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Whilst “an unexpected result” has been the prevailing view amongst lawyers and other professionals not directly involved in the Supreme Court decision, some of the lawyers advising the leaseholders in the case have shared their unique insight with News on the Block. Stephen Crossick, Managing Partner at JPC Law, the firm of solicitors who represented one of the leaseholders, told News on the Block: “Contrary to first impressions, this case spells neither disaster for lessees nor triumph for landlo

Whilst the dust settles on the Supreme Court ruling in Daejan v Benson, reaction from around the industry has been forthcoming.  Cass Zanelli, from Brady Solicitors, told News on the Block, the “...outcome leaves a bitter taste for the leaseholders involved but essentially brings a healthy dose of common sense to property management law-making. Daejan sets a precedent for considering the degree of prejudice suffered by the leaseholders rather than the degree to which the consultation requirements were bre

>> Landlord awarded £230,000 for cost of major works >> Each flat owner liable for £46,000 >> Landlord to pay flat owners’ legal costs The Supreme Court has upheld an appeal of the Landlord today in the long-running case of Daejan v Benson.  But it was not an outright victory, as the Supreme Court reduced the amount the Landlord was claiming by £50,000 and ordered that the Landlord pay the leaseholders legal costs. The case involved just under £280,000 of major works at Queens Mansions, in Muswell

Build to let will be crucial in meeting the UK’s future housing need, Housing Minister Mark Prisk and Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey told the British Property Federation Residential Conference today as they underlined the government’s support for the growing sector.Prisk said that the government’s flagship build to let policy – which provides a £10bn debt guarantee and a £200m equity finance for house builders and developers – will encourage a wider range of investors to build homes for private rent.

Grosvenor Systems will be hosting their latest Propman seminar in Manchester on 5th March 2013, to showcase Propman X3, the latest version of their cutting edge property management software. Propman combines powerful accounting functionality with the day to day property management tools that all successful Block Managers require. Since its first release in 1991, this simple, easy to use application has provided the ideal solution for Block Managers looking to manage their portfolios more effectively, and

The next ALEP conference will take place on Thursday 7 March 2013 at the IET in Savoy Place. The event will be held in conjunction with ALEP’s event partner, Kerry London Limited, which was announced at the Seasonal Drinks Reception in December 2012, enjoyed by 140 guests. The conference will also be supported by News on the Block. Kerry London are Insurance brokers and are able to offer all ALEP members a discount on block insurance policies and undertake the insurance element of their enfranchis

The Annual Conference of the Leasehold Advisory Service will take place on 21st May 2013. This year the event takes on a new, exciting format and aims to cater specifically for the range of professional interests across the leasehold sector, including lawyers, property managers and valuers. There will be several high profile keynote presentations including one from Keith Hill, Independent Regulator for the Association of Residential Managing Agents' (ARMA) new consumer-focused self-regulatory regime, ‘ARM

THE LEASEHOLD FORUM  held its London annual conference in November 2012 aimed at enfranchisement valuers, and supported by ALEP and News on the Block.  The theme for the conference was Advising the Client. Delegates at the sold-out event heard about the procedural issues in bringing an appeal to the Upper Tribunal or Court of Appeal, were given an understanding of the market implications and consequences of enfranchisement or lease extensions, as well as an update on significant case law developments.  Ch

For professionals advising regularly in this technical area of law, the lease extension process may seem straightforward. However, the legislation is littered with onerous deadlines, some of which can have very serious consequences if missed. Here is a list of the top ten dates not to stumble on… 2 YEAR OWNERSHIP Before a claim can be initiated, a tenant must have accrued the requisite 2 year ownership period. This is taken from the date of registration at the Land Registry. DON’T FORGET THE 8

The Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (“the 93 Act”) introduced not only the right of collective enfranchisement, but also of an individual lease extension in relation to individual flats. The right of a lessee to extend their lease was conceived by Parliament to be exercised by lessees where they were unable for some reason to collectively enfranchise. Having said that, it is possible to claim a lease extension, and then to join in a subsequent collective enfranchisement. As origi

In enfranchisement, development value can arise in three situations. It is important to determine which paragraph of Schedule 6, Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, applies as this will affect how development value is calculated - if payable at all. 1. VALUE ATTACHING TO THE FREEHOLD INTEREST ALONE – PARAGRAPH 3 The classic case is where the freeholder has reserved to himself a flat roof and the right to develop. There might be other obstacles to development but the landlord can carr

The comparable method of valuation is an established tool in the valuer’s armoury to reach opinion of market value. Here we examine how the Upper Tribunal (UT) applies the “comparable transaction” method to meet specific requirements in leasehold reform. ANALYSIS OF COMPARABLE SALES ‘…A comparable can be broadly defined as an item used during the valuation process as evidence in support of the valuation of a different item of the same general type…’ RICS information paper ‘Comparable evidence in property