‘dispute between the freehold owners and estate managers of a site at Point Curlew, St Merryn, Padstow, Cornwall, the defendants, and a number of the owners of holiday chalets at that site. The dispute relates to the service charges which the defendants seek to claim under the terms of the various 999 year leases which … Continue reading Phillps and Others v Francis and Another: QBD 24 Mar 2010
The respondent sought security for costs. One plaintiff was bankrupt, and an outstanding costs order had not been met. Held: The matter should not be adjourned pending an application for legal aid, and nor should the considerable interest in the case put the respondent at risk. Security for costs ordered. Citations: [1997] EWCA Civ 1920, … Continue reading Michaels and Michaels v Harley House (Marylebone) Limited: CA 20 Jun 1997
The Court considered whether, on exercising a break clause in a lease, the tenant was entitled to recover rent paid in advance. Held: The appeal failed. The Court of Appeal had imposed what was established law. The test for whether a clause might be implied in a contract is: ‘that it is necessary for business … Continue reading Marks and Spencer Plc v BNP Paribas Securities Services Trust Company (Jersey) Ltd and Another: SC 2 Dec 2015
The claimants were shareholders in Westrip, accusing the Defendant directors of deliberately engaging in a course of conduct which has led to Westrip losing ownership and control of a very valuable mining licence and which, but for their intervention, would have led to Westrip losing all or almost all of its remaining assets. They say … Continue reading Iesini and Others v Westrip Holdings Ltd and Others: ChD 16 Oct 2009
The applicant claimed the right to purchase the freehold reversion for her home. The defendant said it was not held under a low rent so as to qualify, since the rent exceeded the rateable value as assessed. The rating list had been altered meantime from the two cottages to one combined listing. Held: Looking at … Continue reading Neville v Cowdray Trust Ltd and Another: CA 5 May 2006
The tenants under long leases, paid a service charge. The Landlord kept the excess in a reserve fund, though no proper mechanism existed for this in the lease. The tenants requested its repayment, claiming that under the 1987 Act, the fund was held in trust. The landlord sought to use the fund to pay its … Continue reading St Mary’s Mansions Ltd v Limegate Investment Co Ltd, Sarruf and others: CA 11 Oct 2002
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – proceedings transferred to LVT from county court – LVT remitting case to county court on basis that it had no jurisdiction – whether demand on which claim based was in respect of service charges – held that it was – held that LVT had jurisdiction – whether … Continue reading Staunton v Kaye and Another: UTLC 9 Aug 2010
LANDLORD AND TENANT – SERVICE CHARGE – apportionment – applicability and effect of section 27A(6) Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and section 35 Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 Citations: [2018] UKUT 421 (LC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 18 August 2022; Ref: scu.658645
The tenancy was of an agricultural holding, with protection under the 1986 Act. It had 350 acres of pasture, and two farmhouses. The tenants covenanted not to use the holding for any purpose other than agriculture, to farm it in accordance with the rules of good husbandry and personally to reside in the farmhouses. They … Continue reading National Trust for Places of Historic Interest Or Natural Beauty v Knipe and Knipe: CA 15 May 1997
Application was made to join in further parties to support a cross undertaking on being made subject to interim injunctions. Held: On orders other than asset freezing orders it was not open to the court to impose cross-undertakings against parties unwilling to grant them. ‘Since a cross-undertaking cannot be imposed, it follows that a fortiori … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc and others v Apotex Europe Ltd and others: PatC 26 Jul 2005
A will made by a widow in 1939, left certain property to her son Francesc-Xavier, as tenant for life, with a stipulation that he was to leave this inheritance to a son or grandson of a lawful and canonical marriage, failing which the estate was to pass to the children and grandchildren of the testatrix’s … Continue reading Pla and Puncernau v Andorra: ECHR 13 Jul 2004
The landlord had obtained a possession order against his secure tenant. The order was suspended, but the landlord then failed to enforce the order after the date and when the tenant had failed to comply with the terms of the suspension. The tenant died. There was in the meantime a statutory succession and the court … Continue reading Sherrin v Brand: CA 1956
The tenant sought an injunction against its neighbour and landlord to prevent it letting an adjoining property without a restriction similar to the one in its own lease. The claimants sought reassurance from the defendant tenants of the adjoining propery that they would act in accordance with the retriction, but no re-assurance was given. Held: … Continue reading Oceanic Village Ltd v United Attractions Ltd, Shirayama: ChD 9 Dec 1999
Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 2362, [2018] 1 WLR 6051 Links: Bailii Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 21 May 2022; Ref: scu.634255
The wife was the secure tenant of the premises, against whom the local authority landlord obtained a possession order on grounds of arrears of rent, not to be enforced on payment of a weekly sum off the arrears in addition to what the order described as ‘the current rent’. The wife defaulted on the terms … Continue reading Thompson v Elmbridge Borough Council: CA 1987
The landlord had granted a lease, under which the tenant paid a security deposit on the signing of the lease. The deposit was returnable on the expiration of the term provided that there was no breach of any of it terms and conditions on the part of the tenant or else the deposit would be … Continue reading Hua Chaio Commercial Bank v Chiaphua Industries: PC 1987
The applicant tenant occupied property originally a pair of semi-detached derelict cottages and six acres of land. He successively reconstructed each cottage, initially living in one of them and sub-letting the other; constructed a five door garage building; and then obtained vacant possession of the sub-let cottage and opened up the dividing wall to make … Continue reading Dixon v Allgood: HL 1987
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER – application for stay of appointment and for permission to appeal – standard to be applied to proposed appeals against discretionary decisions – use of first-tier tribunal’s power to give directions to manager or to amend order – s.24, Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 – applications refused … Continue reading Octagon Overseas Ltd and Another v Various Leaseholders: UTLC 1 Nov 2016
A grant of an assured tenancy included a clause under which the rent would be increased from pounds 4,680, to pounds 25,000 per year. It was expected that the tenant would be reliant upon Housing Benefit to pay the rent, and that Housing Benefit would be insufficient. Held: The agreement to increase the rent was … Continue reading Bankway Properties Ltd v Penfold-Dunsford and Another: CA 24 Apr 2001
The council had obtained possession orders for two properties from secure tenants, but the orders were suspended for so long as rent arrears were being discharged. The judges had understood that a date must appear on the possession order. Held: McPhail suggested that ‘whereas as against squatters owners of land who obtained an order for … Continue reading Bristol City Council v Hassan and Glastonbury: CA 23 May 2006
The Office sought a declaration that the respondent and other banks were subject to the provisions of the Regulations in their imposition of bank charges to customer accounts, and in particular as to the imposition of penalties or charges for the breach of the overdraft limits. Held: The relevant terms were not exempt from assessment … Continue reading Office of Fair Trading v Abbey National Plc and seven Others: ComC 24 Apr 2008
Properties had been built as substantial single dwellings. Later they had been converted into separate dwellings and let accordingly. The tenants sought to acquire the freeholds under the 1967 Act. Though required by the lease to use the properties as private dwellings, they had been used as short term lets for tourists. The landlord now … Continue reading Day and Another v Hosebay Ltd; Lexgorge Ltd v Howard de Walden Estates Ltd etc: CA 1 Jul 2010
The House considered the basis of valuation on an acquisition of the freehold reversion of a lease under the 1967 Act of the three elements, the rent, vacant possession after the lease, and the marriage or hope value of the two interests when merged, and particularly the last. Held: In relation to a valuation under … Continue reading Earl Cadogan v Pitts and Wang; Similar: HL 10 Dec 2008
The parties had engaged in a bitter 95 day trial in which allegations of forgery, theft, false accounting, blackmail and arson. A company owning patents and other rights had become insolvent, and the real concern was the destination and ownership of . .
References: [2003] UKHL 67, Gazette 22-Jan-2004, [2004] STC 73 Links: House of Lords, Bailii Coram: Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead, Lord Steyn, Lord Hoffmann, Lord Millett, Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe When taking a car in part exchange, the company would initially offer the correct market value. If the customer wanted, the company would agree a higher … Continue reading Lex Services plc v Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Customs and Excise: HL 4 Dec 2003
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
The tenants on a registered mobile home site appealed a decision that they shoud contribute to the expenses of lopping trees at the edge of the site by including it in the pitch fee. The site owner said that it had been carried out for the benefit of the site and was recoverable under the … Continue reading Walker v Badcock: CA 24 Jun 1997
(County Court) The defendant landlord granted the plaintiff a three year assured shorthold tenancy. He now appealed a finding that he was in breach of an implied covenant to maintain the space heating, and otherwise. The tenant had returned the keys. The court was asked whether the landlord by his breach had committed a repudiatory … Continue reading Hussain v Mehlman: CC 5 Mar 1992
The employer appealed against findings of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. The employee worked in IT. He was profoundly deaf, but could lip read and read sign language. He had been accused of obtaining improper access to a senior staff member’s emails. During the disciplinary hearing, he had been assisted by an interpreter for part … Continue reading Taylor v OCS Group Ltd: CA 31 May 2006
When a tenancy was terminated and was followed by a statutory tenancy, a term in the contractual tenancy that the tenancy should be forfeit on the tenant’s bankruptcy was continued in and inherited by the statutory tenancy. Though perhaps in conveyancing terms there was no positive obligation not to become bankrupt, the Acts should be … Continue reading Cadogan Estates Limited v McMahon: HL 26 Oct 2000
The tenant’s covenants included an obligation ‘to keep in good and substantial repair . . the demised premises and every part thereof.’ Held: A repairing covenant does not require a defect in design to be made good. One cannot have an existing obligation to repair unless and until there is a disrepair.Slade LJ said: ‘In … Continue reading Post Office v Aquarius: CA 2 Jan 1985
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – CHI – 19UJ Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 26 May 2022; Ref: scu.622942
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – LON – 00AZ – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 21 May 2022; Ref: scu.623382
The lease contained a break clause. The parties disputed whether the benefit of the clause was personal to the orginal lessee, or whether it touched and concerned the land, and therefore the benefit of it passed with the land. Held: The defendant was entitled to exercise and did validly exercise the break clause. The purpose … Continue reading Harbour Estates Limited v HSBC Bank Plc: ChD 15 Jul 2004
Same Sex Paartner to Inherit as Family Member The claimant had lived with the original tenant in a stable and long standing homosexual relationship at the deceased’s flat. After the tenant’s death he sought a statutory tenancy as a spouse of the deceased. The Act had been extended to include as a spouse someone living … Continue reading Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd: HL 28 Oct 1999
A house and an adjoining building had been first demised under one lease, then separated vertically. Two separate residential properties now existed. Held: The vertical division meant that the two houses could not be enfranchised as one under the Act. The Act also provided that where a property had been divided in such a way … Continue reading Malekshad v Howard de Walden Estates Limited: HL 5 Dec 2002
Possessing Proceedings Notice Not a Rent Demand The landlord’s notice of proceedings for possession gave the agent’s address, but not that of the landlord. The parties disputed whether it was a demand for rent and its validity. Held: It was not a demand for rent, and did not require the landlord’s own name and address. … Continue reading Prempeh v Lakhany: CA 30 Oct 2020
The reality of the agency of a receiver is reflected in the continuity, after the appointment of receivers, of the rateable occupation of the mortgagor through the agency of the receivers. The possession of an agent is to be attributed to that of . .
References: (1848) 2 Ph 774, [1848] 1 H & TW 105, [1848] 18 LJ Ch 83, [1848] 13 LTOS 21, [1848] 13 Jur 89, [1848] 41 ER 1143 LC, (1848) 11 Beavan 571, [1848] EWHC Ch J34, [1848] EngR 1005, (1848) 11 Beav 571, (1848) 50 ER 937, [1848] EngR 1059, (1848) 1 H & … Continue reading Tulk v Moxhay; 22 Dec 1848
