Annual Property Seminar – Leeds

This half day event from our Property and Planning team will look at a range of topical and informative talks on property-related issues.

To book your place or if you have any questions, please email Jo Stapley.

Programme

08:45 – 09:00     Coffee and Registration

09:00 – 09:15     Welcome from Chair – Neil Cadwallader

09:15 – 09:45     Brynmor Adams – Life after Section 21

The Government recently announced a consultation on the abolish of s. 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which would end so-called ’no fault’ evictions.  This talk considers the implications for the private rented sector and the impact on the legislative and regulatory framework for the sector.

09:45 – 10:15     William Hanbury – The leading case of Regency Villas before the Supreme Court: Establishing an easement after Regency Villas v Diamond

Bill will discuss the law before Regency Villas,what the case establishes, Interrelationship with public law rights of recreation and the future direction of travel for the law of easements.

10:15 – 10:45     Breakfast

10:45 – 11:15     Lawrence McDonald – Telecommunications and Property

The new Electronic Communications Code came into force in December 2017, materially changing the relationship between telecoms providers and their landlords. In recent months the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has issued a series of decisions interpreting the new provisions in the Code. In this talk, Lawrence McDonald will explain the effect of those recent decisions and will review how the Code will affect landlords and tenants in the future.

11:15 – 11:45     Simon Whitfield – Business rates and the consequences of the Trafford v Principled decision for property owners

The Administrative Court has settled a long running debate about whether periodic occupation of commercial property by “professional” occupiers qualifies for subsequent empty rates relief.  The decision may bring some comfort to landlords struggling to rent commercial property.

11:45 – 12:00     Coffee

12:00 – 12:30     Peter Dixon – Planning update

Peter will  cover, among other things, permitted development, enforcement, validity of planning permissions, the new Office of Environmental Protection, biodiversity ‘net-gain’ and street trees.

12:30 – 13:00     Andrew Williams – Boundary Agreements

Andrew will consider the devastating impact of boundary agreements in boundary dispute litigation.  He will investigate when the court will infer that property owners have entered such agreements despite a lack of direct evidence.

13:00 – 13:15     Questions and Close