Reports that Rachel Reeves is considering a potential one-year rent freeze across England have sparked widespread discussion—and concern—throughout the property industry. While the proposal is still in its early stages, its potential impact is already being closely analysed, particularly in high-demand cities like Birmingham.

The UK’s buy-to-let sector has been under sustained pressure in recent years, but fresh data suggests that while landlords continue to leave the market, the pace of this so-called “exodus” may finally be beginning to ease. This shift is worth paying close attention to as it signals changing sentiment among investors and rise of new opportunities.

Recent headlines have painted a picture of landlords rushing to evict tenants ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act—but the reality, looks different. New research suggests that just 1 in 10 landlords (9%) who are actively asking tenants to leave are doing so directly because of the upcoming legislative changes. So, what is happening behind the scenes?

For many buyers and sellers across the UK, the excitement of agreeing a sale is quickly followed by a frustrating reality: the long wait to completion. It’s a question we hear time and time again—why does buying a home take so long? And perhaps more importantly, who is actually responsible? Data suggests one of the main factors is conveyancing.