Housing Solicitors in the UK: A Guide
Whether you are buying or selling a home, dealing with tenancy disputes, or facing eviction, a housing solicitor offers expert legal advice and representation to ensure your interests are protected. With the UK housing market’s intricate regulations and potential legal pitfalls, having a knowledgeable solicitor by your side can make a significant difference in resolving […]
Comprehensive Guide to Housing Law in the UK
Housing law in the UK comprises a broad set of statutes, regulations and case law that regulates the housing market, protecting stakeholder rights while ensuring safe and adequate living conditions. More than a body of law, it is the framework that influences living conditions and housing experiences throughout the country, impacting anyone with an interest in property, […]
Licence to Occupy or Lease?
A licence to occupy can provide a property owner with a quick, easy and flexible way of letting out commercial premises, or even a room in their own home, avoiding the formalities and legalities of a commercial lease or residential tenancy. However, it is important to know how licences work, legally speaking, and when these […]
Council Tax on Empty Property (Do You Have to Pay?)
If you own an empty property, you may be wondering if you have to pay council tax on it. For homeowners and renters, council tax rules can be difficult to understand, with various bands and rates for different types of property, and discounts and exemptions available in certain limited circumstances. But failure to pay your […]
Ending a Fixed Term Tenancy Early
What happens if you are a tenant living in a privately rented property that has a fixed term tenancy and you have to leave it early? Perhaps your job has changed and you need to move out of the area or a family member has become ill and you are leaving to care for them. […]
Guide to Extending Your Lease
If you own a residential property on a leasehold basis, there are many reasons why you may be considering extending your lease. In most cases, the shorter the amount of time remaining on the leasehold, the lower the value of the lease becomes, and the more you will have to pay to increase the term […]
Deed of Covenant on a Leasehold Property?
Buying a leasehold flat can often be more complex than buying a freehold property. The addition of a third party, ie; the freeholder or landlord, in the conveyancing process means that there are various extra documentary requirements involved, typically including the requirement to sign a deed of covenant. The following guide looks at deeds of […]
Collective Enfranchisement to Buy Flat Freehold
Owning a long residential lease can be a valuable asset although, as the lease term decreases over time, so too can the value of your flat. However, together with other owner-occupiers, you may have the right to collectively purchase the freehold of your building. In this guide, we explain the collective enfranchisement process for buying […]
Current Law on Squatting
What is squatting? Squatting is where someone has entered a property without first obtaining permission from the owner, and then stays there, or intends to stay there. The current law on squatting varies, depending on whether the building or land being occupied is residential or non-residential. Squatting in a residential property In 2012, it became […]
Being Evicted For Rent Arrears? Tenant Rights
If you are being evicted for rent arrears, you are not without protection or rights. The landlord must fulfil their legal responsibilities and follow the correct procedure. Your rights, as a tenant facing eviction, revolve mainly around your landlord’s responsibilities. Coronavirus housing & tenant advice Many tenants are now struggling to pay rent due to […]
Assured Tenancy Agreements: Housing Association Tenant FAQs
The following guide looks at frequently asked questions by Housing Association tenants in relation to assured tenancy agreements. Do I have an assured tenancy agreement? The most common type of tenancy agreement issued by a Housing Association is an assured tenancy agreement. You will probably be an assured tenant if your landlord is a housing […]
Before Signing A Short Term Tenancy Agreement…
Before signing a short term tenancy agreement it is important to know exactly what you are signing, not only in terms of your contractual rights under the agreement, but also your responsibilities. What is a short term tenancy? A short term tenancy is commonly referred to as either a shorthold tenancy or an assured shorthold […]
How to Deal with Rent Arrears (Help for Tenants)
Should you fall behind with paying your rent, you run the risk of being evicted by your landlord and losing your home. Generally, your landlord will be less likely to threaten you with eviction if they can see that you are doing your best to put things right. Taking steps as soon as you come […]
Housing Grants – Support for Low Income Families
Housing grants are available from charities, energy suppliers, government organisations, and private sector bodies, to improve your home or assist with household bills. There are a wide range of housing grants available, depending on the kind of improvements you wish to make to your home, your location, and your personal circumstances and eligibility. Housing grants […]
What is an Assured Tenancy?
In response to the question “What is an assured tenancy?” the following guide provides an overview of this type of tenancy, including how assured tenancies are defined, together with the general rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants under an assured tenancy agreement. What is an assured tenancy? Assured tenancies are a form of long-term […]
Rent Agreement (Terms to Include)
A rent agreement, also known as a tenancy agreement, is the contract between a landlord and tenant. The rent agreement should set out the conditions of the occupancy, including the rights and responsibilities on both sides. Generally, a rent agreement should be written. While a verbal rent agreement may still confer legal rights to both […]
Housing Act 1996 – An Overview
The Housing Act 1996 lays out the legal requirements for the provision of rented properties, including: social rented properties houses in multiple occupation (HMO) rights and responsibilities of both tenant and landlord the related handling of universal credit and housing benefit how local housing authorities allocate accommodation homelessness Social rented sector regulated by the Welsh […]
Letting Agreement – What Tenants Need to Know
A letting agreement, also known as a tenancy agreement, is the contract between you as tenant and your landlord, which lays out the conditions of the tenancy including the rights and requirements of both parties. The agreement may be in written form, or merely an oral agreement. It is always recommended to have a written […]
What is a Break Clause in a Tenancy Agreement?
Private tenants wanting to end their tenancy early should look at whether there is a break clause within their tenancy agreement. This also applies to landlords looking to bring the tenancy to an end before the agreed duration. What is a break clause? A break clause in tenancy agreements for private housing sector […]
Ending a Tenancy Agreement Early (Guide for Tenants)
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract which places certain obligations on both you as the tenant and the landlord. When the tenancy is for a fixed term, you generally have an obligation to pay rent for the property until that fixed term is over. When it comes to ending a tenancy agreement early, […]