fbpx

Dewar Hogan Dewar Hogan Dewar Hogan Dewar Hogan Dewar Hogan

Dewar Hogan

Company News

The Renters’ Rights Bill | Arrears of rent – a mandatory ground for possession, but even more tripwires

150 150 mattd

As we anticipate the demise of the s.21 process, probably within the next few months, many landlords in the residential sector may be reassuring themselves that it will still be straightforward to end a tenancy where the tenant falls into rent arrears. Unfortunately, the Renters Rights Bill looks set to make it harder and costlier…

Abolition of ASTs and S.21 – The Risks Faced By Landlords of Doing Nothing

1024 680 mattd

How much longer will landlords be able to use s.21 notices to terminate a tenancy? The government is aiming to have the provisions of the Renters Rights Bill which end the use of s.21 notices in force by the Summer of 2025. Most landlords who have already granted AST agreements still have a window of…

The legal services market, fee agreements between solicitors and their clients, and getting it right!

150 150 mattd

The legal services market, fee agreements between solicitors and their clients, and getting it right! To protect their interests many clients decide to be represented by solicitors in relation to transactions and disputes. Their counterparties, or opponents, are probably represented and naturally enough a client wants, at the very least, a level playing field. But…

Development issues

Off-plan Contracts – The Priority Of Security Interests, And Unilateral Notices

1024 133 mattd

OFF-PLAN CONTRACTS – THE PRIORITY OF SECURITY INTERESTS, AND UNILATERAL NOTICES This is our fifth blog in a series relating to issues about off- plan developments. The following links will take you to the earlier blogs: Off-plan investments and the risk of lost deposits Off-plan investors – do they have security and if so where…

Rights Of Light – Rights To Be Protected Or Released For Compensation

150 150 mattd

Light is taken for granted until it is lost. Whether at home, or at work light that has always been enjoyed can be taken away by a neighbouring development – anything from an extension to a tower block. In many cases there will be a legal right to receive light, and development of a neighbouring…

Who really owns property?

150 150 mattd

Just because a property is held in the name of a particular person does not mean that he or she is the real owner of the property. Real ownership (in legal language often referred to as beneficial ownership) may differ from formal or nominal ownership. A property may be held in someone’s name but be…

Landlords losing the right to use the “no fault” eviction process

150 150 mattd

Whilst we continue to await details of the Renters’ Reform Bill, which is expected to abolish the “no fault” eviction procedure under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, in practice some landlords may have already lost the ability to end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy by simply giving two months’ notice. Where the tenancy in…

Residential blocks of flats in Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea – landlord and tenant issues and disputes

150 150 mattd

Many residential blocks in London are plagued by management issues. The common ones are service charges, alterations, and sub-letting. Lessees are usually concerned about service charges, whereas landlords are concerned about the other issues. In many cases neither the landlord nor the tenant wants to incur legal fees, so they do their best to try…

Development issues

Off-plan investments and the risk of lost deposits

1024 133 mattd

OFF-PLAN INVESTMENTS AND THE RISK OF LOST DEPOSITS Picture the scene. An off-plan investor contracted two years ago and paid substantial deposits. The longstop date has passed and construction is continuing – but slowly. The investor is losing faith in the developer and is impatient. He has the right to rescind the contract and require…

Fortune favours the brave – a landlord and tenant perspective

150 150 mattd

The interests of residential landlords and tenants are regulated by contractual terms and a statutory overlay, and if there is a problem the court or the tribunal is in the wings ready to intervene – but it’s never really as simple as that! Although rights and obligations etc can be enforced the prospect of taking…