There was a total of £67.5 billion invested in UK commercial real estate in 2015, a figure which was down 5% compared to the £70.7 billion in 2014. Nevertheless, last year is still the second strongest performing year on record, and a massive 46 percent above the 10-year average.

The professional body Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), implemented new International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS) for offices on the 1st January 2016, with the aim to remove inconsistencies in measurements of property across the globe.

With recent flooding problems within the UK, it is important for both owners and occupiers of commercial property to truly understand the long term effects.

London’s office market is booming. There is currently over 11 million sq. ft. under development across the capital, in addition to more stock that is due to become available over the next 12-18 months, arriving at a pivotal time where demand is far outweighing supply. Sub markets are seeing record levels in terms of both vacancy rates with sub 3% across most of the capital, and rental levels with 200 Aldersgate in Farringdon recently letting floors at over £80 per sq. ft. 

There are five main methods used when conducting a property evaluation; the comparison, profits, residual, contractors and that of the investment. A property valuer can use one of more of these methods when calculating the market or rental value of a property. The most prominent and preferred method to use is the comparison methods, as it’s directly linked to current market transactions.

New data from 2015 shows that serviced offices currently take up over 5 million sq. ft. of space across central London. As serviced office providers offer solutions to the numerous problems that tenants experience on the commercial property market, a market which is based on regulations created by landlords, these short term options for tenants are constantly increasing in popularity.

Commercial property and real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield announced its successful merger with DTZ in September 1st 2015, a union which allows Cushman to operate in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Investment firm Ashby Capital has recently fully let its 200 Aldersgate scheme in Farringdon, with some rents exceeding the £80 per sq. ft. mark. Many deals made as of late have seen record levels of rent in the area, with a range of tenants taking space in the building over the last months; Ford Motor Company took space on an upper floor for £66 per sq. ft., and Jampur Group attained the 16th floor for a hefty £81.50 per sq. ft. The recent deals, all in line with Ashby Capital’s business plan, seek to improve rents in the property.

The fallen property tycoon Simon Halabi, whose worth was estimated to be £3 billion in 2007, was declared bankrupt in 2010. Before declaring bankruptcy, Mr Habibi tried to improve his financial situation and raise capital by selling his property portfolio (worth approximately £1bn). Part of the sales included the Aviva Tower, later renamed 1 Undershaft, which was sold to Aroland Holdings for circa £200 million. The building is the newest skyscraper hoping to grace London’s skyline.

Great Portland Estates are a FTSE250 Central London property development and investment company owning more than £3.6 billion worth of real estate. Most of their properties are located in the West End with £1,981.5 million worth of assets situated in Fitzrovia, just north of Oxford Street. The company recently announced that it has simultaneously made two deals with Deka – Immobilien Europa, for a total worth of £335 million.