News

On the 1 November 2016 the Court of Appeal considered the case of Holley v Hillingdon LBC. Mr Holley continued to occupy a property owned by the local authority following the death of the tenant, his grandfather, who had previously succeeded to the tenancy.

Devonshires acted for Merlin on a race discrimination claim issued in the Bristol Employment Tribunal by an ex-employee. The Judge dismissed all allegations of discrimination and made a finding of fact that the Claimant had lied whilst giving evidence. Devonshires made an application for costs based on the ex-employees unreasonable conduct and he was ordered to pay £17,204.16.

We acted for L&Q in the acquisition of 29 Affordable Housing Units from Countryside Zest (Beaulieu Park) LLP on the Neighbourhood Centre and Zone B of the Beaulieu Park development in Chelmsford, Essex.

The only reported Airbnb case so far has attracted media attention and a small flurry of articles and opinion pieces.

bpha has secured a new £75 million loan facility with Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi.

We are pleased to announce that following a 2 year training contract we see the following Trainees qualify.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of 8 new trainees to our team at Devonshires.

Bangla Housing Association celebrated their 25th Anniversary year on the 21st September 2016.

The recent decision of Upper Tribunal in Various Occupational Leaseholders of Foundling Court and O’Donnell Court, Brunswick Centre, London v (1) Camden LBC; (2) Allied London (Brunswick) Ltd and others provided helpful guidance in dealing with the consultation process under S.20 where there is an intermediate landlord and occupational leaseholders.

This case involved the leaseholder, Mr Aviram, carrying out works to his flat, in particular replacing his boiler. The new boiler required a new vent and waste pipe to be installed. The lease prohibited works to the external walls without consent of the freeholder.

This case was considered by the Court of Appeal on 4 December 2015 and concerned a claim by the leaseholder for damages for disrepair when the leaseholder was not occupying the flat concerned for reasons unconnected to the disrepair.

This case was considered by the Upper Tribunal on 25 September 2015 and concerned Mr Cain’s challenge to reasonableness of service charges over the previous 12 years. This is an important case as it provides scope for limiting the leaseholders ability to challenge the reasonableness of the service charges where the leaseholder has repeatedly paid the service charges in the past. Therefore, landlords should be aware of this case, particularly with a view to limiting the scope of challenges to the service charges by their leaseholders.