The article reports a 17% rise in cyber attacks on the UK property services sector over the year to 31 December 2025, with property investor clients and the data held by agents and property managers identified as attractive targets. It highlights risks including ransomware, identity theft and payment diversion fraud, and notes that the sector may be behind other professional services in data security preparedness.
HMRC is reportedly increasing scrutiny of the property sector, with BCLP estimating up to £645m in additional tax under consideration for the largest property firms. The article says the focus is particularly on capital allowances and SDLT, alongside a higher rate of HMRC refusals to give pre-transaction tax clearance on certain matters.
Atom Bank has launched a Natural Capital lending product to support the creation and refinancing of Biodiversity Net Gain habitat banks in England. The initial funding has backed three sites that have generated BNG units registered with Natural England, with the article noting the wider applicability of BNG requirements across development types and the future extension to NSIPs in 2026.
The article says that global tensions and wider economic uncertainty have pushed swap rates higher, creating pressure for major lenders to reprice mortgage products. This points to the likelihood of mortgage rate increases in the near term.
The Bank of England’s latest Money and Credit report shows a July decline in both mortgage borrowing and mortgage approvals, with approvals falling below recent averages. Commentators cited mortgage pricing volatility, affordability pressures and higher fixed-rate costs as key factors weighing on activity, although remortgaging approvals were broadly stable.
The government is proposing changes to audit exemption rules that could remove the requirement for parent companies to guarantee subsidiaries’ debts. The aim is to reduce financial red tape for qualifying subsidiaries, although the article indicates this would alter a current condition for avoiding a separate audit.
HMRC has received £500,000 from the administration of Readie Construction, far less than the more than £8m originally owed. The report also indicates that unsecured creditors, including a large subcontractor debt, are still expected to receive nothing, with administration costs and failed intercompany recoveries further reducing returns.
