Breaking Down The Defective Premises Act

The UK Government has unveiled the next phase of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, introducing a mandatory private rented sector database launching December 2026 and transferring rent increase dispute resolution from tribunals to the Valuation Office Agency. These reforms will fundamentally reshape compliance obligations for landlords across England, requiring registration of all rental properties with annual fees and updated enforcement mechanisms.

Section 21 has been abolished for new possession action from 1 May 2026, but landlords who need to sell with vacant possession still have a route. Ground 1A of the amended Housing Act 1988 allows a landlord to recover possession where a genuine sale is intended, but it comes with a four-month notice period, restrictions on reletting and remarketing, and potentially significant penalties for misuse.

The UK Government's Commercial Payments Bill is rapidly advancing toward becoming law, with the proposed ban on cash retentions in construction contracts now scheduled for third reading in October 2026.

The prospect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport has resurfaced, bringing uncertainty to communities across West London and the Thames Valley about homes, property values and future planning. This guide examines how the compensation framework operates for affected homeowners, identifies critical gaps in protection during the years between policy approval and construction, and explains why reform is needed to address the human and financial costs of prolonged infrastructure uncertainty.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces sweeping changes to the UK rental market, including a mandatory national property registration system and a new process for handling rent disputes. Landlords face strict deadlines and significant penalties for non-compliance, while the government promises faster resolution of tenant challenges to rent increases.

The UK Government has announced the second phase of the Renters' Rights Act, introducing a mandatory Private Rented Sector Database that will roll out region-by-region starting in the West Midlands in December 2026. Landlords across England will face registration requirements, annual fees of £65 per property, and potential penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance, fundamentally changing how the private rental sector operates.

The UK Government has confirmed the operational framework for its new national rental property registration service, requiring landlords to register eligible private rented sector properties across England from December 2026. With registration costs of £65 per property annually and strict compliance deadlines varying by region, institutional investors and portfolio operators face significant data management and governance challenges. The rollout introduces ongoing reporting obligations that extend far

The measurement of a building is central to its valuation and for multi-let buildings the rent and service charge calculations.

The Society of Construction Law's (SCL) Delay and Disruption Protocol was first published in 2002.

Litigants can expedite case resolution through "Strike Out" and "Summary Judgment" applications, allowing courts to dismiss claims lacking merit or defensibility, saving time and costs. These require proof, witness statements, and cost schedules.

The International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) is an organisation that promotes and facilitates all types of disputes, mainly arbitration and mediation.

Exclusion clauses allow a party who would otherwise be liable under a contract to exclude or limit their liability to damages.

Being involved from the outset of a construction project can be exciting...

Construction contracts typically identify the scope of works, the timescale in which they are to be performed and the price the contractor is to be paid for carrying them out.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (‘JCT') suite of contracts are one of the most popular forms of construction contract in England and Wales. The JCT produces standard forms of construction contracts...

The hot topic on everyone's mind in the Construction industry right now is disputes - whether it's contractors vs sub-contractors or local authorities vs individuals – people want to know how to deal with disputes.

In the realm of construction and engineering, it is not unusual for project completion to be delayed.

The Adjudication Part 4 slip rule allows adjudicators to correct accidental errors in their decisions within a reasonable time, primarily for typographical, omission, or calculation mistakes.

In this webinar, we were joined by Chris Beirise of HKA Global, LLC (USA) and Claire Packman KC of 4 Pump Court (UK). Together, they will explore the top tips for infrastructure projects.