United Kingdom: Real Estate and Construction

England's biodiversity net gain framework has undergone significant changes effective August 6, 2026, introducing new exemptions for small-scale and temporary developments while removing the custom and self-build exemption. The amendments also ease the biodiversity gain hierarchy for minor developments, allowing greater flexibility in accessing offsite biodiversity gains. These regulatory shifts will impact how developers approach the mandatory 10% biodiversity increase requirement across different project

The UK Government has launched a consultation on reforming emergency repairs provisions under the higher-risk buildings regime, addressing concerns that current rules may not effectively handle urgent safety works. The proposed changes aim to clarify what constitutes an emergency repair and create a more proportionate system for building owners, developers, and contractors navigating the Building Safety Regulator approval process.

The prospect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport has resurfaced, bringing uncertainty to communities across West London and the Thames Valley about homes, property values and future planning. This guide examines how the compensation framework operates for affected homeowners, identifies critical gaps in protection during the years between policy approval and construction, and explains why reform is needed to address the human and financial costs of prolonged infrastructure uncertainty.

Selling a retirement property presents unique challenges that differ significantly from conventional home sales. Understanding lease restrictions, service charges, event fees, and the specialised market dynamics is crucial for a successful transaction, whether you're the owner or acting on behalf of a family member.

Where UK property is held through an offshore company, the dissolution of that company can create serious title problems. Around 100,000 properties in England and Wales are held through offshore companies.

When buying or selling a property, it can be tempting to choose the cheapest conveyancing quote available. In a competitive market, low-cost providers often advertise attractive fixed fees and promises of a quick service.

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.

Rebecca Lee shares her journey from law firm receptionist to qualified solicitor, discussing her passion for helping clients through life's most challenging moments in wills and probate work. She reflects on career highlights including managing a £4.2 million estate and her commitment to charitable fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Property owners with buildings containing multiple flats under a single title can unlock significant financial and strategic advantages through title splitting. This legal process creates individual leasehold interests for each unit, enabling more flexible refinancing options, easier sales, and clearer management structures, though it requires careful navigation of legal requirements including the fundamental rule that you cannot grant a lease to yourself.

England's biodiversity net gain framework has undergone significant changes effective August 6, 2026, introducing new exemptions for small-scale and temporary developments while removing the custom and self-build exemption. The amendments also ease the biodiversity gain hierarchy for minor developments, allowing greater flexibility in accessing offsite biodiversity gains. These regulatory shifts will impact how developers approach the mandatory 10% biodiversity increase requirement across different project

The Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark judgment that fundamentally changes the landscape for business rates mitigation strategies involving empty commercial properties. The ruling scrutinizes arrangements where property owners grant short-term leases to rates mitigation companies that place worthless items on premises solely to trigger empty property relief, applying the 'Ramsay principle' to determine whether such transactions serve genuine commercial purposes beyond tax avoidance. This decision over

The prospect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport has resurfaced, bringing uncertainty to communities across West London and the Thames Valley about homes, property values and future planning. This guide examines how the compensation framework operates for affected homeowners, identifies critical gaps in protection during the years between policy approval and construction, and explains why reform is needed to address the human and financial costs of prolonged infrastructure uncertainty.