Sector
Construction & Property
Building, civil engineering, property development, trades and construction services.
Start here
Protect your business from CIS supply chain fraud
Fraud anywhere in your supply chain can now cost you gross payment status
Prepare for the Building Safety Levy
New residential development in England pays the levy through building control
Building Safety Act for SME contractors
Gateways, the golden thread, and what the Building Safety Act asks of SMEs
Getting started with CIS
If you pay or get paid under the Construction Industry Scheme
CDM compliance quick check
High-consequence site-safety self-check
Responding to CDM enforcement action
HSE or CDM enforcement action? Start here
Who regulates you
See all 27HSE (opens in a new tab)
Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates serious incidents …
Enforces 15 Acts this sector relies on.
Local Authority (opens in a new tab)
Local councils enforce food safety (via Environmental Health Officers), issue alcohol licences, grant planning permission, and regulate certain business activities at local level. Responsibilities …
Enforces 14 Acts this sector relies on.
Environment Agency (opens in a new tab)
Environmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues permits for …
Enforces 8 Acts this sector relies on.
NatureScot (opens in a new tab)
Scotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Enforces 8 Acts this sector relies on.
NRW (opens in a new tab)
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, manages natural …
Enforces 7 Acts this sector relies on.
RSH (opens in a new tab)
Regulates registered providers of social housing in England. Sets and enforces standards for governance, financial viability, and consumer outcomes including safety, quality, and neighbourhood …
Enforces 7 Acts this sector relies on.
Key legislation
See all 57What’s changing
See all changesProvision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026
Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026
Environmental Delivery Plans (Appropriate Prioritisation) Regulations 2026
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Lime Benchmark) (England) Order 2026
General rules
Common requirements that apply across industries. Conditions such as employing people or operating premises are shown only after they are known.
Mandatory registrations every business must complete
Step-by-step guide to the registrations every business must complete before trading, regardless of sector. Covers HMRC tax registration, ICO data protection fee, mandatory insurance, and pension auto-enrolment.
Applies across industries.
General rulePre-trading compliance checklist
A concise yes/no checklist to verify you have completed all mandatory pre-trading requirements, including business registration, tax, insurance, licences, premises approvals, and data protection.
Applies across industries.
General ruleMeet your business waste duty of care
Understand your legal responsibilities when producing, storing, or disposing of business waste. Covers using registered waste carriers, completing waste transfer notes, and the stricter rules for hazardous waste.
Applies across industries.
General ruleCheck if you need to register for VAT
Find out if your business must register for VAT based on your taxable turnover. Covers the £90,000 threshold, what counts as taxable turnover, the rolling 12-month test, and when voluntary registration makes sense.
Applies across industries.
All guidance for construction & property
Tax & Finance
3
Understand property transaction taxes
Overview of SDLT, LBTT, and LTT -- the three separate property transaction taxes across the UK. Covers rates, thresholds, reliefs, filing processes, and penalties for England/Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
When and how to pay SDLT on property purchases in England and Northern Ireland, including rates, reliefs, and deadlines.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Pay stamp duty on shares
How to pay stamp duty or SDRT when buying UK company shares, including rates, exemptions, and the stamping process.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Environment & Sustainability
2
Understanding nature conservation law in Scotland
How Scotland's nature conservation framework works, why it differs from England and Wales, and what it means for businesses operating in Scotland. Covers the role of NatureScot, the hierarchy of protected areas, species protection, the biodiversity duty, and how conservation requirements interact with the planning system.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Protected species offences and penalties in Scotland
Quick reference for criminal offences and penalties relating to protected species in Scotland. Covers European Protected Species, Wildlife and Countryside Act offences, raptor persecution, beaver protection, and vicarious liability.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Sector-Specific
8
Mandatory SuDS approval in Wales
How to obtain mandatory Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) approval from your local authority SAB in Wales, including thresholds, fees, timelines, and penalties for non-compliance.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Archaeological assessment for development in Scotland
When archaeological assessment is required for development in Scotland, how to carry out desk-based assessment and evaluation, mitigation strategies including preservation in situ and excavation, and your obligations under the Treasure Trove system.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Understanding heritage protection in Scotland
An overview of Scotland's heritage protection framework, covering the role of Historic Environment Scotland, the main designation types (scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas, inventoried sites), the policy framework (HEPS and NPF4), and how these affect businesses operating in or near the historic environment.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Heritage and nature considerations in Scottish planning
How Historic Environment Scotland and NatureScot interact with the Scottish planning system, including NPF4 heritage and nature policies, statutory consultation roles, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Habitats Regulations Appraisal requirements.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Apply for listed building consent in Scotland
How to apply for listed building consent (LBC) in Scotland. Covers when consent is required, the three categories of listing, the application process through local planning authorities, HES consultation requirements, and penalties for unauthorised works. Scotland has approximately 47,000 listed buildings.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Apply for scheduled monument consent in Scotland
How to apply for scheduled monument consent (SMC) in Scotland. Covers when consent is needed, what class consents allow without individual application, the HES application process, documentation requirements, and penalties for unauthorised works. Scotland has approximately 8,200 scheduled monuments.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Heritage offences and penalties in Scotland
Quick reference for criminal offences and penalties relating to unauthorised works to scheduled monuments, listed buildings, and conservation areas in Scotland. Covers enforcement notices, prosecution, and sentencing.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Working in conservation areas in Scotland
What you need to know before carrying out works in a conservation area in Scotland. Covers when conservation area consent is needed for demolition, additional planning controls on external appearance, the offence of unauthorised demolition, and how conservation area status interacts with listed building consent. Scotland has over 600 conservation areas.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
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Construction Site Health and Safety
Essential health and safety requirements for construction sites including work at height, asbestos, manual handling, and PPE.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Environmental compliance for construction sites
Your environmental obligations for construction sites including site waste management, environmental permits, dust control, and noise management.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Manage hazardous construction materials
How to comply with COSHH 2002 when working with cement, silica dust, solvents, and wood dust on construction sites, and with the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 when disturbing lead paint. Covers COSHH assessments, workplace exposure limits, health surveillance, RPE selection, and dust suppression controls.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Scottish heritage compliance checklist for construction
A pre-project checklist for construction businesses and developers working in Scotland to verify compliance with heritage protection requirements. Covers scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas, and HES inventoried sites.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Apply for CIS gross payment status
How subcontractors can apply for gross payment status to receive the full value of construction payments without deductions. Covers eligibility requirements, the three tests, application process, and maintaining GPS once granted.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Building safety duties for contractors
Your legal duties as a contractor working on higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022. Covers Principal Contractor responsibilities, golden thread contributions, change control, Gateway 3 sign-off, and how SME contractors fit into the new regime. England only.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Claim a refund for CIS deductions
How CIS subcontractors can offset or claim back the tax deductions taken from their construction payments. Includes different processes for sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Comply with CDM Regulations for construction projects
How to comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). Covers duty holder responsibilities, when to appoint Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, notifiable project thresholds, and F10 notification requirements.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Register as a CIS subcontractor
How to register as a subcontractor under the Construction Industry Scheme. Registration reduces tax deductions from your payments from 30% to 20%, improving your cash flow.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
HES Managing Change guidance for construction
Overview of the HES Managing Change in the Historic Environment guidance note series and the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS). Explains how these policy documents affect planning decisions for construction projects near heritage assets, and how to use them to support consent applications.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Real estate compliance checklist
A confirmation checklist for real estate businesses. Work through the cross-cutting duties every property business shares, then the section for what you do — estate agency, lettings, landlording, social housing or a licensed venue. Several duties differ by nation, so check the rule for where you operate.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Landlord safety and legal duties for rented homes
A landlord letting residential property must keep it safe and legally fit: annual gas checks, five-yearly electrical inspections, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a property fit for human habitation, deposit protection, and — for larger shared houses — an HMO licence. Several of these duties differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check the rule for where your property is.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Set 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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Run a compliant real estate business
Whether you are an estate agent, a lettings agent, a landlord or a housing provider, the same core duties apply: protect the personal data you hold, do not discriminate, insure your employees, manage health and safety, and keep your premises and any common parts fire-safe. Put these in place before you take on staff, clients or tenants.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Run an estate agency: rules for selling property
Estate agents who act for buyers and sellers must register with HMRC for anti-money-laundering supervision before they trade, join a government- approved redress scheme, follow the Estate Agents Act conduct duties, and make sure every property they market has a valid EPC. These duties apply across the UK; the EPC rule applies in England and Wales.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Protect tenant deposits within 30 days
Legal requirement to protect tenant deposits with government-approved scheme within 30 days. Covers deposit protection deadlines, deposit amount limits, and geographic differences across the UK.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Making 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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Which real estate rules apply to your business
"Real estate" covers very different businesses — selling property as an estate agent, letting and managing homes as a lettings agent, owning and renting out property as a landlord, providing social housing, or running a licensed venue. Each has its own regulator and rules, on top of the duties they all share. Work out which description fits you and follow the right guide.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Comply with Renting Homes (Wales) Act landlord duties
Wales-specific landlord obligations under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which came into force on 1 December 2022. Covers Section 173 notice periods, occupation contracts, and differences from England's Housing Act 1988.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Meet energy efficiency standards for let properties
Legal requirement to achieve minimum EPC rating E for residential lettings. Covers England and Wales MEES regulations, exemptions, and penalties for non-compliance.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Construction payment rights and adjudication
Your statutory rights to payment and rapid dispute resolution under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. Covers payment notices, pay-less notices, stage payments, suspension rights, retention, and the 28-day adjudication process including 'smash and grab' claims.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Apply for a species licence from NatureScot
How to apply for a NatureScot species licence when your business activities could affect protected species in Scotland. Covers European Protected Species licences, the three derogation tests, application process, and what happens if you proceed without a licence.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Invasive species obligations in Scotland
Your legal obligations regarding invasive non-native species in Scotland. Covers criminal offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 9 species, Japanese knotweed management, and NatureScot's species control orders.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Managing land within an SSSI in Scotland
Your legal obligations when you own, occupy, or manage land within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Scotland. Covers Operations Requiring Consent, NatureScot's enforcement powers, management agreement payments, and what happens if you damage SSSI features.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Wildlife management and muirburn licensing in Scotland
How the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 changes wildlife management practices in Scotland. Covers the new muirburn licensing regime, trap and snare reforms, glue trap ban, and general licences for bird control.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Ecology survey requirements for construction in Scotland
When you need ecological surveys for construction and development projects in Scotland, what types of survey are required, seasonal timing constraints, and how survey results feed into NatureScot licensing and the planning process.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Get the specialist approvals for the systems you repair and install
Some kinds of equipment can only be worked on under a specific approval or certification. If you install, service or repair gas appliances, refrigeration and air-conditioning, pressure systems, aircraft or ships, this guide takes you through the registration, certification and competence you need before you do the work.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
EV Charging Infrastructure
Install EV chargepoints and access government grants.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
All journeys
Run a construction business
Ongoing compliance, site safety, and operational requirements for established construction businesses
Grow your construction business
Scale your construction business - win public contracts, build your workforce, achieve accreditations, and manage subcontractors at scale
Understanding construction tax obligations
A complete picture of how CIS, VAT reverse charge, CITB, and PAYE work together for construction businesses. Learn …
Start a construction business
Set up and register a construction, building, or trades business
Set up a real estate business
A step-by-step path for setting up a real estate business of any kind — selling property as an …
Subsectors
SIC 2007 divisions covered by this sector.