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Content Hub: Articles
Written features, commentaries, case reports and updates from the industry’s leading practitioners
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FeatureRenters’ rights – 10 things you need to know
The Renters’ Rights Bill will result in some wide-ranging changes to the residential renting regime in England and Wales. David Smith answers some frequently asked questions about what practitioners can expect
FeatureProtecting premises from terrorist attacks
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 had royal assent in April 2025. Warren Gordon, Rosalind Morgan and Lukas Rootman look at how it will affect those responsible for relevant premises and events
FeatureIt’s not easy being green
Meena Kamath of The Chancery Lane Project outlines how you can drive climate-conscious property transactions
FeatureAI and the drive to digitise
In light of the government’s plans to digitise the conveyancing process, Mark Hailwood of Law Society partner Dye & Durham, outlines how artificial intelligence can assist in speeding up delays
OpinionA year of evolution
Clare Harrman Clark, the Property Section chair, looks forward and backward through real estate law
FeatureLeasehold update
The goalposts keep moving on leasehold reform. Katie Cohen provides an update on when we can expect some changes
FeatureCelebrating a centenary
It’s 100 years since the Law of Property Act 1925 was enacted. Thomas Anderson outlines the ongoing relevance of the act for property practitioners
FeatureEnergy building
Warren Gordon considers the consultation on changes to the performance of buildings regime
FeaturePut to use
Jack Lightburn outlines what use clauses in commercial leases are, and their importance to both landlords and tenants
FeatureLevel of risk
David Kempster outlines how to use data modelling to mitigate risks in property transactions
FeatureSecurity of tenure
Jennie Graham looks at possible changes to the regime that governs security of tenure for business tenants in England and Wales
FeatureDown the high street
Warren Gordon outlines the government’s proposals for mandatory high street rental auctions in England
FeatureTaking charge
The large number of disputes going through the courts in the last few years has led to an evolution in the law on service charges. Ben Willis and Lucy Redman highlight key changes and look ahead to likely further developments
FeatureFarming matters
The introduction of taxes on agricultural land has been much in the news recently. Julie Butler outlines the changes and considers tax planning in light of the new proposals
FeatureManaging rights
Phil Parkinson and Talia O’Grady examine some of the issues arising in right-to-manage claims
FeatureDrafting green leases
Michael Poulsom considers what constitutes a ‘green lease’ and outlines some of the complexities in drafting them
FeatureRegistration gap
Mike Harlow shares valuable insights on how HM Land Registry is improving its speed of service and responding to challenges currently facing the property industry
FeatureCompulsory purchase powers – key changes
Shruti Trivedi outlines the proposed changes to the rules around compulsory purchase
Opinion’Tis the season
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, wonders what Santa is likely to bring for property practitioners in 2025
FeatureHigh energy
Part of the new government’s rental reforms include a commitment to increase energy efficiency in private rental accommodation. Richard Pulford outlines the proposals
FeatureBeast of burden
Is the regulatory burden for solicitors increasing or does it just seem that way? Duncan Finlyson considers recent developments
FeaturePlan of action
Changes to planning law are on the agenda. Robert Garden, David Hardy and Roisin Laycock consider the legal and policy proposals and their impact on the planning regime
FeatureRental interest
The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces the biggest changes in landlord and tenant law since the 1980s. Anna Bennett considers the proposals
FeatureAfter Grenfell
Phase 2 of the Grenfell inquiry report was published in September. Ian Quayle considers its implications for property practitioners
FeatureGoing underground
Laurence Howland does a deep dive into Chinese underground banking, outlining how it works and how the risk impact on property firms in the UK can be mitigated
FeatureIn commonhold
Commonhold is once again on the agenda as a form of property ownership. Lisa Bevan outlines the plans
FeaturePoints of view
Philip Askew and Tessa Bonser consider, from both a private client practitioner and property practitioner perspective, whether it’s necessary to obtain a grant of probate on a first death if there is a will trust on the title of a property
FeatureUsing AI in client due diligence
How artificial intelligence can assist property practitioners in vetting clients
NewsAI and smart buildings
This report examines the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) technologies and smart buildings in the property sector.
OpinionMaking a fresh start
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, wonders what the new term will bring
FeatureSwept away
Tom Knightley considers a recent case disputing sweeper clauses within the service charge provisions of leases
FeatureStreets ahead
A raft of housing, planning and property reforms featured prominently in the King’s speech, but how will they affect property professionals? Lucy Trevelyan reports
FeatureRegister change
After talking to customers, HM Land Registry is simplifying the process for updating addresses for service and applying for first registrations. Alister Heywood explains the changes
FeaturePipped at the post
Priscilla Sinder looks at how strong post-completion processes can help property practitioners meet their obligations and avoid costly mistakes
FeaturePlaying it safe
The recent Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 amends the Building Safety Act to allow for further rights of recourse. Charis Beverton and Sarah Grant outline the key changes
FeatureA knotty issue
Claudia Oliver and Jack Lightburn outline the practical matters parties should consider when dealing with Japanese knotweed
FeatureShine a light
The law around ‘rights of light’ is complex. Matthew Weal, Shanna Davison and Hugh Le Gear consider the issues in light of the new government’s plans
FeatureWhat next for leasehold?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 introduces fundamental changes to extend further rights to leaseholders of residential property. Katie Cohen looks at the current act and outlines what the new government is likely to change
FeaturePlan of action
Following the general election in July this year, the new government signalled an overhaul of the planning regime in England and Wales. Amy Penrose looks at the proposed changes
FeatureHeld to account
Since the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force there has only been one decision published by the First-tier Tribunal concerning the principal accountable persons regime. Hannah Keane looks at the detail
FeatureLip service
Phil Parkinson and Aisling McWilliams look at the issues surrounding service charges under the new legislation, and highlight the need for further clarity in an essential secondary legislative framework
AnalysisUsing AI in property transactions
Anna Prozherina looks at the capabilities of artificial intelligence in property transactions and how it is likely to be used in the sector.
FeatureWhy identity checks won’t make you AML compliant
Richard Simms, from our partner AMLCC, outlines how property practioners must do more than identity checks to protect themselves from money laundering risks
OpinionWhat next for property?
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, reads too much into the current state of play for real estate law
FeatureCode breaking
Warren Gordon, Martin Garner and Charlotte Green consider a case where actual service of a contractual break notice was not required for termination of agreements under the Electronic Communications Code
FeatureUnder scrutiny
Tracey Calvert is director of Oakhalls Consultancy and the author of the forthcoming book, In-house Lawyers’ Risk and Compliance Q&A, published by the Law Society
FeatureA matter of trust
Following the recent government consultation on transparency of land ownership involving trusts, private client lawyers share their views on the implications of the changes for advising clients
FeatureThe registration gap
Anna Donnelly provides some top tips on dealing with delays in registrations at HM Land Registry
FeatureRepairing a breach
Jodie Michael provides an overview of how landlords can act to resolve breach of covenant disputes with leaseholders where this overlaps with a breach of condition
FeatureUnder the hammer
The planning and real estate teams at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP outline the government’s high street rental auction policy, and considers its desired effect on vacant properties
FeatureUp to code
A new edition of the Consumer Code for Home Builders has been published. Nick Dell outlines the key changes
FeatureRising damp
Housing condition claims have made headlines recently. Matthew Wilson reflects on the rise in claims and asks if they are likely to continue
FeatureA new lease?
Nikki Bensoor looks at a significant case on landlords’ break rights in protected lease renewals
FeatureOccupational hazard?
Owners of commercial properties are increasingly using ‘property guardians’ to protect vacant premises. Samuel Lear and Christopher Gothard outline the pros and cons
FeatureA matter of control
Jasmine Mason considers proposals to increase transparency and disclosure of information relating to contractual controls on land
FeatureRise and fall
Interest rates have finally risen, and, with them, the potential for law firms to profit. But what are the risks you need to be aware of?
OpinionSafety first
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, considers the difficulties of getting to grips with the Building Safety Act
FeatureCTS – lessons learned?
Paul Sams explains why we must learn from the mistakes that caused the recent CTS cyber attack
FeatureIn retrospect
Andrew Butler, KC considers retrospectivity and transitional provisions regarding the Building Safety Act 2022
FeatureLevying up
Gavin Le Chat looks at the infrastructure levy and considers its relationship with the community infrastructure levy and planning agreements
FeatureTurnover rent
Samantha Paxton outlines what to consider when putting turnover rent clauses into operation, including how this mechanism impacts other lease clauses
FeatureServe and protect
Following the recent cyber attacks at CTS, Lindsay Hill, CEO of Law Society partner Mitigo asks how to protect your firm’s data when using a managed service provider
FeatureBetter times ahead?
Are there better times ahead for professional indemnity insurance? Chris Marston, chief executive of LawNet, explains why he thinks this is likely
FeatureFreeports – what’s next?
Following the publication of the government’s Freeports delivery roadmap late last year, Kate Garcia and Jonah Cohen provide an update on what progress has been made and what to expect next
FeatureNotice of improvement
Robin Stewart outlines the processes and procedures in advising landlords and purchasers about improvement notices
FeatureAll change for leasehold?
As the Leasehold and Freehold Bill 2023–24 wends its way through parliament, Lucy Trevelyan examines what the reforms will mean for the leasehold property market
NewsNew guide on the Building Safety Act published
The Law Society’s Conveyancing and Land Law Committee have produced a guide for members on the Building Safety Act 2022
OpinionPet projects
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, wonders when we’ll all get to live in a ‘doghouse’
FeatureWhat a RAACet
Gregor Woods, Antoni Hajdon and Aimie Farmer consider the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in construction and the impact it will have on the property sector
FeatureTesting the climate
Claire Rainsford shares her perspective on opportunities for the legal and real estate sectors to translate strategy into action to tackle the climate crisis
FeatureSafe as houses
The legislative and regulatory detail introduced to support the Building Safety Act is ever evolving. Phil Parkinson and Aisling McWilliams provide a summary of the key changes
FeatureBuy better?
There will be some key changes to the conveyancing process in 2024. Peter Rodd outlines what to expect
FeatureProliferation risk
What is proliferation financing, and how is it affecting property practitioners? David Pett explains
FeaturePrivate eye
Disputes over easements are occurring more often. Zoe Upson outlines the risks when advising clients about private rights of way
FeatureFeeling restricted
Andrew Francis considers two recent cases involving restrictive covenants, and what they reveal about the potential pitfalls of misinterpreting short judgments
FeatureWhat next for MEES?
A recent government announcement about postponing proposed climate change targets means changes are afoot for domestic energy standards requirements. Victoria Duxbury and Katie Goodfellow provide an update
FeatureGetting to the source
Rebecca Atkinson considers source of funds and wealth and outlines how much digging you need to do to meet your compliance obligations
FeatureChecking your source
Harriet Holmes, from our partner Thirdfort, considers source of funds and source of wealth verification for property practitioners
FeatureEnterprise, everywhere
Harriet Revington and Claire Hawley consider the impact of the spring budget on real estate tax measures and the property sector
OpinionTaking the long view
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, considers the scope of property law to rewrite the rule book on how we all interact with the world around us
FeatureWeight of responsibility
New guidance has been introduced on fire safety and new responsibilities for the responsible person. Hannah Eales and Christina Orthodoxou outline what you need to know
FeatureRates and wrongs
Andrew Cammish and Carl Roche outline the business rates relief available to charities, and consider the impact of a recent Supreme Court case for property practitioners
FeatureA private function
In February 2023, the Supreme Court held that visual intrusion by the viewing gallery in the Tate Modern’s Blavatnik Building was a private nuisance against those living in a nearby block of flats. Joanna Williams and Joseph Skilton consider the impact of the verdict
FeatureRent reforms
The Renters (Reform) Bill is currently making its way through parliament. Matthew Bonye and Shanna Davison of Herbert Smith Freehills consider the proposals for change
FeatureSafety first
The Building Safety Act is evolving as it is brought into force. Mark Roach and Harriet Hawkins explore the latest developments
FeatureIn good company?
Kayleigh Brown provides an update on the requirements under the Economic Crime Act to register overseas entities, and how it relates to registration of trusts
FeatureLandlord certificates
Paul Tonkin and Katie Dunn outline what you need to know about preparing landlord certificates, including the rigmarole and the risks involved
FeatureFeeling flushed?
Jennifer Woodruff considers the regulations around septic tanks that property practitioners should be aware of when advising clients
OpinionThe heat is on
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, considers the impact on property solicitors of the recent Law Society Practice Note on Climate Change
FeatureRental auctions
Warren Gordon outlines the government’s proposals for mandatory high street rental auctions in England
FeaturePastures new
Julie and Fred Butler outline the recent changes to agricultural law that impact on practitioners dealing with rural property matters
FeatureRedefining service charges
Matthew Bonye and Shanna Davison consider the impact of the Building Safety Act on the operation and recovery of service charges in occupied residential buildings
FeatureThe route to net zero
Victoria Duxbury and Alisha Mae-Aplin outline the minimum energy efficiency standards in relation to residential properties
FeatureRegistry’s big plans
HM Land Registry has launched a new specialist support hub for large-scale and complex Land Registry applications. Julie Blunsom explains how it works.
FeatureThe future of leasehold
Katie Cohen considers the possible direction and future of leasehold in an ever-changing and uncertain climate for reform
FeatureIn dispute
Jenny Doran considers the impact of a recent Supreme Court case on a service charge dispute over a commercial lease
FeatureTelecoms powers
Jonathan Cope provides an overview of updates to the Telecommunications Code and outlines how these will affect the provision of advice to landowner and operator clients
AnalysisWords matter – interpreting clauses in a lease
Andrew Francis considers the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Limited v Blacks Outdoor Retail Limited [2023] UKSC 2 (“Sara & Hossein”) on interpreting clauses in a lease concerning service charge payments
OpinionGoing green
Clare Harman Clark, the Property Section chair, considers the latest drive for green leases
FeatureHeightened risk
New obligations around ‘higher-risk’ buildings will come into force this year. Becky Johnson looks at what this will mean when advising clients
FeatureEnergy efficiency
Catherine Banton looks at Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for non-domestic properties, including the key things that landlords need to do with all the changes on the horizon
FeatureRent recovery
Now that the post-COVID-19 legislation introduced to deal with rent arrears no longer applies, Lucie Barnes revisits what the usual recovery methods are and considers the circumstances in which they are appropriate
FeatureOn the regulatory radar
With yet more recent developments relating to the regulation of money laundering in the legal sector, Julie Norris and Charlotte Judd consider the implications for legal practitioners and law firms
FeatureProperty portal
Rooshan Saeed considers the government’s proposals for a new property portal intended to improve the standard of private renting in England
FeatureCommonhold – again
Commonhold ownership as an alternative to the leasehold model has been in existence in the UK since the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 and the government has plans to revive it. Zia Akhtar looks at the detail
FeaturePlanning ahead
In the White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’ 2020 the government proposed a raft of planning changes, most of which were scrapped. Anna Russell-Knee takes a look at the changes that are coming in its place
FeatureGetting your house in order
Joanne Young looks at the state and condition of private rented residential property in England and Wales in light of probable reform
AnalysisProprietary estoppel – what is the proper remedy?
Jennifer Meech considers the Supreme Court decision in Guest v Guest [2022] UKSC 107 and the proper remedy for a claim in proprietary estoppel
OpinionConference building
Property Section chair Clare Harman Clark looks at how to build a perfect conference in a post-pandemic world
FeatureCounting the cost
Lucy Trevelyan reports on the effect of the cost of living crisis – and other factors such as new government regulation – on the UK’s commercial property market
FeatureOn the register
Sarah Dwight looks at the Digital Registration Service (DRS) set up by HM Land Registry and gives her perspective on using it in the conveyancing process
FeatureQuality Street
Rob Bridgman sets out what the newly established New Homes Quality Code and the New Homes Ombudsman Service means for the property industry
FeatureWalking in the air
Simon Kenneally looks at airspace development and outlines what lawyers and developers need to know to advise clients
FeatureSearching for silver linings
Jess Harrold surveys the commercial property landscape in a time of political volatility and economic uncertainty
FeatureRussia house
Michael Duncan considers the effect that Russian sanctions are having on the UK property industry and outlines some of the practical issues for property practitioners
FeatureUnderground banking
Laurence Howland does a deep dive into Chinese underground banking, outlining how it works and how the risk impact on law firms in the UK can be mitigated
FeaturePower struggle
As more households and businesses are investing in solar technology, Robin Biela asks whether rights of light will ever be extended to solar panels
FeatureCQS goes online
The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) has seen several significant changes, most notably a new online application process. Eleanor O’Reilly-Joe outlines the key changes
FeatureLicence to rent
Richard Pulford looks at how landlords can be subject to penalties if they do not follow the property licensing procedure, designed to endure that housing conditions are of an acceptable standard
FeatureGoing green
Green leases are one way both landlords and tenants can reduce the environmental impact of property. Georgia Jones outlines the key issues
FeatureBridging the digital divide
Bronwyn Townsend, Senior Marketing Manager at InfoTrack, outlines how technology can help in conveyancing practices where some processes are resistant to digitisation
FeatureMandatory rental auctions
In a significant shakeup to the high street, the government is proposing mandatory rental auctions. Michael Duncan considers the proposals and outlines how they might work in practice
FeatureClimate duty of care?
With climate change threatening millions of UK properties, the debate about whether or not lawyers have a duty of care for clients has come increasingly under the microscope
FeatureThe climate challenge
Soaring energy prices and the record temperatures recorded in Europe this summer have thrown the climate change crisis and the need to take action into stark relief. Lucy Trevelyan considers what this might mean for property professionals
FeatureRegistering interest
As part of a wider package of measures in the fast-tracked Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, a Register of Overseas Entities has been set up at Companies House for beneficial owners of overseas entities that own UK property. Warren Gordon looks at how it will impact on real ...
FeatureKey to success
David Hunter discusses how Bates Wells has incorporated environmental, social and governance principles into how it’s doing business
FeatureBiodiversity net gain
Ben Stansfield outlines the key aspects of the new biodiversity net gain rules and describes the primary issues that will arise with the conservation covenant regime
FeatureBuilding safety levy
Following the Building Safety Act getting royal assent it is likely that a building safety levy will be imposed. Rona Westgate outlines the scope and likely timetabling of the levy
FeatureHousehold efficiency
Alexandra Holsgrove Jones looks at the rules around Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and the impact they will have in the domestic and non-domestic lettings sector
FeatureSustainable housing
The need to operate and deliver homes in a more sustainable way is universal, and more pressing than ever. Dan Leather considers what the future of sustainable housing looks like.