March 2021 #385 – Law Journals

Land registry: Digital transformation

Richard Oliphant explains how e-signing platforms like Adobe Sign, DocuSign and Yoti Sign are integral to HM Land Registry’s plans to digitalise conveyancing and land registration in England and Wales HMLR’s response to Covid-19 was admirably fast and effective in keeping the gears of the real estate industry moving. HM Land Registry (HMLR) aspires to …

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Planning mistakes and enforcement: Dealing with planning control breaches

Alexandra Jones summarises the planning enforcement regime and what to do where a planning enforcement notice is issued in light of a recent decision The effect of appealing the enforcement notice is that the terms of the notice are suspended until the appeal is decided. The system of planning control exists to regulate development so …

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Student lettings: Frustration and the pandemic

David Schmitz considers instances in which it could be argued that Covid-19 has caused the frustration of some leases and other contracts for student lettings Lettings of student accommodation may sometimes be frustrated where Covid has made in-person learning impossible for a large part of the term of the letting. In National Carriers Ltd. v …

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Business interruption insurance: What now for landlords and tenants?

What does the Supreme Court’s ruling on business interruption insurance mean for landlords and tenants? Stephanie Reeves investigates Given the current level of confirmed cases, it is thought that most policyholders with relevant disease clauses should be able to show that Covid-19 has occurred within the required distance and, as a result, they should be …

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Construction focus: VAT reverse charge on construction services

Heather Corben considers recently introduced changes to VAT payments HMRC believes that, in a significant proportion of cases, VAT which is paid over to builders is not properly accounted for and is being lost in the system Significant changes are being made to the way VAT has to be accounted for in the construction industry. …

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Drones: A boon or bane to property?

Sophie Henwood and Navpreet Atwal consider the increasing use of drones by surveyors and estate agents Drones raise a number of liability issues such as mid-air collisions, along with damage to property and people on the ground. Estate agents and surveyors will need to work alongside their insurers to safeguard against these liability concerns. ‘Real …

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Supporting housing delivery: From Use Class E to residential

Matthew White and Fiona Sawyer consider the implications of the proposed new residential permitted development right for change of use from Use Class E, and the impact of proposed changes to Article 4 directions The new PD right will be available to a large percentage of properties in commercial, business and service use in town …

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