Part 1 Claims for Luton Dunstable Busway Part 1 claims forms part of the Land Compensation Act 1973. Compensation can be claimed by people who own or occupy property that has been reduced in value by the physical factors caused by the use of a new or altered scheme (in this instance the busway). The physical factors comprise any one of the following: Noise Vibration Smell Fumes Smoke Artificial lighting The discharge on to the property of any solid or liquid substance. The cause of the physical factors must be in relation to the operation of the busway. For example, the noise and other adverse effects must arise from the traffic using the busway only. Compensation is not payable where part of the affected property has been compulsorily acquired for the construction of the busway. This is because the effect of the use of the busway on the value of the rest of the property will have been taken into account in calculating the compensation for the part of the land taken. Loss of view or privacy, or personal inconvenience experienced during the busway construction, are not eligible grounds for compensation under a Part 1 claim. Residential property To claim, you must either have been the owner of the property or a qualifying tenant before the date the busway first came into public use (known as ‘the relevant date’), and you must also still be the owner on the date you claim. When can I claim? The first day for claiming compensation is a year and a day after the busway first opened for public use (known as the ‘first claim day’). The first claim day for the busway is 26 September 2014. How do I claim? You can make a claim yourself or you can instruct a Chartered Surveyor to act on your behalf. Surveyor’s Costs The Council being the authority in charge of the scheme will pay your reasonable professional fees if any compensation is due, but only if your claim is successful. How is compensation worked out? The Council’s valuer (or representative) will assess the impact of the physical factors arising from the use of the busway against the value of your property on the first claim day. document1 – September 2014 – Version 1 The compensation will be assessed based on the amount of traffic using the busway and account taken of any future increase in traffic that could reasonably be predicted at the first claim day. In some instances, the value of a property can be increased because of the busway and these benefits may give rise to a reduction in any compensation due. The Limitation Act 1980 A person whose property has been reduced in value by the physical factors caused by the use of the busway must within six years of the first claim day: either agree an offer of compensation or, if agreement cannot be reached, ask the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) to decide the amount of compensation. After the six-year statutory limitation period, you can no longer submit a claim for compensation. More detailed information has been published by the Valuation Office on Part 1 Claims1 1 http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/Publications/Manuals/LandCompensationManual/sect14/b-lc-man-s14pt1.html#P75_1157 – site visited 23/09/14 document1 – September 2014 – Version 1 LUTON DUNSTABLE BUSWAY Claim for compensation under Part 1 of the Land and Compensation Act 1973 This form should only be used in relation to making claims in respect of the Luton Dunstable Busway. Please read the enclosed information before completing this form. Compensation can be claimed by people who own and also occupy property (subject to complying with the qualifying criteria) that has been reduced in value by the physical factors caused by the use of the busway. Name of Claimant(s) and contact details: Title Forename Surname Postal address Postcode Contact number Email address The claim property (if different from the above): Postal address Postcode The public works which give rise to the claim: LUTON DUNSTABLE BUSWAY The Relevant Date 25 September 2013 (i.e. first day of opening) First Claim Date Reason for Claim (use extra sheet of paper if space insufficient) document1 – September 2014 – Version 1 26 September 2014 Detail of claimant(s)’ interest: What is claimant(s)’ legal interest in the property? (i.e. freehold or tenant) Details of occupation (i.e. landlord or owner-occupier) Use of land (i.e. house or other use) Manner of acquisition (i.e. purchased or inherited) Date acquired Name and mortgagee address of (if applicable) Mortgage account / roll number (if applicable) Name and address of other persons with an interest in the land Amount of compensation claimed Details of any contiguous or adjacent land in respect of which the claim is made and which the claimant has an interest Claimant(s) signature Date ………………………………. …………………………. For office use only: Date of receipt Claim reference number document1 – September 2014 – Version 1