Property law

If you are looking to buy or sell property, or you are a landlord or tenant, you will no doubt have many questions about UK property law. In our blog we discuss current issues in the news and media regarding UK property law, such as changes to the laws on stamp duty and home information packs (HIPs). We also address common questions asked by you, such as the benefits and dangers of DIY conveyancing, resolving property disputes, recovering a tenancy bond and common property disputes.

Have a browse through our blog – if you can’t find what you’re after or you need specialist legal advice, Contact Law can put you in touch with a property law solicitor or conveyancing professional in your area who can assist you.

Council forces couple to move out of shed as it sets “undesirable precedent”

A young couple have been told by their local council to move out of the shed they have been living in for the past year, as it does not provide “adequate living conditions” and will set an “undesirable precedent”. Victoria Campbell and her fiancé Bill Warden have been living in the specially constructed shed in [...]

Bailiffs move in to evict travellers from Dale farm

The eviction of hundreds of travellers from the illegal Dale farm site in Essex is to begin today after a ten-year fight by the local residents and Basildon Council. Reports from the site this morning suggest that half of the 86 families due to be removed today have already left their homes. However, the remaining [...]

Squatters’ rights protestors take message to Ken Clarkes’ doorstep

Campaigners for squatters’ rights delivered a mock six-month eviction notice to the Justice Secretary’s front door on Thursday 15 September. Their protest is against the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on a proposal to make squatting a criminal offence in England and Wales. The protestors from Squatters’ Housing Association Action Group also climbed onto the porch [...]

Controversial planning reforms could lead to unchecked development

The Government’s new planning rules could see a development free-for-all with developers building ‘what they like, where they like’ unless local councils update their planning guidelines, according to Tory MP John Howell. The new guidance requires every council to publish details of the land in their area that is available for development. If they do [...]

Date set for travellers’ eviction

The residents of Dale Farm, at Crays Hill, Essex, look set to be evicted by their local council, Basildon Council on 19 September. Much controversy has surrounded their impending eviction, with groups of supporters setting up camp on the property to protest against their eviction and even a UN council intervening to support the travellers.

Time’s up for travellers living without planning permission

After a bitterly fought 10-year legal battle, the residents of Dale Farm, an illegal building site in Essex, are taking their case to the High Court in a last-minute attempt to halt their imminent eviction. The approximately 80 families who live on the site are travellers who own the land. Most of the residents have [...]

Kate Moss comes under fire over planned alterations to Grade II building

Kate Moss has clashed with her new neighbours in the North London suburb of Highgate over her plans to “pimp-up” her new Grade II listed home, which was once the home of the poet Samuel Taylor-Coleridge. Her plans reportedly include converting the basement  of the £8m property into a state of the art gym, complete [...]

New conveyancing tool developed by solicitor to streamline process

A solicitor from Guildford has created an innovative new tool for mortgage lenders which, he claims, will shorten the lenders compliance process from 45 minutes to five minutes. Julian Sampson, from the law firm Wright and Wright in Guilford, has developed the new tool, called ‘Jet’, with Alan Dring, the former director of the online [...]

Developer who bulldozed regency property without permission receives record fine

John Johnson has been fined £80,000, a UK record, for demolishing his 165-year-old regency villa in Twickenham, South-West London, without planning permission. The investor razed the £1m property to the ground in January 2011. The property was in the sought-after Trafalgar Road Conservation Area and Mr Johnson needed to get special Conservation Area Consent to [...]

Millionairess sues daughter for control of £3m house

Property millionaires Diana Lindsay, 85, is suing her daughter for the £3m home she brought for her in 1991 because she fears her daughter’s new husband will attempt gain control of the property. The High Court in London warned both the women that “irreparable damage” may be caused to their relationship if the hearing continues.