Annual house price growth edged higher in May

Annual rate of house price growth increased marginally in May to 3.5%, compared to 3.4% in April House prices were up 0.5% month on month House prices in predominantly rural areas have risen by 23% over the last five years, compared to 18% in more urban areas Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief…

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Why Rural House Prices Are Surging Faster Than Cities

Surge in country and seaside property values

New analysis from Open Property Group reveals that rural England is facing an affordability crunch, as house prices in the countryside outpace urban growth, despite lower average wages and higher living costs in remote areas. These shifting dynamics are challenging the long-standing assumption that rural life offers a more affordable and sustainable alternative to the…

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Liverpool home to the nation’s busiest estate agents

The latest research by eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents and estate agency businesses, has shown that the average agent is listing 26 properties in the current market, but it’s agents in Liverpool who are the busiest, listing an average of 46 properties per agent. eXp UK analysed current market data on the…

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Government to help SME builders

The Government has announced a package of proposals to directly help small and medium sized builders (SMEs) and they include a ‘Medium’ sized site definition to enable more proportionate planning requirements, streamlined planning for ‘Minor’ sized sites and more targeted support for access to land and finance. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation…

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The five MOST searched mortgage questions answered by a property expert

With terms including the word ‘mortgages’ generating over half-a-million Google searches a month (595k) in the UK alone, it’s clear that many prospective homeowners are still confused about how mortgages work, what they’re eligible for, and how to navigate a challenging market. To help provide clarity, Luke Williams, Specialist Property Advisor, at Pure Property Finance,…

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Nationwide report Rural rules the roost

Rural rules the roost as countryside homes plough ahead of urban properties for house price growth House prices in predominantly rural areas have risen by 23% over the last five years, compared to 18% in predominantly urban areas Rural terraced properties have seen the strongest rate of price growth, urban flats the weakest Commenting on…

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Inheritance Tax Receipts raise £0.8 billion in one month

Inheritance tax receipts hit £0.8 billion in April 2025 according to data released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this morning. This is £97 million higher than in April of the previous tax year, and continues an upward trend over the last two decades. With such a strong start to the new tax year, predictions that Inheritance tax…

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London rental market rebalances amid rising supply

Foxtons data shows There was a 5% increase in market supply in April, and a 9%, increase in market supply of new instructions year to date The average rent in April 2025 increased by 3% to stand at £589 per week April saw a 3% month-on-month reduction in applicant registrations, which goes against the trend…

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Record number of contacts for The Property Ombudsman

• 73,035 consumers contacted The Property Ombudsman in 2024 • 19,495 property businesses registered • £1.49 million awarded to consumers • 7,823 enquiries were related to tenant issues • 4,980 cases resolved by early resolution and formal investigation • 71% of cases resolved by formal investigation were found in favour of the consumer • 2,107…

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Appropriate rental homes disproportionate to growing number of older renters

Disabled and older renters in the UK’s Private Rented Sector face significant challenges finding and accessing suitable accommodation, says the industry body. Propertymark, the leading professional body for estate and letting agents, has highlighted an increasing concern in the private rented sector as the disparity in bungalows available to rent impacts the growing number of…

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Mortgage arrears and possessions Q1 2025

UK Finance today releases its latest mortgage arrears and possessions data for Q1 2025, while highlighting continuing lender support for any customers facing financial difficulty. Key information: The number of homeowner mortgages in arrears fell by two per cent in Q1 2025 compared to the previous quarter. The number of buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages in arrears…

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