News Archive: legal issues

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25, 2011 May:

EU forces notaries to compete for business

Seven European Union countries are to be forced to open the notary profession to outside competition after a ruling Tuesday by the bloc's highest court.

19, 2011 May:

Leaseback purchasers could avoid new French property tax

The French government is seeking to impose a new 20% tax on non-resident second home owners, but buyers of properties under the leaseback scheme will be able to avoid it, according to legal experts.

Spanish courts rule in favour of minister accused of defaming Britons

A Spanish appeal court has dismissed a case brought by British expats against a government minister accused of defamation.

12, 2011 May:

Schengen state Denmark to re-impose border controls

Denmark, one of the Schengen states, is to re-impose controls on its frontiers with Germany and Sweden within weeks, amid pressure from the right.

11, 2011 May:

Property buyers plan flood of complaints

Thousands of disgruntled property buyers without title deeds plan to flood the Commerce Ministry’s Consumer Protection Service (CPS) with complaints under the Unfair Commercial Practices law.

05, 2011 May:

Cyprus moves to increase transparency for home buyers

The Cypriot government has passed a new bill ensuring property buyers on the island will receive title deeds to their properties, regardless of whether the seller owes money on the home.

04, 2011 May:

Spanish legal practice warns over property rental pitfalls

A Spanish lawyer is warning that property owners who rent out their homes should ensure that they understand the legal process in case they need to evict a tenant.

26, 2011 April:

Americans flock to Panama for next to no living costs

Its capital is the beating commercial heart of Central America, and now Panama is doing all it can to lure retirees and young families as well as business expats to its shores. With great retiree benefits and relaxed immigration and taxation laws, the time has never been better to move to or invest in this cosmopolitan nation.

20, 2011 April:

Hungary: Parliament votes for new constitution

Hungary's parliament has voted in favour of a new constitution which ends the transition from a totalitarian to a democratic system, its authors claim.

14, 2011 April:

UK mortgage fraud 'up by 14%'

Fraud relating to UK mortgages has gone up 14% as the aftermath of the recession takes its toll, a new study has found.

12, 2011 April:

Cyprus to lift European holiday home ownership restrictions

The island nation's current laws restricting ownership of a holiday home by an EU national may soon be a thing of the past, with the European Commission issuing formal proceedings last week to force Cyprus to open up its markets.

05, 2011 April:

Expats sue Spanish councillor over property dispute

The councillor charged with resolving the illegal homes issue affecting expats in Spain's Almanzora Valley is being sued by British homeowners.

01, 2011 April:

Claims companies move in on vulnerable mortgagees

An increasing number of victims of mis-sold mortgages are turning to claims companies to launch their cases for compensation when they could in fact make a claim for free, says the Guardian.

Cyprus investors evicted after developer default

A group of British retirees have been evicted from their villas in the north of Cyprus after the developer remortgaged their homes without their knowledge and defaulted on the loan.

31, 2011 March:

Local law firm reports victory in Spanish investment recovery

A UK investor successfully had his deposit returned after a property nest egg in Spain went awry, thanks to international law firm Judicare.

23, 2011 March:

US real estate brokers plead guilty in auction scam

Two licensed real estate brokers in California have admitted to rigging bids at a series of foreclosure auctions in order to resell the properties for private gain.

22, 2011 March:

EU halts tax incentives for British holiday homeowners

UK government tax relief for owners of British holiday homes, brought in during the ‘80s to slow the exodus of Brits abroad for their holidays and retirement, will be forced to cease next month because of new EU restrictions.

17, 2011 March:

Disgraced British property tycoons to sue Icelandic bank

High-flying property developers the Tschenguiz brothers, who were arrested earlier this month for their role in the collapse of Icelandic bank Kaupthing, are planning to sue the lender for damages.

US mortgage bosses face fraud case

The former chief executives of federal mortgage lenders Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could face criminal charges as regulators pursue them for their role in the collapse of the housing market.

14, 2011 March:

Failed Cyprus investors protest at property show

A group of British buyers with funds tied up in fraudulent Cyprus investments staged a protest over the weekend at the popular A Place in the Sun property expo at London's Earls Court.

11, 2011 March:

EU may force Spain’s hand over retiree benefits

On top of its ongoing economic problems, Spain is also in the European Commission court for refusing to provide free medicine to EU retirees living in the country, a requirement under EU law.

08, 2011 March:

Land development scams fool British investors

A spate of firms purporting to offer high-yield land investments in Britain have scammed buyers out of tens of thousands of pounds.

07, 2011 March:

Amnesty offered to 'illegal' Spanish home buyers

A group of British expatriates whose Spanish holiday homes were declared illegal now face a possible reprieve from the wrecking ball thanks to a new government 'amnesty'.

02, 2011 March:

Egypt development deal blocked by court

A sale of public land to one of Egypt's largest developers has been revoked by a judicial panel, prompting fears similar property investments in the country could be in jeopardy.

01, 2011 March:

South Africa moves to ban foreign property ownership

President Jacob Zuma has announced a swathe of controversial land reforms that may see property ownership become illegal for non South African residents.

25, 2011 February:

Republicans to block Obama housing bill

Republicans in the US House of Representatives are planning to block the President's bill of reforms that will see the dismantling of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

23, 2011 February:

Online rental scammers targeting UK tenants

Online rental scammers are now copying the codes of reputed lettings sites to lend credibility to their operations and cheat UK renters out of sizeable deposits.

17, 2011 February:

Cyprus lifts EU property agent restrictions

The island nation has removed its unpopular law restricting the activities of estate agents from other EU member countries in its property market.

Legal changes to affect Britain's overseas property buyers

The tax benefits of new build and leaseback, combined with a glut of cash-rich international buyers, means the property market in the Alps has been minimally affected by the recession.

16, 2011 February:

Advice is key to a safer overseas property purchase

Thousands of buyers still risk their money by purchasing property abroad without taking on specialist legal advice. Without knowledge of local laws, procedures and processes, this is one of the strangest and riskiest phenomena in the world of overseas property....

21, 2011 January:

OECD discusses eliminating stamp duty

The global think tank has recommended the abolition of stamp duty to stimulate the ailing UK house market.

20, 2011 January:

UK law changes hand new power to developers

New government changes will see planning controls handed to developers if councils fail to address sustainable growth.

New Fed website will increase home loan transparency

A new initiative launched by the Fed in the US today aims to remind consumers about new loan restrictions.

Malta property market may suffer from Residents Scheme suspension

The revocation of the new Residents Scheme to boost property investment in Malta may have ripple effects to the real estate market.

19, 2011 January:

Listed Property Show will tackle new issues for owners

New government regulations increasing the cost for owner renovation will be among the issues tackled at this year's Listed Property Show.

18, 2011 January:

UK housing localisation bill to hand greater power to the people

The new localisation bill will reduce government controls over housing regulations and planning permission in the UK.

11, 2011 January:

UK leaseholders unaware of rights

Almost three quarters of leaseholders in the UK are unaware of their rights to take over freehold privileges under Right to Manage legislation, a new survey says.

China tightens foreign property investment restrictions

The Chinese government moves to tighten legislation on foreigners investing in property, amidst rising real estate prices and rocketing sales figures.

22, 2010 December:

Deadline looms for Bulgaria buyers

December 31st is fast approaching, meaning that all those who own land or property in Bulgaria should think about re-registering their asset or potentially face losing it forever...

FSA hands out record fines in 2010

The Financial Services Authority handed down a record breaking £88.4m in fines in 2010, eclipsing the record it set last year of £34.8m by 154%, says City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP...

20, 2010 December:

Housing fraudsters to face major crackdown

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has launched a new national crackdown on tenancy cheats who unlawfully sublet their council or housing association properties and deny homes to people who really need them...

17, 2010 December:

Apprentice contender accused of ‘dodgy deals'

Lord Alan Sugar's business talent show has been hit with more controversy, as another Apprentice contestant is facing accusations of crooked business deals...

15, 2010 December:

Scotland's recovery damaged by immigration cap?

Scotland's government and business community has declared it is unhappy with the immigration cuts being imposed by the UK government and wants a more flexible approach...

07, 2010 December:

Estate agent "sole agency" means what it says

House sellers tempted to disregard their sole agency agreements with estate agents need to take note of a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in the case of Nicholas Prestige Homes v Sally Neal...

06, 2010 December:

New English language reqs hit marriages

New requirements for those outside the European Union who want to marry an immigrant in the UK are now in force...

01, 2010 December:

Electricity top-up scam spreads nationwide

If you're offered cut-price energy for a pre-payment meter, watch out - it's a scam...

09, 2010 November:

Property tycoon's wife, mistress battle over cash

A property tycoon's wife and mistress both forged his will in a battle over his fortune, a court heard...

08, 2010 November:

Arizona ruling says 'buyer beware'

A new Arizona court ruling on a real estate property sales reinforces the doctrine of buyer beware...

31, 2010 October:

Police hold fire on apprentice mortgage court date

Apprentice hopeful and former mortgage broker Christopher Farrell yesterday had his bail extended until the December 8th when he'll discover if he faces fraud charges...