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New Build Contract

What to Check in a New Build Contract

Buying a new build property is an exciting prospect. The appeal of a brand-new home, untouched by previous owners and often built to modern energy efficiency standards, is entirely understandable. But beneath the show-home finish lies a legal process that carries real risk if approached without care. Unlike a standard resale purchase, new build contracts are typically drafted by the developer’s solicitors and, unsurprisingly, they tend to favour the developer. Completion timelines, specification details, and financial obligations can all be defined in ways that protect the builder rather than the…

Mixed-Use Property and the Renters

Mixed-Use Property and the Renters’ Rights Act

Mixed-use properties (buildings that combine commercial premises with residential accommodation) are a familiar feature of the UK’s towns and high streets. The flat above the shop, the office with a caretaker’s dwelling, the converted warehouse with a ground-floor retail unit: these are common arrangements, and they attract buyers ranging from small investors to established property businesses. From 1 May 2026, anyone owning or acquiring such a property needs to understand that the residential element will be governed by a significantly reformed legal framework. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces the…

Renters’ Rights Act 2025

Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – Key Points for Landlords

From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (the “Act”) introduces significant changes to the law governing assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England. These changes do not apply to common law tenancies or genuine licences. This summary reflects the law as understood on 2 April 2026. Further secondary legislation or guidance may alter some details. Changes from 1 May 2026 Existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) All existing ASTs will automatically become assured periodic tenancies (APTs). These will no longer have a fixed term and will instead…

Pension Death Benefits: What Happens to Your Pension When You Die?

For many people, a pension represents one of the most significant assets they will accumulate during their lifetime. Yet its treatment on death — who receives it, how, and what tax is payable — is often poorly understood. With important changes on the horizon, it is worth taking stock of where the rules currently stand and what is set to change from April 2027. The Current Position: Income Tax and the Age 75 Threshold Under current rules, the tax treatment of pension death benefits depends primarily on whether the pension…

Selling a Business: The Key Legal Stages

Deciding to sell your business is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. Getting the process right requires careful planning, the right professional team, and a clear understanding of what lies ahead. From the first preparations to the final handover, the journey typically takes between three  and six months, and the legal process is central to every stage. The preparations may take longer especially if a pre-sale reorganisation is required to hive-out the business and assets into an SPV whose shares are then to be sold. This…

Home Improvements

When Do You Need Planning Permission for Home Improvements

Whether you are dreaming of a new extension, converting your loft, or simply updating the front of your property, one of the first questions you should ask is: “Do I need planning permission?” The answer is not always straightforward and getting it wrong can be both costly and stressful. It pays to understand the basics before you pick up the phone to a builder. What is planning permission? Planning permission is formal approval from your local planning authority (LPA) that you need before carrying out certain types of building work.…

Renters’ Rights Act

Renters’ Rights Act: why process and paperwork matter more than ever for landlords

The Renters’ Rights Act has now passed into law, marking one of the most significant shifts in the private rented sector in a generation. Most of the new measures will take effect in May 2026, with a national landlord database to follow later in the year. For now, landlords are being urged to use the lead-in time to review how they manage tenancies and to stress-test their processes and paperwork, which will be increasingly important in future. The Act is designed to strengthen tenant protections and improve standards across the…

Conveyancing

What Does a Conveyancer Do?

As the UK marks National Conveyancing Month in March, it is a timely opportunity to highlight the vital role conveyancers play in buying and selling property. Purchasing or selling a home in England and Wales involves far more than agreeing on a price and collecting the keys. A conveyancer plays a central role in ensuring the transaction is legally sound, properly documented, and completed without unnecessary risk or delay. From conducting legal checks and managing contracts to handling funds and registering ownership, your conveyancer protects your interests at every stage…

Dilapidations Explained

Dilapidations Explained: What Commercial Tenants and Landlords Need to Know

Dilapidations are a common source of dispute at the end of a commercial lease. They can involve significant sums of money and often come as an unwelcome surprise to tenants who believed they had left a property in reasonable condition. Understanding what dilapidations cover and how claims are assessed is essential for both landlords and tenants navigating the end of a lease. At their core, dilapidations are about whether a tenant has complied with their lease obligations regarding the property's physical condition. What a landlord can legitimately claim, and what…

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