Ground rent increases and unexpected Assured Shorthold Tenancies
Many freeholders are selling leasehold properties which are subject to unreasonable ground rent provisions. Landlords can only increase the ground rent if the lease contains a provision allowing them to do so. In some cases, such provision can create an unreasonable or excessive annual rent amount. What this sometimes means, is that suddenly your…
Government announces fund to cover recladding
Just last month, I wrote about how some owners of high-rise buildings with Grenfell Tower-style cladding (aluminium composite material, known as ACM) were attempting to recover the cost of the recladding from the owners of the flats. However, today, the Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire has announced a Government u-turn on the position…
HMO licensing – avoiding a costly mistake
It is well known that landlords of residential premises must comply with various laws to ensure their tenants’ health and safety. For example, where the property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), the landlord may require a licence from the local authority. We have looked previously at the hefty penalties facing landlords at the hands of…
Government proposes to abolish section 21 notices
The Government has announced this week its intention to review the way that landlords can recover possession of residential properties. They intend to get rid of the “no fault” eviction process. This is with a view to giving tenants more security in their homes. So what is proposed, and how will this affect landlords who want to evict their…
What is Qualified One-way Costs Shifting (QOCS)?
What is QOCS? Qualified One-Way Cost Shifting (QOCS) applies to all claims concerning damages for death or personal injury commencing after 1 April 2013. When you commence a claim, whether it is a claim for debt recovery or breach of contract, the judge will decide who pays the legal costs. The normal rule is that the loser pays the…
Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential property transactions
When purchasing property in the UK, there are different ways that Stamp Duty Land Tax (‘SDLT’) is calculated. We explain the different types of scenario below. First-time buyers Those who have not owned property before are entitled to apply for first-time buyer relief. This means that they will not pay SDLT on properties worth less…
Fire safety and service charges
Incredibly, we are approaching two years since the devastating and fatal fire at Grenfell Tower. Understandably, since the tragedy, both building owners and flat owners have looked to their own buildings’ fire safety. Since then, the first-tier Tribunal has seen a number of cases on whether landlords can charge the owners of the flats for fire…
Quiet enjoyment, not a quiet property
Residential tenants understand that their leases contain obligations that their landlord owes to them and visa versa. These are commonly known as covenants. One of the principal covenants that exists in just most residential leases is that of “quiet enjoyment”. But does quiet enjoyment mean? This article will investigate that question. Does it…
Conveyancing Fraud ‘A Canker on Society’
Our case before the Supreme Court Levi Solicitors LLP has obtained the permission of the Supreme Court to appeal against an order of the Court of Appeal dated 13 September 2018. Hearings in the Supreme Court in civil cases are relatively rare. Last year 85 appeals were heard. Only cases of the greatest public importance are considered. We look…
I have fallen out with my neighbour what should I do?
Home owners and renting tenants will not (for obvious reasons) move into properties with the intention of causing trouble or conflict with their new neighbours. However unfortunately disputes between neighbours can happen. Issues can include: Boundary disputes; Access issues (e.g. rights of way and easements); Party Wall Act issues; Nuisance…
Levi Solicitors awarded Cyber Essentials Certificate
Levi Solicitors are delighted to announce they have been awarded the Cyber Essentials Certificate of Assurance effective from 22 February 2019. Cyber Essentials helps organisations guard against the most common cyber threats and demonstrate their commitment to cyber security. The Cyber Essentials Certification demonstrates to our clients a…
Rising service charges in the rental market
Service Charges on your flat. Are you paying too much? Flat owners are routinely required to pay service charges to the owner of their building (the Landlord). In recent years, the average service charges have increased dramatically. A recent study found that service charges for new build apartments in the UK had reached an average of £2,777.00…
New statistics about wills in the UK
Wills by nature are not something people think a lot about and are often associated with the elderly. Recent research carried out by Royal London, YouGov, IRN Research and Orchard has revealed some interesting statistics about wills. Here are some of the most striking statistics: 5.4 million adults do not know where to begin when it comes to…
New Year Renovations
The new year can be a great time to spruce up your property. Many owners are often looking to carry out minor or major alterations to their property. However before rolling up your sleeves or instructing a builder – it is important to consider what planning permission you may need. Types of Permission You may need planning permission for…
National Christmas Jumper Day 2018
Levi Solicitors staff got into the Christmas spirit by taking part in National Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 14th December and fundraising for DKMS. DKMS works in the areas of blood cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It raises awareness for the need for donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which people with blood…
Dealing with Social Media Estates and Digital Assets
Dealing with a social media estates and digital assets Dealing with a deceased person’s estate involves gathering in their assets and distributing them in accordance with their will. If there is no will the ‘rules of intestacy’ apply. Finding out what assets a person had used to be a fairly simple task. The process involved…