As winter settles in, Robinson & Hall has just released their Winter 2025 Newsletter, packed with expert insights, market updates, practical tips, and legislative news that every landowner, farmer, investor, and property professional should know heading into 2026.
Here’s a roundup of the most important takeaways – humanised for real-world decision-makers, whether you’re managing farmland, letting out a commercial unit, or just trying to keep your roof from leaking this winter.
Budget Breakdown for Landowners & Farmers
Let’s start with the big one: inheritance tax (IHT) changes. While the headlines focused on pensions and income tax tweaks, it’s the long-anticipated changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) that really matter for farmers.
Robinson & Hall breaks down what this means: From April 2026, farms worth more than £2.65 million will face new tax exposure. The good news? Spouses can now transfer the full £1 million APR/BPR allowance. The bad news? That won’t help larger estates or address the broader tax burden across assets, such as machinery or diversified businesses.
Key takeaway: Succession planning is no longer optional – it’s urgent.
Development Land: Reform-Driven Opportunities in 2026
One year into Labour’s planning reforms, the development land market is seeing fresh energy, but also challenges. With the target of 1.5 million new homes on the table, strategic landowners are being courted by a growing list of promoters. However, Robinson & Hall warn that the cheapest is rarely the best when it comes to promotion deals.
Meanwhile, the introduction of “grey belt” sites and plans for 12 new towns, including Tempsford in Bedfordshire, offers landowners rare opportunities – if they act early. With Tempsford being earmarked for 40,000 homes, and Universal Studios making headlines with plans nearby, the Oxford to Cambridge Arc is heating up fast.
The Farmland Market: Resilient, But Changing
Even with rising costs, soggy seasons, and a bit of political uncertainty in the air, farmland prices are holding their ground. Robinson & Hall say prime arable land is still going for between £12,000 and £14,000 an acre – mostly thanks to rollover buyers and a tight supply. That said, 2026 might shake things up a bit, as more farmers start looking at the tax changes and thinking seriously about succession planning.
Key trend to watch: Increasing interest in land for natural capital and carbon offsetting purposes.
Diversification & Commercial Rentals: Rethink and Reboot
For farmers considering diversification, it’s not just about having an idea – it’s about doing it right. A detailed feasibility study and early planning consultation are a must, especially with inconsistencies in locall policies.
Meanwhile, for commercial landlords, a practical guide outlines how to maximise lettings – everything from refurb strategy to understanding lease obligations. Case studies demonstrate how minor upgrades, such as installing a new kitchenette or lighting, can significantly increase demand and expedite lettings.
Residential Lettings: Renters’ Rights Bill Becomes Law
It’s official: the Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent in October 2025, and changes are coming fast. From May 2026, expect:
- No more Section 21 evictions
- Fixed-term tenancies replaced by rolling ones
- Rent bidding wars banned
- Landlords required to accept pets (within reason)
- A new national landlord database is going live in autumn 2026
Robinson & Hall highlight the growing need for professional letting support, especially as local councils are handed tougher enforcement powers.
Practical Tips: Winter Maintenance and Insurance Help
From fixing slipped tiles to insulating outdoor taps, the newsletter offers timely advice for winter property maintenance. There’s even a reminder to bleed your radiators and lag your pipes, because a burst pipe is the last thing anyone needs during the holidays.
If disaster does strike, their insurance article offers peace of mind: you can appoint your own surveyor to manage repair works at no extra cost – something most people don’t realise.
Auction Success Stories and TV Spotlight
Robinson & Hall’s auction team had a record year, with an 85.4% success rate, headline sales, and a standout moment: a small plot of self-seeded woodland selling for 16 times its guide price. Better still, they’ve just filmed for a new Channel 4 property show hosted by Sarah Beeny, due to air in the spring.
Final Word
From strategic planning and inheritance tax changes to hands-on letting advice and auction wins, the Winter 2025 Newsletter from Robinson & Hall is essential reading for anyone involved in land, property, or rural business.
Want to stay ahead in 2026? Don’t just read the newsletter – act on it.
