David Baybut

Under normal circumstances, it is generally accepted that the conveyancing process can take between 6 to 12 weeks to complete, but the process can be complicated by many factors, including now, the pandemic. When it comes to buying or selling a home,...

The Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire MP announced in a speech to the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Manchester on 27 June 2019 that all new-build houses will be sold as freehold and there will be zero ground rent for new leases of...

Being a commercial landlord can be highly rewarding but it also entails a number of legal responsibilities. Make sure you don’t fall foul of the law with our simple guide. What fire regulations do I need to comply with?...

Thousands of first-time buyers have been helped by the stamp duty exemption, according to new figures – but a drastic increase in affordable housing is still essential to help many more people get a foot on the property ladder. The...

Almost a full year since lamenting the many ‘unanswered questions’ over the then proposed legislation, David Baybut revisits the Housing Planning Act 2016 to examine the impact on housing associations. While the Chartered Institute of Housing...

From today (1 April 2016), anyone buying a home that is not their main residence will face a 3 per cent hike on Stamp Duty. The surcharge applies to anyone buying a property with a value exceeding £40,000 as a buy-to-let-investment, second home...

The number of social housing developments in England receiving planning permission has increased according to a recent report. The total figure for English social home planning approvals in Q1 2015 was 5,800 – a seven per cent increase on the same...

Businesses are failing to claim tax relief on fittings in commercial properties, experts say, which could save them billions of pounds. Recent research from Deloitte suggests that owners of over 90% of commercial properties in the UK have never claimed...