New guidance on VAT on disbursements
The Law Society has issued new guidance to help firms decide whether items such as property search fees may be treated as disbursements for VAT purposes.
HMRC gives guidance on applying SDLT to dwellings
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published new guidance on the meaning of “dwelling” in its Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual (SDLTM).
The SRA’s new Standards and Regulations – are you prepared?
The SRA Handbook is being replaced by the Standards and Regulations from 25 November 2019, changing the way the profession is governed.
Law Commission confirms electronic signatures are legally valid
Documents signed electronically have legal force, the Law Commission has said in an attempt to clear up lingering doubts.
Features and opinion
Building in safety
Simon Lewis looks at developments on building safety following the Hackitt review and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s consultation paper, Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
The balance of power
Commercial property practitioners will sometimes come across a situation where a transaction is complicated by the insolvency or pending insolvency of a seller. Richard Tindall looks at the application of the lender’s power of sale where a seller is insolvent
A problem shared
David Keighley looks at how shared ownership works in practice, including the key terms of shared ownership leases, extending leases and the second-hand market
Onwards and upwards
The government is planning to introduce a new permitted development right for upwards extensions, as part of its plans to deliver new homes. John Pearce outlines the plans and what they might mean in practice
Welcome to our house
Diversity and inclusion is essential in any organisation, but even more so in real estate, where we work to create a better community and built environment for the next generation. Amanda Clack looks at how you can support diversity and inclusion in your business
Lay of the land
Mike Harlow talks about HM Land Registry’s change programme
