How likely are property tax reforms in the Autumn budget? September 3, 2025 Rumours have been swirling in Westminster about a variety of property tax changes Rachel Reeves might introduce in this Autumn’s budget – or further down the line – in an attempt to plug a £40bn gap in the nation’s finances while overhauling a complex system of levies and charges. The Treasury is reportedly looking into [...]
Mortgage approvals rise for third month in a row September 1, 2025 Mortgage approvals for house purchases edged up in July, the third month in a row that has seen a rise, official data has shown. Money and credit statistics published by the Bank of England showed the housing market remains intact despite fears it might slump ahead of the Autumn Budget. The rise in approvals came [...]
UAE buyers swoop on cheap London prime property August 26, 2025 Wealthy buyers from the UAE are swooping on prime properties in central London, according to new data. UAE nationals accounted for three per cent of overseas buyers in prime central London in the year to July, up from 0.6 per cent the previous year, according to Knight Frank. “The uptick in interest from the Middle [...]
Facing low pay and rising rents, a quarter of young Brits weigh UK exit July 29, 2025 Over a quarter of young Brits are considering leaving the UK to escape the country’s stuttering economy and unaffordable housing market. As many as 28 per cent of 18-30 year-olds are either planning to quit the UK or have seriously considered emigrating, according to a poll from free-market think tank the Adam Smith Institute (ASI). [...]
Soaring stamp duty costs dampen house price growth July 29, 2025 Housing market activity has surged but price growth has slowed as high costs bite into buyers’ budgets. Buyer demand rose 11 per cent and agreed sales rose eight per cent year on year but house prices grew by just 1.3 per cent, according to Zoopla’s latest house price index. Higher stamp duty costs now impact [...]
House prices ‘continue to surprise’ as average property value ticks up in May July 16, 2025 UK house prices rose again in May, bucking predictions of a slowdown in the market after stamp duty relief was axed earlier this year. The average price for a UK property reached £269,000 in May, up 3.9 per cent year on year and 1.1 per cent month on month. The bulk of this increase was [...]
UK housing market faces ‘considerable upheaval’ as sellers lose confidence July 7, 2025 Estate agents have warned that a turbulent global economy and changes to stamp duty have caused upheaval in the housing market after prices flatlined in June. UK house prices were stagnant in June, according to the latest data from Halifax, after a 0.3 per cent drop from April to May. “Today’s news suggests that house [...]
Lords blast Renters’ Rights Bill: ‘The government is not listening’ July 2, 2025 Peers in the House of Lords have clashed with the goverment’s Renters Right Bill, arguing that the Commons hasn’t listened to their concerns about fixed-term contracts, student housing or holiday lets. The bill, which aims to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants, began its third reading in the House of Lords on July 1. [...]
Landlords pick Manchester over London for higher returns June 30, 2025 Manchester has surpassed London in terms of the best yields for landlords, despite the former having a much lower average rent. London ranked fifth in a survey of rental yields, with the average annual return on investment in the capital at just 2.25 per cent, versus 4.21 per cent in Manchester, according to specialist property litigation [...]
Crest Nicholson: Profit triples as housing market recovers June 12, 2025 Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has reaffirmed its annual guidance as it reported a jump in half-year profit. The London-listed firm said adjusted pre-tax profit more than tripled to £7.9m in the six months ended 30 April. On a statutory basis, the company swung to a £9.4m profit after posting losses of £30.9m in 2024. Revenue declined [...]