Will Castle

The departures come as Shoosmiths’ leadership realigns the firm’s priorities in its practice areas. One source told The Lawyer: “Regional real estate has not been a priority growth area so it has been neglected. The partners leaving want to be somewhere their practice is valued.” Shoosmiths has reshaped its practice mix in recent years as the firm turns towards London, Birmingham and international transactional mandates. Responding to comments made, CEO David Jackson told The Lawyer: “Real estate is one of our key pillars and we remain absolutely committed to it. It’s the third of the revenue of the business. It’s within the DNA of Shoosmiths. “It is not the case we are deprioritising or neglecting regional real estate – what we are trying to do is move up the value chain in the types of types of real estate work we are working on: far more complex, higher value mandates. Those can be found equally in the regions as they can in London.”

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BTR: completions today, contraction ahead Knight Frank data shows 24,000 UK Build to Rent homes completing in 2026, but this pipeline was largely funded in 2023-24, so it doesn't yet reflect the harder development conditions since. The leading indicators are weaker: Savills reports BTR starts on site down 79% YoY to June 2026, with homes under construction 21% lower. Completions have now outpaced starts for ten consecutive quarters. Capital hasn't disappeared, over £3bn was invested in UK BTR in H1 2026, but it's concentrated in completed, operational stock rather than new development. https://lnkd.in/edfweC_K

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Yesterday’s Budget: What It Really Means for Landlords, Tenants and the Lettings Market There was a lot of anticipation ahead of yesterday’s Budget, with many expecting significant measures that might effect the sales market. In reality, the sales market has remained largely untouched, unless you’re operating in the multi-million-pound bracket. However, while sales escaped major disruption, the lettings sector has been hit once again, and the impact will be felt across landlords, agents and tenants over the coming months. Here are the key updates that matter for our industry: 1. Tax on Rental Profits Up 2% – Another Blow to Landlords The increase in the effective tax burden on rental income reduces already-tight margins, especially for higher-rate taxpayers still feeling the strain of Section 24. What this means: * Net yields will fall * More landlords are likely to request rent reviews * Some may consider selling or pausing future acquisitions Strategic conversations around pricing, structure and long-term planning become essential 2. Knock-On Effects on Tenants - Every additional pressure placed on landlords eventually filters down to tenants. We expect to see: * Rent increases as landlords try to protect margins * Tougher affordability assessments * Higher competition for fewer available rental homes * Tenants in high-value or high-demand areas will feel this most sharply. 3. Housing Supply Will Tighten Further - there was nothing in the Budget to encourage landlords to stay in the sector. 18% of current “for sale” stock already made up of landlords exiting, we’re expecting supply pressures to worsen. Fewer landlords = fewer rental homes = more upward pressure on rents. What Agents Should Be Doing Now: * Communicate clearly and proactively with landlords * Offer portfolio review calls to help them adjust pricing and strategy * Prepare your team to answer questions confidently * Position yourself as the stabilising, strategic support landlords need during heightened volatility The sales market may have dodged major disruption this time, but the lettings sector has taken another hit and landlords will need clarity, guidance and confidence to navigate what comes next. If any landlord would like a personalised breakdown of how these changes affect their portfolio or future plans, I’m always happy to help.

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Savills has released its UK Single Family Housing Spotlight, which validates and contextualises the continued ascendency of the sector. It was another record year for Single Family, which now accounts for over half of UK BTR investment in 2025 (59%; >£3bn). Behind the headlines, several trends are shaping the housing landscape and creating an environment that support future market growth: - Stronger and more widespread appetite from housebuilders to sell homes to SFH investors, recognising that SFH is complementary to open market sales by de-risking and accelerating housing delivery.   - Increasing interest from long-term capital - established portfolios are emerging that evidence longer-term rental performance and deep tenant demand, substantiating positive perceptions about the sector’s risk profile. - Resilient demand for high quality, family homes, particularly in the East Midlands and South East of England – driven by widening rental affordability relative to incomes and by residents increasingly choosing professionally managed services over buy-to-let rental stock.   Leaf Living has already delivered several thousand homes & we are looking forward to operating at the forefront of the sector, as we continue to deliver thousands more homes and fund development partnerships through strategic relationships across the South East of England.

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The past week has delivered several meaningful shifts across the UK residential development landscape, signaling how 2026 may unfold for those involved in land, planning and new‑build delivery. Market sentiment is beginning to improve, with both RICS and the Agency market highlighting early signs of recovery as easing mortgage rates help rebuild confidence after a challenging end to 2025. At the same time, policy reform continues to shape the environment in which homes will be planned and delivered. The Government’s current NPPF consultation, combined with the key changes identified by Lambert Smith Hampton’s latest planning analysis, will have a direct influence on housing need calculations, viability testing and the pace at which local authorities can progress plan-making. Regeneration also remains firmly in the spotlight. Fresh government funding to unlock brownfield land is reinforcing a national push toward infrastructure‑efficient, sustainable development. This is supported by new analysis indicating that many brownfield sites could come forward quickly due to existing transport and service provision, strengthening the case for redevelopment-led growth in 2026. Meanwhile, activity in the greenfield land market is stabilising with a notable uptick in transactions heading into 2026, suggesting renewed momentum after a quieter period. For landowners and promoters, this creates space for well‑timed strategic decisions, especially where future supply is tightening. Taken together, these trends point to a year where challenges and opportunities sit side by side. As pressures on delivery persist from planning delays to viability constraints then developers with clarity on timing, land strategy and policy direction will be best placed to capitalise. At Lambert Smith Hampton, we continue to support clients across the UK in navigating reform, unlocking sites, and identifying new opportunities across brownfield, greenfield and urban intensification areas. If you’re evaluating residential development strategy or exploring land opportunities, the LSH Land & Development team are always happy to discuss insights and emerging opportunities across the market. https://lnkd.in/eRSecT9j #lsh #land #development #planning #newhomes

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Could operational strategy become the real differentiator? The August 2025 GLA Housing Market Report signals a quiet but meaningful shift in London’s residential landscape: 🔹 Rental growth is slowing 🔹 Rental supply is increasing — particularly in one and two-bed homes 🔹 Developer starts remain close to decade lows, and construction insolvencies are still rising. On the surface, it looks like a typical cooling cycle. But from a leasehold, operational and new-build perspective, it points to something more structural. In a market where rental growth is soft and development margins are tight, value is no longer created only through design or delivery. ➡️ Value is created in how the building performs over its lifetime. This is making operational strategy the new differentiator. Developers who lead in this environment are already: ✅ Building transparent and credible service charge models from the outset ✅ Integrating lifecycle and planned maintenance planning into early feasibility ✅ Rethinking contractor procurement to balance cost control with long-term performance At Rendall & Rittner, we’re seeing a noticeable shift. Operational conversations are moving forward into pre-sales and feasibility, not left until handover. A poorly structured service charge or weak PPM plan can undermine an otherwise strong scheme. The question is no longer whether this operational lens is needed — but how quickly the industry is prepared to adapt. 💬 I’d be interested to hear from developers, investors and asset managers: Are you revisiting service charge assumptions, lifecycle models or procurement strategies in response to these trends? If not… when will you? #PropertyManagement #RealEstate #HousingMarket #BuildToRent #MixedUseDevelopment #OperationalExcellence #AssetManagement #LifecyclePlanning #ServiceCharge #MobilisationStrategy #LondonHousing #GLA #ResidentialDevelopment #UKProperty #ThoughtLeadership

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