• a sign on a fence, squatters

    Understanding squatters’ rights

    A squatter may sometimes be able to claim ownership of property if certain conditions are met. Also referred to as adver

  • a man and woman holding hands on a beach

    What to look out for when buying a coastal home

    For many people, living by the sea would be a dream come true. But it pays to be aware of the implications of coast livi

  • How do I extend my lease?

    If you own a leasehold property, the number of years remaining on the lease will gradually drop. Once it falls towards 8

  • EPC Cerficate scaling

    Landlords Face New EPC Minimum Rating Requirement

    The new Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has confirmed that the government intends t

  • Eviction Notice

    Government hopes to ban no-fault evictions by summer 2025

    The government has introduced a Renters’ Rights Bill, which aims to provide greater for security for renters, and a ‘lev

  • house, houses

    What will happen to my house when I die?

    If you are a property owner, you need to know what will happen to it in the future. Passing on a house is not always str

  • Leasehold Reform Act benefits for flat owners

    How will flat owners benefit from the new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act? The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act recei

  • Young couple new homeowners with keys

    Six reasons why you may need a cohabitation agreement

    Moving in together is an important and exciting step in a relationship. Whether you are moving into a house or apartment

  • solar panels

    Solar panels – what is the legal position?

    According to standards organisation MCS, more than 183,000 solar panel installations took place in 2023. We answer some

  • Signing a property document

    Understanding Declarations of Trust for Property Protection

    If you have an interest in a property but your name is not on the title deeds, a declaration of trust can offer protecti

  • House Key

    First Time Buyers: 5 Essential Tips for a Successful Home Purchase

    Buying your first home is an exciting time, but it can also be daunting. We outline our five top tips for first time buy

  • contract

    What can delay exchange of contracts?

    If you are buying or selling a property, it can be frustrating to find that the exchange of contracts has been delayed.

  • Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill aims to make leasehold fairer

    The government has announced that it intends to make it cheaper and simpler for leaseholders to purchase the freehold of

  • House Key

    Freehold v Leasehold. Make sure you know what you are buying.

    If you are thinking of purchasing a property, it is vital you know what tenure it is as this can affect both its value a

  • No Fault Evictions Checklist

    It is still up for debate whether the long-awaited abolition of “no-fault” evictions will happen this year. Whilst we al

  • a sign on a fence, squatters

    Adverse possession explained

    Adverse possession, sometimes referred to as squatting, can give someone legal ownership of land if they have occupied i

  • Government grants of £7,500 available for heat pumps

    The government is promoting the installation of heat pumps in homes to replace boilers, with vouchers being offered to h

  • for rent keys

    Landlords leaving the rental sector

    As tenants struggle to find suitable and affordable properties to rent, the number of landlords is declining as many are

  • What happens if you have lost your title deeds and want to sell your home?

    If you are thinking of selling your home, you may be concerned if you do not know where your title deeds are. We take a

  • Why do I need a drainage and water report?

    For house and flat buyers, a drainage and water report is always recommended and it is also usually a requirement of the

  • Energy efficient homes hold their value better

    Research carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has found that despite a fall in the average

  • House Key

    How to get your paperwork in order before selling your home

    If you are planning on selling your home, getting all of your paperwork in order upfront can help you avoid delays later

  • EPC Cerficate scaling

    Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, explained

    We take a look at Energy Performance Certificates, including why you need one, where you can get one and what they mean.

  • Signing a property document

    Transferring a Property into Joint Names

    Due to the blended society we live in, there could be a million and one reasons why the property we live in may only be

  • block of flats

    Right to manage v collective enfranchisement?

    If you own a leasehold flat, you may want to end your landlord’s involvement in running the property. There are two main

  • stamp duty

    Stamp Duty changes September 2022 explained

    In September 2022, the Chancellor announced changes to rates of Stamp Duty payable on property purchases in England and

  • How does a gifted deposit for a house purchase work?

    With house prices continuing to make buying a first home difficult, many people are given money towards the purchase by

  • Young couple new homeowners with keys

    First time buyer questions answered

    If you are planning on buying your first home, you probably have many questions. The process can be confusing and it is

  • Adding a conservatory or extension to your property?

    If you are thinking of adding a conservatory or extension to your property, you need to be aware of the rules and regula

  • terraced housing in a suburban street

    What you need to know about changes to leasehold legislation

    Long-awaited reforms to law surrounding leasehold property will start to take effect in 2022 as the government seeks to

  • fences blown over in storm

    Storm damage. Who pays?

    With UK weather becoming more extreme, homeowners are having to deal with an increase in damage caused by trees and fenc

  • japanese knotweed

    Japanese knotweed and Property – new guidance issued

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published new advice for professional valuers and surveyors aime

  • property search

    Buying a house? Laceys guide to property searches.

    A property is a big investment and it is important to ensure that there will not be any nasty surprises in the future. S

  • septic tank

    Thinking of buying a property with a domestic septic tank?

    Many properties will be connected to mains drainage but this is not always the case. Have a read of our tips below to co

  • keys in a front door

    What is Conveyancing? 5 key stages of conveyancing explained.

    Conveyancing is essentially the process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another. However, to en

  • conveyancing key

    Moving Home? Laceys top 5 tips on how to choose the right Conveyancer.

    Moving house can be complicated, with many people referring to it as ‘the most stressful time in their lifes’. Choose th