United Kingdom: Real Estate and Construction

From planning consents and complex fit-outs to dilapidations and power supply - the key considerations for those active in healthcare property development.

A contractor sought to enforce an adjudicator's decision on liquidated damages, while the employer argued that email correspondence had created a binding agreement to revise completion dates outside the contractual extension of time mechanism. The court examined whether informal email exchanges using the language of agreement could override formal contract procedures, and whether the employer's agent possessed the authority to enter such agreements.

The UK Living sector attracted £4.4 billion in investment during the first half of 2026, yet rising costs, regulatory complexity, and economic uncertainty are creating barriers between institutional capital and housing delivery. While investor appetite remains strong, particularly for Single Family Rental assets, the challenge lies in deploying capital efficiently at the scale required to address the UK's accommodation shortage.

Where UK property is held through an offshore company, the dissolution of that company can create serious title problems. Around 100,000 properties in England and Wales are held through offshore companies.

When buying or selling a property, it can be tempting to choose the cheapest conveyancing quote available. In a competitive market, low-cost providers often advertise attractive fixed fees and promises of a quick service.

The Provision of Information (Contractual Controls) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026 (the “Regulations”) will come into force on 6 April 2027.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has expanded liability for unlicensed HMO and selective licensing offences to include superior landlords and freeholders, not just immediate landlords. This article examines what constitutes a 'reasonable excuse' defence and outlines practical steps freeholders should take to protect themselves from potential enforcement action and rent repayment orders.

Rebecca Lee shares her journey from law firm receptionist to qualified solicitor, discussing her passion for helping clients through life's most challenging moments in wills and probate work. She reflects on career highlights including managing a £4.2 million estate and her commitment to charitable fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Property owners with buildings containing multiple flats under a single title can unlock significant financial and strategic advantages through title splitting. This legal process creates individual leasehold interests for each unit, enabling more flexible refinancing options, easier sales, and clearer management structures, though it requires careful navigation of legal requirements including the fundamental rule that you cannot grant a lease to yourself.

In this edition of Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) briefings we consider the Upper Tribunal decision in Unsdorfer v Octagon[JC1] . Whilst the decision dates back to 2024 it is useful in providing some clarity on the roles and responsibilities of “managers”, “special measures managers” and “accountable persons” appointed in relation to higher-risk buildings (HRBs).

The rules around the UK’s Trust Registration Service (TRS) have changed again, effective as of 30 June 2026. The new rules expand the scope of trusts involved in real estate holding structures...

From planning consents and complex fit-outs to dilapidations and power supply - the key considerations for those active in healthcare property development.