Comment
Safety first
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, considers the difficulties of getting to grips with the Building Safety Act
Features
Swept away
Tom Knightley considers a recent case disputing sweeper clauses within the service charge provisions of leases
Streets ahead
A raft of housing, planning and property reforms featured prominently in the King’s speech, but how will they affect property professionals? Lucy Trevelyan reports
Register change
After talking to customers, HM Land Registry is simplifying the process for updating addresses for service and applying for first registrations. Alister Heywood explains the changes
Pipped at the post
Priscilla Sinder looks at how strong post-completion processes can help property practitioners meet their obligations and avoid costly mistakes
Playing it safe
The recent Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 amends the Building Safety Act to allow for further rights of recourse. Charis Beverton and Sarah Grant outline the key changes
A knotty issue
Claudia Oliver and Jack Lightburn outline the practical matters parties should consider when dealing with Japanese knotweed
Shine a light
The law around ‘rights of light’ is complex. Matthew Weal, Shanna Davison and Hugh Le Gear consider the issues in light of the new government’s plans
What next for leasehold?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 introduces fundamental changes to extend further rights to leaseholders of residential property. Katie Cohen looks at the current act and outlines what the new government is likely to change
Plan of action
Following the general election in July this year, the new government signalled an overhaul of the planning regime in England and Wales. Amy Penrose looks at the proposed changes
Held to account
Since the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force there has only been one decision published by the First-tier Tribunal concerning the principal accountable persons regime. Hannah Keane looks at the detail
Lip service
Phil Parkinson and Aisling McWilliams look at the issues surrounding service charges under the new legislation, and highlight the need for further clarity in an essential secondary legislative framework