Real estate publications 

These articles have been written by lawyers at Speechly Bircham. Please get in touch with the authors if you would like more information on a particular topic.

Articles and case studies are in pdf format which can be viewed using Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here.

VAT: Option on tax
Recent welcome changes to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 have resulted in a simplification of the process by which a business can opt to tax certain exempt supplies of land and buildings... read more
This is article was first published in Speechly Bircham's Inbrief publication (December 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
It has been a busy month for London's Mayor who has issued his consultation draft replacement London Plan, a draft Clean Air Strategy and a draft Transport Strategy. This month also sees the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) opening its doors for business although as reported in our August edition, the IPC will not be taking any applications until March 2010...read more (October/November 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
This edition looks at the latest information being released by the Government in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy; the proposed new Permitted Development rights for commercial premises; and proposed changes to the Planning Policy Statement 25 – Development and Flood Risk...read more (September 2009) 

Inform: Planning & environmental
This edition looks at the timetable for the implementation of the new planning regime for determining major infrastructure applications; the Planning Appeal decision with the Code for Sustainable Homes; and the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirement...read more (July/August 2009)

The Carbon Economy - the CRC factor
The Carbon Reduction Commitment ("CRC") is one of the UK’s mechanisms to create a behaviour and infrastructure change in UK business, by use of financial and PR pressures, to reduce fossil fuel consumption. This note provides a brief overview of some of CRC’s key elements to indicate some of the immediate and medium term actions and strategies which are necessary/expedient...read more (June 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
This edition covers the announcement by the new Housing Minister that Government will put in place powers for Planning Permissions to be extended and amended; and the recent changes to Local Development Orders...read more (June 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
This edition of Inform includes updates on the South East Plan, the Mayor of London's proposed changes to the London Plan and consultations on the draft new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies...read more (May 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
This edition of Inform includes a gentle reminder about three important changes which come into force on 6 April under the Planning Act 2008...read more (April 2009)

Maximising value when your tenant ‘wants out’
George Awty looks at how canny landlords can take steps to reduce their costs in lease terminations, in the current recession...read more
This article was first published in Speechly Bircham's Inbrief publication (March 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
What will the changes to the Planning Act bring to the planning regime?...read more  (March 2009)

Inform: Planning & environmental
This edition looks at the Planning & Energy Act 2008 which gives the Merton Rule statutory force, and which received royal assent earlier this month; a new regime for environmental enforcement; the consultation paper on restricting share ownership staircasing; and the draft Planning Policy Statement for Eco-Towns...read more (November/December 2008)

Winds of change or cold draught?
Wind energy will be a major contributor if 20% ofthe European Union’s energy target is to come from renewable sources by 2020, George Awty and Matthew Hind examine wind farms as a practical proposition...read more
This article was first published in Speechly Bircham's Inbrief publication (November 2008)

The 'greening' of leases and more
George Awty and David Leedham look at the growing trend of commercial property owners who are adding covenants into leases, which require the parties to maintain and improve a building's green credentials...read more
This article was first published in Speechly Bircham's Inbrief publication (July 2008)

The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2008
Increased fees from 6 April 2008, will impact all planning applications; from change of use, new build, external alterations and variation of conditions...read more (April 2008)

The permitted development regime
Clare Prior and Breellen Warry discuss reducing carbon emissions through microgeneration...read more (April 2008)

New procedures for potentially strategically important planning applications in London
The Mayor of London is given new powers involving planning applications...read more (April 2008)

Seeing the complete picture
‘Two for one’ ticket promotions afforded the Saatchi Gallery no artistic licence to breach its covenant. James Empson looks at the court’s holistic approach...read more
This article was first published in New Law Journal (January 2006)

Environmental initiatives gather momentum
On 12 September 2005 the Government published four interim 'approved documents' which comprise the Government's proposed revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations 2000...read more (November 2005)

The application of renewables
A fundamental long-term shift in the way energy is supplied and used is bringing major implications for the UK property market...read more (July 2005)

A new licensing regime
The Licensing Act 2003 comes into force in November 2005 by which date all licenses need to have been converted to the new regime...read more (March 2005)

What a waste...
Owners, purchasers, developers and tenants of contaminated land should be aware of a possible requirement to hold a waste management licence...read more (March 2005)

Caveat emptor?
The principle of caveat emptor or buyer beware puts the onus on the buyer to find out everything it wants or needs to know about a property before buying or becoming committed to buying...read more (November 2004)

A welcome facelift
It's the 50th anniversary of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 ('the Act') and Parliament has decided to give the Act a facelift...read more (July 2004)

A new tax on property?
The Government's much heralded reform of the planning system has finally received Royal Assent in the shape of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004...read more (July 2004)

PIFs - are they worth the wait?
The long-awaited property investment vehicle looks set to be listed, closed ended and internally managed...read more (July 2004)

Keeping track of your assets
The Land Registration Act has introduced changes to the way property is registered in England & Wales and has important implications...read more
This article was first published in Pensions Age magazine (June 2004)

Tenant-friendly
Jeremy Hudson reports on a recent High Court decision on amending a tenant's notice of claim...read more 
This article was first published in Solicitors Journal (February 2004)

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 deals with a wide range of discrete aspects of landlord and tenant law as well as introducing a new form of tenure called commonhold...read more
This article was produced following a seminar on this topic (February 2004)