Questions and answers:Landlord and tenant Law

The law of landlord and tenant has become an increasingly complex area for both professionals and students. Apart from the double hurdle of mastering both common law principles and statutory codes, various aspects of the subject have become increasingly specialised and challenging. This new edition of Question and Answer Landlord and Tenant demonstrates that even complex problems can be explained in straightforward and inspiring terms. The authors, both experienced academics and barristers, provide detailed answers to typical questions in this difficult field. The third edition of this book has been updated in the new Question and Answer style of questions followed by commentary, bullet points and diagrams and flowcharts. It offers new questions based on the latest recommendations of the Law Commission on renting homes and the abolition of the law of forfeiture. There are new questions on the human rights dimension, the recent changes to Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the substantial amendments made to leasehold enfranchisement under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

Mere equities and third parties in leasehold law

Examines the concept of a "mere equity" in the context of the Land Registration Act 2002 s.116(b). Considers, by reference to case law, the nature and status of a mere equity and equities coming within the category of equitable rights binding third parties, including a landlord's right to rectification of a lease, the right to set aside a lease and a tenant's right to relief against forfeiture of a lease. Comments on the extent to which s.116(b) requires a mere equity to be more than just procedural and to be an equitable proprietary right capable of binding successors in title.

English commonhold:a failed experiment?

Commonhold is a new modified form of freehold tenure and represents the meritworthy objective of better spreading around the freehold ownership of land and the bringing to an end the notion of leasehold tenure in relation to phsyically interdependent buildings. This article considers the nature of English Commonhold as a new modified species of freehold tenure for physically interdependent buildings and seeks to investigate the reason(s) as to its non-use in England and Wales. The paper surveys current literature so as to highlight various contemporary academic and professional criticisms of the current Commonhold Scheme as laid out in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 and it also includes the results of an emprical survey commissioned by the author which details the perception of Commonhold from the perspective of conveyancing solciitors and their clients. Certain conclusions are drawn which attempt to explain the lack of enthusiasm for Commonhold amongst the property industry and a number of reccommendations are made as to how the use of Commonhold in England and Wales can be increased.

Advanced optical sensing techniques using novel fibre gratings

We describe some recently developed fibre grating sensing devices (Bragg and long-period types) and applications with emphasis on simultaneous measurement of multiple measurands using combinational grating structures, and the realisation of ultra-high sensitivity sensors utilising the quadratic dispersion of long-period grating structure.