Summer is traditionally a quieter period for the UK property market, with school holidays, family commitments and overseas travel often causing buyers and sellers to put their plans on hold. This year, however, prolonged hot weather appears to have added to the seasonal slowdown.

The UK rental market is entering a new chapter, and landlords, tenants and letting agents are all having to adapt. One of the biggest changes is the move away from traditional fixed-term tenancy arrangements towards rolling, or periodic, tenancies.

A move often starts long before a property is officially listed. If selling within the next few months is becoming a realistic possibility, September is a good time to work out what needs to happen first.

For many people across England, getting onto the property ladder can feel like a difficult balancing act. Now, the Government has announced a new initiative that could change the conversation for some first-time buyers.