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    Essential Residential Hub

Issues affecting residential property and the housing market are under greater scrutiny than ever before.

The Government and the Law Commission have recently embarked on a wide-ranging programme of reforms to tackle perceived inequities in the housing market, launching a range of consultations and new legislation.

Changes to the legal framework affecting the development, ownership and management of assets in this sector will be of critical importance to your business. We can assist you in managing and planning in a rapidly evolving residential landscape which is facing increasing regulation.

We can use our expertise in the residential sector to guide you through the reforms and identify areas of concern and opportunities. We are active in responding to Government consultations and keeping clients appraised of the potential impact of reforms.

We act for London estates, house builders, developers and a range of other stakeholders in the residential and mixed-use sectors. Our clients are based across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and we regularly advise international clients on their inbound-related needs and matters.

With specialist residential expertise in real estate, real estate disputes, planning, private property and construction,  tax and corporate structuring, we provide you with a seamless, multi-disciplinary approach enabling you to maximise the potential of your opportunities in this sector.


The latest from Essential Residential

Access the latest resources, expert insight and advice on the key issues impacting the residential sector below. We will continue to update the hub as developments arise so watch this space.

To support you in navigating this period of significant change and transition, we have developed:

  • a hub offering strategic guidance and bespoke advice
  • a series of timeline platforms accessible below showing an overview of the changes which have been made and which are planned for two key areas: leasehold reform, and the private rented sector.
  • a Building and Fire Safety Hub for the latest news and insights on Building and Fire Safety reform. 
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Evolution of the private rented sector

Recent and planned changes in the private rented sector.

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Changing landscapes in residential leasehold

Recent and planned changes in the residential sector.

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Our insights

2024-11-21-17-55-50-311-673f7426d8531ea0647af88a

Landlords and Tenants receive a pre-Christmas update from the Government on its plans for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform

This afternoon, Matthew Pennycook released a written statement on Leasehold and Commonhold Reform dealing with the Leasehold and Freehold...

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Leasehold

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 - further amendments to the BSA 2022

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 amends the Building Safety Act 2022, enhancing fire safety measures and giving Tribunals more flexibility.

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2024-10-30-09-33-13-346-6721fd59b3126dda0b8fedbf

The Labour Government intends to regulate property agents

Matthew Pennycook, The Minister for Housing and Planning confirmed during a question-and-answer session in the House of Commons on 28...

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sun through windows

Renters’ Rights Bill: Top ten key changes for landlords and tenants

Labour's new Renters' Rights Bill, introduced in September 2024, outlines key changes for landlords and tenants. Discover the top ten changes and potential amendments.

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water feature outside building

Renters’ Rights Bill: The abolition of the fixed term tenancy and its impact on PBSAs

The Renters’ Rights Bill abolishes fixed term assured shorthold tenancies and prevents landlords from terminating tenancies on a “no-fault” basis.

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colourful flats

Renters’ Rights Bill: Impact on the Build to Rent Sector

We consider the potential impact of the Bill on the Build to Rent sector ahead of the second reading in the House of Commons on 9 October 2024.

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city building

Supreme Court gives guidance on errors in statutory notices concerning property

The Supreme Court has adopted an analytical approach to errors in statutory notices...

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2024-07-17-15-31-57-476-6697e3ed373a613e9d0e5bc5

What did the King’s Speech say about reform of leasehold and the private rented sector?

This morning’s King’s Speech announced 40 new Bills (including draft Bills) to be presented to Parliament.  Amongst those announced were...

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2024-06-05-16-08-58-356-66608d9ac9403a02d396414c

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill gains Royal Assent

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill had been working its way through Parliament and had reached the Report Stage in the House of Lords...

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2024-04-11-11-02-50-369-6617c35a107637cec4ab7cb4

Second reading of Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill in the House of Lords

The second reading of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill took place in the House of Lords on 27 March 2024. Whilst there was not a...

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2024-04-04-08-36-59-360-660e66ab8211d1eddd9ecdad

House of Lords calls for property agent regulation

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has recently concluded an Inquiry into the regulation of property agents.  In an...

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colourful flats

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: Where are we now?

What further changes does the Bill make to the administration of service charges paid by residential long leaseholders?

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2024-02-14-15-40-26-045-65ccdeea3437872ea9f86e82

Are ‘no fault evictions’ to end this year?

It is beginning to feel a little bit like Groundhog Day as Michael Gove has once again re-stated the Government’s intentions to abolish...

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2024-02-08-18-43-21-517-65c520c9ae7280b846541d1f

Defects in Notices - the Supreme Court considered whether trivial mistakes are fatal

Today the Supreme Court hears a leap-frogged appeal which could have a seismic impact on property notices and their effects.  The...

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2023-12-18-17-20-57-848-65807f799f7a0ecb413429ec

All Real Estate Disputes lawyers want for Christmas is...

… an air fryer?  With Christmas fast approaching, the Real Estate Disputes team at Charles Russell Speechlys have put their requests to...

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2023-12-13-10-28-01-673-65798731f97b0876cf4825be

Deadline for responses to ground rent consultation extended until 17 January 2024

On 9 November 2023, we reported that the Government had published its consultation on capping ground rents in long residential leases in...

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house with flowers

Overview of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: What are the key provisions?

The Leasehold Reform and Freehold Bill is a wide-ranging bill which will make changes to lease extension, enfranchisement, right to manage, service charges and estate management charges. 

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2023-11-17-13-25-19-011-655769bf440aba2686054ac5

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 and Building Safety

The Building Safety Act 2022 (“BSA 2022”) has already been subject to amendment and a large number of secondary regulations. The...

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2023-11-09-15-15-34-184-654cf796a10a36a17020b695

Consultation on ground rents in existing residential long leases opens for 6 weeks

Hot on the heels of the announcement as part of this week’s King’s Speech, the Government has today published its consultation seeking...

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2023-11-07-15-53-17-834-654a5d6dda28edbfb4b5d31b

The King's Speech - Renters Reform

A couple of weeks following the Government's announcement that the abolition of “no fault evictions” would be delayed indefinitely...

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flowers on window

Property Patter: the Renters Reform Bill

The King’s Speech has reiterated the Government’s commitment to the Renters Reform Bill.

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2023-09-18-07-44-16-991-6507ffd06339aae19fcbef6f

Government Press Pause on the Renters (Reform) Bill

Just as many landlords and their advisors were starting to get their heads around the various potential upcoming changes to the Private...

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2023-09-06-08-55-37-600-64f83e89dc5675827cd8879a

Assured Shorthold Tenancies and Section 21 Notices: Should Landlords Return Tenancy Deposits by Cheque?

Should landlords return tenancy deposits by cheque? The safest answer is, “no”, particularly if the landlord could return the deposit by...

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2023-08-14-08-22-10-205-64d9e43238681b9d1d4ca382

Leasehold and commonhold reform: what is the latest?

On 24 July 2023, Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities gave a speech setting out the long-term...

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2023-08-10-13-28-35-740-64d4e603c07d6f0408e5fda3

The Government has announced the introduction of the “Cladding Safety Scheme”

First announced in March 2020, the Building Safety Fund (“BSF”) was introduced to assist with funding the costs associated with removing...

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Traditional House - tile

Renters (Reform) Bill: What are the key headlines?

A summary of the key provisions of the Renters (Reform) Bill and how it might affect you.

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Building and Fire Safety Hub

Keep up to date with the latest Building and Fire safety news and insights.

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Court Building

Debt Respite Scheme two years on – Where are we now?

Two years ago, the Debt Respite Scheme came into force, but what does it mean now?

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Apartment development

Reform of Assured Shorthold Tenancies: The Decent Homes Standard and Property Portal

What is the proposed Decent Homes Standard under the Renters’ Reform Bill?

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Tenancy Agreement Contract Signing

Reform of Assured Shorthold Tenancies: Abolishing Section 21 Notices

Alongside the abolition of Section 21, the Government plans to transition Assured Shorthold tenancies to periodic tenancies.

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Apartment building 3 - tile

Further provisions of the Building Safety Act 2022 in force on 6 April 2023

The Fourth Commencement Order for parts of the Building Safety Act 2022 will bring various provisions of the BSA 2022 into force.

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2023-04-06-14-39-43-846-642ed9aff636ea0fb8dd5b81

Attention private landlords and tenants - a new 'How to Rent' guide has been published

On 24 March 2023, the Government released its latest edition of the 'How to rent: the checklist for renting in England' guide. Landlords...

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2023-02-06-14-18-24-391-63e10c30f636e9142034dfe0

Leasehold and commonhold reform: what further indications have the Government given for 2023?

No sooner had the ink dried on our latest article: A year on from the Government consultation on leasehold and commonhold reform in...

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2023-02-02-10-02-39-163-63db8a3ff636e918a82f44f2

Time to hang up the net curtains? Visual Intrusion CAN constitute a private nuisance

Few legal cases have captured the public imagination as much as the battle between the Tate Modern gallery and neighbouring flat-owners,...

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2023-01-25-10-55-21-199-63d10a99f636e91ddc53cc05

A year on from a Government consultation on leasehold and commonhold reform in England and Wales - where are we now?

In January 2022, the Government opened a consultation entitled “Reforming the leasehold and commonhold systems in England and Wales”....

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Cotswold-House

Ageing the New Zealand Righthold way: is Leasehold Plus right for the UK?

We must consider how our housing supply can meet the needs of our ageing population.

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Apartment building 3 - tile

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022: Landlords and developers beware serious sanctions for non-compliance

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 8 February 2022 and will come into force on 30 June 2022.

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Apartment building

Property Patter: what’s been happening in the world of Essential Residential?

We discuss recent cases of interest to those dealing with residential property.

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Construction-pipes - tile

Building Safety Act 2022

Everything you need to know about the Building Safety Act 2022

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Apartment building - tile

Avoid Technical Arguments to Thwart the Eviction Process

Everything you need to know about avoiding technical arguments

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Apartment building 2 - tile

The impact of ground rent reforms on Integrated Retirement Communities

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill, which limits ground rents in new residential long leases, received Royal Assent on 8 February 2022.

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Desk PR

Property Patter: Avoiding the AST paperwork traps

We discuss the paperwork required and the implications of non-compliance, in regards to regaining possession of the property in the future.

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Real Estates Disputes - tile

The changing leasehold landscape: Government consultation on reforming the leasehold and commonhold systems in England and Wales

Lauren Fraser and Laura Bushaway explore the changes occurring in the leasehold landscape process.

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workplace

Changes to Right to Work Checks from 1 July 2021

EEA citizens and their family members are required to evidence immigration status in the UK, in the same way as other foreign nationals.

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Mixed-use property tile

Property Patter: what’s the latest in the world of Essential Residential?

How is commonhold going to be encouraged and will ASTs ever return to a straightforward 2 month termination process?

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Columns

All change for residential tenancy notice periods: Are these the final modifications?

Reviewing the latest amendments of the The Coronavirus Act 2020.

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Corporate Tax - tile

New tax on property developers - consultation paper published

The government published a consultation paper on the design of the new residential property developers tax.

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Property patter - tile

Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector from 1 April 2021

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector will apply to existing specified tenancies from 1 April 2021.

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Property Litigation_

What do the new Debt Respite Scheme Regulations mean for Landlords and Tenants?

This will provide legal protection from creditors in the form of either a breathing space or a mental health crisis moratorium.

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High rise flats

EWS1 Forms - the latest episode

RICS have now published their highly anticipated guidance on when EWS1 forms will be required.

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Property Litigation_

Further extension of coronavirus restrictions affecting residential properties: Where are we now?

The extension will be implemented from and including 31 March 2021 by the Coronavirus Act 2020.

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Regeneration and housebuilders - tile

Further extension to ban on residential evictions

There has been a further extension of the ban on enforcement of possession orders at residential dwellings in England until 31 March 2021 .

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Property Patter Podcast

Property Patter: The Section 20 Consultation Process

The section 20 consultation process is often complex, time-consuming and increasingly subject to disputes and litigation.

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Houses

Managing risk in property management companies – corporate governance and considerations for directors

We take a closer look at the guide launched by the Companies House highlighting key considerations for flat management company directors.

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House-nature - tile

Ban on residential evictions extended

The Government has extended the ban on enforcement of possession orders, read what it means here.

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Apartment building 2 - tile

The journey begins….destination : commonhold

Following the Government's press release today, read what it means for the residential sector here.

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Occupier Services - tile

Lifting the stay on residential possession proceedings: where are we now?

The stay on all forms of possession proceedings was lifted in September, but implications for landlords still remain.

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Real Estate Tax_2_750

HMRC disappoints house builders and partnerships looking for SDLT relief

SDTL relief will only apply where a partnership or LLP was the party acquiring the property in question.

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Real Estate Investment_750

Law Commission’s proposals on enfranchisement

Following the long awaited release of the Law Commission's reports last month, read our analysis on the enfranchisement reforms here.

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High rise flats

Law Commission’s proposals on exercising The Right to Manage

Following release of the long awaited Law Commission's reports last month, read our analysis on the exercising The Right to Manage here.

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The Law Commission Proposals on Commonhold

Following release of the long awaited Law Commission's reports, read our analysis on the Proposals on Commonhold here.

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Compass

Briefing note on the consultation on Code of Practice for residential property agents

The RoPA has produced a draft of the overarching code and the RICS and The Property Ombudsman are currently consulting on it.

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Country-home-with-garden

SDLT Holiday – points to watch out for

Laura Sheftel and Rebecca Day discuss the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday following the government announcement.

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Houses

Law commission reports signal significant changes to home ownership

Has the time arrived for the biggest shake-up of home ownership?

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Lights

Landlords: “Watt” to bear in mind for the new electrical safety standard regulations which go live from 1 July 2020

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations aim to ensure electrical safety standards.

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Houses

Better late than never?

The Court of Appeal’s decision in Trecarrell House Limited v Rouncefield (2020) EWCA Civ 760.

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occupier-services-tile

Extension of stay to possession proceedings during Coronavirus outbreak

As the Government announced that the stay on all new and existing possession proceedings will be extended, what does it mean for landlords?

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Real Estate Tax_750

Property Patter: Essential Residential

Discussing the changing landscape in residential leasehold and the private rented sector.

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Stone steps

Court of Appeal decision on right to rent scheme

Court of Appeal determines that the right to rent scheme is proportionate and justified.

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Regeneration_Housebuilders_750

Coronavirus Act 2020 - Implications for Residential Tenancies

The Government had introduced the new Coronavirus Act 2020 which will affect the termination of residential tenancies.

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Lights

Landlords – something to spark your interest

Regulations impose new duties on landlords in relation to electrical installations – with stringent penalties for non-compliance.

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Lightbulbs-hanging

Law Commission valuation proposals for leasehold enfranchisement: A fair deal?

The Law Commission has published its report and its proposals regarding the premiums payable by leaseholders.

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