The activity of squatting, or taking possession of an unoccupied building and living there without paying anything to the property owner, has long been a topic that divides opinion.
Some see it as a positive action, where the homeless make good use of unused living spaces. Others see it as a parasitic act that is akin to stealing.
With land in short supply in our towns and cities, property developers and town planners are acutely aware of the need to construct high rise buildings – often on small, overlooked plots of land to make a development profitable. Notwithstanding the struggle to secure development funding and all necessary planning consents which increases overall costs, developers are also being stung by claims that the construction of these high rise buildings are blocking out the natural light reaching neighbouring properties.
Given the on-going recession, tenants are increasingly looking to exercise break clauses in their leases to get out of occupying expensive premises. Understandably, landlords are making it increasingly difficult for tenants to exercise these rights knowing too well that it could take many months to get a new tenant for their premises, probably at much lower rents.
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.
