2025

It’s been a bumpy ride on the stock market this year. In contrast, property has proved to be a stable, resilient investment option. Two issues have dominated the economic news this year: Trump’s tariffs and stock market volatility. But amid all the chaos, one story has gone somewhat under the radar: the solid performance of the property market. As we near the mid-point of 2025 (yes, it’s...

Shared houses or HMOs are often thought of as being a very lucrative type of property investment. Here's what you must know before investing in an HMO or converting your existing property into one. What is an HMO? An HMO (house in multiple occupation) is a property where the rooms are let individually to different people. Tenants have their own bedroom and may share communal amenities like...

Landlords who make any of these common mistakes could find their insurer refuses to pay out on claims. Picture this: you’ve been loyally paying your landlord insurance premiums for years without ever making a claim. Then there’s an unfortunate and unforeseen incident at your buy-to-let. Once you’ve dealt with the immediate crisis, you lodge a claim with your insurer (which is quite a faff...

If you're weighing up whether to extend your home or move to a new property, here are some tips to help you make the right decision. Many homeowners reach a point where they find themselves at a crossroads. After many happy years in their home, they realise it no longer suits their needs. This leaves them with two options: to renovate/extend their property or list it and find something that's a...

Homeowners worried about spray foam insulation in their property will find lots of helpful advice in a new consumer guide. The Property Care Association (PCA) has published a guide for homeowners detailing the practical steps they can take if spray foam is present in their property. As many as 250,000 properties in the UK have spray foam insulation. It’s a type of insulation sprayed in liquid...

New figures show there are over 401,000 buy-to-let companies* in the UK – more than any other type of business. Let’s look at what landlords need to know about owning their property through a limited company. Reasons to set up a limited company Possible tax savings are the main reason some landlords opt to own property via a limited company. Limited companies may reclaim the full amount...

Should you buy a new build home? Or would an older property suit you better? Here are a few things to bear in mind to help you decide. What’s good about buying a new build? Often, with a new home, you can specify exactly how you want it. You can choose the kitchen, bathroom, décor and carpets. Everything is brand, spanking new. You shouldn’t have any maintenance or repair worries...

We'd all like to live in a home with oodles and oodles of space but that's not always possible. So, here are some easy ways to make even the smallest space seem bigger.   Mirror, mirror on the wall   Mirrors are the easiest way to create a feeling of more space. The secret is clever positioning. It's best to place mirrors so that they reflect light from your windows or in a key location...

Strict new financial sanctions rules affecting many landlords and tenants apply as of May 2025. Here’s a quick heads-up on the changes.   What are the new financial sanctions rules?   Financial sanctions rules prevent certain people and organisations from doing business in the UK and enable their assets to be frozen. These include those suspected of terrorism, corruption or connected with...

If you’re considering selling your home, you may be wondering whether you should fix it up before it goes on the market. Here are the pros and cons to think about.   The pros You could improve your home’s kerb appeal. Your home will look good in the marketing photographs. Many buyers flick through online listings quickly, so it’s essential to catch their eye. You may get...