BREAKING NEWS – top 5 stories 22/06/2021

Estate Agent Networking Breaking News

IS AIRBNB KILLING THE PRIVATE TENTAL SECTOR

According to a report in the Guardian recently, they found that though there were only 62 properties in the Cornwall are listed on Rightmove for rent, Airbnb by contrast had over 10,000 listings for accommodation in the same area.

So two things at play, holidaymakers seem to be the higher payer for accommodation, the second is that for those living locally, it is almost impossible to get rented accommodation. Where then does that leave Airbnb?

CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE WARNS GOVERNMENT NEW HOUSING NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE

The CCC has recently advised the government that recent housing stock, may not be suitable for the likely ‘hotter’ conditions that housing will see in the medium-term future. In a counter initiative way, as new homes are being better insulated and trap heat, this could in the future impact on the wellbeing of those living inside them. Perhaps there is something to be said for draughty Victorian properties after all.

16% OF HOMOWNERS EXPECT STILL TO BE PAYING MORTGAGE WHEN THEY ARE 65

In a recent survey conducted by Hargreaves Landsdown, it was reported that only 84% of people with mortgages expected to be mortgage free by the time they hit their mid-sixties. A sobering thought for those who will be reaching retirement age, currently 67 years for men.

GRENFELL TOWER SOON TO BE STRENGHTENED OR DECONSTRUCTED?

The badly damaged Grenfell Tower needs to be further strengthened either by support from the ground to the fourth floor or all the way to the top of the building, but if the Ministry of Housing Summary Note on Grenfell Tower is read,

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/989624/Summary_of_Technical_Advice__May_2021_.pdf

it would seem that there is pressure for the tower to be deconstructed, by early 2022. If this occurs nearly half a decade will have resulted in the tower being razed to the ground.

LLOYDS BANK GETS INTO THE PRS VIA BLOCK OF FLATS IN PETERBOROUGH

In a pivotal move Lloyds banking has become a landlord, by setting up a company who will manage a block of flats for private tenants. In what is seen as a new way of doing banking, Lloyds is trying its hand as a provider of housing – on a rental basis. This move was signalled in the bank’s annual report last year. Will other banks follow their lead?

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Tackling Empty Properties

A UK Perspective on Best Practice and Recommendations for Reform Propertymark, the UK’s leading professional body for property agents, has today published a comprehensive new position paper highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, practical and properly resourced action to bring long-term empty properties back into use. With over 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than…
Read More
Breaking News

Pet-friendly rentals plunge 39%

New research from Inventory Base reveals that the number of pet-friendly rental homes in England has fallen by -39% since the start of 2026, as landlords appear to be reducing the number of homes openly marketed as allowing pets ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect from 1st May. The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA)…
Read More
Breaking News

Latest Nationwide house price data showing a 2.2% increase

Industry reaction to Nationwide house price data showing UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “An uplift in house prices will be welcomed by the market and suggests that buyer demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic headwinds. Improved sentiment, coupled with…
Read More
Breaking News

UK house price growth picks up in March

UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February Northern Ireland best performing area in Q1 2026, with prices up 9.5% year-on-year Outer South East weakest performing region, with prices down 0.7% compared with Q1 2025 Headlines Mar-26 Feb-26 Monthly Index* 552.6 547.7 Monthly Change* 0.9% 0.3% Annual Change…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals up in February

The latest mortgage approval data from the Bank of England show that: –   Mortgage approvals on house purchases for February sat at 62,584 up (3.9%) from 60,246 seen in January. Approvals are down (-3.9%) when compared to the 65,114 seen in February 2025. This annual decline was expected due to wider market slowdown and economic…
Read More
Breaking News

Pain for landlords as buy-to-let borrowing costs soar

Buy-to-let fixed mortgage rates are soaring due to unrest in the Middle East, according to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk. Landlords also face further financial challenges over the next few years, to meet new private rental rules. Average buy-to-let fixed rates over a two- or five-year term have risen since the start of March 2026. The two-year rate is…
Read More