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Property law weekly: upward‑only rent review ban, NPPF reforms, SDLT anti‑avoidance, HMLR PG1, broadband in flats, Wales building safety, Scotland Land Reform Act—18 December 2025

Published on: 18 December 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Property expert
Legal News
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Article summary

In this issue:

  • Key developments and horizon scanning
  • Transferring property
  • Investigating title
  • Residential property
  • Commercial real estate finance
  • Property development
  • Environment, energy and buildings
  • Property taxes
  • Property in Wales
  • Property in Scotland
  • Additional property updates this week
  • Daily and weekly news alerts
  • New and updated content
  • Trackers
  • New Q&As
  • Property Highlights 2025/2026

Key developments and horizon scanning

BPF opposes upward-only rent review ban in English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

The British Property Federation (BPF) has voiced its opposition to provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill that would prohibit upward-only rent reviews in all new commercial tenancies. The Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on 8 December, with committee stage scheduled for 20 January 2026 (see Trackers). The BPF says the proposal arrived without consultation or an evidence base and does not resolve the cited issue of faltering high streets and empty retail units. The organisation warns the change could undermine investment certainty for pension funds and insurers, which may in turn suppress commercial property investment and development. The BPF is engaging with peers across the House of Lords to adjust the Bill so that future secondary legislation can...

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