Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The residential conveyancing market began recovering in 2024 following two years of contraction, supported by an increase in property transactions and renewed consumer confidence. However, declining practitioner numbers and the growth of volume-based providers continue to reshape the sector.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Inheritance Tax receipts are rising as frozen thresholds and increasing property values bring more estates within the tax net. Proposed changes affecting pensions and agricultural and business property relief further highlight the importance of reviewing Wills and estate-planning arrangements regularly.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Confidence in the UK housing market has weakened as rising mortgage payments, rents and household expenses place greater pressure on buyers and homeowners. Affordability concerns may affect when people move, how much they can borrow and the type of property they choose.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Commercial property offered investors several opportunities in 2025, with demand for offices, logistics facilities and energy-efficient buildings shaping the market. Investors could gain exposure through direct ownership, property funds, REITs, crowdfunding or fractional ownership.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief could create significant Inheritance Tax liabilities for farming families. The article examines how the reforms may affect farm succession and outlines planning options involving lifetime gifts, spousal exemptions, business structures and insurance.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The UK commercial property market slowed during the final quarter of 2024, with weaker tenant and investment demand across several sectors. However, modern offices and industrial properties continued to perform comparatively well, supported by demand for high-quality, energy-efficient spaces.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Proposed restrictions on non-EU property buyers in Spain created uncertainty for British purchasers considering overseas holiday homes and investments. The measures could redirect some demand towards UK coastal and countryside properties as buyers explore alternatives closer to home.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The UK commercial real estate market ended 2024 with positive momentum as capital values, rental values and total returns improved. Retail warehouses and industrial properties performed particularly strongly, while the office sector recorded more modest growth.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
UK property investors faced difficult conditions during 2024, including substantial fund outflows, closures and pressure on listed property investments. Although REITs and housebuilding shares offered alternative routes into the market, careful diversification and risk assessment remained essential.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The UK’s ageing population is increasing demand for Wills, probate, trusts and wider estate-planning services. Digitalisation is improving accessibility and efficiency, but changing family circumstances and growth in contentious probate continue to make personalised legal advice important.