http://www.pattinson.co.uk/The LEGAL news and information60http://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Canada_set_for_two_lean_years.htmThe Bank of Canada has provided a bleak outlook on Canada's economic future...Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:50:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Brits_mesmerised_by_Magic_Murcia.htmMurcia is set to prosper in 2008 after tourism increased by 18% in 2007...Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:50:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Rogue_agents_rumbled_in_Spain.htmNew laws have recently been passed in Spain to protect home-buyers from fraud...Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:50:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Buy-to-let_investing_in_the_Middle_East.htmThe Middle East's housing markets have been rapidly opening - and both opportunities and dangers await property investors, according to a new report by the Global Property Guide...Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:53:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Brits_escaping_in_record_numbers.htmThe NAEA is advising homebuyers to think carefully when considering a move abroad...Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:54:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Cape_Verdes_tropical_appeal.htmSantiago Island in Cape Verde is set to offer unrivalled investment returns...Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:54:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Call_for_new_regulator_to_protect_residents.htmThe Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has called for the role of a new regulator to ensure all residents in affordable housing are protected to the same degree...Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:54:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Good_progress_with_new_housing_licensing_laws.htmLandlords and councils are progressing well with new housing licensing laws according to a comprehensive survey released this week by LACORS, the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services...Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Lenders_cleaning_up_act_on_mortgage_exit_fees.htmThe Financial Services Authority is working to ensure that borrowers don't receive any nasty surprises when they try to redeem their mortgage...Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Invest_in_Australias_next_growth_cycle.htmLocal investors are returning to the east coast markets of Australia as record vacancy rates continue to drive up rental returns, reports Home Port Property...Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Controversial_HIPS_defy_critics_doubts.htmPack providers have defied the critics, turning around real-time orders for Home Information Packs (HIPs) in under 48 hours, reports the Association for Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP)...Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/UK_missing_out_on_£2.7_billion_of_pensions_cash.htmUK pensioners are collectively throwing away £2.7 billion through not claiming pension credits and making unnecessary tax payments, reports Unbiased.co.uk...Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/New_law_targets_rogue_agents.htmA new law forcing agents to succumb to further regulation has been welcomed by the NAEA...Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Homeowners_should_embrace_wardens.htmHomeowners should welcome an increase in the number of traffic wardens and burglar alarms...Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/EC_action_on_`holiday_scams.htmThe European Commission has announced plans to crack down on bogus "Holiday Club" scams...Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/OZ_estate_agent_quoting_scam.htmIllegal under-quoting of auction prices is rife in Sydney...Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Devious_white_paper_slammed.htmChanges to the planning system could kill off loft conversions...Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Shut-out_for_nightmare_neighbours.htmPersistent nuisance neighbours face having their homes closed and sealed under proposed new powers for police and councils...Tue, 29 May 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Spanish_law_to_curb_rip-off-_prices.htmCome 1 July, Spain will have a new land law aimed at part in curbing ?exorbitant house prices', reports Fly2Let...Wed, 23 May 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Scam-busting_site_launched.htmA new website has been launched to help guide buyers and sellers through possible scams and other pitfalls of the property market in the UK...Tue, 22 May 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/FSA_warns_of_BTL_fraud.htmThe Financial Services Authority has revealed that it has uncovered several instances of buy-to-let property investors lying to bank lenders...Fri, 18 May 2007 12:56:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Belfast_slum_scandal_exposed.htmBelfast City Council has vowed to crack down on slum properties after the Belfast Telegraph revealed shocking widespread living conditions... Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:58:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Rogue_estate_agents_targeted_in_Bulgaria.htmA campaign targeting rogue estate agents has been launched in Bulgaria...Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:58:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/New_Zealand_declares_war_on_rogue_estate_agents.htmAfter a number of recent incidents, the head of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) has called for a dramatic increase in the penalties that can be imposed on rogue estate agents...Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:58:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Marbella_corruption_scandal_explodes.htmThe Spanish Government has taken the landmark decision to dissolve Marbella's town council a long investigation into a multi-billion property scandal.Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:58:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/UK_property_buyers_heading_back_to_Valencia.htmAfter the amendment of the controversial "land grab law" last year, the many attractions of the Valencia province are pulling in UK property buyers once again, reports Kyero.com...Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/New_International_Property_Rights_Index_launched.htmProperty Rights Alliance (PRA), in conjunction with 37 global partners, yesterday released the inaugural International Property Rights Index (IPRI) at an event at the National Press Club...Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Law_set_to_allow_legal_break-in_to_your_home.htmNew laws will put debtors at greater risk from unscrupulous bailiffs, a consumer advice charity is warning... Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Years_biggest_property_show_this_weekend.htmWith only three days to go until the launch of this year's Homebuyer Show (2-4 March) at ExCel London, the property industry is gearing up for a weekend of superb property deals, exciting investment opportunities and invaluable knowledge gathering...Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Dubai_property_market_stabilised_by_rent_cap.htmThe Dubai Government's decision to place a cap on rent increases in order to stabilise the emirate's property market has been praised by industry figures, reports Khaleej Times...Fri, 23 Feb 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Cyprus_applies_to_join_the_euro.htmThe Cypriot government applied to join the euro last week; if successful this move would deliver a significant boost to the Cypriot economy and good news to property investors...Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Mallorca_to_be_hot_in_2007.htmMallorca looks set for great things this year after accounting for 80% of Spanish sales at UK giant Chesterton's in 2006...Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Italy_to_introduce_REITS_by_July.htmThe Italian finance ministry's decision to introduce REITs by July 2007 has given Italy's property market a much needed boost, reports Property Investor News...Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Third_of_over-50s_planning_to_buy_abroad.htmA third of people aged over 50 are considering buying a holiday home abroad according to a report by over 50s specialists Saga... Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/New_tax_policy_to_affect_tourists_to_Italy.htmItaly is planning to allow its towns to tax tourists up to EURO 5 ($6.30; £3.40) per day, reports Jet-to-Let Magazine...Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Home_info_packs_get_crucial_changes.htmTimescale relaxations to home info packs have been announced by the government in the light of trials taking place, but estate agents will get heavier fines if they fail to meet criteria...Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Bangkok_property_outlook_dented_by_surprises.htmThe prospects for the Bangkok property market are not looking quite so rosy after several recent "surprises" including bombings in the capital on New Year's Eve and government proposals to tighten up the Foreign Business Act, Jones Lang LaSalle reports...Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/NAEAs_top_tips_for_people_moving_abroad.htmThe National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is offering advice to homebuyers to ensure that dream of moving abroad doesn't turn into a nightmare...Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Code_of_practice_for_home_info_packs_launched.htmConsumer confidence in home info packs is to be supported by a code of practice and regulatory body...Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/South_Africa_acts_to_limit_coastal_construction.htmSouth Africa's government has recently passed a draft bill limiting property development and ownership in coastal areas which many are interpreting as a step to restrict foreign investment in these areas, reports www.fly-2let.co.uk...Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:35:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Public_under-informed_about_housing_market.htmA new poll reveals the house buying public are unaware of basic facts about the buying and selling process... Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:36:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/NLA_wins_deposit_protection_contract.htmThe National Landlords Association wins a contract to run tenancy deposit protection scheme...Thu, 23 Nov 2006 13:36:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Careful_planning_can_save_114000_in_IH_tax.htmBy putting the correct legal documents in place, up to £114,000 in potential inheritance tax can be saved...Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Rogue_estate_agent_bill_announced.htmRogue estate agents that give the industry a bad name are to be collared in plans that will give homebuyers better protection...Sat, 18 Nov 2006 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Edinburgh_homeowners_to_get_wind_turbine_right.htmGreen city planners are set to remove the planning permission requirement for home wind turbines in Edinburgh...Thu, 16 Nov 2006 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Lawyers_slammed_in_homebuyer_survey.htmLawyers are the most-hated industry villains a new homebuyer survey found...Thu, 16 Nov 2006 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Italy_introduces_yet_more_taxes.htmItalian Prime Minister Romani Prodi has reintroduced succession tax and altered the tax rules for gifts, reports The Italian magazine...Wed, 08 Nov 2006 13:36:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/EU_warns_over_energy_efficient_buildings.htmLast week nine member states received warnings over their failure to inform the European Commission about what activity they are taking to boost energy efficiency in buildings...Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/Swindon_sisters_take_IHT_battle_to_Strasbourg.htmTwo elderly sisters who live near Swindon are taking the government to the European courts in a bid to overturn inheritance tax laws...Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/articles/More_join_home_info_pack_group_ahead_of_trials.htmAs the November roll-out of voluntary trials approaches, the pack providers' body sees a further increase in membership...Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:37:00 GMT