What Do Residential Landlords Need to Know about Energy Performance Certificates?
The rules about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for rented dwellings were introduced in 2018 and updated in 2020. As it stands today, rental properties that are covered by the regulations are required to have an EPC rating of E or above. This means that it is illegal to let […]
What Happens When the Borrower Vanishes into Thin Air? A Secured Creditor’s Guide to Bona Vacantia
Picture this: you’re a secured lender, your borrower has vanished from the corporate register, and the property you hold security over has drifted into the Crown’s lap under the doctrine of bona vacantia. It sounds like the start of a legal ghost story—but it’s a surprisingly common real-world scenario. Here’s what secured creditors need to […]
Blockchain and Land Law: The Future of Property Transactions?
Land law has a long and, let’s be honest, sometimes painful history of complex documentation, slow-moving processes, and an overwhelming reliance on paperwork. Whether it’s title deeds, lease agreements, easements, or restrictive covenants, every transaction is an exercise in navigating outdated systems. Blockchain has been touted as the solution to all this—offering instant verification, security, […]
Major Property Law Reforms: How They Will Impact Your Work
The UK property industry is set for some of its biggest legal changes in years. Leasehold reform, stricter tenant protections, changes to stamp duty, and new rules on compulsory purchase will all have significant consequences for those working in property. Whether you are a conveyancer, landlord, estate agent, or developer, these reforms will change the […]
An Introduction to the Building Safety Act 2022
The Building Safety Act 2022 came into force on the 1st April 2023. It was largely a response to the 2017 Grenfell Tragedy and the resulting cladding scandal. The legislation is intended to change the way buildings are designed, constructed and managed, and to give homeowners and residents more rights, powers and protections. Though the act […]