The market for rental properties is continuing to grow and monthly rent on newly let properties is still increasing on average. Across the country rents rose by 11% year on year in April and since we went into lockdown, rents have increased by 25% with strongest growth, unsurprisingly, in London. With rents on the open market rising quickly, tenants will face the choice of st...

House prices are the hot topic everywhere at the moment and there is a mixed picture of the value of our homes in the UK. Last month Halifax said that prices were unexpectedly up by 1.6% annually whilst another survey from Nationwide claimed that they had fallen 3.1% which is the biggest fall in 14 years. All of this makes it hard to decipher what exactly is going on for hous...

Holiday lets rules are set to change according to new government consultation. The new rules are aimed at giving communities greater control over short-term lets in tourist hotspots whilst also strengthening the tourism sector. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will propose to introduce planning permission for existing homes being used as short term let...

As the echoes from the turbulence of the chaos caused by the mini budget of last September are starting to fade, we are noticing that the market is now finding its balance.The mini budget of 23 September 2022 that heralded £45bn of unfunded tax cuts threw the markets into turmoil, saw the value of the pound plummet and the cost of borrowing and mortgage interest rates soa...

As Bywater Herring are putting together the yearly plans, we’ve been looking at how we can benefit the community of Irthlingborough. Karen and Sue give their free time every month to being members of the IGrow (Irthlingborough Events) team and actively support the events that are held throughout the year in the town. Being based on the High Street in Irthlingborough, we...

According to Rightmove, the property listings site, house prices have lifted in January. The biggest New Year increase since 2020. This is despite prospective buyers falling by a third compared to this time last year.Traditionally there is a general lull in house buying between December and March. And with snow and subzero temperatures forecast for this week. It's only the most...

As we all start to get back into a routine and the New Year Resolutions still fresh with Veganuary, Dry January and a commitment to eat better and exercise more as well as be kinder, happier, more positive, the news is full of house price predictions (as well as Meghan and Harry!). Halifax have released their latest House Price Index showing that annual growth has slowed t...

People who managed to secure low rate mortgage offers are keen to complete their transaction before their offer expires. This has led to a rise in confidence that they will complete the purchase of thei property wihin three months, particularly in Wales, the South East and East Midlands.According to OnTheMarket:74% of active buyers in the UK were confident of completing within...

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed that Stamp Duty cuts will remain in place until March 2025.Expectations are that the housing market will slow so this incentive is remaining in place for now to support the housing market and protect jobs by keeping the market moving and benefiting the economy.HM Treasury tweeted:  "This is to help the jobs & firms that rely on the...

Michael Gove made a rather surprising return to the cabinet in Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle. Just two months after announcing plans to quit politics.Gove returns to cabinet as the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary. The post Boris Johnson sacked him from in early July.The move comes after Rishi Sunak stressed his commitment to the troubled levelling up agenda.Gove...

We're on hand to help support them through all the changes and disruptions the market throws their way. What are you putting in place to support our rental properties?An award-winning Rent Protection and Legal Expenses product can help landlords.·You still get paid rent - keeping your income flowing - with payouts until vacant possession·You have an easy time of i...

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (Reduction) Bill 2022-23 has been introduced. And has gone through its first and second readings in the House of Commons.The Bill has so far survived Liz Truss’ mini budget. But some are now questioning whether it will survive Rishi Sunak’s coronation as Tory leader.If successful, it will mean that an estimated 43% of transactions each year w...

It's been a rollercoaster of a ride over the last couple of months for everyone, interest rates rising, property prices falling, new Prime Ministers and mortgages being withdrawn.Things have calmed down since Rishi Sunak took office and now the mortgage lenders are starting to be more competitive again which means lower interest rates and better deals for borrowers.At Bywater H...