Reference Briefings
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…
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…
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…
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.