The short answer is nothing. The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme implements an EU Energy Efficiency Directive and is all set to continue after Brexit on the same basis as before. Draft regulations were published on Thursday 22 November 2018 to make some changes to the current ESOS Regulations once Brexit happens, but this is to
Category Archives: Real Estate News
Subscribe to Real Estate News RSS FeedJapanese knotweed: have your say
Following the Court of Appeal decision in Network Rail Infrastructure Limited v Williams and Waistell, Parliament is digging deeper to untangle the effect of Japanese knotweed on the built environment. The Science and Technology Commons Select Committee has been tasked with ensuring that Government decisions and policies are underpinned by good scientific foundations and is
A landlord’s intention to redevelop – breaking news from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has handed down its judgment in the case of S Franses Limited v The Cavendish Hotel (London) Ltd in the most important 1954 Act case for decades. The Court’s decision clarifies the nature of the ‘intention’ which a landlord must have in order to oppose a tenant’s right to renew its tenancy
How electric vehicles are driving change
The demand for electric cars is rising. In 2011, only 1,000 electric vehicles were sold in the UK. In 2018, this number increased to 485,000, with a new electric vehicle being registered with the DVLA every 3.6 seconds, and whilst only 3-4% of all vehicles are now plug in, this figure is expected to be
RIP CRC: What do I need to do when the CRC ends?
So the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (the “CRC”) is being scrapped. Are there any practical steps I need to take now? The Environment Agency has just published guidance to participants in the CRC on what to do now it is being closed. As we blogged previously, the current compliance year (ending 31 March
A new challenge in the mix: Hotel developments to provide affordable housing?
It is no secret that this is a challenging time for the hotel industry in London with peak prices, a shortage of viable sites, uncertainty over labour and rising costs and taxes. Notwithstanding, one London Borough has decided that hotels should also be doing their bit to address the housing crisis. In its draft City
Tenant’s Right to Manage – A damp squib?
As the number of people in privately rented accommodation increases, the ability of tenants to manage their homes in a way that works for them is becoming increasingly important. The Right to Manage (“RTM”), which landlords cannot contract out of, was introduced to give tenants of flats more control if they are dissatisfied with the
Structures and Buildings Allowance: What a relief for construction costs
Whilst capital allowances have been available for plant and machinery that forms an integral part of buildings, there has been no relief available for the capital investment to construct most structures or buildings themselves. Until now… The Chancellor announced in the 2018 Budget that the government will introduce a new Structures and Buildings Allowance (“SBA“)
SDLT: same tax; different filing window
From 1 March 2019 the window to file a Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) return, and pay any SDLT due, will reduce from 30 days to 14 days from the effective date of the transaction. As a reminder, generally the “effective date” is the date of completion. However, where a contract for the sale of
New Guidance paves the way for more Build to Rent
What’s happened? The Government has issued new guidance to help councils grant planning permission for Build to Rent schemes. This is great news for Build to Rent developers as it should mean that permissions are granted more quickly. Councils are encouraged to plan for Build to Rent in their areas where a need is identified,
Enforcement action for arrears – a useful reminder for landlords
Although company voluntary arrangements have stolen the headlines this year, there are many other tenants, particularly those in the retail sector that are not seeking to reduce their rents but simply falling into arrears. This presents a significant headache for landlords trying to manage their property portfolios. There are a number of remedies available to
No quick fix for a broken housing market – government consults on leasehold reform
We blogged previously about the government’s proposed reforms banning the granting of new residential long leases of houses and setting ground rents at a notional figure. The government has now published its consultation on how to implement these proposals and also proposals to make charges paid by freeholders for maintenance of communal parts fairer and more
Holy HMOly
Properties that qualify as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) have long presented a potential headache for unwary landlords, but from the start of this month the headache got bigger. Originally, the requirement for an HMO licence only applied to properties that comprised at least three storeys but under new rules, introduced on 1 October 2018,
Dancing to the wrong tune? Theresa May’s additional SDLT levy on foreign buyers
Theresa May’s announcement at the Conservative Party conference that foreign investors into the UK property market were going to be targeted with an additional SDLT levy has caused further consternation within the industry. Asserting a determination to “level the playing field” for those who live and pay taxes in the UK, the Prime Minister paved
Law against revenge evictions extended to all Assured Shorthold Tenancies
From 1 October 2018, the government’s clampdown on so called “revenge evictions” has been extended to all existing assured shorthold tenancies, including those which pre-date the commencement of the Deregulation Act 2015. The regime introduced by section 33 of the Deregulation Act 2015 is intended to prevent landlords from serving section 21 notices to recover
Urban exploration: a trend that’s going through the roof
From abandoned tube stations and former WW2 bunkers to cranes and skyscrapers, it seems barely a week goes by without a news story (or Instagram post) appearing showing an urban explorer in an area once thought of as off-limits. A quick YouTube search brings up over 36,000 results for “urban exploration skyscraper” and “urbex” (as
PropTech Decoded: Smart Buildings
As our daily lives become more and more integrated with technology we take a look at two ways in which advances in tech can be used to improve the existing buildings in which we live, work and play. Renewable Energy New buildings have the luxury of the latest energy efficient technology either through design or
Radical proposals on enfranchisement rights
The sale of houses on a leasehold basis has been criticised in some quarters because of its apparent unfairness to leaseholders. Leaseholders, in contrast to freeholders, lease a property for only a number of years. The question then being, what happens at the end of the term? Enfranchisement rights provide leaseholders who hold a lease
Call for Evidence on EPCs
On Thursday 26 July 2018, the government published a Call for Evidence on Energy Performance Certificates. The deadline for responding is 19 October 2018. The government is particularly keen for responses from building owners and occupiers (both domestic and commercial), estate agents and others involved in the sale or letting of buildings, anyone involved at
Whose property is it anyway? Government publishes plans for beneficial ownership register
Draft legislation to implement the government’s proposals for a “beneficial ownership register” has finally been published and the government is seeking views on the detail. The Registration of Overseas Entities Bill follows hot on the heels of last year’s consultation on the proposed register and provides some much needed flesh on the outline plans. The
The CRC is dead: long live Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
On Wednesday 18 July, The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (Revocation and Savings) Order 2018 was laid before Parliament. This Order will come into force on 1 October this year and will abolish the CRC when its current Phase ends. This means that, from 1 April 2019 onwards, there will be no further obligation to monitor
Time’s almost up for residential letting fees
Seven months on from its publication in November 2017, the draft Bill to ban residential letting fees has undergone the Committee Stage of pre-legislative scrutiny without amendment and now heads back to Parliament for its Report Stage. As the Bill looks increasingly likely to become law, we take stock of the Bill’s aims and review
The Road to Zero – What does it mean for you?
What is it? On 9 July 2018 the Government published its Road to Zero strategy. This sets out how the Government plans to lead the world in zero vehicle emissions. It follows the Government’s Air Quality Plan which prohibits the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040. This means that electric vehicles are
10 things you need to know about MEES and residential property
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (“MEES Regulations“) introduced the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (“MEES“), which aim to encourage landlords to improve the energy efficiency of buildings via a restriction on granting new tenancies and continuing existing tenancies where the property has a sub-standard EPC rating. Below are 10 key