Category: Transfer of Equity
Changes to EPC rules could be expensive for landlords
Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, give an energy performance rating for properties, with the most energy efficient properties being awarded an A rating while the least efficient are rated as a G. Current legislation requires landlords to achieve a minimum of an E rating in order to legally rent out a property. A new government...
Should you extend your home or move house?
As your needs change over time, you may find you wish you had more space or a different type of space at home. We take a look at whether it might work best to extend your existing accommodation or whether moving house would be a better option. If you have started working from home or...
Who is responsible for the damage when trees and fences blow down in a storm?
With UK weather becoming more extreme, homeowners are having to deal with an increase in damage caused by trees and fences being blown down. We take a look at who is responsible and how to deal with a storm damage insurance claim. The UK has seen an increase in extreme weather events, with storms and...
NEW Japanese knotweed guidance published
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published new advice for professional valuers and surveyors aimed at helping them understand and evaluate difficulties caused by Japanese knotweed. The guidance note, entitled ‘Japanese knotweed and Residential Property’ sets out how to recognise the presence of the invasive plant, explains the challenges in detecting and identifying...
Sharp increase in properties on market in January
Research conducted by Propertymark has revealed that the number of homes put on the market in January rose dramatically after three months of declining figures. Looking at its own branches, Propertymark said that new instructions per branch were up from 5 to 9. The number of potential buyers registering was double that in December, after...
What do searches reveal and why are they needed in a house purchase?
If you are buying a property, your conveyancer will carry out a number of searches on your behalf. We take a look at the searches you will be advised to have and why they are necessary. A property is a big investment and it is important to ensure that there will not be any nasty...
Tax loophole on second homes to close
The government plans to introduce new rules preventing second homeowners from falsely claiming that their property is a holiday let. Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove has said that holiday lets will need to be rented out for at least 70 days per year to qualify for business rates. Otherwise, they will be...
Landlord safety obligations
Landlords are required by law to carry out certain safety checks and ensure that their properties comply with health and safety regulations. Failure to do this is not only a breach of the law, it could invalidate landlord insurance. Full details of a landlord’s responsibilities are set out in the government’s Housing Health and Safety...
Understanding cyber security risks in conveyancing transactions
The government has announced that it is consulting on ways of improving cyber security for British business after a number of high-profile attacks. The conveyancing industry has long been wary of cyber attacks and cyber fraud in an area of law where large sums of money are routinely transferred. We take a look at how...
