The cost of moving home in the UK has always extended beyond deposits and mortgage repayments—but recent figures highlight just how significant one particular expense has become: Stamp Duty.

With new legislation coming into force from 1 May 2026, tenants across the private rented sector will have the legal right to request permission to keep a pet, & crucially, landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse. While this marks a positive step for animal lovers, it also reshapes the way tenancies are assessed, agreed, & managed.

February is always an interesting turning point in the property calendar. The festive slowdown is well behind us, the days are visibly getting longer, and that familiar buzz is starting to creep back into the market. Let’s break down what’s happening in the UK property market this month and what it means for buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants.

UK mortgage lenders have recently started increasing their mortgage rates, as concerns grow that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could have a wider impact on the global economy. Financial markets are becoming more cautious that rising energy prices, particularly oil and gas, could push inflation higher again.