Insights & News

The implications of proposed powers for councils to block slow developers: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource

11 May 2023

A legislative tweak allowing councils to refuse applications anywhere in their area from applicants deemed slow to build out a site will be challenging to implement, may unfairly penalise smaller developers and could deter brownfield redevelopment, commentators fear.

Lewis Silkin LLP shortlisted for The Lawyer Awards 2023

Press Release

27 April 2023

Lewis Silkin LLP and Farrer & Co have been shortlisted in the Real Estate Team of the Year category in The Lawyer Awards 2023.

Turnover is Vanity, Profit is Sanity, Cash is Reality

31 March 2023

Hardly a day goes by when a residential landlord is not bombarded by a seemingly endless torrent of bad news about the future of owning Buy-to-Lets or investment portfolios. Residential landlords and investors are leaving the market in droves. Driven away by rising interest rates, ever-increasing costs and the perceived burden of legislative and regulatory reforms.

When Less Means More

29 March 2023

Change is afoot for those looking to benefit from Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR). MDR has long been a help in keeping SDLT manageable for certain complex residential purchases.

Adding Value with Planning Permission

20 March 2023

Local Planning Authorities are required by the Government (Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) to identify land within their administrative boundaries that will meet the needs for future housing and employment growth.

How is the dollar’s dominance impacting the luxury real estate market?

13 March 2023

It has been an interesting run for luxury property buyers over the course of the last 6 months or so. Quite remarkable how the market can flip from armageddon with lending rates at record highs, only for the world to be all rosy again with just the slightest adjustment back down.

In Conversation with Anna Josse, Founder and CEO of Prism The Gift Fund

29 November 2022

“Philanthropy is inherently personal; there are as many reasons for giving as there are people who give. We’ve found that not only would many people like to give more, but that others would be happy to start if they weren’t intimidated by the complexities of charitable giving.” We spoke to Anna Josse, Founder, CEO of Prism the Gift Fund to get the low down on effective giving vehicles, Donor Advised Funds.

Secret gardens and the ever-increasing demand for properties on those squares

24 November 2022

We spoke to Priyank Lakhia the Founder & Director of Independent Agency, 5Bay Group about the numerous garden squares spread around central London, which Priyank says are one of the city's most distinguishing features.

Inflation, interest rates & money markets - what are the implications for real estate?

23 November 2022

The economic impacts of the former chancellor’s ‘fiscal statement’ of 23rd September, the subsequent u-turns and the resulting uncertainty and market disruption, continue to reverberate and have increased the chance of house price falls to a level not seen since 1990.

What the appointment of Lucy Frazer as housing minister means for planning: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine

Press

23 November 2022

The former barrister is regarded as a safe pair of hands who believes in the importance of community involvement in planning and the delivery of infrastructure alongside new housing, according to political insiders.

Roof terraces: The Importance of Being Legal

22 November 2022

Q: I recently bought a London apartment that has an unused roof space. Do I need planning permission to use it as a terrace?

Annabel Lindsay for EG on pets in the workplace

15 November 2022

A surge in pet ownership during the pandemic combined with a demand for flexible working has led many companies to consider allowing dogs into the workplace.

The Register of Overseas Entities

14 November 2022

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 (the “Act”) came into force earlier this year. The transitional period has well and truly begun, and the clock is most certainly ticking for any affected overseas entity to comply with the Act or face tough penalties for failure to do so.

Proptech – once a trend, now a necessity

10 November 2022

The real estate sector has, for a long time, been reluctant to embrace technology. While the rise of property tech start-ups did go some way to open people’s eyes to the possibilities and fuel their imagination, it took something as monumental as a global pandemic to force many, who work within the sector, to move away from traditional (and often outdated) working practices into a more modern way of thinking and working.

Lewis Silkin has advised Daniel J. Edelman Limited on the lease of Francis House, London

Deal

03 November 2022

Lewis Silkin was engaged to act for Daniel J. Edelman Limited in the relocation of its London office, to a newly refurbished building in Victoria.

A case for retro-fitting

21 September 2022

At a time of spiralling inflation and supply-chain issues, UK businesses need to think even more carefully about how they occupy their space, particularly as working habits have shifted post-Covid. One key aspect of this will be to consider whether their current space is fit for purpose, could be made so, or is no longer suitable.

Lewis Silkin has advised online rental platform Fat Llama on its £34m sale to Swedish company Hygglo

22 August 2022

Lewis Silkin has advised UK-based online rental platform Fat Llama on its £34m sale to Swedish firm Hygglo, in a deal that has created the largest peer-to-peer rental platform in Europe.

Headquarter moves are not necessarily a headache

04 August 2022

The change in the way that office space is used has been gathering significant momentum since the pandemic hit.

Going Live: Important Update about the Register of Overseas Entities

Inbrief

01 August 2022

It is fair to say that the announcement made last week by Companies House stating the new Register of Overseas Entities is intended to go live on 1 August 2022 has come as quite a surprise to those in the professional world.

Lewis Silkin oversees construction contracts and construction aspects of major new UK film studio

18 July 2022

Shinfield Studios development set to bring Hollywood to the Thames Valley.