Construction & Property

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.

Building 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.

Applies if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings, or if you commission or pay for construction work on your own account

Community Infrastructure Levy explained

What the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is, how it's calculated, when it's payable, and how it differs from Section 106 agreements. Essential reading for developers undertaking new construction.

Applies if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings, or if you commission or pay for construction work on your own account

Nutrient neutrality compliance for development

How to achieve nutrient neutrality for development in affected catchments. Covers mitigation options, Natural England's calculator, credit schemes, and the wastewater upgrade timeline.

Applies if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings, or if you commission or pay for construction work on your own account

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.

Check if nutrient neutrality affects your site

Find out if your development site is in a nutrient-affected catchment. Lists all 27 affected catchments across 74 local planning authorities and explains how to check your site.

Applies if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings, or if you commission or pay for construction work on your own account

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.

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.

Environmental impact assessment in Wales and Northern Ireland: thresholds and timescales

When a building, road, railway, pipeline, harbour or similar project in Wales or Northern Ireland needs an environmental impact assessment, how to check the thresholds, request screening and scoping, prepare the environmental statement and plan for the longer decision period. Wales and Northern Ireland have separate regulations with different thresholds and different decision-makers.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Comply with the ground rent ban on new residential leases

What landlords and property developers must do to comply with the ground rent ban. Covers which leases are affected, exemptions, penalties for non-compliance, and how to manage a portfolio with both pre-2022 and post-2022 leases.

Applies to some businesses in this sector – open the guide to check

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.

Renters' Rights Act: what landlords in England must do now

No. Section 21 ended in England on 1 May 2026. To recover possession under a private assured tenancy in England, you must rely on a section 8 ground and obtain a possession order unless the tenant leaves. You will also need to register on a new landlord database once it opens.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Register and run a letting agency in Scotland: the Scottish Letting Agent Register and the Code of Practice

How to register as a letting agent in Scotland and what the Letting Agent Code of Practice requires once you are on the register: training, insurance, a separate client account, client money protection, advertising, fees and complaints, with the criminal penalty for working unregistered.

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.

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.

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.

Register with the Scottish Housing Regulator: a guide for new social landlords

How a housing association or other not-for-profit body registers as a registered social landlord in Scotland, the criteria the Scottish Housing Regulator applies, and the annual returns and assurance statements you must make once you are on the register.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Landlord safety duties for rented homes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: alarms, electrics, deposits and shared houses

What a landlord or accommodation provider must do about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrical safety, tenancy deposits and shared-house licensing when the property is in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Each nation has its own law, its own enforcer and its own penalty.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

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.

Remove or manage hedgerows lawfully

How to remove a hedgerow lawfully under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 and manage agricultural hedgerows under the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024. 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, buffer strips and the cutting ban, penalties for unlawful removal, and interaction with ancient woodland protections.

Applies if you fell, prune or carry out tree work, or if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings

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.

Manage 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.

Applies if you dig, move or dump soil, or clear vegetation, where invasive plants may be present, or if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings

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.

Waste carriers and hazardous waste: SEPA and NIEA rules for Scotland and Northern Ireland

What waste collectors, remediation contractors, builders and motor trade businesses must do to register as waste carriers, move hazardous waste and sort business waste in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own registration regime under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, its own special waste system and its own recycling duties. Northern Ireland has a separate register run by NIEA and its own hazardous waste rules.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Get a water discharge permit

How to get an environmental permit for discharging liquid effluent or waste water to surface water or groundwater. Covers standard rules and bespoke permits, groundwater protection, monitoring requirements, and the difference between environmental permits and trade effluent consent.

Applies if you release liquid effluent or waste water into a river, the sea or the ground

Trade effluent consent for discharging to sewers

How to get consent from your water company to discharge trade effluent into public sewers. Covers what counts as trade effluent, when consent is needed, how to apply, prohibited substances, consent conditions, charges, and enforcement under the Water Industry Act 1991.

Applies if you put process liquids, washwater or other non-household effluent down the drain into the public sewer

Apply for a water abstraction licence

How to apply for a licence to abstract water from rivers, streams, boreholes, or other sources. Covers the 20 cubic metres per day threshold, licence types, pre-application enquiries, Environmental Impact Assessment, annual charges, and devolved nation requirements.

Applies if you take water from a river, borehole, spring or well rather than the mains

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.

Create a construction phase plan

How to prepare a construction phase plan under CDM 2015 Regulation 12. Covers what must be included, when it must be ready, who is responsible, and how to keep it updated throughout the project.

Applies if you control a construction site as principal contractor or site manager, or if you manage or co-ordinate construction projects for other people

Energy performance certificates in Scotland and Northern Ireland: new buildings, sales and lettings

When a new home or non-domestic building in Scotland or Northern Ireland needs an energy performance certificate, who produces it, how long it lasts, what must be displayed or advertised, and the penalty charges for selling or letting without one.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Scottish road works and Northern Ireland street works: consents, notices and penalties

What civil engineering contractors, developers and utilities must do to dig up a public road, build a new one or run a railway or tramway scheme in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland uses the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, Part IV of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 with the Scottish Road Works Commissioner and the Scottish Road Works Register, and the Transport and Works (Scotland) Act 2007. Northern Ireland uses the Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 with DfI Roads, and the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Defective Premises Act (Northern Ireland) 2024: what builders, developers and contractors owe homeowners

The civil duty on anyone taking on work to a dwelling in Northern Ireland to do it properly, with proper materials, so that the home is fit to live in, and the 15-year period in which a homeowner can bring a claim. Explains the new Article 4A for work to existing homes.

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.

Building safety duties for designers

Your legal duties as a designer under the Building Safety Act 2022 when working on higher-risk buildings. Covers the Principal Designer role, competence requirements, golden thread responsibilities, gateway submissions, and personal liability for architects, structural engineers, and other designers in England.

Applies if you design construction work, or prepare or advise on designs others build from

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.

Reinstatement standards for highway works

Reinstatement categories, guarantee periods, materials specifications, inspection regime, and defect correction requirements under the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH). Covers road categories, compaction standards, coring powers, and penalties for non-compliance.

Applies if you dig up, break open or work in the public road or footway

Construction product marking - CE and UKCA compliance

How the Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025 affect CE and UKCA marking for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. CE marking continues to be recognised until further notice, and from 8 January 2026 GB also recognises products complying with the new EU Construction Products Regulation 2024/3110. UKCA marking remains voluntary. Covers Declarations of Performance, harmonised and designated standards, and OPSS enforcement.

Applies if you distribute or resell construction products made by others