Clifford Chance

New disclosure rules for foreign owners of UK land

17 March 2022

The UK has adopted new rules that will require overseas entities acquiring UK land to disclose their beneficial owners. The new rules will also require the disclosure of beneficial owners by overseas entities that own land in England or Wales that was acquired in the last 20 years. The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 15 March 2022 after being fast-tracked through the legislative process in response to the situation in Ukraine. Investors in and lenders to UK real estate will quickly need to consider how to comply with the new rules and to address the impact on transactions.

Download PDF