Our Blogs

Joint Tenants or Tenants In Common – Unsure which option to choose?

Bill Dhariwal considers the implications of buying or holding property in a trust and identifies rules likely to be implemented.

The Labour Party’s Plans

We thought it would be important to notify our clients, and the public in general, as to how Labour's manifesto relates to the housing sector.

Don’t Delay with Japanese Knotweed claims - New ruling by the Supreme Court

Bill Dhariwal reviews a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court relating to Japanese Knotweed damages

What are the new rules for non-domiciled (“non-dom”) purchasers of UK property?

Bill Dhariwal considers the implications for non-doms considering their options.

What are easements over land?

What are easements over land and what are the legal implications? Navleen Gulati and Bill Dhariwal explore the relevant issues.

Exploring NFC: A Deep Dive into Near Field Communication Technology and Its Applications

Tom Ayling, IT & Communications Manager, dives into the technology of NFC and how it is used within Lawcomm

How do you modify or discharge restrictive covenants over land?

How do you modify or discharge restrictive covenants over land? Commercial property experts Navleen Gulati and Bill Dhariwal review the relevant law and procedure.

HMRC Issue Tax Warning to Landlords

Syed Hoque discusses the latest published guidance from HMRC regarding landlords avoiding tax

What is material property information?

Since May 2022, estate agents have had to comply with rules set down by National Trading Standards, in respect of the information they provide on property listings.

Permitted Development Rights and How They May Affect You

Syed Hoque writes about the new governmental plans for the property market

Building Safety Act 2022: Impact on Lease Extension

Bernard Arhin speaks about the new Building Safety Act that recently came into force

How will the MEES regs affect my buy-to-let property?

The Government is taking action on homes failing to meet the minimum energy rating

Will spray foam insulation in my home prevent me from selling or re-mortgaging?

Homeowners may have difficulty in selling or re-mortgaging their properties if they have previously installed spray foam insulation.

Will spray foam insulation in my home prevent me from selling or re-mortgaging?

Homeowners may have difficulty in selling or re-mortgaging their properties if they have previously installed spray foam insulation.

The impact of the building safety act 2022 on lease extensions

Syed Hoque and Bill Dhariwal explore gaps in the Building Safety Act 2022 when it comes to lease extensions and collective enfranchisement

Does being overlooked in your home give you the right to a legal remedy?

The law of nuisance has been developed to protect a homeowners’ right to the ordinary use and enjoyment of their home

How do you answer Property Information Form questions regarding Japanese Knotweed?

Bill Dhariwal discusses Japanese Knotweed when selling a property

Contested Wills

David, Head of Private Client, reviews ongoing will disputes and advises how you can avoid your will from ending up in a court battle

How can I safeguard my property from fraud?

How can I safeguard my property from fraud? Bill Dhariwal reviews the scenarios in which a homeowner is more likely to be subject to a property fraud and advises how you can protect your property from the increasing risk of property fraud.

Building Safety Act 2022 – impact on developers, building contractors and landlords

Our commercial property solicitors outline the new safety regime for residential and mixed-use buildings

What money laundering checks are required when buying your home?

Bill Dhariwal discusses Money Laundering checks, proof documents and why it is necessary

Restrictive covenants and development sites

Our commercial property solicitor explains how to deal with a restrictive covenant and ensure your development is not derailed.

Securing access for a commercial property

Our commercial property solicitors explain the key issues when negotiating an access agreement for a commercial property

Commercial Property Rent Arrears

Get Ready for Binding Arbitration

Electrical Installation Condition Report

“Watt” landlords should consider in light of the upcoming requirements coming into effect on 1 April 2021.

Should I use a Reservation Agreement when buying or selling property?

Reservation agreements (also known as lock out or exclusivity agreements) are being touted by government and various commentators in the property industry as an essential requirement in the house buying and selling process in order to add greater certainty and reduce abortive transactions.

New Residential Possession Proceedings Guidance

New guidance has been Released in Relation to Residential Possession Proceedings

Leasehold Homes Scandal Intensifies

The leasehold homes scandal intensifies as CMA pursues enforcement action against private housing developers

Land Registry agree to accept electronic signatures

Digital signatures appear to be a work in progress with further modification likely.

What are Estate Rentcharges and what is their impact on conveyancing transactions?

What're the impacts of Estate Rentcharges on conveyancing transactions?

New Stamp Duty Holiday Announced – Your Questions Answered!

Your Questions Answered!

Why are Non-UK Residents Buying Property in the UK?

How can I get legal documents witnessed during the Covid-19 outbreak?

How are legal documents such as deeds and wills to be signed and witnessed during the covid-19 pandemic? Bill Dhariwal sets out the various options.

New Government Guidance Issued to Home Movers During the Covid-19 Outbreak

The government have announced in their recently published advice on home moving during the Covid-19 outbreak

Exchanging contracts on my property during COVID-19

Should I exchange contracts on my property transaction during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Flood Risks and Buying Your Home: A Guide for Property Buyers in England and Wales

The Law Society have updated their practice note on flood risks.

Residential Property Law – likely developments in 2020

The government has promised an ambitious programme of legal reform for the residential property sector in 2020.

The Impact of Future Leasehold Reform

There are changes to regulations in our sector

Neighbouring Land

Property dispute, neighbour dispute, access to neighbouring land, party wall, boundary dispute, surveyor, mediation.

Service charges in commercial property

Commercial landlords should discuss the new code of conduct for service charges with their solicitors and review their leases, before new rules come into force.

Home Buying Reform

New Land Registry rules, measures to professionalise estate agents, referral fee transparency, faster searches and changes to requirements of property professionals set to reform the home buying process in the near future.

Purchasing a Property with an Unmarried Partner or Family/Friend (Cohabitation)

When purchasing a property, unmarried couples (cohabitees) do not have the same protection as married couples...when purchasing a property with your partner or someone else (such as a family member or friend) there are various deeds and documents that can be used to protect yourselves...

First Time Buyer Guide to Buying a Leasehold Property

A leasehold property can be a secure investment for your future...purchasing a leasehold interest differs from freehold ownership and requires a number of careful considerations.

Super fast conveyancing - Digital welcome packs

There are many ways in which technology can be and is being used to improve efficiency and convenience for both conveyancers and clients...

Home Identity Fraud

What is Home Identity Fraud and how can you protect yourself?

Conveyancing Pricing

Response to the CMA Legal Services Market Study Report

Cohabiting Couples

Important differences between married and unmarried couples living together.

Introduction to Shared Ownership Staircasing

Learn more about Staircasing and what it means for you

Do you have permission to sell on the open market?

On 08 September 2020 Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, made further announcements in respect of the government’s proposed investment into affordable housing.

The new equity loan scheme is available to first time buyers only and it will run for two years (1 April 2021 – 31 March 2023).

The Government’s 2018 budget revealed that there will be changes to the current Help to Buy Equity loan scheme starting from April 2021.

Staircasing: A guide to purchasing more shares in your Shared Ownership property

Duncan Horton, Head of New Homes & Shared Ownership and Bill Dhariwal, Managing Director, at Lawcomm Solicitors give their thoughts on the modern trend of non-couple co ownership and whether this can be a viable option for buyers struggling to fund a sole purchase.

An explanation of the title checks we carry out on your New home.

The rules applicable to stamp duty and shared ownership transactions are not straightforward.

A law firm announced last month that it is preparing to launch a group negligence action against conveyancing solicitors...

How your New Build Home could end up worthless.

How ‘smart technology’ needs to be seriously considered in future property development.

More affordable new homes for first time buyers in 2017

The Crucial Importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney: Safeguarding Your Future and Empowering Your Loved Ones

Our wills and probate solicitors consider some of the legal steps you should think about if you have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.

Our wills and probate solicitors discuss writing your Will online

Our wills and probate solicitors explain secret trusts and how they might be used in making a will.

Our wills and probate solicitors highlight issues to discuss with you solicitor before they can draft your financial lasting powers of attorney.

Making a will is an important part of lifetime legal planning, but do you need to put all your wishes in your will?

David Roper explains the most common mistakes made by executors and how to avoid them.

Our wills and probate solicitors explain the different legal rights afforded to married couples, civil partners and couples who are cohabiting

Our Wills and probate solicitors guide you through the key considerations relating to property when making a Will

One of the things the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted is how out of date are many of our laws and the way we practice them, and how inconvenient they are during a pandemic when we have to socially distance ourselves.

We explain the importance of making a new Will after your loved one’s death, to protect your financial position now and provide for your loved ones on your own passing.

David Roper explains who has the legal right to make care decisions in the absence of a power of attorney

We advise making a will or reviewing any existing will whenever your circumstances change significantly – and certainly in the event of engagement, marriage or divorce.

This is a highly complex area of law and you should see a specialist solicitor who specialises in inheritance tax planning.

Trying to fit Victorian laws into modern concepts

When someone dies, all the assets in the estate will need to be valued as early as possible – firstly for the probate court and secondly to calculate any inheritance tax.

Why a health and welfare power of attorney is why it is useful

Buying a home with another person? Do you know what will happen if one of you dies?

Are you having issues with commercial tenancy renewals? Contact us now and see how we can help.

Here's everything you need to know in preparation for the upcoming changes to the Renters Reform Bill

There are new regulations and an updated way to complete 'Right to Rent' checks.

Kaur v The Estate of Karnail Singh and others (2023) provides an important decision regarding wills and estates.

Family Law specialist, Heather Sterling, reviews the concept of the “Common Law Spouse”. Essential reading for unmarried couples who want to learn more about the safeguards they should consider when cohabiting.

From 1st August 2022, overseas entities transacting property or land in the UK must register with Companies House and provide more information about their beneficial owners.

Heather Sterling reviews if a clean break after a divorce is possible, what the advantages are and how the right to ongoing spousal maintenance can be dealt with.

Heather Sterling discusses what it means to be implacably hostile, and how you can find solutions that are in the best interests of your child

We have been providing expert ILA services on a nationwide basis for a significant number of years.

Our family law solicitors outline the approach to resolving a family dispute over choice of school

Our family law solicitors take a look at why you may need an urgent freezing injunction to prevent assets disappearing.

Our family law solicitors look at how private businesses are valued and dealt with in divorce.

Our personal injury solicitors are experts in helping you make a claim for a cycling accident.

With an increase in the ‘boomerang’ generation, Heather Sterling looks at the rights of adult children living at home during a divorce

Article outlining the whiplash reforms which are due to come into force on 31 May 2021 and what they mean for road traffic accident victims seeking compensation

‍It was not going to be long before media reports of the inevitable online abuse of Messrs. Rashford, Sancho and Saka surfaced.

Heather Sterling explains what additional considerations need to be taken if you are considering finalising your divorce before the matrimonial home is sold.

Behind every Business Interruption Insurance (“BII”) claim is a very human story...

Our family lawyers discuss the rights for same sex couples and their children following separation or divorce

According to the Health and Safety Executive there are 1.6 million workers in Great Britain suffering from work-related ill health.

Heather Sterling takes a look at what to prepare before attending your first family mediation session.

Family lawyer Heather Sterling looks at the considerations when signing a Pre-Nuptial Agreement.

Our personal injury solicitors explain how they can help you get compensation if you were injured on a construction site.

Heather Sterling takes a look at why you may benefit from issuing divorce proceedings prior to the UK’s exit from the EU on 31 December 2020.

Our family lawyers look at how a spouse’s future earning capacity is treated in divorce.

The legal professional press and on-line “twitterati” have been vociferous recently about the attitude of banks and financial institutions when one of their customers has died.

A blog which discusses your options if a dispute arises between you and your relative’s attorney, including the issuing of court proceedings to have them forcibly removed from their post

Heather Sterling takes a look at how to decide and agree what time you and your former partner spend with the children.

"One donor has the potential to donate up to nine organs"

Heather Sterling takes a look at cross-border divorces within the UK in light of the recent Supreme Court decision of Villiers v Villiers [2020]

Delivery driver accidents in the pandemic

Sarah Lightfoot-Webber looks at how we can help you with spousal and child maintenance variations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill has now received Royal Assent, but what does that mean for you?

Heather Sterling looks at how we can continue to help you achieve financial separation from your spouse during the pandemic.

The government’s furlough scheme has been extended from 01 July 2020.

The government has published guidance to encourage us back into the workplace.

Can I claim for Covid-19 business losses through business interruption insurance cover?

Do furlough agreements with my staff need to be in writing?

Have you been accused of posting something defamatory on social media? If so, this article explains what you need to do to limit the chances of being sued.

Useful guidance on how hearings will be conducted during the pandemic

Can you terminate a business contract due to the Covid-19 outbreak?

Don’t be caught out by changes to employment law due this month, Bill Dhariwal highlights the key reforms

Our family lawyers look at some of the frequently asked questions relating to family issues and the coronavirus

Preparing for the coronavirus pandemic

The types of cladding associated with the Grenfell tragedy and the ongoing repercussions for leaseholders

The legal services market is changing fast. The main regulatory body for solicitors, the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA), is introducing new standards and regulations in order to keep pace.

Kerry Leigh Upton discusses what types of cladding were associated with the Grenfell tragedy and the repercussions

Will the courts listen to children when parents separate? Children do not usually have to go to court, but their needs are paramount.

Representing yourself may sound like a good idea, but...

What does it mean for you?

Easing the burden of taking Legal Action or receiving Legal Advice

Family Christmas and Contact Issues

Planning to see your Children can be difficult when parents are separated

Do I have to attend Court?

Alternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR, is any method used to facilitate the resolution of disputes outside of Court proceedings.

Bill Dhariwal and Sam Nolan explore planned changes for landlords and tenants under the Renters Rights Bill.

Here's everything you need to know in preparation for the upcoming changes to the Renters Reform Bill

There are new regulations and an updated way to complete 'Right to Rent' checks.

The Government is taking action on homes failing to meet the minimum energy rating

Bill Dhariwal, Head of Litigation, analyses upcoming reforms of residential landlord and tenant law.

Landlords now have more options to recover rent arrears from tenants with three major restrictions in favour of tenants now removed.

Details of the new regulations coming into force on the 1st October 2021

The Charter for Social Housing: Social Housing White Paper was published on 17 November 2020.

The commercial eviction ban has been extended until 30 June 2021.

Cladding: Since the Grenfell Tower fire, the regulations surrounding fire safety, particularly regards cladding, have changed. Bill Dhariwal explores how these regulations could affect leaseholders and building owners.

Residential Landlord and Tenant Update – October 2020

Our civil litigation lawyers outline the process private residential landlords must now go through to regain possession of their property due to new Covid-19 rules

New Notice Periods after 29 August 2020

Can landlords now proceed with court action?

Bill Dhariwal asks whether, in view of a recent change in the law, landlords and letting agents must cease refusing to let properties to “DSS” tenants

The government has further extended the restrictions on the ability of landlords to recover rent arrears from commercial tenants under business leases.

Covid-19 – A Quick Guide for Residential Property Landlords and Letting Agents

Commercial Rent Recovery – options for commercial landlords during Covid-19

The Coronavirus Act 2020

The Coronavirus Act 2020 and further government guidance have introduced a number of tenant friendly measures in order to lessen the impact of the pandemic.

A commercial landlord who wants a tenant to leave in order to redevelop must prove that they have a viable scheme and genuinely intend to carry it out.

New Notice Periods after 29 August 2020

Can landlords now proceed with court action?

Heather Sterling takes a look at cross-border divorces within the UK in light of the recent Supreme Court decision of Villiers v Villiers [2020]

Digital signatures appear to be a work in progress with further modification likely.

The new equity loan scheme is available to first time buyers only and it will run for two years (1 April 2021 – 31 March 2023).

Bill Dhariwal asks whether, in view of a recent change in the law, landlords and letting agents must cease refusing to let properties to “DSS” tenants

Delivery driver accidents in the pandemic

What're the impacts of Estate Rentcharges on conveyancing transactions?

Your Questions Answered!

^{The contents of our articles do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Law correct only at time of publication.}

Our Blogs

Joint Tenants or Tenants In Common – Unsure which option to choose?

Tips for Buying Property at Auction

Lawcomm Solicitors Guide to Sharia-compliant Mortgages

Should I use a Trust to buy or hold property and are the rules changing?

The Labour Party’s Plans

Don’t Delay with Japanese Knotweed claims - New ruling by the Supreme Court

What are the new rules for non-domiciled (“non-dom”) purchasers of UK property?

What are easements over land?

Exploring NFC: A Deep Dive into Near Field Communication Technology and Its Applications

How do you modify or discharge restrictive covenants over land?

HMRC Issue Tax Warning to Landlords

What is material property information?

Permitted Development Rights and How They May Affect You

Building Safety Act 2022: Impact on Lease Extension

How will the MEES regs affect my buy-to-let property?

Will spray foam insulation in my home prevent me from selling or re-mortgaging?

Will spray foam insulation in my home prevent me from selling or re-mortgaging?

The impact of the building safety act 2022 on lease extensions

Does being overlooked in your home give you the right to a legal remedy?

How do you answer Property Information Form questions regarding Japanese Knotweed?

Contested Wills

How can I safeguard my property from fraud?

Building Safety Act 2022 – impact on developers, building contractors and landlords

What money laundering checks are required when buying your home?

Restrictive covenants and development sites

Securing access for a commercial property

Commercial Property Rent Arrears

Electrical Installation Condition Report

Should I use a Reservation Agreement when buying or selling property?

New Residential Possession Proceedings Guidance

Leasehold Homes Scandal Intensifies

Land Registry agree to accept electronic signatures

What are Estate Rentcharges and what is their impact on conveyancing transactions?

New Stamp Duty Holiday Announced – Your Questions Answered!

Why are Non-UK Residents Buying Property in the UK?

How can I get legal documents witnessed during the Covid-19 outbreak?

New Government Guidance Issued to Home Movers During the Covid-19 Outbreak

Exchanging contracts on my property during COVID-19

Flood Risks and Buying Your Home: A Guide for Property Buyers in England and Wales

Residential Property Law – likely developments in 2020

The Impact of Future Leasehold Reform

Neighbouring Land

Service charges in commercial property

Home Buying Reform

Purchasing a Property with an Unmarried Partner or Family/Friend (Cohabitation)

First Time Buyer Guide to Buying a Leasehold Property

Super fast conveyancing - Digital welcome packs

Home Identity Fraud

Conveyancing Pricing

Cohabiting Couples

Introduction to Shared Ownership Staircasing

Selling your Shared Ownership Property

Will the New Shared Ownership Model Work?

Help to Buy: Changes to Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme

Changes to Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme

Staircasing Guide

A Friendship based in Bricks and Mortar

Raising enquiries; what does it all mean

Shared Ownership Stamp Duty

Action against new build leasehold conveyancers

New Build Leasehold Problems

Smart Homes Developers

Starter Homes

Business Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in England and Wales: Why They Matter for Smaller Organisations

Essential Advice for First-Time Home Buyers: The Importance of Wills and Declarations of Trust in England and Wales

The Crucial Importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney

Legal steps when diagnosed with a life-limiting illness

Writing Wills Online

Shining a light on secret and half secret trusts

Planning for your financial lasting power of attorney

Do I need a letter of wishes alongside my will?

Common probate mistakes and how to avoid them

It’s complicated – changes to marital status and making a will

Making sure your home can pass to the family or friends you choose

New legislation on video-conferencing and making wills

Making a Will after your spouse or partner has died

Care decisions without a lasting power of attorney

Making a will after a second or subsequent marriage

Tax planning for your inheritance