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Specialist property solicitors JB Leitch are pleased to report they have retained Tier 3 status in the new Legal 500 rankings for property litigation for the second consecutive year.   Acknowledged as the world’s largest independent legal referral guide, the rankings for 2022 are based on a broad series of criteria, including strong technical ability available for the most complex and innovative work, client recommendation and results.   Legal Director Phil Parkinson has also been awarded Rising Star st

Associate Jennifer Hollyoak at specialist property solicitors JB Leitch, provides insight and analysis on a recent Court of Appeal decision addressing whether a tenant gives vacant possession in the event that it removes too much from the property, including fixtures and property belonging to the landlord. Vacant possession is a common condition of a break clause. This case addresses whether a tenant gives vacant possession in the event that it removes too much from the property, including fixtures and pr

The Fire Safety Act 2021 amends the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to extend the duties of ‘Responsible Persons’ to ‘all doors between the domestic premises and common parts’.     We were asked at a recent seminar whether landlords could force people to replace their front doors as part of work required to satisfy the (ever increasing) requirements in relation to fire safety and building safety.  To answer this question landlords and their managing agents will need to determine whether the r

QUESTION    I live in a 4 storey block of flats rented through a housing association. The neighbour above me has a dog which is constantly on the balcony either barking or urinating which then comes down onto my balcony and furniture.    I have reported this to the housing association on numerous occasions but nothing has been done. Is there anything else I can do without approaching the neighbours directly as they have been aggressive and unapproachable when doing so in the past?     ANSWER    I would re

This evening, developer Hill Group scooped a prestigious 2021 Housing Design Award for its unique scheme, Knights Park in Cambridge.  The awards, which took place at Storey's Field in Eddington, are the longest running award programme in the country [1948] and the only one that sends a multidisciplinary set of judges to the shortlisted developments.Knights Park is the first ever completed Housing Design Award entry to be recognised by Building with Nature for providing an outstanding habitat to support bi

Horizon Management has expanded its property portfolio by taking over the management of three newly developed luxury apartments in the Northwest.  27-unit Eden Place and 22-unit The Pointe are both in Cheadle and 15-unit Sovereign House in Poynton have all been developed to a high standard by a local developer.Historically part of Cheshire, the village of Cheadle is vibrant leafy suburb ideal for commuters. Horizon Management’s Co-Director Nisha Thomas says: ‘These new blocks have further expanded our exi

Principle Estate Management has rewarded a top science graduate with a full-time position after she excelled when she first worked with them on a temporary contract.Esme Williams was initially employed at the UK’s fastest growing residential management company for just a fortnight to fill in for an apprentice who was off work after a horse-riding accident.However, she impressed management at Principle with her sharp analytical skills and was kept on to help in a number of areas, which has now resulted in

Michael Gove has been named the new minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The sometimes controversial MP replaces Robert Jenrick, who was removed from the role in Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle yesterday. As the new housing secretary, Mr Gove will decide where and how new housing should be approved and oversee a new building safety regime and a shake-up of the planning system.  Mr Gove is the fourth to hold the housing secretary of state Cabinet post since it was introduced in 2018. H

Flat owners thinking of switching to an electric vehicle (EV) got a nice surprise in September as the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) revealed what new chargepoint grants for landlords and leaseholders will look like.In 2022 the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, launched for householders in 2019, will be extended to anyone living in a flat or rental accommodation with dedicated off-street parking and a qualifying vehicle. The new EVHS will fund up to £350 of the cost of installing an EV chargep

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has left the government as the latest casualty of Boris Johnson’s reshuffle.Announcing his dismissal on Twitter, Mr Jenrick said: “It’s been a huge privilege to serve as Secretary of State at MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government). “Thank you to everyone at the department for their hard work, dedication and friendship. I’m deeply proud of all we achieved. I will continue to support the prime minister and the government in every way I can.”Mr Jenrick’

The Government’s latest business rates consultation (Fundamental review) proposes reforms that will effectively lock property owners out of the appeals process for their tenanted properties meaning RATEPAYERS COULD FACE TRIPLE BUSINESS RATES. Strategic property consultancy Cluttons have looked at what the Fundamental Review proposals that have been put forward are and how this will affect property owners. Proposed changes that could negatively impact ratepayers:  Ratepayers will be under a duty to notify

TemplePM are pleased to introduce our newest member of the team: Posy Spencer. Joining in July, she has hit the ground running; swiftly embracing the world of  recruitment and expanding her previous knowledge of the property sector where she was a Lettings Specialist. As our newest Recruitment Consultant, she is already comfortably liaising with clients and candidates helping them through the recruitment process. Posy enjoys being active, clay pigeon shooting, holidays and more importantly to us: she bake