Crest Nicholson slashes housebuilding targets in ‘difficult’ summer September 3, 2026 Crest Nicholson has cut back its housebuilding and earnings targets as crunch talks with lenders drag on. The London-listed builder now expects to build up to 1,400 homes this year, compared to earlier forecasts of as many as 1,500. It expects to make an earnings loss of £10m, having previously guided to a profit of [...]
House prices remain sluggish in ‘subdued’ property market September 1, 2026 House prices continued their sluggish run in August, gaining just 0.2 per cent on the previous month, as uncertainty caused by the Iran war and the upcoming Budget in October weigh on the market. The average UK house price grew by 1.6 per cent to £275,465 in the year to August, marking a slight improvement [...]
Stealth taxes intensify London first time buyer struggle September 1, 2026 A raft of government stealth taxes is driving the London property market even further into unaffordability for first time buyers, fresh research has found. Freezes in tax bands and thresholds means the average home in the capital now accounts for an eye-watering 14.7 times average earnings after accounting for stamp duty, national insurance and income [...]
HMRC mansion tax inspectors to target homes for property valuations August 23, 2026 HMRC will send mansion tax inspectors to homes across the UK to determine whether homeowners should pay more tax under the new levy. The taxman will deploy valuation agents who will be able to demand entry to properties in order to assess whether they are worth over £2m and therefore fall under The High Value [...]
Burnham to hand mayors power to overrule local councils’ planning decisions August 23, 2026 Andy Burnham will give mayors across the UK new powers to overrule planning decisions made by local councils and to greenlight large-scale developments. The prime minister will unveil proposals this week to give regional mayors in 13 areas including Manchester, Liverpool, and the West Midlands, powers to take over planning decisions as well as direct [...]
‘Alice in Wonderland’ workspace firm lands £129m Aberdeen-backed finance August 20, 2026 A luxury workspace provider whose offices feature novelty themes like Alice in Wonderland and Monopoly has landed a £129m refinancing package. Office Space in Town (OSiT) has bagged a new debt package which includes around £72m in backing by leading asset manager Aberdeen, City AM has learned. OSiT operates 225,000 sq ft of flexible office [...]
House prices in wealthy London boroughs fall by up to £300,000 August 19, 2026 House prices in London’s most sought-after areas plummeted further in June, with the average price in some postcodes falling by nearly £300,000 year on year. London’s average house price slipped by 2.5 per cent to £554,000 in the year to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Though this was a softer fall [...]
New planning rules ‘could blight high streets with empty pubs’ August 18, 2026 Angela Rayner’s attempt to stop pubs being redeveloped into offices and housing could “blight high streets” with empty venues, property experts have warned. The housing secretary has unveiled reforms to planning rules which mean that developers can only turn a pub into housing or an office if there is no reasonable prospect that it can [...]
Luxury London property developer collapses as housing market slows August 17, 2026 A luxury London property developer has collapsed after running out of funds, as the capital’s prime housing sector faces growing pressure. London Richmond Ltd, which describes itself as a “boutique” developer focusing on the “finer areas” of the capital, has appointed administrators, City AM has learned. In the latest sign that London’s prime property market [...]
Winkworth delays legal drama for a month after family feud August 12, 2026 The family which runs City estate agent Winkworth has agreed to halt its legal spat for at least a month after chair Simon Agace and his wife tried to oust the company’s board, including Agace’s son. The AIM-listed company, run by chief executive Dominic Agace, launched legal proceedings against its chair last week after he [...]