SIC 68.31 25,155 enterprises in the UK
Real estate agencies
What this covers (15 activity descriptions)
- Advisory services in connection with buying
- Conference centre letting (not self-owned)
- Estate agent
- Exhibition centre letting (not self-owned)
- Flat letting agency
- House agent
- House letting agency
- Intermediation in buying selling and renting of real estate
- Land agent
- Land valuer or surveyor
- Property consultant (own account)
- Real estate agencies
- Real estate escrow agents activities
- Surveyor and valuer (real estate)
- Valuer (real estate)
Guidance for this activity
Building control and Building Regulations approval
How to get Building Regulations approval for construction work - application types, competent person schemes, inspection process, and compliance certificates.
Read guideBuilding Safety Levy for developers
How the Building Safety Levy affects residential developers in England. Covers exemptions for small sites, rates, timing, and planning for levy costs. Essential reading for SME housebuilders and developers of new residential buildings.
Read guideAdopt new sewers under Section 104
How to get new sewers adopted by the water and sewerage company under Section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Covers the adoption agreement process, Design and Construction Guidance standards, bond requirements, the inspection regime, vesting of assets, and the separate Section 106 right to connect.
Read guideSet up a property letting business
Five mandatory compliance requirements for lettings agents operating in England. Register before you trade to avoid penalties up to £30,000.
Read guideAdopt new roads and streets for developers
How to get new roads adopted as publicly maintained highways through Section 38 agreements under the Highways Act 1980. Covers the adoption process, bond requirements, construction to adoptable standard using DMRB or local design guides, inspection fees, maintenance periods, final adoption, Section 219 advance payments for private streets, and the Section 228 adoption process for existing private streets.
Read guideMaking rental properties fit for tenants
How private landlords in England must ensure their properties are fit for human habitation. Covers the implied covenant, HHSRS hazards, inspection rights, and financial risks from tenant court claims.
Read guideBuild and manage higher-risk buildings safely
How construction businesses must comply with the Building Safety Act 2022 when developing higher-risk buildings (18m+ or 7+ storeys). Covers the gateway approval process, golden thread record-keeping, and accountable person responsibilities. England only.
Read guideMeet Building Safety Act requirements for higher-risk buildings
How to comply with the Building Safety Act 2022 for higher-risk buildings (18m+ or 7+ storeys). Covers gateway approvals, golden thread requirements, and accountable person duties for building owners, developers and managing agents in England.
Read guideFlood risk assessment and SuDS compliance
How to assess flood risk for development sites and comply with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) requirements. Covers Flood Risk Assessments, Sequential and Exception Tests, and the major regulatory divergence between England and Wales on mandatory SuDS.
Read guidePlanning for medium sites (10-49 units)
How the new medium sites category (10-49 units) provides proportionate planning requirements for SME housebuilders. Covers proposed exemptions, simplified processes, and what this means for your development.
Read guideSubmit a Gateway 2 application to BSR
How to apply for Gateway 2 building control approval from the Building Safety Regulator before starting construction on a higher-risk building. Covers submission requirements, documentation, fees, realistic timescales, and change control procedures for principal designers, principal contractors, and developers in England.
Read guideRemove or manage hedgerows lawfully
How to remove a hedgerow lawfully under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. Covers when a hedgerow removal notice is required, 'important hedgerow' criteria, the 42-day application process, local planning authority powers, exemptions for agriculture and planning permission, penalties for unlawful removal, and interaction with ancient woodland protections.
Read guideApply for a tree felling licence
How to apply for a tree felling licence from the Forestry Commission under the Forestry Act 1967. Covers when a licence is required, exemptions, the application process, restocking conditions, and devolved arrangements for Wales and Scotland.
Read guideTrees and hedgerows: quick reference for businesses
Quick reference covering felling licence thresholds, Tree Preservation Order penalties, hedgerow notification periods, conservation area rules, restocking obligations, and key contact points for businesses managing trees and hedgerows.
Read guideClaim CIL exemptions and relief
How to claim exemptions and relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy. Covers self-build, charitable relief, social housing relief, and exceptional circumstances relief.
Read guideManage invasive non-native species on your land
Legal obligations for managing invasive non-native species on business premises and development sites. Covers Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, identification, treatment options, controlled waste disposal, and liability implications for property transactions.
Read guideComply with contaminated land remediation requirements
What to do when land you own or occupy is identified as contaminated under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Covers the Part 2A regime, remediation notices, voluntary remediation, working with regulators, and the penalties for non-compliance.
Read guideNavigate Section 106 agreements
How to understand, negotiate, and manage Section 106 planning obligations. Covers what can be requested, the three legal tests, viability negotiations, and modifying existing agreements.
Read guideBuilding safety duties for Accountable Persons
Your legal duties as an Accountable Person or Principal Accountable Person for a higher-risk building under the Building Safety Act 2022. Covers registration, safety case reports, resident engagement, mandatory occurrence reporting, golden thread maintenance, and Building Assessment Certificates for buildings 18 metres or higher (or 7+ storeys) with 2 or more residential units in England.
Read guideCommission protected species surveys for your site
How to commission ecological surveys for development sites that may support protected species. Covers when surveys are needed, types of survey for bats, great crested newts, badgers, and nesting birds, seasonal survey windows, choosing a qualified ecologist, and interpreting survey results to determine whether you need a wildlife licence.
Read guide