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As a commercial landlord, it can often feel like you're navigating a maze of obligations and responsibilities. This line of work requires careful attention to detail and a well-drafted, clear lease. Knowing exactly how your buildings are being used by...
In a significant announcement within the latest Spring Budget for 2024, the government declared the discontinuation of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR), effective from June 1, 2024. Understanding Multiple Dwellings Relief...
In this article, Farouk Vahdati, from our Litigation and Resolution team, delves into the complex domain of tenants' rights, highlighting two important aspects: 'Derogation from Grant' and 'Quiet Enjoyment'. Farouk explains...
From 12 February 2024 (April 2024 for smaller sites), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will be mandatory for most planning applications, including those made under s.73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This policy requires the creation and...
The Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill received Royal Assent on 26th October 2023, meaning new laws are now in force. The Government believes the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (‘the Act’) ‘will speed up the planning...
The Building Safety Act of 2022 has undergone significant revisions recently, ushering in crucial mandates to bolster building safety in the face of fire and other health and safety risks. Prompted by lessons drawn from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, these...
As a landowner, you may have heard of the term 'public right of way' and wondered what it means. A public right of way is an area of land open to the public for passage, such as a path or roadway. In some cases, this right of way may be...
A Shisha cafe based in Manchester breached a planning enforcement notice, forcing its landlord, T&M Property Investments Limited, to pay back £174,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The Dubai Cafe caught the attention of...
In leases, break clauses can serve as crucial provisions providing flexibility for landlords and tenants. These clauses allow either party to terminate the lease before the fixed term expires, subject to certain conditions and notice requirements. ...
You may be wondering what your options are when it comes to acquiring land from a dissolved company? Or an individual who died intestate and without relatives to inherit the land? Charlotte Payne, a trainee solicitor in Warner Goodman’s residential...
CCTV and home surveillance equipment is a matter we get a lot of questions about at Warner Goodman. The recent case of Fairhurst v Woodard [2021] 10 WLUK 151 has gone through many of the issues around the installation and operation of CCTV on your...
Landlords letting residential property privately need to be aware of the latest changes relating to the right to rent checks that they must carry out on all new tenants and not to discriminate. Charlotte Payne, trainee solicitor in Warner...
Warner Goodman LLP and the award winning charity known as Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (‘Portsmouth DSA’) are pleased to announce they will be continuing their ongoing partnership, with Warner Goodman once again in supporting the charity...
There has been much in the news recently about the support available from the Government for businesses in an attempt to save the high street and the economy, but little has been said about the effect on commercial landlords. Jenny Colvin in our ...
On 23 March 2020, the Government announced a lockdown for the United Kingdom in order to fight the outbreak of coronavirus. This meant that hundreds of thousands of businesses, large and small, were forced to close their doors to both their staff and the...
The Government has recently announced long-overdue proposals to reform the way in which leaseholders can extend their leases to make the process fairer and cheaper for them. This has come as welcome news to many leasehold homeowners who buy their...
In amongst all the drama of 2020, it may have been easy to overlook the biggest overhaul of the planning system since the 1940s. Huge changes came into effect on 1 September 2020 and Jenny Colvin , Partner in our Commercial Property team, answers some of...
When you buy residential leasehold property, such as a flat, you buy a term of years which has a finite, known end date. Whilst this term is unlikely to expire in your lifetime, mortgage lenders have recently become more and more unwilling to loan money...
On 1 st April 2020, the latest stage of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards was implemented, making it unlawful for landlords to continue domestic residential tenancies where the property has a rating of F or G on its Energy Performance Certificate...
The Government recently announced a business rate holiday for all leisure, hospitality and retail businesses in the UK due to the impact on the sector caused by the coronavirus pandemic. There is no such relief however for businesses who have not been...
Selling a Commercial Property at Auction is becoming increasingly popular, and there are many advantages over the conventional method of selling. Joe Taylor , Solicitor in our Commercial Property team explains more about the benefits of selling at...
Whether you are a landlord for a commercial or residential building, you will have certain responsibilities in relation to the presence of asbestos in your building. Alexandra Savage, Commercial Property Solicitor, explains more here about those obligations and the steps you should take if asbestos is discovered in your building.
On Christmas Eve, 1919, history was made. Helena Normanton became the first woman in England and Wales to join the Inns of Court; the first step towards qualifying as a barrister. This made her the first female lawyer in the history of this country. This followed the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 obtaining Royal Assent on 23 December 1919, which amended the previous law that precluded women entering into the legal profession. Jenny Colvin, Commercial Property Partner, follows the path of Helena Normanton and celebrates the legacy she left for females in the legal industry today.
Many developments across the Solent region are currently in limbo following the decision of several local authorities to halt the grant of planning permissions for new houses and tourism related projects. This follows advice from Natural England after record levels of nitrates were found in the Solent. Jenny Colvin, Partner in our Commercial Property team, here explains why nitrates are impacting planning permission, which local authorities are affected and when you may be able to apply for planning permission.
The High Court has recently announced their decision in a pinnacle case regarding whether Brexit could frustrate a commercial property lease. Alexandra Savage , Commercial Property Solicitor in our Portsmouth office, reviews the outcome of the case....
A recent Tribunal decision has considered whether derelict residential properties are liable to the 3% surcharged rates for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). Joe Taylor, Commercial Property Solicitor in our Portsmouth team, considers the outcome of the case and...
For one Trainee Solicitor, 1 st March will forever be remembered as an important milestone in their career, as Joe Taylor takes the next step and qualifies as a Solicitor. Joe joined the Warner Goodman Commercial Property team based in Portsmouth in 2015...
The landscape of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) has changed significantly over recent years, mainly for first time buyers. That landscape is set to change once more on 1 st March as the deadline for submitting SDLT returns will reduce. Jenny Colvin,...
An interesting and pinnacle case is about to go to court as to whether Brexit can frustrate a lease – bringing it to an end and releasing the parties from their obligations. Alexandra Savage, Commercial Property Solicitor, explains the facts of the...
Our Commercial division have expanded their expertise in their support for businesses with the introduction of two new Solicitors; Molly Siggs and Naushad Rahman.
If you have bought, sold or rented commercial property, then you may have heard your legal adviser refer to Commercial Property Standard Enquiries, or more commonly known CPSE. While the name may refer to them as ‘standard’, if you...
In recent months, there has been a growing trend in the way commercial tenants are using a particular type of insolvency prevention procedure, known as a Company Voluntary Agreement, to reduce the amount they are paying to their landlords. Here Helen Porter,...
When granting an assured shorthold tenancy of residential accommodation, you should ensure you are aware of the obligations you are required to satisfy both at the beginning of, and throughout the duration of the tenancy, otherwise you could face serious difficulty when trying to regain possession of your property. Helen Porter, Partner in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, explains these responsibilities here, and reviews a recent case highlighting the impact the failure to deliver a Gas Safety Certificate to a tenant can have on the validity of notice given under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
Landlords and tenants alike are being warned of the importance of clear drafting in relation to their commercial property leases following the recent ruling in Hipwell v Szurek . In this case, Ms Szurek rented premises from Mr Hipwell to be a...
The term ‘dilapidations’ refers to the wants of repair in a leasehold property for which the tenant is responsible. At the end of the term of the lease, the landlord will serve a terminal schedule of dilapidations on the tenant.
The private rented sector is made up of 4.5 million households in England. Both landlords and tenants frequently pay Letting Agents to provide a valuable service in ensuring properties are managed; assisting landlords in complying with their legal responsibilities and helping tenants secure a home, being their first port of call for any maintenance and repair issues.
Taking a lease of commercial premises is usually a big commitment. Issues to consider include:- Term, Breaks and Insurance.
If you are a commercial property investor or a business tenant, you will inevitably have come across an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) over the last few years. They are required to be provided by a landlord upon the new letting of any commercial property on the open market and are the scale upon which the energy efficiency of a property is assessed.
A recent case provides helpful guidance for both landlords and tenants of mixed use and other commercial buildings in relation to the relationship between a standard landlord’s right to enter the property for particular purposes during a lease (e.g. to develop other parts of it) and its obligation to allow the tenant quiet enjoyment of the premises.
Experts across the world are focusing on property laws and how they will stand up to the growing popularity of reality gaming, following on from the global success of Pokémon Go. Helen Porter, Commercial Lawyer, advises business and property owners of their rights when trespassing is becoming an increasing concern.
With the influx of new Landlords prior to the Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) rate increase on 1st April 2016, these Landlords will now need to consider the strategies of managing their properties and establish which method suits them best.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 made significant changes to the rights and obligations of parties in business to consumer contracts.
Disputes commonly arise out of building contracts. These could include arguments as to quality or price, being kicked off site or being asked to do more than what was initially agreed.
George Osborne delivered his 8th Budget on 16th March 2016, and has introduced a change to commercial stamp duty land tax (SDLT).
New Energy Efficiency Regulations have been passed this year in an attempt to meet parliamentary targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and here Colin Winyard, Commercial Property Solicitor, advises landlords of privately rented commercial properties to familiarise themselves with these rules as they are likely to have a significant impact on their properties as well as the tenants who occupy them.
The recent case of Schroder Exempt Property Unit Trust and another v Birmingham City Council provides a significant clarification of the law on liability for business rates on empty commercial property when a lease has been disclaimed. Colin Winyard, Commercial Property Solicitor, reviews the case and what this means for commercial property owners.
The team, which predominantly works with high net worth investors, entrepreneurs, clients acquiring premises for their business, and land security work for institutional and private lenders, was once run by just one partner and two support staff. As a consequence of an overwhelming increase in demand during the last 12 months, the team has more than doubled and now comprises of Claire Battye, Jane Futrille, Alexandra Savage, Carolyn Connelly, Emma Lee, Joanna Thompson and Georgina Savage.
In April 2010 The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 came into force under the Planning Act 2008. They are hoped to revitalise the planning process and regenerate communities – partly by using monies to be obtained from property developers. Alexandra Savage here reviews the regulations and what this means for commercial property developers now that more Authorities are beginning to implement the levy.
Commercial landlords will have been following the case of Games Station Ltd, which reached the Court of Appeal recently (February 2014), but it is of interest to all who supply goods and/or services to companies that then go into administration.
Flood warnings have been prevalent in the news recently and it looks as if the rest of 2014 will be no different as forecasters warn that climate change will bring more unpredictable and turbulent weather. Paul Winslade, Commercial Property Lawyer discusses why property owners should be prepared, and also what issues developers could face in the future.
Commercial tenants have never been in favour of their landlord, or more usually a bailiff, turning up unannounced and seizing their goods in order to recover arrears of rent. However, they will soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief as the common law remedy of distress is being abolished and replaced by Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (“CRAR”) from 6 April 2014.
Following the recent case of Humber Oil Terminals Trustee Ltd v Associated British Ports [2012] Alexandra Savage, Trainee Solicitor at Warner Goodman LLP, discusses an unusual argument used in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the landlord taking possession.
Here we review a recent successful case where a tenant obtained reimbursement of advance paid rent relating to the period after a break date, and advises best practice for incorporating break clauses within commercial leases.
Here we highlight the pitfalls that can occur regarding Stamp Duty Land Tax on an apparently straightforward transaction involving several leasehold warehouse properties. A recent deal is used as an example, with names changed for confidentiality.
With new permitted development rights recently being announced regarding converting commercial property into residential housing our Commercial Property Team look here at the reasons behind the changes, the positive effect this could have on the Hampshire housing market, and what to look out for if you, or your clients wish to buy office space to convert into residential housing.
Hampshire residents can breathe a sigh of relief as proposed Mansion Tax plans have been squashed. Last month saw the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives vote against the initiative…but how long until the issue is raised yet again? Here the Commercial Property Team look at the motives behind Mansion Tax, the impact this could have on the Hampshire community in the future, and when the issue could rear its head again.
New plans designed to encourage large building projects and increase the amount of homes available on the market could leave Hampshire residents in the dark as the Government plans changes to rights to light, warns the Commercial Property Team from Hampshire based law firm Warner Goodman LLP.
Property owners may have less reason to be alarmed over changes in air-con regulation than might be suggested by recent press coverage of R22 fluid claims Claire Battye, Commercial Property Partner.
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