Gareth Hale

Aug 26, 2024 | lexology.com | Calum Macpherson |Gareth Hale

Rent review clauses are a key provision of a lease. They enable a landlord to increase the rent periodically to reflect changing market conditions. Normally a lease will provide a series of "rent review dates" throughout the duration of the lease at which the rent review should take place. However, what happens if a landlord acquires a property and realises the last rent review date was a few years ago, or if the landlord has simply forgotten to exercise the option?

Feb 27, 2024 | lexology.com | Gareth Hale |Stephen Kirk

With New Homes Week 2024 upon us, we take this opportunity to consider some of the key benefits and protections offered to consumers and developers alike by the New Homes Quality Code and the New Homes Ombudsman Service.

Jan 30, 2024 | lexology.com | Andrew Deanshaw |Gareth Hale

A case study recently published by the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) provides useful guidance for the developers in relation to the marketing of financial incentives. As higher mortgage rates, coupled with the end of the help-to-buy scheme, have affected demand for new build homes, developers have offered a range of incentives to encourage sales.

Nov 30, 2023 | lexology.com | Andrew Deanshaw |Gareth Hale

The New Homes Quality Board has published best practice guidance for developers on dealing with snagging. The guidance document - the first in a series of publications from the NHQB on industry talking points – combines the results of customer research with recommendations for housebuilders dealing with snagging issues. This article sets out the report's key findings.

Oct 31, 2023 | lexology.com | Gareth Hale |Andrew Deanshaw

A new case study published by the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) demonstrates the need for developers to follow through on support they offer to customers. The case study, the second to be published by the NHOS (we wrote about the first one here), also serves as a reminder of the requirements that the New Homes Quality Code (NHQC) imposes on housebuilders' internal complaints processes.