All Ask the expert articles – Page 4
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ProfessionalHague Convention should mean UK judgments enforceable in EU states
Since the Brexit vote, property investors may want to know whether UK judgments will continue to be enforceable in the courts of EU member states when the UK leaves the EU.
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Insight
We must consider environmental impact of new buildings
The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” These are the profound words of adventurer and environmentalist Robert Swan who became the first person in history to walk both the North and South Poles.
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Professional
If construction is to deliver it will need more women
Roni Savage asks what must be done to boost the industry’s appeal to women.
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Insight
SDLT changes risk overcomplicating tax system
It has been widely trailed that we are likely to see Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in the forthcoming Budget.
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Professional
Laying the golden brick: when will a modular construction project benefit from zero-rate VAT?
Modular construction is one of the most significant advancements in housebuilding in recent years. In the 2017 Autumn Budget, the chancellor announced that the government would aim to prioritise modern methods of construction over traditional housebuilding by 2019.
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Professional
Construction courses must build skills by offering onsite experience
The huge skills gap in the UK construction industry is having a direct effect on many aspects of the sector, from rising labour costs to low housebuilding levels. The Chartered Institute of Building recently reported that 170,000 new recruits are needed by 2021 to keep up with demand. As Brexit ...
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Insight
The current CVA process is not fit for purpose
For many years, I have represented tenants against landlords, mainly in the retail and leisure industry, by restructuring leases often at reduced rents or with rent-free periods. In many cases, the alternative is that tenants fail to pay rent, which leaves landlords with empty properties.
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Professional
Tighter regulation makes HMO investment an area for specialists
The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation Order 2018 came into effect on 1 October, changing which residential properties will be categorised as houses in multiple occupation (HMO) for mandatory licensing purposes. From now on, properties occupied by five or more people, forming two or more separate households, will be ...
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Professional
Online sales tax could be a lose-lose for all retailers
The call by Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis for the Chancellor to introduce a 2% levy on goods sold via the internet illustrates the anguish experienced by many high street retailers operating from physical stores.
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Professional
Developers need to wise-up on mental health
At a time when humans spend the majority of their lives indoors, developers need to realise the responsibility they have to create spaces that support mental wellbeing.
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Insight
Clarity needed on EU procurement after Brexit
In nearly six months, the UK is expected to leave the EU and concerns are understandably mounting.
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Professional
A specialist environmental court is needed to avoid more blunders
In April, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) made a landmark ruling in the ‘ People over Wind ’ case pertaining to habitat regulations assessments (HRAs) for new developments, contradicting previously established practice and court rulings and attracting strong criticism from all corners.
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Professional
Government with all eyes on Brexit has lost its focus on housing crisis
The government has made a number of announcements recently concerning the future of property development.
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Professional
Legal challenges threaten the co-working dream
The co-working model exists in a grey area when it comes to regulation.
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Professional
Office and retail sectors will continue to learn from one another
Both how we shop and the way we work are undergoing significant shifts.
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Professional
‘Smash and grab’ adjudications appear to be in the spotlight again
In Grove Developments vs S T (UK) , Justice Coulson commented on the injustice that can flow from payment mechanisms in the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
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Professional
Addressing concerns around tech in the workplace is vital
Technological advances can improve agile and flexible working for all.
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Insight
Classical music venues and placemaking
Culture been at the centre of town planning since the Romans built the Colosseum and the Ancient Greeks built the Amphitheatres.
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Professional
Japanese knotweed may not be the villain of the piece after all
Japanese knotweed has a bad reputation. Notorious across the UK, this invasive non-native species strikes fear into the hearts of UK property owners and developers who find it growing on their land.
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Professional
Councils may push for reform to empty property relief after policy
Since 2008, when empty property relief was first introduced, the use of short-term lease arrangements as a form of business rates mitigation has become commonplace. This typically involves tenants taking short-term leases on properties, often on very favourable terms, allowing the landlord or property agent to reduce their business rates ...
