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

Quinn Emanuel—James McSweeney

Quinn Emanuel—James McSweeney

London promotion underscores firm’s investment in white collar and investigations

Ward Hadaway—Louise Miller

Ward Hadaway—Louise Miller

Private client team strengthened by partner appointment

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
In Ward v Rai, the High Court reaffirmed that imprecise points of dispute can and will be struck out. Writing in NLJ this week, Amy Dunkley of Bolt Burdon Kemp reports on the decision and its implications for practitioners
Could the Supreme Court’s ruling in R v Hayes; R v Palombo unintentionally unsettle future complex fraud trials? Maia Cohen-Lask of Corker Binning explores the question in NLJ this week
back-to-top-scroll