The Localism Act 2011 has introduced changes to the tenancy deposit procedure that all Landlords need to be aware of in respect of taking deposits from their tenants. Under the old procedure, Landlords had a period of 14 days to protect a tenant’s deposit via an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme and then provide the tenant [...]
Comment and advice on the latest legal issues, and answers to some of the questions we are often asked…
In the Jubilee Year Cash Flow is still King
In the Jubilee year, with the country celebrating our Queen’s 60 years on the throne, one other constant has been that Cash Flow is still King. One of the main reasons why a business can fail is that it cannot pay its bills. A business which does not collect payment from its customers, which then [...]
Wills after Ilott – the importance of making a will
If you have read the excellent post ‘Have you got an up-to-date will?’ by Liz Stephen, Emsleys Head of Wills and Probate you will be under no illusions as to the importance of making a will. What may surprise some people is that even when you make a will you may not be able to [...]
Break Clauses in Commercial Leases – Tenants Beware!
In today’s challenging economic climate, tenants who agreed conditional break clauses in a lease of their business premises a few years ago and who are now reliant on successfully exercising the break clause to protect their future business interests may be alarmed to discover just how difficult it can be. A break clause is a [...]
Housing Law and the Localism Act : Jan Luba QC explains
Eminent Housing Lawyer Jan Luba QC - who surely needs no introduction in this blog – has kindly agreed to speak at the Yorkshire Housing Law Practitioner Association’s meeting in Leeds next month: details can be seen in the flier below. YHLPA Flier for 17 May 2012 There’s no need to book (though it [...]
The Party Wall etc Act 1996: your rights and obligations
The Party Wall etc Act by name might not sound like the most exciting piece of law on the statute books, and possibly of interest only to Lawyers, Surveyors and people who don’t get invited to many actual parties. However, it’s pretty important if you’re about to carry out work on a shared wall or [...]
Starter and Introductory Tenancies in the Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has dealt with two joined appeals examining Introductory/Starter Tenancy procedures. As a brief recap, Introductory and Starter Tenancies might be used by Registered Providers so as to assess a tenant’s behaviour during a probationary period before deciding whether to grant them a fully Secure or Assured Tenancy. During the probationary period, [...]
Have you got an up-to-date Will?
It is a well known fact that over half of the adult population do not have an up to date valid will. Do you? There are many reasons why you should make a will, and if you already have one why it should be updated. It is a document which sets out your wishes following [...]
Pinnock: the view from the local Judiciary
By way of a brief re-cap, and as you all know only too well by now – in Manchester CC –v- Pinnock, it was established that the County Court could review whether a public authority’s decision to seek possession of a home on an otherwise mandatory ground was “proportionate” in light of Article 8 of the [...]
Why Lettings Agents should be regulated
In Leeds this week an estates and lettings agency has simply disappeared from view – shutting up their shop, removing all computer equipment and leaving unopened post on the doormat – as well as a lot of confused and disgruntled landlords and tenants. The Property Showroom, in Farsley, Leeds, was run by Ayrton Properties Ltd. [...]
