Real estate tax

A friendly, approachable team with excellent technical knowledge.

Chambers UK
Real Estate

Latest news & insights:

We have a detailed understanding of all areas of real estate tax - including VAT and stamp duty land tax. Our lawyers can advise on the most effective way of structuring transactions so as to minimise any tax liabilities and avoid unforeseen tax traps.

Penningtons Manches Cooper regularly provides guidance on the real estate tax elements of large-scale, high value transactions.  We act for a wide variety of clients, ranging from large institutions and registered providers of social housing to leisure companies and property entrepreneurs. Our team is used to working to tight timescales and clients value the speed, commerciality and clarity of our advice.  These attributes, coupled with our technical expertise, mean that we can quickly get to grips with the most pressing issues.

We are able to obtain any necessary tax clearances and rulings from HM Revenue and Customs, ensuring that these are secured as swiftly and efficiently as possible.  Our service includes dealing with VAT registrations and options to tax. We provide a seamless process when handling transfers of property concerns.

Our specialists are also experienced in managing VAT disputes. We can correspond and negotiate with HM Revenue and Customs on your behalf in order to obtain a favourable result.

We offer expert advice on:

  • capital allowances
  • Construction Industry Scheme
  • contaminated land tax relief
  • landfill tax and aggregates levy
  • non resident landlord registrations
  • stamp duty land tax
  • VAT

Recent work highlights

Sale of Camberley Auto Factors

Advising the shareholders of Camberley Auto Factors, Southern England's leading motor factor and distributor of quality motor spares, on the sale of the company. We assisted on all real estate tax issues, working closely with the clients throughout.


High value supermarket acquisition

Representing Aviva Investors Pensions Limited on the purchase of the freehold title to a £30 million supermarket development which also included social housing accommodation. We were responsible for VAT and capital allowances advice on this complex transaction.


Leading fund manager

Acting for a FTSE listed fund manager during the sale of a Home Counties industrial estate. Our real estate tax team provided advice on minimising VAT liability relating to the deal.

Related expertise

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP