Event: Smart Property Investment in a Changing Market
With so much change impacting the current UK property & construction market, we brought together our wide-ranging property expertise and well-established network for an insightful panel discussion and networking evening at our City of London office.
Clients and professionals with interests in both property development and investment benefitted from our wide-ranging discussion, covering emerging trends, financial developments and tax-efficient planning – helping them position themselves for success in 2026.
Our specialist panel were:
- Jake Lew, Head of Property & Construction; at BKL
- Ryan Bevan, Head of IHT, Trusts and Estates at BKL
- Simon Levine, Senior VAT Adviser at BKL
- Allen Chilten, Global Head of Real Estate Capital Formation at Schroders Capital
Our guests included well-established clients, contacts attending their first BKL event and even some BKL alumni.
The evening was enjoyed by all, with new business and leads directly resulting from the insights shared on the night.
Key topics and insights
VAT considerations in property transactions
- Early VAT advice prevents unexpected, unrecoverable costs and ensures the correct VAT treatment throughout a project.
- Valid VAT invoices and properly applied VAT rates, especially on residential conversions, help avoid HMRC challenges.
- Choosing the right structure (e.g. OpCo/PropCo) can significantly influence VAT recovery and overall project efficiency.
Economic trends and property market outlook
- With UK property values adjusting more sharply than other markets, investors are finding attractive opportunities across asset classes.
- From convenience retail and logistics to student housing, targeted investment and deep asset/market knowledge are proving essential.
- High quality, energy efficient office space is commanding rental premiums, reinforcing the case for landlords to consider ESG and invest in sustainable improvements.
Inheritance tax and succession planning
- Changes to IHT Business Property Relief from April 2026 make it timely for property businesses and families to review succession and tax strategies.
- Strategic tax planning such as gifting, growth shares, pilot trusts and family investment companies help manage future IHT exposure and protect wealth.
- Overseas investors face specific UK IHT rules, with advisers helping identify exceptions and favourable treaty positions.
Structuring decisions
- Factors determining the best structure include capital sources, business goals, and desired outcomes such as profit extraction, exit routes or risk management.
- SPVs, LLPs and other structures each offer distinct benefits depending on the project and longterm strategy.
- Early engagement with advisers helps ensure the chosen structure supports commercial aims and tax efficiency.
How BKL can help
Our specialists provide senior-led practical advice to developers, investors and property professionals across commercial and residential. We use our real market experience to support better decisions when opportunities arise. This includes ensuring that you understand the tax implications of your current and future projects, from clear conversations to visiting your construction sites.
Get in touch for a chat about how we can help you. If you’ll be at MIPIM 2026, our property team would be pleased to meet up with you there.