Features

November 2013Pushing the planning boundaries - what can we learn from our European partners?

Planning delays reportedly cost the UK economy around £3 billion per year, which, when combined with the economic crisis, has put the UK’s planning system under intense scrutiny.

November 2013The Future and Growth of Smart Cities in the UK

The Smart City initiative is opening up opportunities for growing the UK's regional cities and is particularly good news for Bristol, which aims to be one of the top 20 cities in Europe by 2020.

November 2013What are the legal obligations for repairs to a commercial property?

All potential buyers or tenants of commercial property need to be aware of their responsibilities for due diligence. Stuart Darlington explains the pitfalls in this extract from his new book A Tenant’s Practical Guide to Commercial Leases

November 2013RPI vs CPI: Could a new rating calculation help our high streets?

As September’s Retail Price Index (RPI) figure is used to set the new uniformed business rate (UBR) for next year, David Cureton, head of rating at Birmingham-based chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows, explains why using the Consumer Prices Index (CP

November 2013Squatters Rights - an update on commercial property and the law on squatting

One year on from the criminalisation of squatting on residential property and still commercial property owners have to take action themselves. Laura Checkley explains processes for eviction as well as preventative measures

November 2013How to make the most of LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the virtual world of business networking and is an ideal way of finding customers, suppliers, partners, advisors and experts, to help grow your business – without eating endless networking breakfasts

October 2013How to acquire a Pop-up Retailing lease

Pop-up shops are a great way for first-time retailers to test the water before committing to a long term lease.

October 2013Will Help to Buy Phase 2 help or hinder the residential property market?

So why has the Government launched the second phase of its Help to Buy Scheme three months earlier than scheduled? Tracy Hall examines the controversy that surrounds housing's biggest hot potato

October 2013A new scheme aims to bring England's empty homes back into use

The newly launched National Empty Homes Loan Fund (NEHLF) is aiming to bring England’s 710,000 empty homes back into affordable use and has already been swamped by enquiries

October 2013The tax benefits of a community owned pub

British pubs are closing at a rate of approximately 20 a week for many reasons. Some of these pubs are simply not worth saving, but many local communities see their pub as a valuable community asset that, under different ownership can be preserved

October 2013Is Stamp Duty Land Tax penalising home owners unfairly?

George Osborne singled out Stamp Duty Land Tax as a major source of abuse. What can be done to change this burden to homeowners?

October 2013The new commercial rent arrears recovery procedure (CRAR)

The commercial rent arrears recovery procedure (CRAR) is finally coming into force on 6 April 2014 and will replace remedy of distress with a strict statutory process