header-logo header-logo

How builders can banish the covenant problem

01 June 2018 / Andrew Francis
Issue: 7795 / Categories: Features , Property
printer mail-detail
nlj_7795_francis

As demand for housing rises, lawyers are deploying s 84 applications to overcome the barrier of restrictive covenants. Andrew Francis offers advice

  • Discharging or modifying restrictive covenants over freehold land. Using s 84(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925.
  • Why this is a useful jurisdiction now.

The importance of the jurisdiction under s 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 cannot be overestimated. The government’s housing and new national planning policy framework seeks to release land for much needed housing. There is a new Garden City movement supported by the government. As it is economic to develop to a greater intensity, a policy generally favoured under planning law, land values warrant steps being taken to remove covenant problems. Finally, there has been a growth in the re-use of sites where obsolescent houses are suitable for demolition with either replacement houses, or a greater number of houses, or flats being built.

The barriers

In this context, restrictive covenants often act as a barrier to the carrying out of the

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
County court cases are speeding up, with the median time from claim to hearing 62 weeks for fast, intermediate and multi-track claims—5.4 weeks faster than last year

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has secured £1.1m in its first use of an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO)

The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
back-to-top-scroll