I have a leasehold flat in a victorian conversion of 5 flats in house The freeholder insists on using a very expensive insurance company. Despite requests he will not allow the management company to look elsewhere. We estimate the premium is 2 to 3 times what it would usually be judging on other properties. i think the question of commission/referral fees might be the reason. What can i do to change this. It does seem unreasonablr and purely in...

Letting agents industry warned to check their small print or risk enforcement action The OFT is warning the letting agents sector to check that their terms and conditions are fair and transparent as it publishes an evaluation of its consumer enforcement case against Foxtons for breaching the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (UTCCRs). In February 2010, the OFT secured an enforcement order from the High Court when it ruled that...

Here is an example of one of those rare but great little stories which reminds us of the many laws that still remain but not often known about. Natasha Brooks, from Greater Manchester, kept two chickens (named Henny and Penny just in case you were wondering) in the back garden of her property, which is owned by New Charter Housing Trust. After an inspection by a housing officer, staff began action to remove the birds because they said they were...

Thanks to the Painsmith blog. Original article here The final sealed order in the OFT v Foxtons case has been made available on the OFT website. A copy can be found here. This order gives effect to the judgement of the High Court and is now the final word on the matter as Foxtons have withdrawn their appeal. There are some interesting points to note: Nothing in the order prevents Foxtons from defending claims against them based on monies...

Introduction A sub-letting of the whole term operates as an assignment. An assignment is different to a sub-letting because the estate in land is transferred from the first tenant to the new tenant. However, an assignment by a tenant is ineffective to pass the tenant’s legal estate to the proposed assignees unless it is made by deed [s52(1) Law of Property Act 1925]. A deed is not required if the landlord expressly or impliedly ...