That peaceful pathway that you have used as a shortcut every day on your walk home from work might seem convenient and easy to navigate, but it may just turn into a maze of legalities. In a decision earlier this year in Nicholson and Another v Hale and Another, the Upper Tribunal considered whether a small sign put up by the [...]
Update on the Renters’ Rights Bill: Key Changes and Implications for Landlords and Tenants The Renters’ Rights Bill was published on 11 September 2024, and had its second reading in Parliament on 9 October 2024. This Bill was introduced by the government following the abandonment of previous efforts to reform the residential rental market under the former Renters’ (Reform) Bill [...]
Landlords who want to obtain vacant possession of premises at the end of a tenancy benefitting from the security of tenure protections in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (“the Act”) often use the redevelopment and own occupation grounds in sections 30(1)(f) and (g) of the Act to resist the grant of a new tenancy. On 13 May 2024, however, [...]
The King's Speech: Enhancing Employment and Renters' Rights His Majesty King Charles III has set out the government’s priorities and proposed policies for the next parliamentary session at the State Opening of Parliament last week. Amongst other proposals, the reform of employment law, a pillar of Labour’s election campaign, along with the Renters’ Rights Bill has drawn our attention. Employment [...]
The Chancellor’s Budget speech had far less in it than had widely been expected. In short – there were no tax rises (other than corporation tax). Here are some of the key points: Stamp Duty Land Tax The temporary increase in the residential SDLT Nil Rate Band to £500,000 has been extended to 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021, [...]
Visit our dedicated Shared Appreciated Mortgage page If you have any questions about Shared Appreciated Mortgages (SAMs), you may find the answer on this page. Once billed by the Banks as one of the best and most generous retirement mortgages on the market, SAMs offered customers the opportunity to release up to 25% of the value of their property. The [...]
HMRC change of policy on SDLT on certain acquisitions of mixed-use property HMRC has clarified its position that the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (often referred to as the 3% surcharge) do not apply to the residential element of an acquisition of mixed-use property where a claim to multiple dwellings relief is also made. The way the complex [...]
Frequently Asked Questions about: Stamp Duty Land Tax – surcharge for non-residents Raising taxes on property has been an easy target for the government for a number of years. Aside from increasing the scope of capital gains taxes on property, particularly on non-residents, the 3% surcharge for second properties was one of a number of changes aimed at specifically increasing [...]
Landlord and tenant update - July 2020 Restrictions extended and a new code of practice Since the Coronavirus Act 2020 (“the Act”) came into force on 25 March 2020, there have been a number of updates and new measures introduced by the Government. This note takes a look at the key changes which landlords and tenants should be aware of. [...]
Relaxation of 3 year rule for reclaiming 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax supplement Since 2016 purchasers of second homes have been subject to an additional 3% supplement on the SDLT they pay. This rule generally does not apply to individuals who buy and sell their main residence on the same day. However, where a seller has been unable (or unwilling) [...]
