How the main political parties plan to help renters November 27, 2019 Wherever you stand on the recent debate about landlords putting thermostats in cages, many of us can agree that the rental system needs improving. This has become increasingly apparent as the number of people living in private rented accommodation has grown, doubling in the past three decades. Fortunately (and perhaps unsurprisingly), the main political parties [...]
London house prices finally show ‘signs of life’ in one per cent October rise November 27, 2019 London house prices started to show “signs of life” last month due to renewed buyer demand and a shortage of property coming to the market. House prices in the capital grew one per cent year on year in October following a period of year-on-year price falls. In October 2018 London house prices dropped 1.1 per [...]
What are mini-bonds? Everything you need to know about the products hit by the FCA’s marketing ban November 26, 2019 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) today announced it is using its special powers to ban the marketing of some unregulated mini-bonds to individual investors. Mini-bonds have come under scrutiny since the collapse of lender London Capital & Finance (LCF) earlier this year, but what exactly are the controversial investment products, and what has the FCA [...]
FTSE 250 hits highest level in 15 months as Conservatives maintain poll lead November 26, 2019 The FTSE 250 nudged up 0.2 per cent this morning to 20,740, reaching its highest level since August 2018. The London index rose on the back of growing investor confidence that the Conservatives will win December’s General Election, after polls showed the party had maintained a healthy lead over Labour. Russ Mould, investment director at [...]
Pump priming: How the shale gas revolution has transformed the US energy industry November 26, 2019 At KD’s Bar-B-Q in Midland, Texas, one can see first hand that the energy boom is still alive and well. Oil service workers, property developers, and financiers stand in a line that snakes out onto the street to order its fabled tri-tip steaks and ribs. In less than a decade, a boom in the country’s [...]
Intu sells retail park to New River REIT for £40m November 25, 2019 Retail landlord Intu has sold a Northern Ireland retail park to property investment trust New River REIT for £40m. The sale of Sprucefield Retail Park in Lisburn brings Intu’s year-to-date disposals total to £268m, as the shopping centre operator aims to fix its balance sheet. Read more: New River REIT swings to a loss on [...]
Shoe retailer Clarks calls in consultants amid store closure fears November 24, 2019 Struggling footwear retailer Clarks has called in management consultants to conduct a review of the business. The family-owned business, which this month reported an £82.9m loss after tax for last year, has reportedly hired McKinsey & Co as it plots a restructuring plan amid fears of store closures. Read more: Taking the shine off: Clarks [...]
General Election 2019: Labour pledges 20 per cent property tax for foreign buyers November 23, 2019 Labour has pledged to put an extra 20 per cent levy on foreign companies buying property in the UK. The party has said it would charge firms and trusts from abroad looking to buy properties an additional 20 per cent on top of existing stamp duties and surcharges. Read more: General Election 2019: Jeremy Corbyn [...]
Property focus on Sloane Square: This 1980s hotspot is experiencing a revival November 22, 2019 It may be famed for being the social epicentre for the young and blue-blooded in the 1980s, having lent its name to the Sloane Ranger set which included Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson. But the area around Sloane Square is now getting a modern makeover – and vying with other parts of Chelsea and Mayfair [...]
General Election 2019: Tories to up stamp duty for non-UK residents November 22, 2019 Foreign residents will be slapped with a higher rate of stamp duty than UK home-owners under a Conservative government, as part of efforts to tackle the country’s housing crisis. A three per cent surcharge will be levied on companies as well as individuals buying property who are not UK tax residents, the Tories will announce [...]