Residential Property
Don’t land in hot water: top tips for a successful rural relocation
It’s only June, and 2026 is already proving to be a record-breaker when it comes to maximum temperatures. In towns and cities, the searing heat was amplified even further by buildings and roads, with thermal imaging recording surface temperatures of 57C in some London locations. If you’re th....
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What you need to know before buying a listed property
Home is where the heart is – especially if you live in a listed property. According to the most recent Historic England survey, 89% of listed building owners and occupiers say their home fosters feelings of pride. But pride can turn to frustration if you’ve not considered the practicalities of ....
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Escape or exile: are you ready for the impact of rural living?
A barn conversion on a working farm. A listed property in a fishing village. A thatched cottage on a country estate. On a sunny summer afternoon, they can all feel like a dream come true. On a frosty winter morning, they could be a nightmare. In this blog, our Residential Property experts look at h....
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Avoid the phishing net: how to spot email scams
Email phishing scams are getting harder to spot. Don’t get caught in the net. A compromised bank account. An urgent subscription renewal. A time-sensitive investment opportunity. These are just some of the phishing emails that get sent to thousands of inboxes every day. Although these g....
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Your country escape awaits. Here’s what you need to do first
Are you planning your dream escape to the country? Whilst there will no doubt be an abundance of benefits, there may also be some challenges with your new home. In this post, we break down some of the key things you and your conveyancer need to know about. Rights of access One important l....
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Selling a shared ownership property back to the housing association
Selling your share in a shared ownership property involves navigating a strict set of rules. In extraordinary circumstances, such as those ongoing in Stratford Halo, where hundreds of residents have been moved out of their homes, residents get a chance to sell their share back to the housing associ....
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New 1% staircasing rules: Making shared ownership even more affordable
Shared ownership is a government-backed scheme designed to help people get onto the property ladder when buying a home outright isn’t affordable. Instead of purchasing 100% of a property, buyers purchase an initial share and pay rent on the remaining share to a housing provider. This reduces the ....
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Shared freehold: What does it mean for you and your property?
You may have found your dream home, but it’s important to understand exactly what you own. If a flat is marketed as having a “share of the freehold,” this does not mean you are buying a freehold property only. In most cases, you will be buying a leasehold property, alongside a share in the....
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Leasehold Reform appeal brings further delay and uncertainty for Leaseholders
The long-running saga surrounding the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA) has taken yet another turn. Just months after the High Court dismissed freeholders’ arguments that the legislation breached their human rights, the Commons Housing Committee has confirmed that the group of freeho....
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Don’t get tripped up by complex stamp duty rules
Stamp duty has been around since 1694, but it only comes to the fore when we or someone else needs to pay it. Fail to cough up the right amount, and it can grab headlines and ruin careers – as Angela Rayner discovered. Following her resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and housing secret....
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Your guide to Islamic mortgages
For many Muslims in the UK, purchasing a property is about more than just finding the right home – it’s about finding the right financial product that aligns with their religious beliefs. Under Shariah Law, paying or receiving interest (known as riba) is not allowed. As interest is paid on conv....
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Equity release: what plan is right for you?
Whether it’s holiday destinations or financial products, we all want choice. More choice, however, can lead to more complexity – especially when you’re making a decision that will impact the rest of your life. When it comes to equity release, there’s a lot of choice. At the start of 2025....
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Equity release explained
As interest rates fall and living costs rise, accessing the capital tied up in your home could provide a financial lifeline. According to research by Fairer Finance, 51% of UK households aged 60-plus are expected to require housing wealth to support their spending needs in later life and retirement....
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The risks of not having an LPA – a case study
At Attwaters Solicitors, we regularly advise clients on the importance of preparing for the unexpected, particularly when co-owning a property. One of the most important steps you can take is putting an appropriate Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. To highlight just how critical this can be....
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Joint tenants or tenants in common – do you know the difference?
Buying property with someone else – whether a partner, relative or friend – is an exciting venture, but it can give rise to complex issues. One of the most important choices you must make is how the property will be held – either as joint tenants or as tenants in common. But do you know the d....
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Co-own a property? Here’s why Lasting Power of Attorney matters
There’s a lot to think about when you own a property with someone else – for example, should you be joint tenants or tenants in common. One aspect that is often overlooked is having an appropriate Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. It might not seem urgent now, but without an LPA, managi....
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How to buy a leasehold property in the UK
Anyone who purchases a flat in the UK will likely be acquiring a leasehold property. Some 4.8 million homes in England are leasehold, which equates to about one fifth of the total housing stock. As a leaseholder, you’ll enjoy many of the benefits of owning your own property – but still have cer....
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Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act: what you need to know
From 3 March 2025, key parts of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 come into effect, making it easier for leaseholders in England and Wales to take control of their buildings through the Right to Manage (RTM). The Government has said these measures are intended to “improve the lives of....
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Leaseholders can now extend their lease or buy the freehold without waiting two years
An important development for leaseholders came into effect today (31 January 2025), with the removal of the two-year wait to extend a lease or buy the freehold to your home. This post explains the change under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, and consider what it means for you. How we ....
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Leasehold reform – commencement dates announced
As you know, the Leasehold Enfranchisement team at Attwaters has been closely monitoring new developments in leasehold law for several years now. The highly anticipated Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA) gained Royal Assent earlier this year; however, the vast majority of the provisions....
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