Blogs
Knowing the duties associated with being a trustee
Being a trustee is more than a title – it’s a role that comes with a range of legal duties and responsibilities. It is therefore essential to understand what is involved before you accept. What is a trustee? When someone sets up a trust, they must appoint one or more trustees to manag....
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....
How will commercial property reforms impact high street landlords?
The future of local high streets has reached a tipping point – 67% of Britons already believe they are dying. And they could be right: almost 13,000 shops closed in 2024. It is not just retailers that are struggling. The growth of online shopping and economic pressures mean that commercial lan....
From leasehold to commonhold: what does it mean for residential and commercial properties?
Landmark legislation has been put forward to transform the leasehold system in England and Wales. Although the changes are expected to mainly impact residential flats, there could be repercussions for mixed-use buildings too. In this blog, the Residential and Commercial Property teams at Attwaters ....
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....
The devastating knock-on effects of GP appointment delays
We regularly speak to people whose lives have been affected by delays in GP care. Sometimes we hear the stories directly from the individual who was trying to access medical help. Other times it comes from family members who are left asking how things were allowed to deteriorate so far before ac....
Is there still a gender gap in healthcare in the UK?
For decades, we have seen evidence that women are far more likely to experience delays, misdiagnosis or dismissal of their symptoms. This is particularly true when their condition is complex, poorly understood or historically under-researched. I believe these issues reflect a wider problem in....
Poor elderly care in winter and the issues that continue year after year
Every winter brings the same familiar headlines. As temperatures fall, hospital admissions among older patients rise and pressure on services becomes harder to ignore. Through my work, I’m given a rare opportunity to see the human impact behind those headlines. Families tell us about long w....
Do you need an EPC to sell or let empty commercial property?
If you own empty commercial premises and are considering a sale or a new letting, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) should be addressed as early as possible. Leaving it too late can delay transactions and limit your options once interest is secured. An EPC is a legal requirement for mo....
Could the permitted use of your commercial property disrupt your future plans?
When landlords let a commercial property, their focus often falls on how much rent they will charge and how long they want to lease it for. Of course, these are important factors to think about, but they are not the only ones that deserve attention. In initial meetings with landlord cli....
Could the physical condition of your commercial property be limiting your ability to let or sell?
If you have a commercial property sitting empty and are considering a sale or letting, the first questions landlords ask are often commercial ones. What price should it be marketed at? Should they wait for market conditions to improve? Both are reasonable questions, but there’s another one ....
Why letting agreements should reflect your long-term plans
When a commercial property has been empty for a long time, landlords often turn their focus to how they can get income back through the door. Agreeing on heads of terms quickly can feel like progress, but it is also the stage at which landlords can lock themselves into arrangements that w....
