News and insight
Practice news and notes on the standards, legislation and decisions that affect the buildings we look after. For worked examples, see our case studies.
Section 18 and the Diminution Cap: What a Landlord Can Really Recover
A schedule of dilapidations can list every defect in a building, but the law limits what a landlord can recover in damages. Section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 is where both sides should start.
A New Duty to Manage Asbestos Was on Its Way
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 came into force on 21 November 2002. Regulation 4, the duty to manage asbestos in non domestic premises, followed on 21 May 2004. Owners and managers needed to use the time to find out what they had.
Party Walls: Notices, Awards and the Third Surveyor
Planning an extension, a loft conversion or a basement? This guide explains when the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires notice, what the award and schedule of condition are for, and how the third surveyor settles disagreements.
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform: What the 2002 Act Means for Blocks of Flats
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 received Royal Assent on 1 May 2002. It brought a right to manage for leaseholders and new consultation rules for major works, so freeholders and managing agents needed to prepare.
Replacement Windows Came Under Building Regulations Approval
From 1 April 2002 replacing windows and glazed doors is controlled work under the Building Regulations. Owners need either a building notice or an installer registered with FENSA, and listed or conservation area buildings still need care.
Before the Weather Turns: Roofs, Gutters and Gullies
Autumn leaves and winter rain find every weakness in a roof and its drainage. A few hours of inspection and clearance now can prevent months of damp and costly repairs.
The Decent Homes Standard: What a Target for 2010 Means for Repair Programmes
In July 2001 the government set out what made a home decent and wanted all social housing to meet the standard by 2010. Landlords needed repair programmes built on good information about their stock.
The Climate Change Levy and the Running Costs of Older Commercial Buildings
From 1 April 2001 businesses paid the new Climate Change Levy on the energy they used. For owners and occupiers of older commercial buildings, the fabric of the building had a direct effect on the bills.
Before You Sign a Commercial Lease: Why a Schedule of Condition Matters
A full repairing lease can leave a tenant paying to put right defects that were there before they moved in. A schedule of condition, agreed before signing, is the simplest protection.
After the Floods: Drying Out and Reinstating a Flooded Building
The floods of autumn 2000 left thousands of buildings wet through. Here is what owners should do before the builders arrive, and why drying out properly matters as much as the repairs.