Helpful updates on property law, conveyancing and the issues affecting buyers, sellers and businesses.
Information in these articles is general and should be checked against current law and your own circumstances before it is relied on.
Reviewed 9 November 2026
Lifetime ISAs and homes over £450,000
What first-time buyers should know about the withdrawal charge and the conditions for a qualifying purchase.
What has changed?
From 29 October 2026, a 20% Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge applies when a first-time buyer uses their savings for an otherwise eligible first-home purchase costing more than £450,000. Other unauthorised withdrawals continue to attract a 25% charge.
The 20% is calculated on the amount withdrawn. For example, a £10,000 withdrawal subject to that charge would incur £2,000, leaving £8,000 towards the purchase. This illustration excludes other costs and does not assume any particular investment return.
Buying for £450,000 or less
A first-time buyer purchasing a UK home for £450,000 or less may be able to withdraw without a charge if all the scheme conditions are met. The buyer must intend to live in the property as their main residence, use an eligible mortgage or other qualifying loan secured on the property, and have made the first payment into the Lifetime ISA at least 12 months before withdrawal. Other conditions apply.
The Lifetime ISA provider pays the funds to an eligible conveyancer, rather than directly to the buyer. The purchase is normally expected to complete within 90 days after the withdrawal, although extensions can be requested where appropriate.
What should buyers do next?
Before withdrawing funds, ask your Lifetime ISA provider and conveyancer to check your circumstances, the purchase price and the applicable requirements. The position can depend on the transaction and rules may change, so check the latest official guidance before acting.
Budget 2026: what landlords should know about proposed property income tax rates
The Budget sets out proposed changes to the tax rates applying to property income from April 2027.
What was announced?
The government announced plans to increase the rates of Income Tax applying to property income from the 2027–28 tax year. Its published figures are 24% for the property basic rate, 44% for the higher rate and 49% for the additional rate. The intended start date is 6 April 2027.
These are proposed rates: the government says legislation will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2026–27. They are not the rates currently applying in the 2026–27 tax year.
Who could be affected?
HMRC says the measure affects individuals and partnerships receiving property income, and can also affect trustees and personal representatives. For individuals, the announced rates apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; different arrangements may apply to Scottish taxpayers.
Your own position depends on your income, allowances and circumstances. The announcement concerns Income Tax on property income, rather than the purchase price of a home or a conveyancing fee. A property held through a company may have a different tax treatment.
What to do next
If you rent out property, consider asking your accountant or tax adviser how the proposal might affect you. Check the final legislation and current HMRC guidance before making decisions; a Budget announcement can change during the legislative process.
Selling a tenanted property in England: the Renters’ Rights changes
How the changes from May 2026 may affect landlords considering a sale and what to check before arranging vacant possession.
The change to possession notices
From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act changed the rules for most private assured tenancies in England. Landlords cannot issue a new section 21 no-fault notice for those tenancies. Where a landlord seeks possession, a section 8 notice must identify an applicable legal ground.
A property can sometimes be sold with a tenant in place, subject to the buyer, lender and transaction arrangements. Selling does not automatically end the tenancy, so discuss the intended arrangements early.
Where a landlord intends to sell
For an eligible tenancy, ground 1A may apply when the landlord intends to sell. Government guidance says four months’ notice is required before applying to court, and the notice cannot expire before the first 12 months of a new tenancy have ended. The ground is not available for certain older non-shorthold assured tenancies and other restrictions may apply.
If a tenant remains after a valid notice expires, a landlord normally needs a court possession order; notice alone does not authorise the landlord to remove the tenant. Different rules apply to some tenancy types and to notices or court claims made before 1 May 2026.
Plan before marketing or exchange
Review the tenancy agreement, deposit protection records, any notice already served and whether the buyer requires vacant possession. Take advice on the correct procedure and realistic timescales before committing to a completion date. This article covers England; Wales has a separate renting regime.