London Property - Home of Super Prime

UK Property Market Trends: Challenges, Reforms, and Investment Shifts in 2024

London Property - Home of Super Prime

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  1. Private Rented Sector (PRS) Challenges
    • A workshop by Pegasus Insight, with input from Zoopla and others, highlighted the instability in the rental market due to constant government policy changes.
    • PRS landlord ownership has shifted—single-property landlords fell from 78% in 2010 to 45% in 2024.
    • Concerns over the Renters' Reform Bill and potential capital gains tax changes have alarmed landlords.
    • Many landlords plan to raise rents (62%) and be more selective with tenants (81%), with only 5% looking to expand their portfolios.
  2. Housing Supply and Demand
    • Demand for PRS housing is projected to rise by 150,000 households annually until 2036, but only 45,000 new units are being added each year.
    • Calls for stability in taxation and legislation to sustain investment in the sector.
  3. Vatican Property Dispute
    • The UK court ruled that Italian financier Raffaele Mincione "let down" the Vatican in a failed luxury London property deal, leading to a €140 million loss.
    • Mincione sought legal declarations of good faith but was found to have fallen short of expected communication standards.
  4. Leasehold Reform Concerns
    • Government leasehold reform efforts must balance protecting homeowners while ensuring financial stability, as many freeholds are tied to UK pension funds.
    • Labour argues against retrospective ground rent caps, warning they could shift wealth to foreign investors and undermine UK property investment.
  5. Stamp Duty Increases
    • January 2025 saw a £40m increase in stamp duty receipts due to buyers rushing before April 1, when the nil-rate threshold halves from £250,000 to £125,000.
    • Experts warn higher SDLT costs could deter buyers, but falling interest rates might offset the impact.
  6. Later Living Housing Crisis
    • The UK faces a shortage of homes for over-65s, with demand for 30,000–50,000 new units annually but only 7,000 being built.
    • Government and private sector involvement are needed to expand age-friendly housing and reduce pressure on healthcare systems.
  7. Short-Term Rental Surge in London
    • Some landlords own over 20 properties each, with short-term lets making up 3% of London’s housing stock (40% in Westminster, 35% in Kensington & Chelsea).
    • Westminster Council warns of affordability issues, while Labour-led councils push for stricter regulations.
    • Airbnb argues that short-term lets benefit tourism, contributing £1.5bn to the economy.

Authorities are expected to introduce tighter controls to balance housing needs with the tourism industry.

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