While the property market continues to struggle in the current economic conditions, lower property values have led to a greater push by tenants to buy their freeholds or
extend their leases. Similarly tenants are interested in achieving good value for their money and are questioning steep service charges more closely, which, in turn, is
leading to increased litigation.
The push by planners to integrate more residential property in new developments has led to a greater mix of residential and commercial properties in the same
development and a growth of live and work schemes. Commercial property lawyers now have to be aware of residential property legislation with its stricter penalties. The
implementation of the Localism Bill will give greater powers to local communities and will have profound implications for planning and housing.
Forthcoming Webinars
Here is the schedule of forthcoming webinars for this practice area.
On Demand Webinars
Here is a list of previously broadcast webinars that are now available on demand.
31st Mar 2011
Preparing for Alternative Business Structures in the property sector
This webinar will focus on:
• Internet Marketing: A winning strategy for small firms: how sole practitioners small firms can build a winning online strategy to take on the big boys in the conveyancing market
• Why your website should now be the hub of all your marketing efforts, both on and off line
• How to punch above your weight with the big players in conveyancing
• Google: the sole practitioners and small firm’s new best friend
• Content is King: the power of pre selection and overnight instructions
• How to dominate your local conveyancing market and keep out the intruders
• The Brave New World – like it or love it
• Opportunity or Threat?
• What is the post October landscape going to look like?
• Who are going to be the players?
• What are the lawyers’ options?
• Who should you buddy up to?
17th May 2011
Identifying money laundering and fraud
• What is criminal property?
• Three key types of risk:
• identity fraud
• value fraud or income misrepresentation
• criminal source of funds
• Do you know who your client is?
• Risks – Value
• Risk – Source of Funds
• Warning signs
• The incidence of mortgage fraud
• Mortgage fraud methodologies
• Mortgage fraud and the regulatory regime
15th Jun 2011
Dealing with assured shorthold tenancies
• When is a tenancy not an assured shorthold?
• Notice requirements
• Recouping tenants’ deposits
• Dealing with over crowding
• How do you get rid of problem tenants?
• Dealing with unauthorised tenants
14th Sep 2011
Leasehold enfranchisement
• Enfranchisement – is it worth the trouble?
• Notices – get them right
• Caretakers’ flats and common parts: leases and lease-backs
• Valuation – settled issues & outstanding issues
• Service charges and other issues on completion of the claim
12th Oct 2011
The problems raised by co-ownership
With the price of property now disproportionally high compared to the average salary, property co-ownership offers an ideal solution to get on the property ladder. However this arrangement is not without its problems. This webinar will examine the issues that arise and offer practical solutions and tactical advice to ensure a trouble free cohabitation.
• Cohabitation by unmarried couples and beneficial interests
• The importance of the conveyancing file
• The effect of marriage
• Getting out
15th Nov 2011
How to deal with easements, rights and covenants and overriding interests
This webinar intends to illustrate best practice when dealing with rights over residential property. Our expert speakers will seek to advise on the interpretation and developments of covenants and easements, in light of the most recent case law and legislation, and offer practical strategies to avoid typical traps.
• Covenants - the rudiments.
• Interpreting covenants – are they enforceable?
• Dealing with covenants – will they derail the project?
• Easements and their interpretation.
• Easements and development – what are the pitfalls?
• Damages or an Injunction - traps for the unwary.
2nd Dec 2011
The Localism agenda
The Localism Bill, due to come into place in November 2011, is intended to shift power from Westminster to local authorities thus freeing them from the administrative restraints of central government. Local Enterprise Partnerships are due to replace Regional Development Agencies and they will be formed from partnerships of business groups focused on transport, housing and planning, providing an ‘integrated approach to growth and infrastructure delivery.’ This webinar will discuss the likely impact of these changes on residential development and examine the new statutory neighbourhood planning regime.
• What will changes to the regional planning system (RS revocation) and the evolution of LEPs following the RDAs' abolition mean for residential development?
• Consideration of the new statutory neighbourhood planning regime.
• New local authority enforcement powers.
• How will CIL work?
7th Feb 2012
Mixed use developments - what should you be aware of?
This webinar covers:
• Residential service charge regulation - an introduction
- contractual entitlement
- statutory regulation
- reasonableness
• Particular problems to watch out for
- headleases held by corporate bodies
- How does the management structure work?
Tenant's right to first refusal under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987
• Rights to manage
• Importance of consultation before a landlord can appoint a managing agent
o What happens when a managing agent changes or merges with another?
