We are pleased to welcome Margaret Ilori to the team
Ashworths are pleased to announce the arrival of a new member to the team. Margaret Ilori joined the firm in March 2025 as a Consultant Solicitor specialising in leasehold enfranchisement. Margaret has extensive expertise in landlord and tenant matters with decades of experience handling both straightforward and complex property transactions. She is especially skilled in […]
Renters’ Reform
Reform of the rental market has been a talking point for many years, but it finally looks like new legislation will be introduced in a month or two’s time which will make some significant changes to the way that residential property is let out. The Renters’ Rights Bill is currently in the Committee stage of […]
Fire Risk Assessments and Asbestos Surveys
We are often asked about Fire Risk Assessments and Asbestos Surveys when we are buying or selling a flat (although the rules largely apply to commercial premises as well). The requirements are not particularly new, but where flats have been owned for a while, or where a building has been “self managed” there can sometimes […]
What can we expect from our new Government in relation to planning?
Following last week’s election we have a new government in power and significant changes are expected to the UK’s planning system and housing sector. Forming part of the Labour Party’s manifesto was a commitment to building 1.5 million homes during the next parliament, but how are the government planning to do this? The government’s immediate […]
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act
One of the pieces of legislation that was saved when Parliament was dissolved on 24 May was The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act. The Act will make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold, increase standard lease extension terms to 990, and provide greater transparency over service charges. The Act will also […]
Share of Freehold – sounds perfect but what does it mean?
Whilst historically the collection of ground rent by freeholders has been a steady income stream, since the implementation of the Leaseholders Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 there is now little incentive to retain the freehold interest on new build leasehold developments. For those who are not aware, the Leaseholders Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 prohibits […]
Gifted Deposit – What is it?
Gifted deposit – what is it? In its literal sense it is a cash gift. If you are fortunate enough to be gifted money that helps you to get on the property ladder consider yourself lucky. Buying a house is probably the biggest financial commitment you will ever make. It is now a frequent occurrence […]
Ground Rents
Ground rents have been something of a hot topic over the last few years. You may have seen articles in the press concerning ground rents and how in some cases mortgage lenders will not lend on properties with unreasonable or doubling ground rents. The situation is a little more complex than that and the main […]
The ‘Unknown’ Costs of Leasehold Properties
With the current cost of living crisis, it is not all surprising that leasehold properties are a more viable and attractive option to many purchasers. Generally, albeit not entirely true, leasehold properties can appear to be the less costly alternative to a freehold purchase, and it has become the more attractive option in London however, […]