Housing market ‘still in grip’ of Iran war slump May 14, 2026 The UK housing market is “still in the grip” of an Iran war slump as higher mortgage rates and inflation fears weigh on buyer and seller demand. Brits are still holding back on buying homes as average house prices slip further, a market survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed. The [...]
Londoners wait far longer to sell homes as stamp duty weighs on confidence April 29, 2026 The wait for a London house sale is six days longer now than last year, as the capital sees the “greatest impact” from stamp duty and the Iran war’s hit to property confidence. The average time it takes for a house in the capital to be snapped up once it is listed on the market [...]
London’s unlikeliest tech hub? The Ideal Home Show April 15, 2026 Think the Ideal Home Show is for fuddy duddies? We've been at the cutting edge of tech for 118 years, writes director Giles Perry.
Help to buy scheme had ‘limited impact on social mobility’ April 15, 2026 Previous help-to-buy schemes did little to improve social mobility and mainly benefited high earners, the government has been warned, as it mulls reviving the programme. Help-to-buy, which offered equity loans to first-time buyers, had a “limited impact on social mobility,” the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said. The government is reportedly considering revising help-to-buy, [...]
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Names Jessica Kirby Country Manager, UK, and Chris Nixon Head of Executive & Professional Lines, UK April 14, 2026 Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) today announced the promotion of Jessica Kirby to Country Manager, UK, subject to regulatory approval. She succeeds Nick Major, who is retiring from the company and the London Market. “Jess has been instrumental in building our Executive & Professional Lines business and bringing the full value of BHSI’s tailored solutions, [...]
Mansion tax to hit 165,000 homeowners April 3, 2026 The mansion tax is expected to hit 165,000 homeowners in its first year, more than the 120,000 that was previously thought. The levy will hit 45,000 more properties than had been initially forecast, according to the fiscal watchdog, and thousands could successfully appeal the tax. The mansion tax, introduced at last year’s Budget, will not [...]
Los Angeles Study Shows Families Can Cut Water Use While Making Everyday Life Easier March 20, 2026 First-of-its-kind innovative home concept combines superior products and efficient design that simplifies routines, bringing indoor water use to less than half the LA average and reducing utility costs
London luxury property market extends slump as Iran war knocks confidence March 19, 2026 London’s luxury property market continued its slump in February as market confidence took a hit from the Iran war just as it began to recover from last year’s Budget. There were 31 per cent fewer sales for prime properties – which defines those in the top five per cent of the market – this February [...]
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Launches Surety Capabilities in Ireland, Names Sean Mulvey to Lead the Effort March 16, 2026 Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) today announced that it is entering the surety market in Ireland and has appointed Sean Mulvey to lead the new product line as Head of Surety. “As we continue to expand our capabilities in Ireland, we are excited to provide surety bonding solutions to leading construction firms for major national [...]
The Capitalist: Lloyds teases wannabe buyers with ‘homebuying tasting menu’ March 12, 2026 Lloyds launches a dining special, private jets welcome puppies on board and City AM takes home gold; catch up on the latest City gossip.