The housing market of 2025 was resilient, with demand that held up well, according to Nationwide’s House Price Index for December. Despite the year ending “on a softer note” in relation to house prices, Nationwide’s
It’s been a busy year for the conveyancing profession, with stamp duty changes, ministerial resignations, landmark legislation, budget chaos – and proposed reforms that could transform the home buying and selling process. It’s been our
The National Leasehold Campaign (NLC) said it is “deeply disappointed” that the government has failed to publish the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Bill prior to Christmas. Leaseholders face yet another Christmas in limbo, the campaigners
The landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which the government says is at the heart of its plans to build 1.5 million new homes, has received Royal Assent. The “seismic” planning reforms contained within the act
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%. Monetary policy is being set to ensure CPI inflation settles sustainably
Housing secretary Steve Reed has launched a major consultation on a revamped National Planning Policy Framework, in what he said will be “the most significant rewrite of planning rules in more than a decade.” The
With the deadline for responding to the draft business plan and budget of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) now passed, the Law Society of England and Wales and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers have shared their
A conveyancing platform that aims to “dramatically” speed up the process of buying a home by automating “critical parts of the admin-heavy conveyancing process” has raised £2.5 million in seed funding. The platform combines purpose-built
First-time buyers, the self-employed and later-life lenders could get a step-up onto the housing ladder under plans announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) this week. The regulator has shared its priorities for reforms to
The UK housing market performed broadly in line with expectations over the last year despite fluctuations triggered by stamp duty changes, Halifax says in its end of year review. Although forecasts are uncertain against an
The UK Finance Mortgage Market Forecast for 2026 predicts a 1% drop in property transactions, leading to 10,000 fewer transactions than in 2025. Lending for house purchases grew by 22% in 2025, to a total
Six fast-tracked devolution areas will receive a multi-billion pound long-term funding package to support the building of new homes and improved high streets, the government has announced. Combined county authorities in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria,
A rise in the use of ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes is significantly affecting the chances of securing a mortgage for a generation of young professionals, a UK mortgage broker has warned. An analysis by
HMRC has confirmed conveyancers who submit SDLT returns must register as tax advisers, in accordance with legislation introduced in the Finance Bill 2025-26, which will come into effect from May. Confirmation was sent in an
A new expert panel chaired by deputy prime minister David Lammy has met to discuss plans that will ensure the UK remains a leading global centre for legal services. Legal and business experts who make
