Legal Insight from O’Hara Solicitors & Estate Agents

The Autumn Budget is always a moment that shapes financial decisions for years to come. This year’s update introduced several changes that affect homeowners, buyers, landlords, families, business owners, and individuals planning their future.
As a combined legal and property firm, we look at the Budget through a wider lens, not just how it affects a single transaction, but how it impacts your long-term plans, your family, and the legacy you want to build.

Below is a clear, practical breakdown of what the Autumn Budget means across key areas of law and how you can prepare.

Conveyancing & Property: What Buyers, Sellers and Landlords Need to Know

Several announcements directly influence the property market:

• A rise in property-related income tax from April 2027 means rental income will be taxed more heavily.

• A new surcharge for high-value homes (the “mansion tax”) from April 2028 affects properties over £2 million.

• Ongoing freezes to tax thresholds mean homeowners may feel pressure on affordability.

What this means for you:

• Buyers and sellers may see shifts in demand, especially at the higher end of the market.

• Landlords should review the long-term viability of rental portfolios.

• Anyone planning to buy or sell over the next year should consider strategy, timing and financing early.

Our conveyancing team can help you understand how the Budget may influence your move, your property investments and your future plans.

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning: A Crucial Time to Review Your Affairs

With changes to how income, savings and property gains are taxed, many people should revisit their long-term plans.
Even small adjustments in tax law can impact:

• the effectiveness of existing Wills

• the value of estates

• decisions around gifting

• whether trusts or alternative structures may now be more suitable

A Will drafted several years ago may no longer reflect the most efficient or protective strategy.

Now is an excellent time to:

• review your Will

• consider updating Lasting Powers of Attorney

• explore estate-planning tools that offer stability and tax efficiency

We can guide you through the options so your plans remain secure and future-proof.

Probate: What Executors Should Expect

Budget changes can affect probate administration, especially where:

• the estate includes rental properties

• assets generate income during administration

• tax on savings or investments shifts

• decisions around selling property may change based on market timing

Executors may benefit from early professional advice to avoid unexpected liabilities or delays.

Family Law: How the Budget Influences Financial Settlements

While not directly aimed at family law, financial shifts always flow into:

• maintenance and child support affordability

• decisions about whether one parent can keep the family home

• variations of existing financial orders

• overall affordability during separation

If a client’s income changes due to tax adjustments or cost-of-living pressures, it may influence negotiations or long-term planning after a separation.

Our family law team helps clients understand their position clearly so they can make decisions with confidence, not uncertainty.

Employment Law: Impact on Businesses and Staff

Budget changes around income tax, thresholds and business taxation often lead employers to revisit:

• staffing plans

• remuneration and bonus structures

• pension contributions

• staff benefits

• workforce budgeting for the year ahead

Employees may see practical changes in net pay or workplace policies, and businesses may require guidance on compliance or restructuring.

Commercial Property & Business Law: A Shift in Long-Term Strategy

For business owners, landlords, developers and investors, the Budget affects:

• investment incentives

• available reliefs

• business rates

• profitability of commercial property

• corporate structuring decisions

These changes often influence whether a business expands, sells, restructures, or reinvests. Early legal advice protects businesses from making reactive decisions that create long-term challenges.

Looking Ahead: Planning with Clarity, Not Pressure

Budgets often create a sense of uncertainty – but they can also be an opportunity to reassess, realign and strengthen your plans.
Whether you’re buying a home, managing a rental portfolio, supporting family during a separation, running a business, or planning your will, the key is understanding how the wider landscape affects your goals.

At O’Hara, we bring together property, private client, commercial and family expertise because life doesn’t happen in neat, separate boxes. Your home, your finances, your relationships and your future all connect, and your legal advice should reflect that.

If you’d like tailored advice on how the Autumn Budget affects you, we’re here to help.

From conveyancing and estate planning to family and business matters, our team can help you plan with confidence and stay one step ahead.