Property Development Insights
Guides, analysis, and tools for UK property developers.
What is a Section 106 agreement? A UK developer's guide
A plain-English explanation of Section 106 planning obligations for UK property developers: what they are, the law behind them, the three legal tests, how they differ from CIL, and how they hit a development appraisal.
Permitted development rights explained for UK developers
What permitted development rights are, the GPDO 2015 that grants them, how prior approval works, why Article 4 directions can remove them, and how to treat PDR in a development appraisal. Education only, not advice.
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) explained for developers
A practical, education-only guide to mandatory biodiversity net gain in England: the 10% rule, the Environment Act 2021, the 30-year maintenance duration, key exemptions, and how BNG lands on a development appraisal.
How to underwrite an HMO conversion in the UK
A step-by-step method for underwriting a UK HMO conversion before you offer: room income, void and management assumptions, refurb and finance costs, the stress tests that decide the deal, and the numbers that quietly sink it.
What goes into a development feasibility appraisal
A plain-English breakdown of a UK property development feasibility appraisal: GDV, build costs, the residual land value method, finance, professional fees, contingency and developer profit, with a worked illustrative scheme.
HMO conversion tax 2026: SDLT, VAT and allowable expenses explained
HMO conversion tax 2026: verified HMRC rates for SDLT, the 5% VAT route, Section 24, allowable expenses and CGT, with worked numbers for UK landlords.
HMO Conversion Costs 2026: Article 4 Areas, Licensing, and Real Numbers
A 2026 field guide to HMO conversion economics: the three licensing regimes, Article 4 Direction areas that gate planning, and a trade-by-trade cost stack for a realistic 4-6 bed conversion.
SDLT 2026 Changes: What UK Property Developers Need to Know
April 2025 restored the £125k SDLT threshold and dropped first-time buyer relief to £300k. Here's how the 2025/26 rates hit developer deals, with a full rate table and worked scenarios.
UK Build Cost Guide 2026: what developers should budget per sq m
2026 UK build costs: verified BCIS, ONS and GOV.UK data on construction inflation, materials and what to budget per sq m for your next site.
How Much Does Stamp Duty Cost in 2026?
Complete guide to SDLT rates from April 2025, including first-time buyer relief, additional property surcharges, and company purchases.
HMO Conversion Costs: What to Budget in 2026
A trade-by-trade breakdown of HMO conversion costs across UK regions, from planning to completion.
BRRR Strategy Explained: The Complete UK Guide
How Buy, Refurb, Refinance, Rent works in the UK, with real numbers, financing options, and common pitfalls.