Plans to regularly check architects’ competence have been announced by the government. The proposals, set out in a consultation announced by Housing Minister Christopher Pincher, will allow the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to set statutory standards of competence for architects…read more
Petition to Government to block Japanese knotweed loophole. Published December 2020
Property developers can sell new homes without disclosing the risk of Japanese knotweed, putting buyers at risk of significant removal costs says Manchester law firm, Graham Coffey & Co. The firm has launched a petition calling on the government to…read more
RICS updates COVID-19 valuation guidance. Published November 2020
Uncertainty about property valuations during the COVID-19 pandemic has led the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to reissue its valuation guidance to firms. Originally issued as a ‘valuation practice alert’ at the start of the pandemic, RICS has now…read more
Carillion fails in bid to inspect KPMG’s audit papers. Published November 2020
The liquidator of former construction giant Carillion, which spectacularly collapsed in 2018, has failed to persuade the court to order KPMG to disclose its audit working papers. After Carillion went into liquidation with reported debts of £1.5 trillion, questions…read more
Controversial planning proposals announced by government. Published October 2020
The government has announced controversial plans to overhaul England’s planning system. The Housing Secretary says its proposals are designed to speed up the approval process and cut red tape – but some critics have warned that the plans could lead…read more
RICS warns of unqualified people completing high rise fire safety forms. Published October 2020
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has condemned the practice of unqualified people completing EWS1 fire safety forms. The form, which was introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, is intended to inform mortgage lenders whether external…read more
Restrictive covenant blocks development of celebrity architect’s new home. Published September 2020
Celebrity architect Sophie Hicks’ plans to build a new home in London’s exclusive Holland Park have been thrown into disarray by neighbours who objected to the ultramodern design including a ‘gently glowing’ glass box entrance. The Court of Appeal has…read more
Code for commercial property relationships during the pandemic. Published September 2020
The government published a voluntary code of practice designed to help businesses which are unable to pay the rent due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The Code of Practice for commercial property relationships during the Covid-19 pandemic” encourages landlords and tenants…read more
Ban on fees charged to private renters extended to all tenancies in England. Published August 2020
A ban on the fees landlords can charge tenants in England has been extended to cover all existing tenancies. Only a limited range of fees can now be levied and landlords who breach the regulations will face hefty fines. The…read more
Government issues guidance on fulfilling contracts during the pandemic. Published August 2020
The government has issued updated guidance to help companies caught up in commercial disputes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It wants businesses to behave responsibly and fairly in enforcing contracts impacted by Covid-19 to protect jobs and the…read more
