Grace Wood, Author at Devonshires

Garden Communities Programme Launched

Posted on August 15, 2018 (September 17, 2020)

The government is seeking well-designed, well-planned, locally led garden communities meeting housing needs to take the form of new Garden Cities (to deliver more than 10,000 homes) and Garden Villages (1,500-10,000 homes).

Nuts & Bolts: Variation of Leases

Posted on August 13, 2018 (January 18, 2019)

Residential Leases are typically granted for long periods of time, such as 99 or 125 years. As the obligations and duties under a Lease are set when it is granted, the terms of long residential Leases can become outdated or irrelevant throughout such an extended period of time.

Recovery of costs of interim fire safety measures

Posted on August 13, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

Two recent decisions of the First Tier Tribunal (“FTT”) have explored the issues surrounding a Landlord’s ability to recover service charges in relation to the provision of a ‘waking watch’ service.

Q&A: How to extend a lease where the landlord cannot be located or their identity ascertained

Posted on August 13, 2018 (January 18, 2019)

Under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 qualifying leaseholders have the right to extend their lease for a further 90 years at a peppercorn ground rent. The tenant will have to pay a premium for the new lease and can propose that the new lease is on different terms to the existing lease.

Replacing Front Doors of Leasehold Properties

Posted on August 13, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

A number of issues need to be considered where a landlord intends to replace the front doors of leaseholders’ flats. The need to replace doors often arises as a result of the requirement to meet recommendations following fire safety assessments.

Ask the Expert: Recovery of Historic Service Charge Arrears

Posted on August 13, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

Question: A leaseholder has a 125 year lease for a flat but has allowed service arrears to build up. Unfortunately, the debt dates back many years. The landlord has approached the leaseholder for payment but they have said that the debt is over 6 years old so no legal action can be taken against them

Government Building Safety Programme: advice for building owners on assurance and replacing of flat entrance fire doors

Posted on August 10, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

Fire doors from five out of six suppliers have been identified as failing to meet requisite fire performance standards following an investigation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Proposal for longer tenancies should be welcomed

Posted on August 10, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

The Government’s proposal to set a minimum three-year term for private rental agreements could benefit tenants and landlords, and trigger investment in the Build-to-Rent sector.

Devonshires advises Stonewater on acquisition of tenanted stock

Posted on August 3, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

Devonshires have acted for Stonewater as they increase their growing portfolio of 877 affordable homes in Coventry to 1,186 following the completion of a tenanted stock transfer of over 300 tenanted homes from The Guinness Partnership. Stonewater has purchased 176 two, three and four bedroom houses and 133 two and three bedroom houses and one

Andrew Cowan, Gareth Hall and Nick Billingham recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.

Posted on August 2, 2018 (November 16, 2018)

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame recognises individuals who are excellent in their field and have been listed as a leader for 8 out of 10 years in the legal directory.

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