House affordability offers first time buyers boost but Londoners lag behind Property Improved house affordability has sparked an uptick in first time buyer activity over the last year, but those on lower incomes remain shut out of the housing market. Affordability constraints eased slightly, due to declining mortgage rates and wage growth surpassing house price growth, bolstering buyer demand, particularly among those taking the first step onto [...]
Labour policy is making it harder to sell a flat in London Opinion Lowering the threshold for Stamp Duty and locking out first-time buyers at the same time as introducing legislation that makes it economically nonviable to be a landlord has led to a glut of London flats on the market, says Simon Gerrard Londoners were the most likely to have lost money when selling their property in [...]
Labour talked big, but London housing starts are worst since WW2 Opinion Labour may have talked big on housing and planning reform, but the figures don't lie, writes Emma Revell.
House prices expected to rise in 2026 after December dip January 8, 2026 UK house prices slipped slightly in December, as affordability issues and the fallout from the Autumn Budget dampened buyer appetite, but industry figures expect the market to pick up in 2026. House prices fell 0.6 per cent in the final month of 2025, bringing prices down by a further £1,789, following a 0.1 per cent [...]
Housing market ended 2025 on ‘softer note’ after ‘resilient’ year January 2, 2026 The UK housing market rounded off 2025 on a softer note after remaining “resilient” through a volatile year, according to Nationwide’s latest house price index. Annual house price growth slowed to 0.6 per cent in December from 1.8 per cent in November, with a 0.4 per cent fall in prices. This took the average UK [...]
What does 2026 hold for London property owners? January 2, 2026 Ordinary London home owners are set to be hammered by Rachel Reeves’ Mansion Tax and skyrocketing council tax. But the capital will prove resilient, says James Evans It’s going to be an interesting year ahead for the capital’s property owners and how they deal with the fallout from the Budget. Central to this is how London [...]
House prices plunge around London with Brighton, Crawley hit hardest December 30, 2025 Patches of London’s ‘stockbroker belt’ suffered the most significant decline in house prices this year, as both the capital and the South East fell behind northern regions. The West Sussex town of Crawley suffered an 8.9 per cent drop of £36,317, while High Wycombe saw a 7.4 per cent drop, with £34,994 wiped off house [...]
To solve London’s housing crisis, don’t built tall, build beautiful December 22, 2025 What two strategies does Maida Hill use to achieve its high residential density? Maida Hill is a small, west London residential enclave just west of Maida Vale. It primarily comprises low and mid-rise terraces and townhouses nestling amongst leafy, tree-lined streets. And yet, according to data from the last census, not only does Maida Hill [...]
London house prices slump following Budget chaos December 17, 2025 London house prices have fallen by more than two per cent year on year, as Budget chaos took its toll on a volatile housing market. The average house price in London for October was £547,000, down 2.4 per cent from the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Property experts said this [...]
FCA to ‘rebalance’ risk in mortgage market in first time buyer boost December 15, 2025 The UK’s financial watchdog is planning a major overhaul of mortgage market rules in a bid to support more Brits getting on the housing ladder. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it aims to “rebalance risk” in the market to encourage innovation and allow a greater number of people to get access to finance. “Rebalancing [...]