The Mell Square transformation: Why 2026 is the buy-in year for Solihull town centre
For decades, Solihull town centre has been defined by retail. Mell Square, in particular, has been a familiar fixture: practical, convenient and well used, but rarely described as somewhere people actively chose to live. That identity is now changing, and the timing matters. With construction on the £350m Mell Square transformation scheduled to begin in […]
Growing your portfolio? Why compliance is critical in 2026 and beyond
Growing a rental portfolio is rarely accidental. By the time a landlord owns more than one property, decisions tend to be deliberate. Purchases are planned carefully, finance is structured strategically and long-term performance matters more than short-term gains. What has changed in recent years is the role compliance plays in that journey. In 2026, compliance […]
Manchester selective licensing 2026: Is your rental portfolio legally protected?
On 24 February 2025, Manchester City Council formally designated several new selective licensing areas, including parts of Cheetham, Crumpsall and Moss Side. By February 2026, the early bird application period has long passed and enforcement is firmly underway. For landlords who missed the application window, the risk is no longer theoretical. Operating a licensable property […]
Yield vs. prestige: Why Streethay and Fradley are Lichfield’s 2026 landlord hotspots
For many landlords, Lichfield has always been about prestige. Georgian streets close to the cathedral, period façades and long-term capital growth have shaped how investors think about the city. These homes still hold their appeal, but in 2026 the data is telling a more nuanced story. Early figures show a widening gap between capital prestige […]
Knowle’s future: What the 2026 Solihull Local Plan means for your property value
Few things unsettle homeowners quite like the words local plan and green belt. In Knowle, those conversations have become more prominent following Solihull Council’s launch of its 2026 Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation on January 30, with a key public meeting held at Knowle Village Hall on February 24. For many B93 homeowners, the […]
Beyond the ward: Catering to Harborne’s new executive sharer market in 2026
Harborne has always attracted professional tenants. For years, landlords have focused on medics from Queen Elizabeth Hospital and staff linked to the University of Birmingham. That demand has not disappeared, but how those professionals choose to live has changed.In 2026, a growing number of hospital consultants, senior clinicians, researchers and university staff are no longer […]
Is your Gravesend rental legal? The 2026 selective licensing health check
If you’re a landlord in Gravesend, 2026 may feel uncomfortably different. Selective licensing is not new, but enforcement is. In early 2026, Gravesham Borough Council significantly increased activity around selective licensing, particularly in and around the town centre and Northfleet. More officers, more checks and far less tolerance for landlords who are unaware rather than […]
The green premium: How energy efficiency is protecting Chesterfield house prices in 2026
Selling a home in Chesterfield in 2026 feels different to even a few years ago. Buyers are still cautious about price, but they are also far more informed. Energy bills, EPC ratings and running costs now feature early in conversations, not as an afterthought. For sellers, this shift has introduced a new factor that directly […]
April 2026 deadline: The Cheltenham landlord’s guide to Making Tax Digital
For many landlords in Cheltenham, tax has always been something you dealt with once a year. You gathered your figures, spoke to your accountant and filed a return. It wasn’t always enjoyable, but it was familiar. From April 6, 2026, that rhythm changes. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax becomes mandatory for landlords earning over […]
Growing your portfolio: Why compliance is critical in 2026 and beyond
Growing a property portfolio used to be a fairly linear process. You bought well, let sensibly, managed costs and repeated the model. Compliance existed, but it sat in the background. As long as the basics were covered, most landlords focused their energy on yield and capital growth. In 2026, that approach no longer works. For […]
Selling faster in 2026: How Bridgend’s digital land registry is cutting conveyancing times.
Selling a home in Bridgend has never been short on interest. What has often tested sellers’ patience is everything that comes after an offer is agreed. Long waits for searches, slow responses from local authorities and a lack of momentum can turn what should feel like progress into weeks of uncertainty. For many sellers, this […]
Beyond private letting: Why Bradford landlords are switching to supported housing in 2026
If you’re a landlord in Bradford, 2026 may feel like a tipping point. The rental reforms due to arrive in May are changing how private letting works in practice. For many landlords, the concern is not demand. It’s complexity. Periodic tenancies, tighter processes and less control over timelines are making everyday management feel heavier than […]