Loddon Properties - Magazine - Page 3
PROPERTY MARKET
IMPROVEMENTS: RECAP ON
RECENT GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY
Here’s an objective look at the
biggest positive developments
in UK government legislation
affecting the property market
as we enter April 2026, written
for readers who are selling,
thinking of selling, or involved
in the rental sector. The picture
is mixed, but there are tangible
upsides worth noting for those
considering their next move.
BROADER MARKET
STABILITY AND
TRANSACTION GROWTH
Despite tighter tax settings and
regulatory shifts, the UK
housing market has shown
signs of recent resilience.
Official data published in early
March 2026 shows that UK
house prices rose modestly and
transaction activity increased,
with prices up 0.3 % in February
and annual price growth
holding at around 1 %, above
some expectations. This
suggests that confidence in
the market has not collapsed,
and buyer activity remains
present even after policy
changes. Higher transaction
volumes can aid sellers seeking
to move and support price
formation rather than
stagnation.
land banking and broaden the
pool of builders involved in
delivering housing supply. This
can help address long standing
supply constraints over time,
easing upward pressure on
prices and allowing more
homes to come to market.
than leasehold, and 990 year
extensions are now possible.
These changes are expected to
enhance the appeal and value
of flat ownership, reduce
historic leasehold risks and
make properties easier to sell or
remortgage in future.
END OF FIXED
TENANCIES
MARKET BEHAVIOUR
AND TIMING
OPPORTUNITIES
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025
received Royal Assent and will
begin its phased
implementation from
May 2026, with the first stage
abolishing fixed term assured
shorthold tenancies and
replacing them with periodic
tenancies in the private rented
sector. While some landlords
have expressed concern about
losing certain flexibilities, this
reform has a positive
dimension for the market as a
whole. It brings greater
certainty and transparency for
tenants, which can make
properties more attractive to a
wider pool of prospective
renters and reduce void periods
for landlords who adapt
effectively. Over time, clearer
standards and a more stable
rental framework may support
smoother sales and lettings
processes.
INCREASED
TRANSPARENCY AND
LAND MARKET REFORM
LONGER TERM
OWNERSHIP REFORMS
One of the Government’s latest
moves involves requiring
developers to declare land
options in a new public register
for England and Wales. By
increasing visibility around who
controls land and how, the
intention is to reduce anti
competitive practices such as
Changes to long leasehold
arrangements under the
Leasehold and Freehold
Reform Act 2024 and related
policy mean ground rents for
many leasehold flats are
capped and will eventually
reduce to zero, new flats must
be held as commonhold rather
Legislative shifts around Stamp
Duty Land Tax thresholds and
reliefs have historically created
surges in market activity when
adjustments are announced.
Data shows that when
thresholds were adjusted in
2024 25 before reverting in
April 2025, property
transactions temporarily
increased significantly as
buyers acted ahead of the
changes. For sellers,
understanding and
anticipating these behavioural
effects can offer timing
opportunities when buyer
demand is compressed into
key windows.
While many changes,
particularly on taxation and
rental regulation, present
challenges for existing
landlords, these developments
also underline a government
focus on transparency, stability,
and making the housing
market function more
smoothly for a broader range of
participants. Thoughtful
planning around these shifts
can help sellers and investors
position themselves to benefit
from evolving trends.
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
3
