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Residential landlords will need to shape up for the forthcoming legislation set out in the Renters’ Rights Bill put forward by the government including a raft of proposed changes. Smaller scale landlords, in particular, are likely to be affected...
Residential landlords will need to shape up for the forthcoming legislation set out in the Renters’ Rights Bill put forward by the government. The banning of Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 as a method for evictions will provide greater...
As the summer season descends from its peak cruising altitude, and the suntan starts to fade, dissatisfied flyers who have been subject to disruption and delays may be wondering where they stand on compensation. It started the day the computer said...
The much anticipated and long awaited Bill has finally been published. The Bill in short is to look at changing the law about rented homes. The Bill introduces a number of changes and it remains to be seen what the final version will look like. Whilst the...
The ‘rent-to-rent’ business model has seen a huge increase in recent years, reflecting the trend for businesses to take over utilisation of assets, like Uber and Airbnb. But for landlords, it has given rise to confusion over the extent of...
Contentious probate refers to any disputes about an individual's estate when they are no longer here. This process can be difficult for families and lead to many mixed feelings, but understanding when an estate can be contested can help answer many...
Today (4 January) is World Braille Day. On the day of Louis Braille’s birth, this date is a reminder of the importance of not just braille but all accessibility of communication for people who are blind or visually impaired. Carrie Clewes, Equality...
Andrew Morley , Chartered Legal Executive and Partner at Chattertons has forty years' experience dealing with disputes and here he explains how a last will may not be the last word if someone decides to challenge this. Nothing is certain but death and...
In the UK, pupils and students are protected from being discriminated against by their schools, colleges and universities under the Equality Act 2010, but this doesn’t mean education is free from discrimination. It is important to be able to identify...
What is commercial litigation? Any legal action taken that involves a corporate party is commercial litigation. This includes anything from employment issues and contract disputes to major cases between large international companies. Commercial litigation...
In July this year, the Co-operative convenience store chain was found to be using facial recognition technology across stores in the south of England, leading to complaints being filed to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), who regulate the...
Garden predators are taking root in the courts, as householders take action to fight off plant invaders that can be highly destructive and undermine property values. One of the most common reasons for garden-related legal action is when Japanese...
There is a County Court in every major town and city in England and Wales. These civil courts deal with a vast array of cases such as those involving breach of contract, negligence, accidents, consumer disputes, debt, land disputes, landlord and tenant...
There is a County Court in every major town and city in England and Wales. These civil courts deal with a vast array of cases such as those involving breach of contract, negligence, accidents, consumer disputes, debt, land disputes, landlord and tenant...
With the start of a new academic year fast approaching for many students, it is also the start of a new tenancy agreement. Although you’ve likely just paid your deposit, it is important to take steps from the start to ensure the full deposit will be...
Holidays abroad are back, but due to staff shortages, airports are struggling, and flights are being routinely cancelled and delayed across the country, including domestic and European routes often last minute. So with the school summer holidays fast...
Spring, warm weather and longer days sees a surge in interest in garden works each year, and where householders improve and replace, boundary disputes are sure to follow… One recent long-running case saw an Essex couple fighting over six inches of...
The new tax year began on 6th April 2022, and while you may not have made any ‘new year, new you’ promises, perhaps it could be time to sort out your business finances. It can be easy to let things slip - a late invoice, a missed payment and even...
World Consumer Rights Day will be on 15th March in 2022, with the theme of ‘Fairer Digital Finance’. This article looks at one of the most popular consumer credit schemes today - buy-now-pay-later. Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) products have rapidly...
Chattertons Solicitors & Wealth Management have welcomed back David John as a partner to its Dispute Resolution Team. The appointment further strengthens the firms Dispute Resolution presence in Boston as David brings with him a wealth of litigation...
The Government launches review into the treatment of LGBTQ veterans and the pre-2000 ban on LGBTQ+ Members of The Military. Prior to the year 2000, where four ex-servicemen and women who were dismissed for being gay, won their case in the European...
If you are a landlord of a commercial property, you may find yourself in the circumstances where you need to evict a tenant and take back possession of your property. This area of the law can be complicated - your best route forward will depend on your...
If you are considering an at-home fireworks display or perhaps a bonfire, you need to be sure that you do not fall foul of the law. Rules concerning fireworks and bonfires are designed to keep us all safe and to prevent nuisance in the neighbourhood. In this...
Householders spending more time at home and in their gardens during the Covid-19 pandemic is fuelling a rise in boundary disputes as infrequent niggles have translated into nagging complaints, with overhanging branches, encroaching tree roots and towering...
Those that have followed my blogs on Housing Law throughout the pandemic should be aware that there are changes on the way as to how Housing law works in practice as the Country starts to unlock. It would appear from the latest Government announcement that...
As the shutters lift on life, with shops and bars opening and holiday planning underway, property owners may be thinking of cashing in on the demand for UK trips by offering their home for short-term lets, but they may run into trouble if they don’t...
You may recall that I posted a blog in relation to evictions being halted again . Yesterday we learned from the Government that the ban in relation to bailiff led evictions is to be extended beyond the 31 March 2021. It appears from Government sources that...
It has been announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that the ban in relation to bailiff evictions is to be extended until the 31 March 2021. Those that have been following these blogs and the news will be aware that the ban was...
The Housing Team at Chatterton's Solicitors continue to monitor changes to Housing Law. The team is today able to confirm that Practice Directions 55C – Coronavirus – temporary provisions in relation to possession matters has today been...
With the significant increase in shopping online, receiving boxes via one of hundreds of white vans up and down our streets seems common place. With Christmas approaching, most of these boxes will be eagerly awaited but what happens when you receive a box...
In an unprecedented year, businesses who believed they have taken the sensible option of insuring against potential losses, have been left high and dry. Having policies that were supposed to cover business losses as a result of matters out of their control,...
Residential landlords must get their houses in order with the arrival of further legislation to protect tenants through electrical and building safety requirements. New electrical safety standards are rolling out for private sector tenancies and...
Throughout the course of this year I have issued a series of blogs relating to Housing Law matters. The current pandemic has had a significant impact on both Landlords and Tenants. Claims for possession are due to resume as of Monday 21 September 2020. You...
With the dark nights coming in and summer drawing to a close, you may be considering having a bonfire. Either to dispose of waste that has accrued over the summer, to celebrate bonfire night, or simply to keep you warm in the garden as the evenings get...
As reported in earlier blogs the stay in respect of possession proceedings was due to be lifted this weekend. At the last minute it appears that the stay has been extended until the 20 September 2020. The Housing Team at Chattertons are monitoring this...
In these uncertain times, no matter how big or small your business is, managing cash flow can be challenging. One particular difficulty for many firms is dealing with debt collection. Maximising debt collection should be a priority for your business to...
Landlords are breathing a sigh of relief over the news that a court has allowed an eviction notice despite a copy of the gas safety certificate not being provided before the tenancy started. But experts are warning that attention to the small print is...
Landlords and tenants will be acutely aware of the stay imposed on Possession Proceedings. The stay is scheduled to end on the 23 August 2020. The big question though is what happens next? In short the answer is the new temporary Practice Direction 55C...
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The above Regulations were mentioned in my earlier blog "New Standards on the Horizon". The regulations came into force on the 1 June 2020. As a short...
On the 5 June 2020, the Housing Secretary made an announcement that the suspension of evictions from Private or Social Landlords would be extended until 23 August 2020. As a result of this decision it is unlikely that the vast majority of possession...
Since my earlier blog on Housing related matters there has been a further update to the extent that all Housing possession claims are to be suspended for a period of 90 days. There is provision for this time limit to be extended. The announcement appears...
COVID-19 CLIENT NOTICE Chattertons are open and we are working hard to provide our usual high standard of service to our clients. We are now able to see clients for essential meetings, by appointment only. Most of our advisors are working...
WHERE DO I STAND? Residential Tenancies As our day to day life changes, it is inevitable that people start to wonder where they stand, what is the advice, who do they approach for assistance. The information below is intended to assist Landlords and...
The impact reaches far and wide The current situation impacting on our day to day lives is also affecting how the Courts operate. The Lord Chief Justice has issued a message to Judges that preside in the Civil and Family Courts. The underlying message is...
Chattertons Solicitors are open for business. However we are following government recommendations and would encourage you not to visit any of our offices except by prior arrangement. We are closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and are...
Those that have an interest in Housing Law and its development may be interested to read the Justice working party report which has just been published. The report looks to propose what is known as a "Housing Dispute Service". The working party...
The draft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private (Rented) Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have been laid before Parliament. If passed there will be changes ahead. ...
Christmas brings a round of festive celebrations with drinks, dinners and bottles of wine shared between customers and suppliers, but whether giving or receiving, businesses need to keep up with the rules on corporate gifting. Under the regime...
A tenant’s opportunity to effectively operate a break clause can be thwarted by underpayment of rent. Commercial leases often include break clauses where the operative date does not fall on a quarter day. Increasingly tenants are looking to...
For the majority of people, a house is the most expensive thing they will buy. Not only will they invest significant sums in a deposit but also enter into long term debt. And that is ignoring the emotional attachment and stress created by the whole process. ...
