Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery ("CRAR")
CRAR comes into force on 6th April 2014. Until then, the common law remedy of distress should be exercised. Distress is replaced by CRAR in relation to recovery of rent arrears for commercial property. CRAR allows…
Civil Partnerships and Pensions
An important Judgment was handed down this week by the EAT. Despite the Equality Act protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, because pensions are treated as deferred pay, then changes…
Bankruptcy and Cross-Claims
In a very recent case, the High Court has dismissed a Bankruptcy Order made against a debtor on the grounds that the debtor had cross-claims against the creditor that had a real prospect of success and that the…
Is Rent Paid in Advance the Same as a Deposit?
In the context of assured shorthold tenancies this question is important because if a payment made by a tenant is a deposit then it must be protected in accordance with the Deposit Protection Rules. If alternatively…
A Lifeline for Landlords of Blocks of Flats
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has recently made life much easier for landlords of blocks of flats let on long leases who fail to comply with service charge consultation requirements. A landlord has to…
Further Guidance For Non-executive Directors
A timely reminder from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators has been published, giving guidance to non-executive directors
Residential Landlords and Gas - Part Two
The need for residential landlords to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 has been brought into sharp focus by a recent prosecution of a landlord in Bradford by the Health and Safety…
Residential Landlords and Gas
Landlords of residential premises have duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to arrange maintenance by a Gas Safe registered engineer for all pipe work, appliances and flues, which…
Squatting - A Crime
From 1 September 2012 there will be a new criminal offence of squatting in a residential building. The new offence will be committed where a person does all of the following:- • Is in a residential building…
Joint Bank Accounts - Record Your Intentions
What happens to a joint bank account when one of the joint holders dies? If there is no evidence of what the parties intend then the presumption is that neither joint holder intended to make a gift or a loan…
