SQE 1 Property Law Glossary FLK2
TERM Definition
ADVERSE Acquisition of property rights by continuous,
POSSESSION uninterrupted occupation without permission.
If the seller’s solicitor holds the deposit as agent
AGENT for the seller, the seller may demand the deposit
immediately after exchange.
A legal contract in which parties commit to enter
AGREEMENT FOR
into a lease at a future date, usually once certain
LEASE (AFL)
conditions (like construction or approvals) are met.
The transfer of an interest in property (e.g., lease
ALIENATION or freehold) to another party, such as by
assignment, subletting, or sale.
A physical change or modification made to a
property, such as structural works or redecoration.
ALTERATION
Lease terms often require landlord consent for
alterations.
A major, prominent tenant in a shopping center or
ANCHOR TENANT mall, attracting significant visitor traffic and
supporting smaller tenants.
An Article 4 Direction is a legal mechanism made
by a local planning authority (or the Secretary
of State) under Article 4 of the Town and
Country Planning (General Permitted
ARTICLE 4
Development) Order 2015 (GPDO). It removes
DIRECTION (GPDO)
specific permitted development rights,
meaning that planning permission must be
obtained for works that would otherwise not
require it.
The transfer of a lease or other interest in land
from one party (assignor) to another (assignee),
ASSIGNMENT
who assumes the rights and obligations under the
original contract.
AUTHORISED An agreement where an outgoing tenant
GUARANTEE guarantees the performance of lease obligations by
, SQE 1 Property Law Glossary FLK2
the assignee (new tenant) after assignment.
AGREEMENT (AGA)
Common in commercial leases.
BENEFICIAL The equitable right or benefit from property,
INTEREST distinct from legal ownership.
BREACH OF Where development has taken place without
PLANNING planning permission; or a condition or limitation of
CONTROL planning permission has been breached.
A clause in a lease or contract that allows either
party (often the tenant) to terminate the
BREAK CLAUSE
agreement early on giving the required notice and
meeting conditions.
A certificate confirming whether existing or
CERTIFICATE OF
proposed use or development is lawful for planning
LAWFULNESS
purposes. It does not grant planning permission.
Document in which solicitor certifies that the title
to the property is satisfactory for lending purposes.
Residential: usually a 1-page form which is
CERTIFICATE OF completed and signed.
TITLE
Commercial: Much more complex.
Must use the industry standard format on City of
London Law Society (CLLS)’s website.
CHANCEL REPAIR Determines whether the property is liable for
SEARCH contributions to local church repairs.
A change in how land or buildings are used that
CHANGE OF USE may require planning permission depending on the
use classes involved.
Security over registered land (similar to mortgage),
CHARGE
entered in the Land Registry.
Section of Land Register listing encumbrances
CHARGES REGISTER affecting property, such as easements or
covenants.
A movable item of personal property, distinct from
CHATTEL
real property.
COAL MINING Checks for historic or current coal mining activities
TERM Definition
ADVERSE Acquisition of property rights by continuous,
POSSESSION uninterrupted occupation without permission.
If the seller’s solicitor holds the deposit as agent
AGENT for the seller, the seller may demand the deposit
immediately after exchange.
A legal contract in which parties commit to enter
AGREEMENT FOR
into a lease at a future date, usually once certain
LEASE (AFL)
conditions (like construction or approvals) are met.
The transfer of an interest in property (e.g., lease
ALIENATION or freehold) to another party, such as by
assignment, subletting, or sale.
A physical change or modification made to a
property, such as structural works or redecoration.
ALTERATION
Lease terms often require landlord consent for
alterations.
A major, prominent tenant in a shopping center or
ANCHOR TENANT mall, attracting significant visitor traffic and
supporting smaller tenants.
An Article 4 Direction is a legal mechanism made
by a local planning authority (or the Secretary
of State) under Article 4 of the Town and
Country Planning (General Permitted
ARTICLE 4
Development) Order 2015 (GPDO). It removes
DIRECTION (GPDO)
specific permitted development rights,
meaning that planning permission must be
obtained for works that would otherwise not
require it.
The transfer of a lease or other interest in land
from one party (assignor) to another (assignee),
ASSIGNMENT
who assumes the rights and obligations under the
original contract.
AUTHORISED An agreement where an outgoing tenant
GUARANTEE guarantees the performance of lease obligations by
, SQE 1 Property Law Glossary FLK2
the assignee (new tenant) after assignment.
AGREEMENT (AGA)
Common in commercial leases.
BENEFICIAL The equitable right or benefit from property,
INTEREST distinct from legal ownership.
BREACH OF Where development has taken place without
PLANNING planning permission; or a condition or limitation of
CONTROL planning permission has been breached.
A clause in a lease or contract that allows either
party (often the tenant) to terminate the
BREAK CLAUSE
agreement early on giving the required notice and
meeting conditions.
A certificate confirming whether existing or
CERTIFICATE OF
proposed use or development is lawful for planning
LAWFULNESS
purposes. It does not grant planning permission.
Document in which solicitor certifies that the title
to the property is satisfactory for lending purposes.
Residential: usually a 1-page form which is
CERTIFICATE OF completed and signed.
TITLE
Commercial: Much more complex.
Must use the industry standard format on City of
London Law Society (CLLS)’s website.
CHANCEL REPAIR Determines whether the property is liable for
SEARCH contributions to local church repairs.
A change in how land or buildings are used that
CHANGE OF USE may require planning permission depending on the
use classes involved.
Security over registered land (similar to mortgage),
CHARGE
entered in the Land Registry.
Section of Land Register listing encumbrances
CHARGES REGISTER affecting property, such as easements or
covenants.
A movable item of personal property, distinct from
CHATTEL
real property.
COAL MINING Checks for historic or current coal mining activities
