Expert analysis, hidden cost breakdowns, and strategy for the 2026 housing market.
One account shut to new savers in 2019, the other pays up to £1,000 a year — and the government is now consulting on replacing it. The comparison, including the withdrawal trap most guides gloss over.
Read the ComparisonEPC C by 1 October 2030 is confirmed policy, not a proposal. The dual-metric standard, the £10,000 cost cap, the exemptions — and the ECO4 grant window that shuts on 31 December.
Read the GuideThe average SVR hit 7.25% in September 2026. We run a £211,000 balance through all three fix-end options and find £610 a month riding on a decision most people make by default.
Read the GuideYou have 60 days from completion to report and pay. CGT on a buy-to-let can easily reach £16,000 or more — here's the full calculation, every allowable deduction, and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Calculate Your LiabilityTraditional versus modern method, the 10% deposit you hand over on the day, and the 14-day stamp duty deadline that catches first-timers out. Worked through on a £175,000 buy.
Read the GuideThe 10% rule, early repayment charge risks, and a worked example showing what overpaying £200 a month saves — roughly £38,500 in interest on a typical £250k mortgage.
See the NumbersLike-for-like, new builds price near the top quarter of their local resale market. That premium often disappears at first resale. We run a five-year worked example and look at when paying it is actually rational.
See the NumbersRent on the share you don't own, the full service charge regardless of your stake, staircasing fees, and the resale friction nobody warns you about. The real monthly number.
See the Real CostService charges, ground rent, and lease extension premiums add up fast. We run a £280k leasehold flat against a £295k freehold house over ten years — the result surprises most buyers.
See the Full CostWe ran the average home in 30 cities through the Section 24 tax rules using ONS prices and rents at the current 5.66% mortgage rate. Every one loses money before tax, and higher-rate landlords are taxed on the loss. Free dataset.
Read the StudyThe definitive analysis of the London property premium. We compare Zone 1-6 costs and find the break-even point for capital homebuyers.
Read Full AnalysisDeposit, stamp duty, Land Registry fees, conveyancing, surveys and removals, each traced to its source, with worked totals at £250k, £350k and £500k.
See the CostsA deep dive into deposit tiers, salary requirements, and how your upfront cash affects your long-term interest rates.
Check Deposit TiersROI vs. Rental Yield: Master the metrics of property investment and learn how to calculate returns for any UK investment property.
Master the MathCroydon flats yield about 6.8% gross on ONS data, more than Bromley or Sutton. An average flat at 75% loan to value still runs at a small loss. The full numbers, sourced.
See Investor VerdictForget generic checklists. This is a ruthless tactical plan for getting on the ladder in today's market — from LISAs to bidding wars.
Read the GuideThe definitive answer for 2026. Why treating your student loan like real debt is the most expensive mistake a first-time buyer can make.
Read the VerdictThe temporary thresholds reverted and buyers are paying thousands more. Here's exactly what changed and who got hit hardest.
See the Changes