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In May and June this year, there was a small dip in the asking prices of properties for sale in Wellingborough. This is usually expected during this period as people are away on holiday and/or are enjoying the summer weather.

Are You A Landlord?

Did you know there are over 300 laws and regulations that apply to the private rented sector?

These are just some of the fines (and prison sentences) YOU could face if your property isn’t up to regulations?

The relationship between parents and their children is commonly lifelong but there comes a time when the apron strings are cut and the brood flies the nest. It’s a stage in life when many parents, perhaps reaching retirement age, make a number of lifestyle changes.

Despite rising inflation, interest rates and general cost of living, Barclays and a handful of other banks are predicting that house prices in the UK will continue to grow.

Barclays said on Wednesday that while higher interest rates are expected to adversely impact housing markets in major economies, house price growth should remain “positive over the forecast horizon.”

The latest Statistical Briefing from The Dispute Service – which uses data from the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, SafeDeposits Scotland and TDS Northern Ireland – has highlighted the top three reasons for deposit disputes across the UK during 2021-2022.

Rules have changed for landlords over the past few years. Increased legislation, new tax laws and the cost-of-living crisis putting strains on tenants being able to pay their rent (this isn’t a criticism of tenants who find themselves struggling in these times, just a reality of what we are all currently facing).

There can’t be a seller in the land that doesn’t want their property to sell for the highest price. Although a lot rides with the buyer, their budget and how much they’re prepared to pay, sellers can help themselves when it comes to achieving as close to the asking price as possible.

September was a month of disruption. With a new Prime Minister and Chancellor at the helm, changes marked the inauguration of this new partnership. First up alterations to the stamp duty thresholds.

Crisis. Turmoil. Unprecedented.
These were words rarely used before the pandemic. Now they’ve become headlines every day in the news.
And this week, they have been used more than ever to report the economic waves caused by the Chancellor’s mini-budget last week.
It would be naive of us to say it’s business as usual. It’s not.

From the 1st October in England and the 1st December in Wales, there are regulatory changes around smoke detectors and fire alarms that all landlords will need to implement with immediate effect, as there will be no ‘grace’ period and fines can be issued from day one.

It was predicted a few months ago that interest rates will increase to 1.5% next year. In August, money markets were betting that the rates would actually hit 2.75% in 2023, but after the mini-budget last week, the expected peak is now 6%.

Whilst a 6% interest rate is historically quite low, it was only 0.1% less than a year ago. The level of increase may cause a shock to those who are on, or moving onto, variable rate mortgages.

For example, if you have borrowed £250,000 at 2% interest and rates move to 6%, your payments could increase by over £800 PER MONTH.

Irreverently known as the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’, cash contributions from parents and even grandparents are on the rise. In fact, an estimated £25 billion is expected to be lent to children over the next three years, with almost half of all first-time buyers having to rely on family to fund part or all of their deposit.