Real estate tax

In an increasingly complex and regulated environment, managing real estate tax efficiently has become vital for businesses undertaking property transactions and investments. Our dedicated real estate tax team provides strategic advice designed to minimise liabilities, unlock savings, and support commercial goals, ensuring that your real estate investments remain robust, compliant, and profitable.

A commercially driven, proactive approach

Our lawyers provide comprehensive advice on real estate tax matters including VAT, stamp duty land tax (SDLT), and capital allowances. Leveraging deep technical knowledge and practical experience, we devise transaction structures tailored specifically to mitigate tax liabilities and avoid common pitfalls. Clients appreciate our commercially driven, proactive approach that combines clarity, precision, and speed, even in the most intricate and high-value scenarios.

We regularly handle the tax elements of significant property transactions for a diverse client base, from major institutional investors and developers to registered providers of social housing and entrepreneurial ventures. Our team’s ability to swiftly address critical tax issues and integrate seamlessly into transaction processes allows our clients to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality or compliance.

Our services extend to managing specialist areas including the Construction Industry Scheme, the Community Infrastructure Levy, the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings , and business rates. We also assist non-resident landlords through registration processes, making sure UK property dealings are compliant and tax efficient.

A friendly, approachable team with excellent technical knowledge.

Additionally, our specialists routinely engage with HM Revenue and Customs to secure tax clearances and rulings, facilitating smooth transactions and preventing unexpected delays. Our capability includes VAT registration and strategic options to tax, ensuring maximum flexibility and financial efficiency for your property operations.

When disputes arise, particularly involving VAT matters, our team liaises directly with HM Revenue and Customs, advocating effectively to achieve favourable outcomes for our clients. With our guidance, businesses can confidently navigate the evolving landscape of real estate taxation, securing optimal results.

How we help our clients

Capital allowances

Construction Industry Scheme

Community Infrastructure Levy

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings

Business rates

Non-resident landlord registrations

Stamp duty land tax

VAT

Useful resources

Doing business in the UK

The team has built a longstanding relationship with us which brings significant advantages: instructions are quick and seamless, and advice is tailored to our circumstances.

Recent work highlights

Property investment structures

Advising on the tax consequences of property investment structures involving Channel Islands limited partnerships and property unit trusts, and producing a tax report for the lending banks, including considering the carried interest position and VAT consequences.

PAIF investment properties

Assisting with the SDLT and other tax consequences of the acquisition of various types of investment property by, and transfers of assets between, PAIFs.

Hospital development project

Providing guidance on the tax consequences relating to various forward funding transactions in connection with development project work on the construction of new hospital wings.

West London landmark building

Advising on the tax consequences relating to the development of a landmark building in West London, providing over 400,000 sq ft of office and retail space, along with new public realm , and interfacing with the adjoining overground and underground railway stations.

Individual and corporate tax positions

Acting for UK and non-UK resident individual and corporate purchasers of residential and commercial properties on their SDLT, ATED, VAT and income and corporation tax positions, including purchases of care homes and student accommodation.