UK property and housing news explained, with sources, plus data stories from the Bythenumbers Team.
The ONS reported slowing house price growth and unchanged rent inflation this week, alongside new protections for domestic abuse survivors in social housing and a 20 per cent rise in housebuilding starts.
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England delivered 64,762 affordable homes in 2024 to 2025, the highest total since 2014 to 2015. Social rent completions reached 12,198, the most in over a decade, as the government opened bidding for a new ten year programme worth at least 27 billion pounds.
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Private landlords face mortgage interest relief limited to the basic rate, capital gains tax on property sales, and higher income tax rates on rental profit from April 2027. We explain the current rules and announced changes.
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Taylor Wimpey's decision to pull out of London projects dominated housing debate this week, as Parliament discussed whether devolution and national targets can unlock delivery.
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The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 received Royal Assent in May 2024, but most provisions remain uncommenced. A new Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill is expected in autumn 2026.
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HMRC reported 95,220 seasonally adjusted residential transactions in August 2026, down 1% from July and 2% from a year earlier. The figures show what volumes can reveal about market conditions.
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The government opened a consultation on extending Awaab's Law to private rented homes this week, while London boroughs identified sites for 50,000 new council homes and mortgage approvals hit a near three-year low.
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Official figures from the ONS and English Housing Survey show private renters in England spent 36.3% of income on rent in 2024, while the sector held steady at 19% of households.
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Understanding monthly buy-to-let cash flow, including voids and maintenance, reveals whether a property pays its way or drains reserves.
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The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported in July 2026 that 4,697 residential buildings over 11 metres with unsafe cladding are being monitored, with 39 per cent having completed remediation work.
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The government confirmed in January 2026 that private rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC C or equivalent by October 2030. This article sets out what is law today and what is coming.
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The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported in September 2026 that 35,910 new homes started on site in England during the second quarter of 2026, while the government continues to work towards its 1.5 million homes target through planning system reforms.
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The Financial Conduct Authority published proposals in June 2026 to widen access to mortgages for first-time buyers, older borrowers and the self-employed. The consultation closed in July 2026 and a policy statement is expected in the second half of 2026.
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The ONS reported that CPIH rose to 3.3% in the 12 months to August 2026, with owner occupiers' housing costs and private rents both rising. We look at the latest data and why inflation matters for borrowing costs.
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The Stamp Duty Land Tax rules in England and Northern Ireland as they stand in September 2026, including the standard threshold, first-time buyer relief and the higher rates for additional properties.
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The ONS reported in September 2026 that UK private rents rose 3.8% annually to £1,400 per month in August. The Price Index of Private Rents tracks both new lets and existing tenancies across the four nations.
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Buyers should treat stamp duty as a cash planning number, not a surprise at completion. Here's how to budget for it before you lose your head over granite worktops.
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Putting published area data side by side before emotional viewings can save you time, money and heartache. Here's why comparing postcodes matters more than you think.
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We examine the distribution of Area Measure scores in a sample of districts, from strongly provided areas scoring 87-88 to well-provided locations at 64-75, revealing what drives local differences.
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Environment Agency flood zones sit within a kilometre of several UK postcode districts. We examine six sample areas and their proximity to designated flood alert and warning zones.
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Environment Agency designated flood zones sit within five kilometres of several UK districts, with Stockport's SK1 area closest to the Rivers Goyt and Mersey zone at just 663 metres.
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Ofsted ratings and property prices tell different stories. We look at eight postcode districts where school performance and median prices sit side by side, without claiming one causes the other.
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Owning a home means budgeting for council tax, energy bills, insurance and maintenance. Understanding the full picture helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises.
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