The new transparency regime for contractual rights over land is coming into effect on 6 April 2027. The Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026 (“the Regulations”) will require information about certain agreements affecting registered land in England
More about The Contractual Controls Register: what landowners, estates and charities need to knowThe Government has now launched its consultation on the design and delivery of the HVCTS, running from 19 May 2026 to 14 July 2026. The consultation is inviting views from local government, homeowners, tax experts, legal professionals and the wider
More about New High Value Council Tax Surcharge: consultation reveals how the regime could workFailure to comply with RFR can invalidate the transaction, expose trustees to criminal prosecution, and create personal liability risks that cannot be avoided by good intentions or delegation. Breaches cannot be remedied retrospectively. What is the Right of First Refusal?
More about The Right of First Refusal: what trustees must do before disposing of a freeholdThe statement confirmed that the Government intends to legislate in the Finance Bill 2026–27 to ensure that no SDLT charge arises on the rent element of certain residential tenancies. The measure will apply to any residential tenancy that is treated
More about SDLT and the Renters’ Rights Act – the Government’s proposal to resolve unintended consequencesWhat is ATED? ATED is an annual tax payable by ‘non‑natural persons’, such as companies, corporate partnerships and collective investment schemes, that own UK residential property valued at more than £500,000. ATED was introduced in April 2013, and its original
More about Increases to Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) announcedOne of the most significant reforms taking effect from 1 May 2026 is the abolition of all new fixed‑term residential tenancy agreements. Every tenancy will convert to, and every new tenancy will be, a periodic tenancy with no fixed end
More about SDLT and the Renters’ Rights Act: the compliance risk few tenants expectFrom 1 May 2026, the most far‑reaching reforms to the private rented sector in a generation, come into force. These reforms were introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and apply to all existing and new private residential tenancies, including
More about The accidental landlord: inheriting a tenanted property and obtaining vacant possession – key changes from 1 May 2026Individual homeowners High value council tax surcharge The new high value council tax surcharge (the surcharge) is less severe than many of us expected from a long feared “mansion tax”, but it will still have a significant impact on those
More about Budget 2025 and residential property: time to assessWhile perhaps not as bad as was feared, the announcements confirmed today, from the “high value council tax surcharge” to income tax rate hikes for property, dividend and savings income, will shape decisions for families, trustees, and investors over the
More about Budget 2025: an end to the speculationOn 1 May 2026, phase 1 of the new regime will come into force, on which date the majority of the more significant changes to tenancies, existing and new, will take effect and all tenancies will automatically transfer onto the
More about The Renters’ Rights Act 2025