The Property Ombudsman upheld a complaint against a property business that retained a £4,000 Buyer’s Premium after a buyer withdrew when a lender refused to mortgage an investment property. The Ombudsman found the attic conversion issue was material and should have been verified or clearly qualified before the buyer committed financially.
The Government has confirmed that the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, described as a Mansion Tax, will begin at the £2 million threshold, with bills expected from March 2028. The consultation response also sets out proposed deferral arrangements, exemptions for certain property types, and penalties for failing to provide valuation information when requested.
The Autumn Budget 2026 confirms higher taxation on rental income from April 2027, alongside the launch of a new first-time buyer support scheme, Your First Home, in Spring 2027. It also confirms a High Value Council Tax Surcharge on homes worth £2 million and above, plus a new First Time Buyer ISA from April 2029 and changes to Lifetime ISA withdrawal rules.
The High Court has ordered Leeds-based Torsion Developments to be wound up following a petition from Manchester-based Zentra Group. The article notes that the collapse comes after a period of significant growth, with the company reporting substantial completed and pipeline development values before liquidation.
SAM Conveyancing argues that the previous Help to Buy scheme inflated new-build prices and supported volume housebuilders more than it improved overall housing supply. Ahead of the expected launch of ‘Your First Home’, it is urging the government to allow the scheme to be used on existing homes as well as new-builds, citing price premiums, exchange constraints and market stagnation.
Propertymark says recent First-tier Tribunal decisions show that landlords and agents need robust, property-specific evidence to justify rent increases. The cases indicate that tribunals place greater weight on detailed comparisons, inspection evidence, and agreed rents than on advertised asking rents alone.
Propertymark is advising letting agents that rent increase proposals must be supported by robust evidence, accurate property descriptions and clear records of condition. Recent First-tier Tribunal decisions in several locations show that tribunals place greater weight on comparable evidence from completed lettings, detailed property characteristics and proof of inspection or repairs.
Landmark’s Q3 2026 market overview says the housing market in England and Wales remains subdued but steady, with healthy stock levels and asking-price reductions not translating into stronger buyer activity. Rising borrowing costs, wider uncertainty and speculation ahead of the Autumn Budget are contributing to lower SSTC volumes, weaker search orders and fewer completions year-on-year.
