Introductory guides

Introductory guides

The Introductory Guides to Property provide apprentices, paralegals and others with an understanding both of the transactions which are typically undertaken by a property lawyer and also the core legal framework within which those transactions

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Latest Property News

Homes England publishes guidance for £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme

Homes England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, have published guidance for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026–36, a new £27.2bn initiative designed to deliver around 300,000 affordable homes, including 180,000 for social rent, across England (excluding London). The programme, which represents the largest public investment in social and affordable housing in a generation, will open for bids in February 2026 following regulatory clearance, with grants distributed from April 2026. It will operate through two funding routes—strategic partnerships for long-term delivery and continuous market engagement for site-based projects—and will prioritise the construction of social rent homes. A new digital system will streamline applications, and a £2bn bridge fund will sustain momentum as the current programme ends.

Law Society invites feedback on MHCLG’s home buying and selling reform consultations

The Law Society is inviting members to contribute to its responses to two separate consultations—one on home buying and selling reform, and another on material information in property listings—launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). To gather member input, the Law Society has launched a ten-minute survey enabling feedback on digitisation, material information requirements, and data accuracy compliance, with the option to participate in focus groups. The Law Society also encourages members to respond directly to the MHCLG consultations and reaffirms its commitment to continued advocacy as the reforms progress. The survey will close on 21 November 2025.

Reasonableness of residential service charges–test for court

Property analysis: The Court of Appeal clarified the test for reasonable service charge designation where landlords exercise contractual discretion. The court held that challenging a landlord's decision requires proving it was beyond the realms of reasonableness, not merely that better alternatives existed. The ruling arose from leaseholders disputing full gym costs after the landlord granted a third party a long lease while maintaining their usage rights. For service charge disputes, the threshold question is whether no reasonable landlord could have reached the decision, marking a demanding standard for leaseholder challenges to discretionary landlord decisions. Practical implications written by Jessica Parry of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

Challenge to Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 fails

Property analysis: The High Court upheld three significant leasehold reform measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LFRA 2024) as compatible with property rights under Article 1 of the First Protocol (A1P1). The measures cap ground rent for enfranchisement calculations, remove marriage value from enfranchisement premiums, and abolish landlords’ non-litigation costs recovery in enfranchisement claims. These reforms aim to address systemic unfairness in leasehold tenure isby reducing premiums payable by enfranchising tenants. The ruling enables implementation of a simplified valuation process, eventually leading to an online premium calculator. While potentially triggering an initial surge in claims, the removal of marriage value considerations may reduce pressure on leaseholders to extend leases before they fall below 80 years. Practical implications written by Robyn Cunningham of Tanfield.