Residential Law Updates

Possessory Title

25/05/10

QUESTION: I am buying a property. There is a strip at the side, which the sellers say they have occupied since 1975, but it is registered as part of the next-door neighbour's land. Is it safe to go ahead?

Yes. Surpris ...

EXTENDING YOUR LEASE

1. When determining the cost of extending a lease, valuers take into account the ground rent income, usually a nominal amount, and the reduction in the investment value of the freeholder’s interest. When a lease is shorter than 80 years, the cost als ...

Services charges on sale

03/06/08

QUESTION: We are selling our flat. We have accepted an offer from a couple who seem to have a problem with cash. We are confident that the buyers will pay the purchase price, but what happens if they don't pay ground rent or servi ...

Access for works

28/05/08

QUESTION: I want to put scaffolding on my neighbour's land to carry out works to my property, but the neighbour has refused permission. Can I do anything?

This will depend on the nature of your proposed works and whethe ...

Land Registry Notice

28/05/08

QUESTION: I want to sell my land quickly but cannot do so because a third party has registered a notice at the Land Registry against my title. What should I do?

If your land is registered, anyone who claims to have an i ...

Late completion of tenanted property

28/05/08

QUESTION: I have exchanged contracts to sell a tenanted property, but my buyer will not be able to complete on the date we have agreed because he cannot secure bank funding. What are my options?

Any delay in completion ...

Access to neighbouring land

28/05/08

The wall of our property backs on to our neighbour's courtyard. We have planning consent for a window in this wall, but our neighbours insist that it be installed from inside our property. Our deeds say we have "full right and lib ...

Disgruntled residents used their legal right to replace their property management company

28/05/08

In Cawsand Fort Management Company v EM Stafford and Others (20.11.07), residents, unhappy with a management company's services, sought the appointment of a statutory manager to provide the services.

A group of 19th-c ...

Service charges and lifts

28/05/08

QUESTION: I own a flat on the ground floor of a modern block. The building has a lift, although I never use it. I asked the managing agent whether owners of ground-floor flats should be charged service charges for the repair and m ...

Buying the freehold

28/05/08

QUESTION: I own one of 11 flats in a period conversion in Bristol. The leases run for 999 years, starting from about 25 years ago. We all pay an annual ground rent to the freeholder, who no longer lives at the property. I have loo ...

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