Real Estate Law and Construction Law

A recent Scottish court case clarifies what property owners must prove to enforce real burdens against their neighbours. The decision examines whether personal feelings about development changes constitute sufficient grounds to block construction, or if objective evidence of material harm to property value or enjoyment is required.

Divorce proceedings in the agricultural sector present unique challenges when farmland, livestock, machinery, and generational assets are at stake. From protecting inherited property and ensuring full financial disclosure to managing tax implications and safeguarding business viability, farming families face complex decisions that can impact decades of work and future succession plans.

Private landowners may unknowingly lose control of their property when members of the public acquire rights of way through continuous use over 20 years, even without the owner's knowledge or consent. This analysis examines the legal mechanisms available to protect against such claims, including the strategic use of section 31(6) statements under the Highways Act 1980, and explores recent Court of Appeal guidance on what constitutes an 'interruption' to public use following the landmark Roxlena Ltd v Rambler

A contractor sought to enforce an adjudicator's decision on liquidated damages, while the employer argued that email correspondence had created a binding agreement to revise completion dates outside the contractual extension of time mechanism. The court examined whether informal email exchanges using the language of agreement could override formal contract procedures, and whether the employer's agent possessed the authority to enter such agreements.

The UK Living sector attracted £4.4 billion in investment during the first half of 2026, yet rising costs, regulatory complexity, and economic uncertainty are creating barriers between institutional capital and housing delivery. While investor appetite remains strong, particularly for Single Family Rental assets, the challenge lies in deploying capital efficiently at the scale required to address the UK's accommodation shortage.

The UK spends approximately £2.8 billion annually on temporary accommodation for over 134,000 households, including 176,000 children.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has expanded liability for unlicensed HMO and selective licensing offences to include superior landlords and freeholders, not just immediate landlords. This article examines what constitutes a 'reasonable excuse' defence and outlines practical steps freeholders should take to protect themselves from potential enforcement action and rent repayment orders.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 introduces a ban on upwards only rent reviews in commercial leases, fundamentally changing how rent reviews operate across the sector. This analysis examines the scope and application of the ban, including which lease types are affected, when the provisions take effect, and critically, whether agreements under the Electronic Communications Code fall within its reach.

Tenants across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands face serious health risks from damp and mould in their rented homes, yet many landlords fail to act on repair requests for months or even years. What legal obligations do landlords have to maintain safe housing conditions, and what remedies are available when they refuse to carry out necessary repairs?

The UK Living sector attracted £4.4 billion in investment during the first half of 2026, yet rising costs, regulatory complexity, and economic uncertainty are creating barriers between institutional capital and housing delivery. While investor appetite remains strong, particularly for Single Family Rental assets, the challenge lies in deploying capital efficiently at the scale required to address the UK's accommodation shortage.

The UK spends approximately £2.8 billion annually on temporary accommodation for over 134,000 households, including 176,000 children.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has expanded liability for unlicensed HMO and selective licensing offences to include superior landlords and freeholders, not just immediate landlords. This article examines what constitutes a 'reasonable excuse' defence and outlines practical steps freeholders should take to protect themselves from potential enforcement action and rent repayment orders.