At RSL LAW, we believe that no transaction is too complex to complete, and our recent sale of a property
This month, RSL LAW acted for a company director seeking to regain control of their business and secure critical new
In a high-stakes property deal on the brink of collapse, complicated by the involvement of an Official Receiver and the
RSL LAW recently acted for a UK-registered company, with directors based both in the UK and overseas, in the acquisition of a characterful HMO property in the heart of Weymouth. Bursting with long-term investment potential, the acquisition appeared promising… until the legal challenges surfaced
A Listed Building in a Conservation Area
The property had previously beenconverted from a restaurant with flatsabove into an HMO, but the seller couldnot produce sufficient evidenceconfirming full compliance with planning laws.
Because the property is a Listed Building in a Conservation Area, any serious compliance or planning issue isn’t just a small concern, it could prevent works, trigger enforcement action, or even stop the deal from going ahead. The risk is so significant that it could undermine the whole transaction.
Lender Requirements at Stake
With lender involvement, risk management became non-negotiable. Both our client and the lender required absolute clarity and protection surrounding the planning position.
Foreign Source of Funds
Given the overseas element of the funding, specialist AML expertise was required to ensure full compliance with UK Anti-Money Laundering Regulations— protecting the client, the lender, and the asset.
Strategic Legal Guidance
Our team conducted an in-depth assessment of the planning irregularities, providing the client with a clear, confident understanding of their position.
Bespoke Risk Management
Recognising the unique profile of the transaction, our solicitors worked tirelessly to identify indemnity insurance providers whose risk appetite aligned with our client’s needs—ultimately securing a bespoke planning insurance solution acceptable to both the client and the lender.
Last-Minute Savings for the Client
While resolving the planning challenges, our team identified a valuable opportunity to optimise the client’s SDLT position. Although a planning application had already been submitted, the property was still officially classified as mixed-use at the time of purchase. By recognising this crucial detail, we secured a £20,000 SDLT saving for the client—an unexpected win delivered through careful attention and strategic legal insight.
A Secure, Compliant Acquisition – Completed Successfully
With bespoke planning insurance in place, lender requirements satisfied, and all AML checks meticulously completed, the purchase successfully completed transforming a high risk opportunity into a safeguarded long-term investment.
This case highlights what defines RSL LAW: resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication to protecting our clients’ interests. Our client placed their trust in us—and we delivered.
Our ‘Yes, first! If there is a way, we’ll find it. If there isn’t, we will create it!’ – In Action.
This case was the embodiment of that promise, resolving a seemingly impossible transaction without compromise. Have a complex property transaction?
As Seen in Property Week: Our CEO Reveals How the Budget Will Hit High-Value Buyers
The UK property market just got a major shake-up. As featured in Property Week, the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge — dubbed the “mansion
tax” — is set to hit homes worth £2 million+, changing the game for London’s prime property market.
Tatiana Sharposhnikova, CEO of RSL LAW, commented in Property Week, that the tax is a ‘blunt policy intervention’ that is ‘short-sighted and fails to recognise the reality of the housing market, particularly in London and the South East.’
Key Takeaways:
Read the full article:
Property Week- Mansion Tax- One of the most significant changes to housing market ‘in decades’
Conveyancers urged to be alert to cyberattacks after ‘sophisticated scam attempt’
At RSL LAW, we take client security as seriously as we take property transactions. As featured in Estate Agent Today, cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks to target property buyers—and our clients were almost a victim of a £25,000 attempted fraud.
Key insights from the report:
Ian Boswell, our Director of Finance and Administration, explained how a client spotted a tiny discrepancy in a scam email that appeared to come from one of our solicitors, including real names and the genuine property address. Prompt action prevented the theft, and the firm immediately alerted the bank, police, and ICO.
Read the full article:
Conveyancers urged to be alert to cyberattacks after ‘sophisticated scam attempt’
RSL LAW continues to protect high-value property buyers, staying two steps ahead of cybercrime to ensure transactions remain secure.
