affordability

HSBC UK trims buy-to-let stress rates in bid to ease landlord affordability

HSBC UK has reduced its buy-to-let affordability stress rates for domestic landlords, a move...

First-time buyer numbers set to reach second-highest level in a decade

The number of people buying their first home is expected to rise sharply this...

2026 forecasts: More pessimism or will the housing market strengthen?

Throughout 2025 many in the housing industry, both lenders and builders cast serious doubt...

Westminster and London dominate list of most expensive areas for first-time buyers

A new study has identified where first-time buyers paid the highest prices for their...

Fixed rates dominate as first-time buyers drive activity in 2025

The UK mortgage market in 2025 was shaped by falling rates towards year-end, a...

Housing reforms set to reshape UK landscape in 2025

The UK housing market is entering one of its most reform-heavy periods in decades...

London house price worries? Keep Calm and Carry On

After months of febrile speculation and doom-laden predictions ahead of the autumn Budget, featuring...

London exodus slows as leavers stay closer to the capital

The pandemic-era rush out of London is firmly in retreat with new figures showing...

Improving mortgage choice and lower rates ease affordability pressures for homebuyers

Homebuyers entering the market this Christmas are benefiting from improved mortgage choice and lower...

Affordability issues likely to intensify until 2027, lenders warn

Mortgage affordability is expected to become a more pressing issue by 2027, according to...

First-time buyers spark busiest housing market for three years

First-time buyers are fuelling the busiest year for the housing market since 2022 with...

INDUSTRY REACTION: Bank rate cut passes by narrow margin

At its meeting ending on 17 December 2025, the Monetary Policy Committee voted by...

Rightmove forecasts modest house price rise in 2026

House prices are expected to rise modestly in 2026, with asking prices forecast to...

Falling swap rates lift funding outlook for property market

Falling swap rates are improving funding conditions for property borrowers and point to a...

COMMENT

Why the collapse of US auto finance lenders matters for UK mortgages

You might wonder why a car loans provider across the Atlantic has anything to do with UK mortgages – on the face of it,...

There’s no room for complacency, it’s time for collaboration

Last year the government announced a proposal to reform the home-buying system in a bid to speed up the property transaction process, cut costs...

Lenders that adapt to customer and broker needs will be the winners

For UK mortgage brokers, the choice of lender partner has never been more important. In a market shaped by fluctuating rates, evolving regulation and increasing...

First-time landlords and first-time buyers are still entering the market

Despite the upheaval, new entrants have not vanished. First-time landlords are still active and, according to Hamptons, millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are...

36 more pay cheques before you’re made redundant

Imagine getting that email in your inbox first thing this morning! I tell you what: for the sake of another thought-provoking, rib-jabbing article, let's pretend...

Latest news

Refurbishment bill to lift England’s rental homes to EPC C put at £19.9bn

Landlords across England face a refurbishment bill of almost £20bn to bring private rented...

Intergenerational gifting reaches record level among equity release customers

More retirees are using equity release to support family members and fund improvements that...

TPFG posts record year as financial services arm drives mortgage growth

The Property Franchise Group has reported a record year for FY25, with its Financial...

Property transactions stretch to 123 days

Property transactions in England and Wales are taking an average of 123 days from...

PROFILES