REMF54-Property Law

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Miss Joanne Stringer
Email: j.stringer@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to help students develop a conceptual understanding of the legal environment in which real estate operates in the UK. 

Aims:

Students will gain a systematic appreciation of how property law shapes the rights and obligations which attach to owners and occupiers of real property in England and Wales. It also aims to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the legal principles governing the use, enjoyment and transfer of freehold and leasehold land and to set these in their practical and commercial contexts. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to: 

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


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


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


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


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


• organise and deploy legal material concisely and effectively in writing. 

Additional outcomes:

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

Outline content:

• Estates and interests in land and their acquisition 


• Easements and freehold covenants 


• The protection of interests in land and overriding interests 


• Leases, licences and the enforceability of leasehold covenants 


• The principal leasehold covenants 


• Remedies for breach of covenant 


• Commercial rent review 


• Statutory protection of business tenants. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

3 hours per week comprising a mixture of lectures and seminars involving practical application and discussion. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Two hour written examination (50%).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Report: 

A complex realistic scenario looking at a detailed aspect of property law from the viewpoint of a graduate surveyor offering initial advice on a specific topic or topics. 

• 2,500 words (word guide) 


• To be submitted during timetabling week 29 (week 10) of spring term 

Set exercise: 

An online test comprising: 

• 10 multiple choice or true/false questions 


• To take place during timetabling week 27 (week 8) of spring term 

Formative assessment methods:

One mock examination in the same style and format as the summative examination to be attempted by the students at a time of their own choosing. 

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:

The pass mark for this module is 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by a three-hour written exam, subject to variation by the examination board as appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023