2. Due Diligence 2 Flashcards
What is due diligence?
Investigation and research before making a decision.
What are planning law principles?
Legal principles related to planning matters.
What is planning permission?
Approval required for land development.
What does ‘run with the land’ mean in planning matters?
Responsibility for planning matters lies with the property owner.
Who is responsible for a breach of planning matters?
The owner of the property.
What could happen if there is a breach of planning matters?
Enforcement action could be taken against the buyer of the property.
What falls under the statutory definition of ‘Development’?
Building operations, material changes, change of use class.
What is included in building works?
Demolition, structural alterations, additions.
What does not constitute ‘Development’?
Maintenance work, internal alterations not affecting external appearance.
What are the two types of public planning permission?
Deemed permission, express permission.
Is either type of planning permission sufficient?
Yes.
What happens to planning permission?
It runs with the land forever and burdens the relevant land.
Is there a specific time limit for implementing planning permission?
Yes, usually 3 years in England and 5 years in Wales.
What can the Local Planning Authority do if planning permission is not implemented within a reasonable time?
Serve a completion notice.
What is deemed permission?
Permission to carry out development without applying for planning permission.
Under what circumstances does the owner have deemed permission?
Alterations to the interior that do not affect the exterior, demolition outside a conservation area.
What is the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015?
Regulations that allow certain developments without planning permission.
What are examples of general permitted developments?
Small home extensions, porches, fences.
What are the restrictions on size and position for conservatories?
N/A
What are examples of minor works on commercial properties?
Fence, paint
What does an Article 4 Direction do?
Disapplies deemed permission in conservation areas
What is required if deemed permission is disallowed?
Express planning permission
What can be applied for under s.192 of the TCPO 1990?
Certificate of Lawfulness of proposed use or development
What is required if the owner does not have deemed permission?
Express permission
What are the two types of express planning permission?
Outline permission, Detailed permission
What does outline permission entail?
Broad permission with reserved matters
What are reserved matters?
Developments that must be approved by the Local authority
What must the owner do if there are reserved matters in the outline permission?
Make an application within 3 years
What does detailed permission involve?
More expensive and detailed application with full plans
When must development start for detailed permission?
Within 3 years of the permission date
What is the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987?
Sets rules for material changes of use and use classes
What are the different categories of use under UCO 1987?
Classes of use with letters and sometimes numbers.
What is the purpose of specifying the use of property in a lease?
To ensure compliance with planning laws.
What are common use classes?
Categories of use under UCO 1987.
What does s.55(2) of UCO 1987 exclude?
Change of use within the same class of use.
Give an example of a residential use class.
Class C, with C1 being hotels and C3 being dwelling houses.
When does a change of use not require planning permission?
When it is within the same use class.
B2 to B3 those are different classes
E(a) to E(b) same class
What types of developments are permitted without planning permission?
Limited size extensions within the curtilage of a dwelling house and minor operations.
When is planning permission required for a change of use?
When it is from one class to another or to/from a ‘sui generis’ use.
What can the local planning authority do if there is a breach of planning permission?
Take enforcement action against the current owner/occupier.
How can a breach of planning permission be identified?
By exercising the right to entry and issuing a planning contravention notice.
What is a planning contravention notice?
A notice requiring the recipient to provide information about operations, use, or activities.
What can the local planning authority do after receiving a planning contravention notice?
Decide to take action.
What is an enforcement notice?
A notice served by the local authority to start an enforcement action.
What must the enforcement notice state?
Nature of the breach, steps to remedy, time limit
When does the notice become effective?
28 days after service
What does a stop notice do?
Brings activities in breach of planning control to an end
What is a breach of condition notice?
Notice for breaching a specific condition
What is an injunction?
Court order to restrain a breach
What is the enforcement period?
Time limit for taking action
What is the time limit for serving enforcement notices for building works?
4 years from substantial completion
Ifts before 25 april 2024
What is the time limit for serving enforcement notices for other breaches?
10 years
Usually the case now
Who is held responsible for breaches?
Current owner
What does Building Regulation Control cover?
How works are carried out and building safety
Is permission fr building regulations oalways needed for building works?
Yes even if u dont need planning permission
What are the enforcement options for Building Regulation Control?
Prosecution, Enforcement Notice, Injunction
What is the enforcement deadline for Building Regulation Control?
Unlimited
Before oct 1?2023 it was six months.
What are the options for breach in Building Regulation Control?
Indemnity policy, Regularisation Certificate
Is it necessary to apply for Building Regulation Control even if no planning permission is required?
Yes
What are self-certification schemes for Building Regulation Control?
Regulated by trades and professions, no separate application required
What does the LPA do in relation to Building Regulation Control?
Inspects and issues certificate of compliance
Give examples of works that need building consent.
Installing windows, electrical works, boiler installation
Is there a time limit on enforcement for breaches?
No
What can the LPA prosecute for?
Breach of regulations
When must proceedings be brought for a breach?
Within 2 years of work completion
When can the LPA issue an enforcement notice?
Within 12 months of the breach
When can injunctions be applied?
At any time to force property compliance
How can a buyer check if BRs have been complied with?
Through searches and enquiries before contract exchange
What can a buyer do if no consent is granted?
Ask seller to obtain regularisation certificate or get insurance
What should a client be advised to obtain?
Necessary building regulations approval
What are the enforcement deadlines for local authority?
No permission: 4 years, Change of use w/ no permission: 10 years, Change of use to dwelling w/o permission: 10 years, Breach of condition: 10 years from date of breach
What are listed buildings?
Buildings of special historical or architectural merit
What are the grades of listing?
Grade 1, 2* and 2
What should be advised if a building is listed?
To have a full structural survey before purchase
What are the requirements for listed buildings?
Planning permission and listed building consent for exterior and interior works
What are the sanctions for listed building consent?
No time limit for enforcement action, criminal sanctions against perpetrators and subsequent owners
What are Conservation Areas?
Areas with broader protection for buildings.
What is the requirement for work on trees in a conservation area?
Notification to LPA 6 weeks in advance.
What is the status of unregistered land in the Land Registry?
No Official Copies available.
What should be checked before investigating an unregistered title?
Registration status, root of title, chain of ownership, correct stamping, seller’s ability to sell, third-party rights.
When is registration of title compulsory?
Only if a transaction occurs.
What does the Register provide?
Conclusive evidence of ownership.
Why do people avoid registration?
Expense.
What triggers compulsory first registration?
Sale, gift, assent, grant of lease, assignment of lease, first legal mortgage.
What is the time limit for registration?
2 months from triggering event.
Can the Registrar grant an extension for registration?
Yes, for a good reason.
What is an epitome of title?
Summary of the property’s ownership history.
What is a good root of title?
A single document chosen by the solicitor as the basis for proving ownership.
What is the purpose of registering land?
To establish ownership and the right to deal with the land.
What is the benefit of registering land?
Conclusive evidence of ownership.
What is the downside of registering land?
Expense.
What is the purpose of notification for work on trees in a conservation area?
To inform the Local Planning Authority.
What is the consequence of unregistered land in the Land Registry?
No Official Copies available.
What is the purpose of investigating an unregistered title?
To establish ownership and any third-party rights.
What is the purpose of an epitome of title?
To provide a summary of the property’s ownership history.
What is the purpose of compulsory first registration?
To establish ownership and create an official record.
What is the epitome of title?
Schedule of relevant deeds and documents.
What is the root of title?
Specific conveyance showing good title to the property.
Conveyance best and usually better than mortgage because has description of property.
If not then gift or assent
Must show:
Recognisable descrip of land
At least 15 yrs old
Shows entire legal nd equitable interest being sold
Doesnt cast any doubts
Who prepares the epitome of title?
Seller.
What does the buyer do?
Buyer conducts Index Map Search.