New restrictions on evicting commercial tenants

Landlords and tenants of residential property are already likely aware that evictions of residential tenants are soon to be suspended for at least the next three months. What has been less well-publicised is that the Government is also bringing forward emergency legislation to prevent many, if not most, evictions of commercial tenants. The text of the new Coronavirus Bill can be found here. Section 82 will have a large impact on commercial landlords and their tenants. The Bill is currently making its way through Parliament and may be changed. It is likely to come into force very soon. The Bill as it stands will suspend landlords’ right to forfeit the lease and take back their property because of non-payment of rent until at least 30 June 2020, with power to extend this. It appears that this…

Guidance for employers regarding the coronavirus from ACAS

With more cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), being reported in the UK each day, employers will be wondering how to handle the issue especially as they may need to react fast if a situation develops in the workplace or if there are concerns about the health of a particular employee. Gillian Reid employment law expert at Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby, advises employers to get prepared with some sensible precautionary measures and highlights where to keep up to date on the latest guidance. The best way for employers to keep abreast of the current advice is by visiting the following websites regularly: Government guidance for employers and businesses This website, with information from Public Health England and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, provides guidance on: the novel coronavirus, COVID-19; how to help…

Possible impacts of COVID-19 on property transactions

For clients in the midst of trying to buy, sell or rent a property, the coronavirus outbreak is causing particular uncertainty at all stages in the process. We want to reassure you that our property law team will continue to operate as normally as possible to keep all property transactions on course during this difficult and uncertain time. According to Holly Stevens in the property team at Ware & Kay in York, there are a number of things to consider, depending on where you are with your property transaction. Property viewings If you are still in the early stages of looking to buy or sell your property, take sensible precautions. Before showing prospective buyers or renters around a property, or before going on a viewing: ask if anyone is unwell or is in isolation when…

Finding your way through land rights

It can come as something of a shock if someone is always strolling across your land without permission and you find that you have no right to stop them because they actually have a legal right to be there. Andrew Little, commercial property law expert at Pearsons & Ward Solicitors in Malton, explains how such legal rights of way or easements can be made by express grant, implied grant or by prescription. An express grant is where the right is spelt out in writing, usually in a deed at the time of sale of the property. An implied grant may not be specified in any deed but is implied by law; they usually arise if someone could not access their property if the easement was not granted. Easements by prescription are ones which can be particularly prevalent…