Economy

Nationwide expects steady house price growth in 2026 as affordability pressures ease

Housing market activity proved more resilient than many expected in 2025, despite subdued consumer...

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...

Crackdown on wrongly claimed Covid loans

Brokers, businesses and sole traders who wrongly claimed Covid-era financial support have been warned...

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...

Two-thirds of landlords plan to expand portfolios

Two-thirds of landlords are planning some form of growth activity in the year ahead...

2026 forecasts: St. James’s Place

Four senior figures at St. James’s Place outline themes, opportunities and concerns for 2026. JUSTIN...

Affordability issues likely to intensify until 2027, lenders warn

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

Rising house prices ‘pay for Christmas’ for most homeowners

Most UK homeowners have seen their property rise in value by more than the...

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

We need to wait to get a clearer picture

It's been a week where the political and economic backdrop has moved almost as fast as rates themselves, and it's worth taking stock of...

Leasehold valuation reform: the consultation is asking only half the question

The Government's consultation on leasehold enfranchisement valuation rates is important because it will help determine what leaseholders pay to extend leases or buy freeholds,...

What commonhold will mean for mortgage lenders and brokers

Commonhold is often presented as the straightforward alternative to leasehold. It removes the freeholder, gives flat owners greater control and avoids some familiar problems...

Why you need to know what sits behind the average review score

There’s a funny thing about review scores. The better they are, the less likely we are to question them. If a company is sitting at...

The new Chancellor wants to remove barriers to growth; he should start with housing

There was probably a degree of unintended irony in the Treasury choosing to call the Chancellor, John Healey’s, first major market ‘intervention’ his ‘Growth...

Latest news

MAB revenue rises as refinancing drives mortgage completions

Mortgage Advice Bureau reported an 8.6% increase in first-half revenue to £161.0m as higher...

FCA warns consumers over pressure tactics in debt advice market

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned consumers to be alert to firms using pressure...

Landlords adapt portfolios as Renters’ Rights Act beds in

Landlords are adjusting their operating models to the Renters' Rights Act rather than retreating...

Chetwood Bank takes Tower 42 office as balance sheet reaches £7bn

Chetwood Bank has opened a new London office in Tower 42 as it expands...

PROFILES