Reference Briefings
Belgravia mansion ‘liberated’ by anti-oligarch squatters
“This is only the beginning” warn activists, as they occupy a Belgrave Square townhouse said to be owned by a sanctioned Russian billionaire - and call for others to "squat oligarchs' properties every…
Housing Secretary Gove reiterates call to house Ukrainian refugees in seized Russian mansions
"I want to explore an option which would allow us to use the homes and properties of sanctioned individuals – as long as they are sanctioned – for humanitarian and other purposes," said Michael Gove at …
Luxury home sales rocket in Tel Aviv as wealthy Russian buyers seek a safe haven
“The number of visits to our Tel Aviv website and enquiries via Whatsapp from Russians has increased tenfold since the escalation of the Ukraine-Russian crisis in 2021," says the boss of Beauchamp Estates i…
Imposter Fraud: How to avoid it happening to you & your clients
The increasingly common crime of imposter fraud hit the mainstream this week with the airing of nightmarish ITV thriller Our House, in which a family returned from holiday to find an unknown couple moving…
More London trophy homes frozen as Abramovich and other oligarchs targeted in another round of Russia sanctions
Alongside a significant portfolio of super-prime residences in London and the Home Counties, Chelsea Football Club - owned by Roman Abramovich - is also effectively frozen, with no new ticket or merchandise …
Knight Frank & Savills suspend Russian divisions
Global property consultancies suspend long-established business ties in Moscow, joining a growing corporate exodus from Russia as the Ukraine war continues.
‘People forget just how embedded Russian investment is in London’: Gary Hersham on how sanctions are affecting the luxury property market
"None of my Russian clients have asked me to sell their properties in London or the Home Counties," says super-prime estate agent Gary Hersham.
Economic Crime Bill fast-tracked through House of Commons today
The long-awaited Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill will be "expedited through all its Commons stages" today (7th March), four years after draft legislation was published.
Required Reading: Lifting the secrecy behind offshore companies
Julie Howard explains how the new rules around overseas entities will work in practice, and why the idea of hiding behind asset holding vehicles is becoming a thing of the past
Housing Secretary eyes seizure of UK property owned by sanctioned Russians
“Freezing assets is not enough”, says a DLUHC insider, as Michael Gove reportedly considers steps to seize Putin-linked homes in the UK without compensation.
Leasehold reform in motion: On the government’s plans to make home ownership fairer & more secure
As the first major piece of leasehold reform in a generation finally becomes legislation, buying agent Nina Harrison reflects on the long-requested need to transform leasehold agreements - and what impact …
A seller’s market snapshot: fail to prepare, prepare to fail
Lawyer Annabel Dean shares some practical tips for those looking to compete in this most challenging of markets…