Residential Property

Mortgage fraud is big business, whether for straight profit, by obtaining finance on a property under false pretences, or as a method of laundering money gained by criminal means. What should a property owner look out for? Here are a couple of studies from cases Blacks has dealt with in the recent past: Case study […]

Following on from the introduction of Tenancy Deposits Schemes on 6 April 2007, the Housing Act 2004 has now been amended further to expand and give more protection to Tenants and deposits paid under Assured Shorthold Tenancies. Previously, a landlord was required to protect a deposit under a tenancy deposit scheme and had to do so […]

The government has announced the Help to Buy: ISA. First-time buyers who choose to save through a Help to Buy: ISA will receive a government bonus, which will be calculated and paid when they buy their first home. The government bonus: will only be made available for home purchase; can only be put toward homes […]

The buy to let market was once just for the professional landlords and very few other people. With house prices crashing during the recession, along with interest rates at a record low and smaller pension returns, many people have been looking into investing into this area as part of retirement planning. The increase in people […]

A squatter has won a landmark victory for “squatters’ rights” after applying for possession of a property in Ilford, East London, on the basis that he had been in “adverse possession” for a period of 10 years ending on the date he made his application. Facts of the Case The property belonged to Doris Curtis, […]

Section 21(1) of the Housing Act 1988 states that: On or after the end of a fixed term assured shorthold tenancy, the court can order possession of the property if the below applies: (a)    The assured shorthold tenancy has ended and no other tenancy exists other than a periodic tenancy; (b)   The landlord has given […]

The Housing Act 2004 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011 ) came into effect in April 2007. The Act requires a tenant’s deposit to be protected in an approved tenancy deposit scheme within 14 days of being received by the landlord. If the deposit is not protected the landlord must pay a fine and they […]

When purchasing a property, a good and proper survey can easily be overlooked because of cost. However, cost cutting at the early stage of the conveyancing process can lead to substantial hidden costs at a later date. Why do you need a survey? When buying a property you need to think ahead. The money spent […]

In January 2013, the Government launched the Green Deal  to overhaul the UK’s inefficient housing stock whilst reducing energy bills. It is designed to allow households and businesses to make energy efficient improvements such as double glazing at no upfront cost. Instead, repayments are made over time through electricity bills. All households are eligible to […]

A Home Reversion plan is where you sell your home or a percentage of it to a Reversion Company but retain the right to live in it rent-free for the rest of your life. A Lifetime Lease is granted to you on completion of the Home Reversion plan which is registered at the HM Land […]

Changes of planning law came into effect on 1 October to allow the ancillary space above retail shops (either A1 or A2) to be converted into residential use without the need to obtain planning permission. The main conditions to comply with are: The retail use is on a floor below the residential part of the […]

An Equity Release Mortgage allows the over 55’s to take out a mortgage on their  property in return for a lump sum, a lump sum with a further drawdown facility, an  income or a combination of the three. The mortgage is secured against your property and you can continue to live in your property. Equity […]