Residential property

Our market leading Residential Property team acts for clients on all aspects of their property requirements. Our emphasis is on providing a client-focused service giving practical, relevant and technically accurate advice.

We are experienced in dealing with all aspects of residential property including:

  • leases with and without a share of freehold
  • freehold family homes
  • investment property
  • leasehold or freehold property being bought off plan and new builds.
  • landlord and tenant matters
  • block and estate management
  • mixed use buildings
  • enfranchisement – lease extensions, collective enfranchisement claims and the tenants right of first refusal.

Our expertise also covers the development, marketing and subsequent sales of central London residential assets. Built over many years and as a result of our long-term involvement in high value and high profile schemes in Central London and in prime areas across the UK, we have established relationships with the key property agents. We are skilled at adapting to various tax criteria for both developers and sophisticated buyers – often non-resident – while also being highly experienced in applying our enfranchisement expertise to draft creatively around the terms of the relevant legislation.

Our team has developed an expertise on the interaction between the many commercial and residential elements of all schemes, understanding the legal and asset management issues involved.

As part of a firm with experts in Construction, Property Litigation, Tax, Property Finance and Planning teams, we are able to provide our clients with seamless advice on any matter arising from their property requirements.

View our Residential Conveyancing Pricing Information

Forsters' Residential Property team is top ranked in the latest editions of The Chambers HNW Guide and The Legal 500. The team were named 'Residential Property Team of the Year' at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2022.

Forsters' Residential Property team is top ranked in the Legal 500 2022Forsters' Residential Property team wins Chambers HNW 2022


Moving to the UK - Everything you need to know

Moving to the UK is an exciting life event whether it be a short-term move for work to explore business prospects or a more permanent relocation with the whole family; the UK offers an eclectic range of options to live, work and learn, from the cityscapes of London to vineyards in the English countryside and historic university towns in-between. Setting up life in a new country can feel daunting too and it can be difficult to know where to start.

Moving to the UK


SDLT cuts – what do they mean for me?

Following the Mini Budget delivered on 23 September 2022, residential Stamp Duty Land Tax rates have changed (again). Unlike Sunak’s “SDLT holiday of 2020-2021”, Kwarteng has confirmed that these cuts are permanent – a relief for the real estate sector at the prospect of no looming SDLT deadlines.

A luxury home living space


Buying and selling luxury residential property in a competitive market

The purchase or sale of a high value home requires expert legal advice to manage the complexities involved. Our lawyers are dedicated to sharing their knowledge to enable you to navigate the legal practicalities of buying and selling high value assets. We will support you through every stage of the process, and with the largest dedicated Residential Property team in London, we have the strength to do this. Visit our Hub to learn more.

Forsters' Luxury Residential Property Hub


Generation Now - Disrupting Perceptions

A Forsters podcast series that delves into the minds of some of today’s most ambitious and successful entrepreneurs. They have grown businesses that are disrupting the way we live, how we buy, and the way businesses are run. How have the life experiences of this generation informed their success and what can we learn from them?

Generation Now - Disrupting Perceptions


Moving House - To Do List

Moving house can be an inherently stressful process. The best way to ensure a smooth transaction is to be prepared with all papers and possible issues in advance, so these do not stall the process due to late discovery, and enabling your solicitor and agent to ensure all matters are properly addressed in advance. We have set out below a short checklist, which is not exhaustive, but should assist in initial preparations so that you can hit the ground running once a buyer is found.

A luxury home living space


A Guide for US Purchasers of UK Residential Property

When acquiring UK property, US purchasers should seek advice on the broader tax and legal implications. In this report, Forsters’ partners along with specialists in the industry, share their insights on the current UK market for US buyers and how best to navigate the specific risks for US-connected clients.

US and UK flags


A Guide to Buying Residential Property in England & Wales

Buying a residential property is usually one of the most significant investments a person makes in their lifetime and is generally viewed as a safe long term investment. An understanding of the process can help facilitate a smooth transaction and keep costs down.

A high-value home living room


London Garden Squares

Forsters is a specialist adviser to the committees and organisations which own or manage private garden squares in London. In 2004 Robert Barham was appointed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to provide external legal advice to the committees which run many private garden squares in the Borough. Since then, he has developed a unique and specialist knowledge in this unusual area of the law and has become a leading legal expert on the subject.

London Residential Property


The Life Cycle of Family Wealth

From growing a business to starting a family or handing over control of that business to the next generation, every individual has their own goals to aspire to. Our Private Wealth lawyers advise our clients throughout this family life cycle, providing the legal advice required for specific transactions such as purchasing a home or selling a business, whilst also advising on the long-term opportunities for succession and estate planning.

Forsters' Private Wealth - The Life Cycle of Family Wealth logo



Our Insights

"They are always very good to deal with. They are very professional but friendly and you can get on with them well, which helps the transaction run more smoothly."
Chambers UK Guide, 2024
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