Featured Articles

Bishop & Sewell, a leading full service Central London law firm, announces the appointment of Stephen Charnock as Senior Associate Solicitor in its Landlord & Tenant team. Stephen specialises in Leasehold Enfranchisement and has more than 20 years’ experience in this complex area of law. Stephen dealt with some of the very first claims when the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act was enacted in 1993 introducing new enfranchisement rights for leaseholders of residential flats. He is a recogn

So, what is all this MEES business? MEES is the acronym for “Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards” which can be tracked all the way back to the Energy Act 2011 but was in fact introduced more formally in March 2015 via the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales)  Regulations 2015. And as I am sure most of you know EPC stands for “Energy Performance Certificate”. All fascinating stuff but why is this important? Let me explain.   Now that we are firmly in the clutches of 2017, the yea

The Upper Tribunal has made it clear in its recent decisions that it will show no sympathy for tenants’ procedural mistakes in right to manage (RTM) claims. The Upper Tribunal has issued stark warning for tenants seeking to acquire the right to manage their building that the statutory procedures are not difficult to comply with and so you must get it right. It can however be tricky to navigate around the statutory requirements and tenants either going it alone or appointing inexperienced representatives a

Nationally recognised property management specialist, Cassandra Zanelli and her team have joined hlw Keeble Hawson – marking a significant development for the firm. Based in Doncaster and boasting a nationwide client base of freehold-owning and property management companies, the five-strong team will launch a new department entitled ‘PM Legal Services’. The areas of expertise of Miss Zanelli and her colleagues, who jointly combine a wealth of industry experience, include resolving complex property dispute

QUESTION A fellow leaseholder has apparently taken the Freeholder to the Tribunal and won some concessions in regard to Management Charge issues (ie Reductions in Charge) but it appears that the concessions that this leaseholder won are not being applied to all the other leaseholders, although they all share the same issue. Is that correct? Must I take the Freeholder to the Tribunal in respect of my own leasehold flat to get the same concessions? Seems to me to be a whole lot of money being wasted for the

Introduction The premium payable to extend a flat lease may increase as a result of a new method of calculating one of its key components following the decision in Sloane Stanley Estate v Mundy [2016] UKUT 223 (LC). Flat owners pay a premium for a new lease. One of the potential components of the premium depends on the relative value of the flat with and without an extended lease. Where you set this “relativity” can have a big effect on the premium payable. It is complicated by the right to claim an exten

The corporate team at DMH Stallard is celebrating today after scooping the Corporate Law Firm of the Year Award at a top industry awards event. The Insider South East Dealmakers Awards were held last night (Thursday 2 February) at a glittering ceremony hosted by Strictly Come Dancing winner, Chris Hollins. The awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious recognition for professionals involved in buying and selling businesses in the South East. This is the fourth time the firm has achieved this honou

Managing Agent, SDL Bigwood, is continuing to expand its team in the South East, with the appointment of a new regional operations manager. Gareth Brown has more than 30 years’ experience in residential property management and will oversee an eight-strong team from SDL Bigwood’s Southampton office. In his new role, Gareth will lead and support the team, coordinating the day-to-day management of the office. He will be tasked with building on SDL Bigwood’s extensive portfolio of managed properties throughou

QUESTION I have learnt that not sending a section twenty notice to leaseholders is a criminal offence.  I have read local authorities can prosecute but it’s only a fine. Who does the criminal prosecution? How can we enforce the use of the section twenty information about the works be given to leaseholders.  Is it the government ombudsman who can force them to disclose the information and our ability to put forward our contractors. ANSWER The question refers to Section 20 and leaseholders. Therefore, it is

JPC Law have expanded their property team with the addition of Gail Robinson, Eleanor Grindley and Jyoti Mistry.   Gail Robinson is a highly experienced enfranchisement specialist (formerly of Thackray Wood where she set up their enfranchisement department).  Since then Gail has worked mainly in central London handling non contentious leasehold enfranchisement and property based transactions.   Eleanor Grindley is an experienced property litigator joining JPC from Rollingsons.  Eleanor advises companies,

Kent based Managing Agent & Chartered Surveying practice AM Surveying & Block Management concluded their search for new office premises with the purchase of public house The Kentish Quarryman in Ditton, Aylesford in Kent.   It took just two months for the company to convert the property from closed down public house to high spec bespoke offices. Much had to be done from full stip out & refurb to arranging the formal Change of Use with the local council from drinking establishment (Use Class A4) to profess

QUESTION When I bought my property in 2010, I signed a lease and it contained share percentages. The landlord and estate management have changed since then. What is the procedure if the landlord wants to change proportioned contribution of leaseholder to the services? I have flagged it up with the managing agent and received a reply (see below), but I have not seen any formal documentation. With reference to the previous 2015, 2016 and now 2017 service charge, apportioned contribution was calculated usin