REMB36-Real Estate Law

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: j.stringer@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides students with a knowledge of the legal principles of contract and tort law relevant to a real estate professional.  It covers the foundational concepts of English property law, including the rules relating to the transfer of land. It deals in particular with the rights and obligations arising from leasehold ownership. 

Aims:

This modules aims to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the legal framework for freehold and leasehold ownership and with a sound grasp of how the rules governing the use, enjoyment and transfer of leasehold property operate in a practical and commercial context. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be expected to: 

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  demonstrate a practical understanding of the basic principles of the law governing estates and interests in land and their acquisition; 

  
  


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  demonstrate a critical awareness of how these principles impact on the ownership and occupation of real estate; 

  
  


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  enumerate and understand the principal liabilities, obligations and rights between landlords and tenants and the remedies for breaches of covenant; 

  
  


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  explain and evaluate the way in which statute protects the occupation of tenants of business premises; 

  
  

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  identify and analyse potential legal rights and liabilities arising out of complex hypothetical scenarios; 

  
  


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  organise and deploy legal material concisely and effectively in writing. 

  
  

Additional outcomes:

Students will be encouraged, through guided discussion, further to develop their oral communication skills and their effectiveness in group situations. 

Outline content:

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  Legal principles governing the formation of contracts (including sales of land) and torts relevant to a real estate professional; 

  
  


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  a brief outline of the basic principles of English property law; 

  
  


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  leases, licences and the enforceability of leasehold covenants; 

  
  


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  the principal lease covenants; 

  
  

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  remedies for breach of lease covenants; 

  
  


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  termination of leases; 

  
  


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  rent reviews; and 

  
  


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  statutory protection of business tenants. 

  
  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course will be delivered as a block release with on-line course support. The block release teaching will comprise 4 days of lectures and problem solving workshops. Two individual project assignments will serve to consolidate and integrate the taught material. 

The block release taught element will be supported by the use of Blackboard. The course information, handouts, presentations and assignments will be posted here. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assignment 1 – 6th January 2020 – (Out of term time) - weight of 40% 

Assignment 2 – 11th March 2020 – Term 2 Week 9 - weight of 60% 

The module will be assessed by way of two assignments. These will require students to consider a hypothetical scenario, to identify the legal issues arising there from, and to suggest possible legal outcomes. A word guide of 2,000 words applies to the first assignment and one of 3,000 to the second. The first assignment is weighted 40%; the second assignment is weighted 60%. 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by a single written assignment (to which a word guide of 5,000 words will apply) subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required Text Book: £40.00

Last updated: 25 April 2019