Buying with a Gifted Deposit: Why Early Checks Can Prevent Delays.
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marketing@bussmurton.co.uk
Buying a property with help from family can make all the difference, but it also comes with a few extra steps along the way. If you are relying on a gifted deposit or using accumulated savings, you will almost certainly be asked to show where your funds have come from. While this can feel a […]
Megan’s Story: Building a Career in Law, Her Way
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marketing@bussmurton.co.uk
A few months ago, Megan Apps joined our Residential Property team at Buss Murton Law. Recently, she shared her story on LinkedIn — alongside a photo from her graduation with her daughter — and the response was both powerful and deeply relatable. At 16, Megan found out she was pregnant. With the support of her […]
The Renters’ Rights Act 2026: What Residential Landlords Need to Know About Evictions
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nat_B0m
From 1 May 2026, the legal landscape for residential landlords in England will change fundamentally. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces the most significant reform of the private rented sector in a generation, with a particular focus on security of tenure and the removal of “no‑fault” evictions. For landlords, these changes require a shift in […]
Restrictive Covenants: What You Need to Know
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nat_B0m
When buying or selling a property it is important to understand any restrictive covenants affecting the land. These covenants, found in the Title Register or in an official copy document referenced in the Register, are legally binding conditions that set out what you can and cannot do with your property. They are usually imposed by […]
Understanding Exchange Deposits When Buying a Property
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nat_B0m
Moving home is an exciting milestone, but the legal and financial steps involved can sometimes feel daunting—especially for first‑time buyers. One area that often causes confusion is the exchange deposit. What it is, when it is required, and how it differs from the mortgage deposit are all important factors to understand before reaching the exchange […]
Leases and Lending: Navigating the Most Common Legal Pitfalls
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nat_B0m
Leasehold titles remain a frequent source of difficulty in property transactions, and it is often only once a seller accepts an offer that issues with the lease become apparent. Many of these problems arise because the lease does not meet the requirements set out in the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook (the rulebook lenders use […]
Do Listed Buildings Require an Energy Performance Certificate?
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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) assess a building’s energy efficiency and are generally required when properties are built, sold, or rented. However, whether an EPC is needed for a listed building is a complex question. The crux of the issue lies in whether listed buildings are exempt from EPC obligations. The answer is not entirely straightforward, […]
Listed Buildings
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Owning, buying, or working on a listed building in the UK comes with specific responsibilities and restrictions due to its protected status. A listed building is one that has been placed on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) due to its architectural or historic importance. There are three types of listing grades: Grade I: […]
What are Building Regulations and what can happen if there is a breach?
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nat_B0m
Building regulations are a set of legal requirements which control the methods and materials to be used in the construction or alteration of a property and impose minimum standards for carrying out specified works in or about buildings. For example, you might need building regulation approval for many alteration projects such as the installation of […]
Stamp Duty Land Tax – Changes are Coming Once Again
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Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) – a tax which falls due to HMRC when purchasing property in England and Northern Ireland. The Government’s Autumn Budget brought about changes for property acquisitions in England and Northern Ireland, which included the immediate increase of fees for investors and second homeowners. Has this had any impact for […]