UK Government Considers Residential Property Investment for SIPPs

22 March, 2013

In proposals outlined in the Budget on 20 March 2013, the UK Government announced that it will be looking at whether pension schemes (like Self Invested Personal Pensions) should be allowed to invest in residential property made from converted commercial property.

The Budget documents say that the UK Government will explore “whether the conversion of unused space in commercial properties in high streets and town centres to residential use could be encouraged by amending the Investment Regulated Pensions Schemes Rules”. Residential property was not included in the list of permitted assets for investment under rules issued in April 2006, after originally being considered by the Government for inclusion.