Property Legislation and Leases

Property law in the UK is one of the most complex and difficult fields of law, and a high volume of litigation in this area is constantly underway, leading to new precedents and rulings on a frequent basis. Facilities managers need a broad understanding of property law, contract law, planning legislation, leases and licences, and landlord and tenant issues. The main legislation is the Landlord and Tenant Act, The Town and Country Planning Act, The Building Act with associated Building Regulations, Defective Premises Act and the Occupiers Liability Act. This chapter discusses some of these and other legislations such as The Estate Agents Act 1979, The Property Misdescriptions Act 1991, and health and safety legislation, and concepts/issues such as ownership, tenure, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), commercial lease, landlord's and tentant's covenants, and lease renewals.