, plus the benefits and possible pitfalls
Low on energy
From 2018, new regulations will restrict the letting of commercial properties with an energy efficiency rating below E. Claire-Elaine Arthurs outlines what actions landlords and tenants should take now
Springing into action
Warren Gordon provides an update on the work of the Law Society’s Conveyancing and Land Law Committee this spring, including around Land Registry privatisation, short-form leases and the Mortgage Credit Directive
Mail call
Email communications between conveyancers and clients are increasingly a target for organised crime. Mark Carver looks at what law firms can do to mitigate the risks
Spin city
The management of multi-let commercial buildings can be very complex and challenging for landlords. Rosemary Herbert provides a checklist of ongoing management issues for those advising or acting for landlords
Put to rights
Richard Hill looks at how the court or registrar decides whether to rectify the registry, and how proposals in a current Law Commission consultation could affect the process
Shifting sands
The digitisation of land and property data is now well under way, with Land Registry, local authorities, government bodies and search providers all embracing the change, to support the homebuying process. Kris Clark explains