The Government has published a roadmap to reform the home buying and selling process, with the aim of making property transactions faster, clearer and less likely to fall through. The proposals could change how properties are listed, sold and legally committed to in the future.
The UK rental market continues to face significant legal and regulatory change, with landlords now preparing for increasing compliance obligations under the proposed Renters’ Rights reforms. From tenancy restructuring to property standards and possession rules, many landlords are reassessing both the legal and financial impact of managing rental property portfolios.
Buying through a shared ownership scheme can make getting onto the property ladder more achievable, but the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rules are often more complicated than buyers expect. At Ives & Co Solicitors, we assist clients with residential conveyancing matters involving shared ownership purchases, staircasing, leasehold transactions, and SDLT considerations to help avoid costly mistakes and delays during the purchase process.
Property market shifts can have a direct impact on buying, selling, and investment decisions. With experience in residential conveyancing and property transactions, Ives & Co Solicitors supports clients in understanding how market trends — including tax changes — affect their plans.
The Section 8 changes coming into effect in May 2026 will make it easier for landlords to regain possession of a property when selling or moving back in. However, stricter rules, clearer legal grounds, and updated notice requirements mean that early legal preparation is essential to avoid delays or failed transactions.
With ongoing reports that property transaction times remain unacceptably long, understanding the causes — and how to minimise delays — is more important than ever. Recent commentary from Propertymark highlights continued frustration across the property sector, with transaction timelines still stretching well beyond what many would consider reasonable.
With digital processes evolving rapidly, staying informed can make a real difference to how quickly and smoothly your purchase or remortgage completes.
A major shift has just taken place.
Nationwide Building Society has become the first UK lender to accept Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) on mortgage deeds — removing the need for traditional wet-ink signatures and witnessed paperwork.
At Ives & Co Solicitors, we support buyers and sellers through every stage of the residential conveyancing process. As the market moves into the new year, many clients are asking whether confidence is finally returning — and recent industry data suggests the outlook is becoming more positive.
At Ives & Co Solicitors, we regularly advise buyers and sellers navigating leasehold properties across the residential market. With leasehold reform back in the spotlight, many homeowners are asking the same question: which of these changes will genuinely make it easier to sell, buy, or refinance a leasehold property?
As 2026 begins, confidence around planning reform is being closely tested — particularly in the commercial property sector. While policy changes were intended to unlock development and stimulate growth, new commercial starts remain slower than expected. At Ives & Co, our commercial conveyancing team is seeing how planning uncertainty continues to affect investment decisions, transaction structures, and development timelines.
