Four estate agents which colluded to set a minimum commission of 1.5 per cent denied local home-owners selling their property the chance of securing a better deal according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The four have been fined…read more
Rates slashed for business properties under renovations. Published May 2017
Office buildings undergoing renovation may be entitled to a significant cut in business rates following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Property developer S J & J Monk (Monk) had the rateable value of an office it owned slashed from £102,000…read more
New protocol published to tackle disruption delays and disputes
Delays and disruption on construction projects often lead to disputes between contractors, developers and other parties. Now the Society of Construction Law has published an updated Delay and Disruption Protocol which provides guidance to all sides on how to agree…read more
Property Ombudsman streamlines dispute resolution services.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has overhauled its dispute resolution process to deliver a more streamlined service to consumers. The TPO helps more than 16,000 consumers and agents to resolve property disputes every year. Under the new structure, complaints will be…read more
Basement dig-downs require planning permission court rules
Homeowners planning basement dig-downs may require planning permission following a significant judicial ruling. The judge concluded that any basement extension requiring excavation and engineering works could not be built under ‘permitted development’ rules. Architects and surveyors designing dig-downs should advise…read more
The Property Ombudsman put complaints data online
Consumer complaints about property agents will be available online. Consumer complaints about property agents will be available online following the launch of The Property Ombudsman’s (TPO) new member agent portal. Agents will be able to view the latest status of…read more
Small Extension of Time overturned all entitlement to Liquidated Damages
In a recent adjudication and subsequent Court ruling the Contact Administrator’s (CA) failure to follow/understand the operation of the JCT contract clauses caused the Employer to lose their right to Liquidated damages. In a recent adjudication and subsequent Court ruling…read more
Valuation margin for error reconfirmed by the High Court
The margin for error in property valuation negligence cases can only exceed 15{0a6a65c996ed4169444354e707b897cdb00dbefc1d0429e8febb9bf11027ba53} in the most exceptional circumstances the High Court has confirmed. The decision is still good news for surveyors who can be confident that the courts will at…read more
Industry pledge designed to reduce construction disputes
A ‘Conflict Avoidance Pledge’ designed to help the industry to reduce the cost of disputes on infrastructure projects will be developed following an agreement by the UK’s leading construction and engineering professional bodies. The pledge will commit signatories to implement…read more
Wrong valuation method costs surveyor
The wrong valuation method landed a surveying firm with a hefty negligence bill. Property valuers Christie were found liable after they over-valued three seaside gaming arcades by £1 million. Barclays Bank appointed Christie to value three arcades in Great Yarmouth. …read more
