Property Problems Guides

In this article Leigh Shapiro, member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) and Partner at Irwin Mitchell, discusses the hidden responsibilities of leaseholders and why it’s so important to get the right advice before embarking on ownership of a leasehold property.

Architects are the trained and licensed experts in the planning and building of all buildings. Plenty of people correlate architects with just the blueprints, and as much as it’s true they’re involved in the design phase, not many are aware that architects are truly committed throughout the entire process — from the concept, to the understanding of their drawings and plans, to building, and finally, to maximise your returns. Read on to find out how architects can help maximise your returns.

Last week the Government announced a huge number of changes to the way we buy, sell and lease property. These changes have either been in consultation for some time and we are now finding out the results, or they are new consultations for future changes. Read my article to find out about the future of property.

2019 will prove a decisive year for the direction of the private rented sector. The government has increased the costs to let for both landlords and agents and increased the number of hoops they have to jump through to let legally. On top of this, they have increased the chance and the level of fines with Local Authorities able to charge up to £30,000 for serious breaches. And, although the government may be 'patting itself on the back' for reducing the percentage of households in the PRS versus home ownership, the loss of homes to rent is likely to be one of the main causes of any increases in homelessness and evictions, especially as our population is still rising.  This continued 'attack' on those operating in the Private Rented Sector is set to continue.