Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Legal and planning reforms are changing how land promoters and developers assess sites and structure projects. Housing targets, Biodiversity Net Gain, infrastructure costs and increased land-data transparency may affect feasibility, compliance, timescales and development value.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Relaxed mortgage-affordability rules may give some buyers access to a wider range of borrowing options. However, applicants must still satisfy the lender’s individual income, expenditure, deposit, credit and affordability requirements before receiving an offer.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Anti-Money Laundering reforms aim to make identity and source-of-funds checks more consistent, secure and efficient. Property clients should prepare identification, address evidence and financial documents early to reduce the risk of conveyancing delays.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The National Housing Bank could help developers unlock stalled sites through lower-cost infrastructure finance, brownfield remediation funding and support for early-stage development. Accessing this funding may also introduce additional planning, security and compliance requirements.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The Glastonbury scheme highlights how trusts can still play a valuable role in succession and estate planning despite inheritance-tax considerations. With careful structuring, they may help families manage assets, retain appropriate control and plan for future generations.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
A poor credit history does not necessarily prevent property investment, but borrowers may face larger deposit requirements, higher rates and specialist lending criteria. Careful financial preparation and early legal due diligence can help investors understand their obligations and risks.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Rising dementia diagnoses are contributing to more complex probate disputes, particularly where a person’s testamentary capacity is questioned. Medical evidence, witness accounts and detailed solicitor records can be crucial when determining whether a Will reflects the deceased’s wishes.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The UK’s shortage of qualified surveyors risks delaying valuations and disrupting property transactions. New technology, including artificial intelligence, automated valuation tools and digital reporting systems, could improve efficiency while allowing surveyors to focus on cases requiring professional judgement.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Grey-belt policy may create new opportunities for property development, but securing permission remains complex. Developers must consider site classification, sustainability, Green Belt purposes, affordable housing, infrastructure obligations and other planning constraints before proceeding.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Proposed reforms to the Wills Act 1837 could introduce digital Wills, greater flexibility over signing requirements and a new approach to testamentary capacity. Although modernisation may make Will-making more accessible, concerns remain about fraud, undue influence and an increase in estate disputes.