Articles

In October 2024, the government accepted the Competition and Markets Authority’s recommendations to create a single mandatory consumer code, along with a new homes ombudsman service. This was seen as great news for new home buyers, as it is expected to improve the buying process and protect their rights. However, it has yet to decide how they will be implemented, who will be responsible, or when the changes will happen. Since new laws and consultations are required, it could take some time for these changes to take effect.

The judgment considered a wide range of important issues including the continued use of the Waldram method to assess interference with light and the interaction with section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

On 10 July 2025, the Government published the first reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.  The Bill is intended to transfer power out of Westminster by devolving more powers to local government by making changes to democratic processes and funding streams.

This case arises against the backdrop of the Grenfell Tower disaster and the Government’s focus on improving building safety, culminating in the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA). The judgment provides clear guidance on how liability is allocated between developers and consultants and the retrospective application of the BSA.

Landlords can no longer slip inflated commissions into insurance rent without specific provision in the lease allowing them to do so.

For many of us, informal communication via WhatsApp forms part of our everyday communication.  However, the recent case of Jaevee Homes Limited (Jaevee) v Mr Steve Fincham (trading as Fincham Demolition) (Mr Fincham) [2025] EWHC 942 (TCC) highlights that any messages concerning the instruction of works or services could be considered a construction contract and may have wider contractual implications than initially anticipated by the parties.