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Property Market News

Japanese Knotweed and Property Sales: Legal Risks for Sellers

Since 30 March 2026, solicitors accredited under the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme have had to use the sixth edition of the TA6 Property Information Form on every new residential sale. Earlier versions have been withdrawn. The new form is shorter and plainer than the ill-fated fifth edition, and it gives sellers more scope to say "not known" where they honestly do not know. Japanese knotweed survives the redesign and sits in the environmental section of the form. And for sellers, it remains one of the most reliable ways to…

Repair Obligations

Repair Obligations in Residential Tenancies

When something goes wrong in a rented home, the first question is usually the simplest one to ask and the hardest to answer: whose job is it to fix it? The answer depends on what has broken, what the tenancy agreement says, and, increasingly, on which side of the England and Wales border the property sits. The two nations now run noticeably different systems. This article looks at how repair obligations work for ordinary residential lettings in England and in Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own separate rules…

Property and Wills

What Happens to a Property After Someone Dies?

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without having to navigate unfamiliar legal and administrative processes. One of the most common questions families ask is what happens to a property after someone dies and whether it can be sold or transferred immediately. The answer depends on a number of factors, including how the property was owned, whether there is a valid Will and whether probate is required. Our private client and lifetime planning team advises families across each of these stages, from applying for probate through to the sale or…

Conveyancing Searches

Conveyancing searches: what are they, and do you need them?

Buying a property is a large financial commitment which most people will make, and much of the work that protects that commitment happens out of sight. Among the least understood parts of the process are "searches". The results of a search can determine whether a purchase proceeds. This article explains what conveyancing searches are, what they cover, and whether you really need them. It applies to property in England and Wales. What are searches? Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from seller to buyer. As part…

For Sale

Homeowners urged to get ‘move ready’ as pressure grows

In a housing market where mortgage rates can shift on global headlines and property chains remain painfully fragile, homeowners are being urged to get “move ready” before putting their property on the market or starting their property search. The call comes as the property sector pushes for faster and more streamlined conveyancing amid wider economic uncertainty. Major lenders and property businesses are investing in digital systems designed to reduce delays, cut fall-through rates and speed up transactions. A government-backed open property coalition is working to accelerate the digitisation of homebuying,…

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…

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