THE GUARDIAN

From a barn conversion with wildlife for neighbours to a recently renovated townhouse on a quaint high street Continue reading…

From a Grade II*-listed converted village chapel to a flat in the heart of London Continue reading…

Some potential first-time buyer groups ‘could be better served’, regulator says in reviewFreelancers and gig economy workers could enjoy more flexibility over how and when they pay their mortgage under plans designed to help more people get on the property ladder.A shake-up of the rules so people whose income is “variable or irregular” could be […]

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsAverage mortgage for UK first-time buyer hits record high of £210,800We have been blessed with a third house price forecast this morning, this time from Halifax.Halifax is marginally less optimistic than its rival Nationwide; it predicts property prices expected to rise modestly in 2026, by between 1% […]

Jaume Collboni and 16 other city leaders urge EU to unleash billions in funding as it prepares to tackle crisisThe Guardian view on Europe’s housing crisis: time for the EU to get radicalThe soaring cost of housing is akin to a “new pandemic” sweeping across Europe, the mayor of Barcelona has said, as he and […]

City watchdog the FCA announces plans to help first-time buyers and self-employed get on the property ladderBusiness live – latest updatesHouse prices in the UK could rise by as much as 4% next year but getting on the property ladder may become slightly less difficult, according to forecasts from the lender Nationwide.Robert Gardner, the chief […]

People able to buy homes previously beyond budget, aided by rising wages and looser affordability testsFirst-time buyers are taking out larger mortgages than ever before as rising wages and looser affordability tests allow them to buy properties that were previously beyond their budget.The average first-time buyer borrowed £210,800 in the year to September, a record […]

Snuggle up under oak beams in front of a deep inglenook fireplace, stay warm with underfloor heating or enjoy your own wine cellar for festive entertaining Continue reading…

Forget sprawling mansions or quirky architecture, Zoopla’s most-viewed listing in 2025 was notable for being relatively affordable and surrounded by countryside …Name: Britain’s most desirable home.Age: Newly crowned. Continue reading…

Halifax says average price of house was a record £299,892 in November but that affordability is at its strongest since 2015Business live – latest updatesBuyers attempting to get on to the property ladder in the UK have received a lift, after figures from Halifax showed they are in the best position to snap up a […]

From a rose-coloured cottage in the centre of a historic market town to an old windmill on a hilltop with sweeping views Continue reading…

Access to nature and essential services and friendliness of the people led ‘gateway to the Dales’ to top Rightmove indexIt is nicknamed “the gateway to the Dales”, is home to one of England’s best-preserved medieval castles and, for trivia fans, was the birthplace of half of Marks & Spencer. Now, the Yorkshire market town of […]

Exclusive: Senior minister raises ‘significant concerns’ over one of UK’s biggest property managers A senior minister has said he has “significant concerns” about one of Britain’s biggest property managers after dozens of residents complained of high charges, slow repairs and aggressive debt collection techniques.It is the latest sign of growing anger in Westminster over the […]

‘Mansion tax’ announced by Rachel Reeves will have limited impact on property market, building society saysBusiness live – latest updatesUK house prices rose last month despite uncertainty before the budget, according to Nationwide, which predicted that the newly announced “mansion tax” would have a limited impact on the housing market.The UK’s biggest building society said […]

Separate rooms | Downsizing homes | Nigel Farage | Hong Kong fires | Idle Working Men’s ClubIt’s not just renters who need a living room (The death of the living room: ‘It’s hard to invite people over – not everyone wants to sit on a bed’, 26 November). What about a couple of senior citizens, […]

The high-value council tax surcharge may only raise £400m but it’s the best opportunity for a bigger, fairer tax on wealthRachel Reeves won little credit last week for lifting the lid on one of the most heated tax debates of the past three decades.Who in their right mind would consider engaging in the fight that […]

Rachel Reeves’s ‘mansion tax’ may encourage people who were considering downsizing to do so. Here are some options Continue reading…

How will new tax rates and measures affect pensions, savings, car tax and more? We look into some individual queriesFrom new tax rates on savings, to a pay-per-mile scheme for electric vehicles, via changes to pension contribution rules – this week’s budget included measures that will have an impact on household finances.Here are some of […]

Rachel Reeves’s new council tax surcharge on homes worth £2m or more earns mixed reception in well-heeled London boroughBudget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offIn the leafy London borough of Richmond, on the south-western fringes of the capital, there was quiet resignation at the chancellor’s announcement of a “mansion tax” on […]

Treasury says concession could be worth £30m next year and then £70m annually until 2030Budget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offRachel Reeves has eased inheritance tax on agricultural property after pressure from farmers.As the chancellor made her budget speech on Wednesday, the Treasury announced changes it said could save farmers and […]