The latest UK property news reflects a fairly mixed bag of subjects – of interest to landlords, tenants, and homeowners alike.
Let’s take a brief look behind the headlines …
Pets in lets still unresolved
Landlord Today on the 1st of October reported that proposals within the forthcoming Renters Rights Act may give tenants greater opportunity to keep pets in rented homes. However, it remains to be seen how these changes will be implemented in practice and what the implications may be for landlords.
While current drafts of the legislation suggest a general right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet, it appears landlords may still retain the ability to refuse on “reasonable grounds”. The precise definition of what constitutes such grounds has yet to be confirmed and could become an area of uncertainty once the legislation is enacted.
It also appears that earlier suggestions requiring tenants to obtain insurance or pay an additional deposit to cover any pet-related damage may no longer form part of the legislation.
If that is the case, questions may arise as to how claims for any resulting damage might be addressed and whether further guidance or safeguards for landlords will follow.
Zoopla House Price Index: September 2025
According to Zoopla’s House Price Index for September, house prices remain relatively stable and have risen by just 1.4% up to August of this year – though in certain areas, more affordable housing has increased in price by as much as 2.8%.
This takes the average price of a home in the UK to £271,000 – up by £3,870 over the past 12 months.
Price inflation is marked by a north-south divide, with the former showing stronger growth compared with the latter.
Prevailing mortgage rates are in the range of 4% to 5%, remain stable, and are unlikely to fall any further.
In anticipation of possible decisions in the autumn budget, demand has cooled for properties above £500,000.
What does an energy price cap increase of 2% mean for my bills?
The energy price cap went up by 2% – from £1,720 to £1,755 – explained the online listings website Rightmove on the 30th of September. So, what’s the likely impact on your energy bills?
In terms of the impact, it’s important to remember that the cap only applies to consumers on a standard tariff – if you have a fixed deal, you’ll notice no change as a result of the increase.
The other critical consideration is the energy efficiency rating (the Energy Performance Certificate or EPC) of your home. If yours is highly efficient – and qualifies for an A rating – for example, your energy bills are likely to go up by an average of around £11 a year. For a poorly performing G-rated dwelling, however, the increase is more likely to be around £134 a year.
Which property types, in which regions, perform best in the UK?
If you’re looking for the best type of property in which to invest and where, Property Investor Today looked at recent data from Nationwide to see where the next hotspots could be.
According to figures, detached houses saw the strongest growth, increasing in value by 2.5% over the past year. Terraced homes were close behind, with an annual price increase of 2.4%. On the other hand, if you invested in a flat, you are likely to have suffered a 0.3% drop in its value.
Regionally, the north and northwest of England recorded buoyant demand.
In the Midlands – and Birmingham in particular – there are strong forecasts for growth on the back of several regeneration projects. Longer-term capital growth is anticipated.
Northern Ireland also performed well, with some of its most robust growth in recent months.
In London and the southeast, the prospects for growth are much weaker (achieving single digits only) and remain patchy throughout the region.
Disclaimer: Property market data and forecasts are subject to change and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Investors are encouraged to seek independent professional guidance before making any property-related decisions.
