Various notes, including the possession claim mediation pilot, a 'no DSS' discrimination case, a service charge payability case, and a finding on the requirements of a statutory Environmental Protection Act notice before prosecution. MHCLG have (slightly...
Relief from forfeiture – Don’t dilly dally on the way
Keshwala & Anor v Bhalsod & Anor (2021) EWCA Civ 492 This was the second appeal, to the Court of Appeal, of a relief from forfeiture matter for commercial property that we have previously seen in the High Court (our report here). The issue was...
A bundle of case notes
Brief notes on assorted cases of some interest that we haven't otherwise covered. (Well, of interest to me. Other people may be interested in some or all of them. Covering possession, service charges, tribunal costs, management, Defective Premises Act, rent...
Between repairs and structural defects
City of London v Various Leaseholders of Great Arthur House (2021) EWCA Civ 431 This was the Court of Appeal judgment on an appeal from the Upper Tribunal (our report here) where the issue was whether the leaseholders were liable under their service charge...
Shared Ownership and ‘qualifying tenants’.
A short note on an Upper Tribunal appeal that may have broader consequences. Avon Ground Rents Ltd v Canary Gateway (Block A) RTM Company Ltd & Anor (2020) UKUT 358 (LC) This was an appeal on whether the leaseholders of two block were entitled to acquire...
Leasehold miscellany
Some brief notes on Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal judgments on leasehold matters. Aviva Investors Ground Rent GP LTd & Anor v Williams & Ors (2021) EWCA Civ 27 Lease wording on apportionment of service charges to the effect that "your share of...
Misc – possession and mediation, money and remediation
The HMCTS mediation pilot on possession claims started on 1 February 2021, with the idea that it will ease the backlog of possession claims in the county courts by allowing resolution of landlord and tenant disputes outside of the full possession process....
Lancashire Hot Pot – waiver of forfeiture and landlord knowledge of breach
On 22nd January the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in the case of Faiz v Burnley Borough Council (2021) EWCA Civ 55. Judgment dismissing the appeal was given by Lewison LJ; with whom Arnold and Asplin LLJs agreed. The case came on appeal from the...
Trying to shoot the messenger.
Moorjani v Kilcoyne (Rev 1) (2020) EWHC 3463 (QB) The name of Moorjani may be familiar. We first encountered Mr Moorjani in a judgment transforming the case law on loss of amenity damages in disrepair claims in the Court of Appeal. However, despite the...
Ping Pong and fire safety
Fire safety issues in blocks of flats and other multi-occupancy buildings are one of, if not *the* biggest issue in housing law and policy today. The background is pretty well-known and, for present purposes, can be quite easily summarised. Since the...
Leasehold reform in prospect – part 1
The Government has today announced plans for forthcoming legislation on leasehold reform as an initial step on a programme of reform that broadly follows the Law Commission reports and recommendations. What was announced today is that there will be...
And he’s not there…
Gibbins v Gibbins (LANDLORD AND TENANT - Refusal to adjourn - AirBnB lettings) (2020) UKUT 335 (LC) A breach of lease case in the Upper Tribunal which, despite the names, appears to be between two unrelated people. So I shall call them L - the leaseholder -...