Wedlake Bell Insights

    • Article
    • Aug 18, 2026

    Government moves to make higher-risk building safety requirements more proportionate

    The objective is to strike the right balance between maintaining robust oversight of safety-critical works, allowing necessary building work to proceed efficiently, avoiding unnecessary delays and reducing excessive documentation and administrative requirements. Early signs of a more proportionate approach Telecommunications

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    • Article
    • Aug 11, 2026

    What the Commercial Payments Bill could mean for the construction industry

    The Commercial Payments Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026 and has recently passed Committee Stage. While amendments remain possible as it progresses through Parliament, the Bill proposes significant reforms aimed at tackling late payment

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    • Article
    • Jul 9, 2026

    Quarterly in Advance: Commercial Real Estate – what is on the horizon?

    Contractual controls register – be ready to disclose Part 11 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 sets out the framework for a new regime designed to improve transparency regarding land ownership and control of land. The underlying regulations have

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    • Building Safety Act
    • Jul 7, 2026

    Building Liability Orders – the net widens

    The first reported decision on BLOs appeared in 2025. In the last two months alone, two further significant decisions have underlined just how powerful – and far-reaching – these orders are. Crest Nicholson v Ardmore was the first fully contested

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    • Article
    • May 27, 2026

    Are you ready for the Building Safety Levy?

    What is it? The Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 (the “Regulations“), coming into force on 1 October 2026, introduce the Building Safety Levy, which as the name suggests is a tax, specifically on certain new residential buildings. The aim

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    • Article
    • May 19, 2026

    Quarterly in Advance: Commercial Real Estate – What is on the Horizon?

    Ban on upwards-only rent reviews: Act receives Royal Assent, but the commencement date is yet to be confirmed The Government has implemented the surprise ban on upwards-only rent reviews (“UORRs”) in commercial leases that was tucked away in a bill

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    • Article
    • May 15, 2026

    New transparency requirements for Contractual Control Agreements

    KEY TAKEAWAYS New rules will require disclosure of contractual control agreements over land. A wide range of development-related rights will be caught. Key details must be submitted to the Land Registry within strict deadlines. Information will become publicly accessible, increasing

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    • Article
    • May 14, 2026

    Upwards-only rent reviews – preparing for a fundamental change

    KEY TAKEAWAYS Legislation banning UORRs is now in place, with commencement expected in 2027 or 2028. The ban will not apply to existing leases, subject to important exceptions. A retrospective element applies to certain tenancy renewal arrangements entered into on

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    • Article
    • Apr 10, 2026

    Clarified guidance from HMRC on VAT treatment of overage

    Please note that this article only considers VAT issues in relation to overage payments – there are other tax issues which also need to be considered, which are beyond the scope of this article. Key Takeaways For housebuilders, overage can

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