Reference Briefings
Planning Reform & Levelling Up: What is the government planning to do this year?
Last year's "radical" Planning Bill is long gone, replaced with watered-down reforms that promise local referenda on planning decisions and a few other tweaks.
‘POA’ listings banned as Trading Standards deems price-less properties ‘unlawful’
“The use of ‘POA’ or ‘price on application’ in relation to a listing on a property portal or an agent website is likely to be misleading as it withholds – or in some cases masks – the asking…
Overseas buyer register ‘progressing at pace’
The Land Registry has confirmed that work is "progressing at pace" on a new public register of overseas property owners - but there's still no launch date.
Ground rent ban comes into force in June
"This is an important milestone in our work to fix the leasehold system and to level up home ownership," says the Leasehold Minister, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh.
New Right to Light guidance for homeowners left in the shadows
“Ancient lights are still a current day safeguard against unwanted obstruction to natural light,” says the RICS.
ICIJ: Who helps Russian oligarchs secretly buy jets, yachts and other luxury playthings?
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is shining a light on a "small army" of private client advisors, brokers, accountants and lawyers that enable Russian oligarchs to "live large"…
Leaving properties in portals – sharp practice or an offence?
Advertising a property as being available but then telling callers that they cannot view it because it is SSTC is a classic example of bait and switch, says David Smith
Overseas Entities: The real estate effect
The effects of the Economic Crime Act will be felt far and wide across the UK real estate industry, writes Nathan Rees.
Tax U-turn is good news for UK owners of French property
Many Brits could be due a rebate following an unexpected decision by the French authorities, says law firm
Unexplained wealth orders: How is the British law changing and will it stop dirty money circulating in London?
The Economic Crime Act allows the government to convey the impression that it is ‘doing something’ about the proceeds of kleptocracy being laundered in the UK - but far more fundamental and far-reaching…
Register of overseas property owners becomes law as Economic Crime Bill receives Royal Assent
Foreign owners of UK property have six months to comply with new registration documents, as the Economic Crime Bill completes its fast-track passage through parliament.
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…