A landlord has lost his appeal to increase the rent on a property which had benefited from substantial improvements over two years. The issue arose after the landlord made a set of improvements in 2008. He applied to the Rent Control Committee to be allowed to increase the rent but was turned down. He made
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The government is introducing new measures to encourage longer term tenancies and improve standards in the private rented sector. A model tenancy agreement, developed with the sector, will set out the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, and provide an industry benchmark for written tenancy agreements. Ministers say the agreement will ensure families
An action group has failed in its legal bid to stop what it described as a “major development” of 14 houses in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The case involved a reserve housing site. Before applying for planning permission, the developers asked the local authority to adopt a screening opinion as to whether the
As the economy appears to be taking a turn for the better and vacant units in town centres falling from 1 in 7 to 1 in 5 (Local Data Company Limited), landlords and tenants are still precarious about entering into leases of premises. There is a fine balance seeking to protect an interest and ensuring
The Government says it is urgently exploring whether new legislation is needed following a controversialAppeal Courtruling which affects tenancy deposit protection (TDP). The case of Superstrike Ltd v Marino Rodrigues involved a tenant who had taken an assured tenancy for a fixed term of one year less one day from January 8, 2007 and paid
A group of tenants have lost their appeal relating to a lease agreement which obliges them to pay service charges that increase at a compound rate of 10% a year. The case involved tenants with long leases of holiday chalets at a leisure park. Their leases, dating back several years, contained a clause saying they
When drawing up a contract for consultancy work it is important that both sides agree what the objectives are and what will constitute success. If there is no clear understanding, disputes can arise over fees, as shown in a recent case before the High Court. It involved a company that engaged a consultant to advise
The High Court has ruled that a commercial tenant that continued to occupy its premises after the lease expired had effectively created a new annual periodic tenancy and so was liable to pay 13 months’ rent. The issue arose after the tenant’s lease expired in 2009. No new lease was signed but the tenant remained
A recent case before the Court of Appeal highlights the need for landlords to ensure that they have protected deposits from former fixed term tenants who went on to acquire statutory periodic tenancies. Failure to do so could result in penalties and prevent the landlord from serving notice for possession. The case involved a tenant