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Sign Here Please - Electronic Signatures and the Law

Whether your signature is an example of elegant calligraphy or of the scruffiest scribble, you have probably ‘signed here’ more times than you care to count. The 1677 Statute of Frauds required certain documents to be in writing and signed. This provision is still in force today.But what of the documents being signed? Predicatio ... Continue reading

Call for Evidence on Energy Performance Certificates

The government has published a Call for Evidence on Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings. Landlords, tenants and agents of both domestic and non-domestic properties are all encouraged to respond.The government foresees an expanding role for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) as part of its drive to reduce building e ... Continue reading

Longer Terms for Residential Tenancies?

Time is running out for landlords and agents to respond to the government’s consultation on its proposal to introduce a three-year minimum term for residential tenancy agreements in the private rented sector in England. The consultation closes on 26 August 2018.Responses are sought to 29 questions. They include questions about r ... Continue reading

Technical Issues in Charity Law | Part Two

In Part One, we covered a number of technical charity law issues examined in the Law Commission Report of 14 September 2017. This note deals with further issues dealt with in that Report.Making Regulation of Charity Land Transactions Less of a BurdenWhen a charity sells, lets, or mortgages its land, it is subject to restrictions ... Continue reading

April 2018 Legal Changes for Residential Landlords and Tenants

The Government is on a mission to drive up standards in the private rented housing sector. More new rules and regulations apply from April 2018 with the introduction of new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), Banning Orders and the Rogue Landlord Database.Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) – England and WalesFrom ... Continue reading

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for Commercial Properties from April 2018

From 1 April 2018 it will be unlawful for a landlord in England or Wales to enter into a new letting (or extend or renew an existing letting) of a commercial property with an F or G energy efficiency rating unless an exemption has been registered. From 1 April 2023, it will be unlawful to continue to let a commercial property wi ... Continue reading

Fitness for Human Habitation - New Rights for Tenants

The Government is committed to improving standards for tenants in the private and social rented sectors. It is therefore supporting a Private Members’ Bill tabled by Karen Buck, a Labour MP: the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill. (visit the Parliament website here to track the Bill’s p ... Continue reading

HMO Reforms Update

Last month we wrote about the Government’s proposed HMO reforms. An Order has now been made extending the scope of mandatory licensing by removing the “three or more storeys” requirement. Landlords have until 1 October 2018 to apply for a licence for properties not previously subject to mandatory licensing. There will be no grac ... Continue reading

Technical Issues in Charity Law | Part One

The Law Commission published a Report on 14 September 2017 on various technical issues in charity law, focussing on areas where there is inappropriate regulation of charities and any unnecessary legal complexity and inconsistency. It aims to remove or adjust the legal and regulatory burden on charities, whilst still safeguarding ... Continue reading

HMO Reforms Expected in 2018

The Government has indicated that new rules relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) will be brought into force in October 2018. The key reform is the extension of mandatory licensing of HMOs. There are also new provisions regarding minimum room sizes.What is a HMO?In simple terms, a house or flat is a HMO if it is occup ... Continue reading

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