In brief

Mumbai property prices are predicted to rise the sale earlier this year of a 50 acre site owned by the Government-owned National Textile Corporation was ruled illegal by the Bombay High Court. It said the sale did not conform with rules set down by the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction which requires those who sell development land to hand over two thirds: a third for open spaces and a third for low cost housing. Local property professionals are saying the court ruling will disrupt the market and is likely to lead to higher prices.

A Massachusetts landlord has been fined almost £1,000 after admitting removing asbestos from his rental property without taking precautions required by the state’s Clean Air Act. Jocelyn Toussaint, whose wife owns the property, removed asbestos insulation to piping after tenants had complained to their local health board about it condition. Homeowners may remove asbestos from their buildings, but if they do so must follow the same standards as licenced contractors.

A court ruling has stymied attempts to extend landlord licensing laws in Georgia. Cobb Superior Court Judge Stephen Schuster ruled the city of Marietta’s requirement that have their properties inspected and licences from the city was invalid and unenforceable. This is likely to put an end to moves other cities in the state to follow Marietta’s example.

To obtain a licence, landlords had to show a building code and safety inspection report issued by a private company. But the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that landlords said the process was expensive, and property rights advocates claimed it to be an invasive because it amounted to a city sponsored search without probable cause regarding a code violation.

In 2003, the state passed a law specifically banning local governments from enacting such inspection laws. The law passed after Roswell adopted an ordinance requiring rental inspections.