Brand Spanking New or Old and Charming – Which Property Type Suits You?
Should you buy a new build home? Or would an older property suit you better? Here are a few things to bear in mind to help you decide.
What’s good about buying a new build?
Often, with a new home, you can specify exactly how you want it. You can choose the kitchen, bathroom, décor and carpets.
Everything is brand, spanking new. You shouldn’t have any maintenance or repair worries (or bills) for years.
Contemporary homes are designed to suit modern living. New build … Continue Reading…
The Pros and Cons of Owning Buy-to-Lets Through a Company
New figures show there are over 401,000 buy-to-let companies* in the UK – more than any other type of business. Let’s look at what landlords need to know about owning their property through a limited company.
Reasons to set up a limited company
Possible tax savings are the main reason some landlords opt to own property via a limited company.
Limited companies may reclaim the full amount of mortgage interest paid as an expense against tax. In comparison, a tax rule known as … Continue Reading…
April Market Update
As another month ends the housing market has been pretty non-eventful but buyer confidence appears to be improving as sales across the UK have increased compared to last year.
According to Rightmove data, 350,146 sales were agreed in the first 15 weeks of 2024, compared to 394,336 sales in the same period of 2025, an increase of 44,190 across the country. This upturn in sales shows confidence is being slowly restored.
Across the UK, 21,206 prices were reduced in the first 15 … Continue Reading…
Should You Renovate Before Listing Your Home?
If you’re considering selling your home, you may be wondering whether you should fix it up before it goes on the market. Here are the pros and cons to think about.
The pros
You could improve your home’s kerb appeal.
Your home will look good in the marketing photographs. Many buyers flick through online listings quickly, so it’s essential to catch their eye.
You may get more and better offers. (Perhaps because more people are persuaded to view your property.)
It could add value to … Continue Reading…
New Financial Sanctions Rules: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know
Strict new financial sanctions rules affecting many landlords and tenants apply as of May 2025. Here’s a quick heads-up on the changes.
What are the new financial sanctions rules?
Financial sanctions rules prevent certain people and organisations from doing business in the UK and enable their assets to be frozen. These include those suspected of terrorism, corruption or connected with certain foreign regimes.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, runs the sanctions system. They publish a list of … Continue Reading…
What Does the Rise in Office Working Mean for the Housing Market?
Many firms are pushing to get workers back to the office full-time. What will this mean for the property market?
Five years ago, a major shift in the property market was getting started.
Many people, forced to work from home (WFH) due to the pandemic, decided they wanted more living and garden space.
As a result, demand for larger, detached properties, often outside major cities, surged.
At the time, many thought this “race for space” was a permanent reshaping of the housing market.
But now, … Continue Reading…
53% of House Fires are Electrical – Urgent Advice for Landlords
A shocking 53.4%* of house fires are caused by electrical hazards, according to a new report from the electrical trade body NICEIC. Here’s what landlords must know about electrical safety in their property.
Landlords’ responsibilities for electrical safety
Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of the permanent wiring in their property. They’re also responsible for the electrical safety of any appliances they provide.
While landlords aren’t responsible for electrical appliances that belong to their tenants, they should be conscious of the safety … Continue Reading…
Should I Market My Current Home Before Hunting for a New One?
A question we’re often asked is: Do I need to have sold my house before I offer on another? The answer is no, but there can be good reasons to do so. Let’s explain.
As you might know, selling a home can take time. (No matter how great your estate agent is.) But most people want to move as quickly as possible.
So, if a seller has several offers on the table, they’ll often look more favourably on a buyer who is … Continue Reading…
Landlords, Don’t Stress: Follow These Five Buy-to-Let Rules Instead
Protect your investment and your health by following these stress-busting property management tips.
Being a landlord is a great way to earn income and build equity – but it’s a job that can be challenging sometimes.
While most tenancies run without a hitch, issues such as emergency repairs or tenant disputes can occasionally crop up.
And when problems occur, resolving them can be stressful and costly.
This prompts the question: is it possible to future-proof your buy-to-let portfolio?
Is there a way to enjoy the … Continue Reading…
Quarterly Update: News from the Property Market
What’s happening in the housing market, and what’s on the horizon for the rest of 2025? Let’s look at the latest property news.
Base rate decision
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee took a steady-as-she-goes approach to interest rates when it met last month.
The committee held the base rate at 4.5%. Bank Governor Andrew Bailey said he still thinks “interest rates are on a gradually declining path”.
Good news on the mortgage front
While there was no movement on the base rate, there … Continue Reading…