News

Council Tax Set to Double on Second Homes in Over 200 Areas Starting April Local authorities in England and Wales plan a big change. They set council tax rules to charge double on second homes from 1 April 2025. More than 200 councils use this change to ease housing shortages and to bring in more money as budgets shrink and prices rise. Rising Costs for Second Homeowners Owners of second homes must pay...

Ongoing HMO Extension Dispute in Elmdon: Homeowner Appeals Council Decision The planning scene in Solihull shows a dispute. An applicant now contests a council move over a work on an HMO in Elmdon. Many questions come up about planning rules and the look of the community. Background of the Case Steven Hassanali asked, after the work was done, for planning permission on his HMO at Old Lode Lane. A year ago,...

Plans Submitted for an 8-Bed HMO on Manchester Road, Bury A team has filed a planning application. The application changes a home on Manchester Road in Bury into an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation. The plan adds a loft conversion with a rear dormer and a front roof light. This shift may affect local life and parking in the area. Background of the Proposal The property sits among terraced homes....

Concerns Rise Over HMO Developments in Surrey Neighbourhoods Residents in a Surrey suburb show fear. Houses now serve several unrelated people. Neighbours point to Hounslow as an example. They worry their street may soon change the same way. What is Driving the Concern? Richard Evans, 60, of Sunbury, speaks up. He hears the house next door will soon host six residents. His heart pounds with stress and...

Eastbourne HMO Appeal Denied: Planning Inspector's Decision A planning inspector has rejected an appeal for retrospective permission on a property in Eastbourne. The building on Rylstone Road has run as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). It was changed from a family home in 2018. Eastbourne Borough Council had refused planning permission because they saw weak living conditions in the home. Background on...

Tenants Secure £260,000 in Rent Rebates from ‘Rogue Landlord’ in Landmark Tribunal Case In a key legal win, London tenants claim success in a tribunal case. Residents of two buildings in Hackney challenged a landlord who acted outside accepted norms. A judge called him a “rogue landlord.” This case shows ongoing worries over housing standards and landlord duty in the UK, especially for residents...

The Food Industry's Hidden Costs: A Deteriorating Health Crisis in Britain Understanding the Problem The food industry gets strong pushback as experts show its harm to the health and money of the UK. Supermarkets give cheap, quick food, yet many do not see that these goods are made in ways that hurt us. Sky News shows how food makers change products to keep people eating poor food. This trend hits...

The UK Property Outlook for 2025: A Challenging Year for Mortgages Amid Economic Turmoil As 2025 nears, the UK property market grows bleaker. Mortgages press hard on many buyers. Economic doubts weigh on houses and cause pain for buyers and current homeowners alike. Economic Context and Interest Rates In 2024, homeowners and first-time buyers watched the Bank of England’s base rate. The rate stayed at...

Sotheby’s London Property Franchise Challenges Rivals: A Shift in the Luxury Real Estate Market Sotheby’s International Realty pushes change in London’s rich property field. They expand with strong plans that put them near firms like Knight Frank and Savills. This move shifts how deals work and may help investors who buy houses run as HMOs. A New Era for High-End Real Estate London’s upscale home...

The Best Places to Invest in UK Property Right Now Investing in property forms a core part of British culture. Home ownership remains high compared to places like France and Germany. Recent shifts in the market urge investors to check key areas if they plan to rent HMOs. Experts from Bloomberg point out regions that now show good prospects. Understanding the Current Property Market The UK property market...