The Top 10 UK Residential Investment Hotspots
Edinburgh has once again secured the top spot in Colliers’ latest Top UK Residential Investment Cities report, marking its third consecutive first-place ranking. The Scottish capital continues to lead the UK housing market, reinforcing its reputation as a prime destination for residential investors. The latest edition of the bi-annual report saw little change among the […]
Consumer Groups Demand Government Action on Spray Foam Insulation Crisis
A growing number of UK homeowners are facing difficulties selling their properties due to the presence of spray foam insulation, prompting a consumer group and a property trade body to call for urgent government intervention. The HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) has partnered with the Property Care Association (PCA) to raise concerns over the controversial insulation material, […]
Tenants Staying Longer as Buy-to-Let Market Sees Reduced Turnover
Buy-to-let landlords have reason to celebrate as new research reveals that tenants are staying in their rental properties for longer than ever before, reducing costly turnover and ensuring a steadier income stream. According to a study by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), tenants now remain in their rental homes for an average of 910 days—approximately […]
Generation Rent Calls for Rent Caps in England
Tenant advocacy group Generation Rent has renewed calls for the introduction of rent controls in England, arguing that limiting rent increases is a “common sense” measure to protect tenants from soaring housing costs. The campaign group is urging the government to follow Scotland’s lead by implementing rent caps to prevent landlords from imposing unchecked increases. […]
Stamp Duty on Buy-to-Let Properties: What Landlords Need to Know
Stamp duty, formally known as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), applies to property purchases across the UK, though rates vary depending on location and property type. For buy-to-let properties, landlords face an additional surcharge, which differs by region and property value. Higher Rates for Buy-to-Let Properties in England and Northern Ireland Landlords in England and […]
Rental Market Faces Supply Shortage as Demand Stalls, RICS Reports
The rental market is experiencing stagnation in tenant demand, while the supply of available rental properties continues to decline, according to the latest residential survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The ongoing imbalance between housing availability and tenant interest is expected to drive rental prices even higher in the coming months. Rents […]
Mortgage Applications Surge Ahead of Stamp Duty Changes
Santander UK has reported a sharp rise in mortgage applications, with a 130% increase in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The surge comes as homebuyers rush to take advantage of the Government’s stamp duty holiday before new thresholds take effect on April 1, 2025. With the bank estimating […]
New Tenancies in England and Wales at Lowest Level in Eight Years
The number of new tenancies in England and Wales has fallen to its lowest level in eight years, according to a new report by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS). The DPS’ Private Sector Rental Review analysed data from the three Government-approved tenancy deposit schemes and revealed a significant decline in new deposits registered by landlords. […]
Miliband Meets Activists Amid Controversial EPC Clampdown on Landlords
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has thrown his weight behind a controversial government initiative to enforce stricter energy efficiency standards on private landlords, meeting with campaigners from Generation Rent to discuss the impact on tenants. Miliband took to social media to highlight the issue, posting on X: “Today I heard testimonies from renters @genrentuk, who have […]
Landlord Reforms at Risk Without Stronger Enforcement, NRLA Warns
As the House of Lords prepares to scrutinize the Renters’ Rights Bill, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a stark warning: reforms to the private rented sector will fail without a robust strategy to clamp down on rogue landlords. The proposed legislation includes sweeping changes designed to improve housing conditions, such as introducing […]