EIG’s latest Property Auction Insights shows the residential auction market expanding across most UK regions, with sales up in 12 of 13 regions in the first half of 2026. Flats are taking a larger share of auction activity, and the report highlights that lease terms, service charges, cladding, building safety issues and major works continue to influence buyer appetite and mortgageability.
Latest Land Registry analysis cited in the article shows leasehold flats and maisonettes are the only property type in Britain recording negative annual price growth, while freehold houses continue to rise in value. The piece links the weaker flat market to delayed leasehold reform, Building Safety Act compliance issues, ground rent and lease terms, mortgagee protection clauses, service charges and cladding liabilities.
The article argues that the Government’s planned High Value Council Tax Surcharge, branded by the author as a mansion tax, will create significant valuation and administrative challenges for high-value homes in England from April 2028. It highlights likely disputes over threshold-based valuations, the potential need for internal inspections, and the burden this could place on surveyors, valuers, lawyers and tribunals.
nHabit has launched a rental pricing tool that uses tenant rejection data from its consumer app to help landlords and letting agents set asking rents more accurately. The product is positioned as a response to new rules under the Renters’ Rights Act that prevent landlords and agents from accepting offers above the advertised rent, increasing the importance of getting the initial price right.
The article reports that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has cautioned Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey against increasing property taxes in the upcoming Budget, arguing that property is already taxed heavily. It also notes discussion of possible reform to existing taxes such as Stamp Duty and Council Tax, alongside speculation about a proportional property tax and the Mansion Tax.
Propertymark has criticised the Scottish Government’s latest Programme for Government for not doing enough to address Scotland’s housing emergency. The concerns raised focus on rising rents, affordability, property taxation, tribunal resourcing and proposed tenant purchase rights, with particular attention to potential valuation and administration issues linked to the Council Tax (Scotland) Bill.
