Related insights: Investors
MEES and listed buildings
22 Feb 2024
Since April 2023, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard imposed by the Energy Efficiency Standard (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (commonly known as the MEES Regulations) generally requires commercial properties to have a minimum energy performance.
New report: How ESG principles are impacting on companies in the UK built environment
16 Jun 2023
Womble Bond Dickinson commissioned the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research to conduct a desk-based, evidence-rich review that focused on real estate and particularly the housebuilding, banking and investment sectors. The outcomes have recently been published in our report.
Are single family rental investors and housebuilders the perfect match?
01 Mar 2023
The housing market is facing a number of headwinds that could blow some big housebuilders off course. After years of house price growth and buoyant housing sales, we're seeing a slowing rate in traditional housebuilder plot sales as reservation rates continue to be down on prior years and sales become more difficult to convert.
MEES: the last chance saloon
10 Feb 2023
Buildings are responsible for around 31% of carbon emissions in the UK. Reducing the energy consumption of buildings is therefore a key priority in the race to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Since 1 April 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) have required commercial properties in England and Wales to have a minimum EPC rating of E before they can be let on a new tenancy. This requirement does not yet affect existing leases, but that is about to change. From 1 April 2023, it will be unlawful for a landlord to continue to let a commercial property with a sub-standard rating, unless a valid exemption has been registered.
Since 1 April 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) have required commercial properties in England and Wales to have a minimum EPC rating of E before they can be let on a new tenancy. This requirement does not yet affect existing leases, but that is about to change. From 1 April 2023, it will be unlawful for a landlord to continue to let a commercial property with a sub-standard rating, unless a valid exemption has been registered.
Single family housing: a rapidly growing market for investors
06 Feb 2023
The Single Family Housing (SFH) market has been prevalent in the US housing market for many years and, although relatively new terminology in the UK real estate market, has continued to gain momentum recently. In the US, SFH grew primarily from capital funds cashing in on the mass foreclosures during the global financial crisis. By contrast, in the UK, the SFH market has been driven by housing developers and specialist SFH investors. For housebuilders and developers, sale to SFH investors is an attractive option as it offers cash certainty and predictability and decreases some of the sales risk for developers. It also works well alongside sales to the private market.
WBD helps Integra secure £75m in funding for Durham industrial development
01 Jul 2022
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has assisted Integra in securing £75m in funding to enable a new 650,000 sq ft speculative development at the Integra 61 mixed-use project.
WBD advises on £5.5m Gateshead retail park acquisition
25 Oct 2021
Womble Bond Dickinson has advised private property investment and development company Buccleuch Property on its acquisition of a retail and trade park in Gateshead for £5.5m.
Planning for the Future - building back better?
11 Nov 2020
The Government's consultation on the "planning system of the future" closed on 29 October 2020. For a white paper, the consultation document contained a remarkable number of proposals for a reworked planning system for England. Many of the proposals are ambitious and would require primary legislation though some fundamental aspects of the system would remain.
WBD bolsters Edinburgh offering with new partner hire
14 Sep 2020
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has strengthened its real estate practice in Edinburgh with the appointment of Paul Mason who joins as a partner.
Insights
Stay informed
