Docklands News

Average mortgage rates have risen for the first time since February, with financial information service Moneyfacts recording a month-on-month increase of 0.02%. This took the rate on an average two-year deal to 4.98%, while the average five-year mortgage has risen to 5.02%. The increase comes with lenders anticipating tax rises in next month's Budget, with it suggested that stamp duty may be replaced with an annual property tax while a capital gains tax on sales of homes worth £1.5m or more has also been mooted. Rachel Springall from Moneyfacts said: "Borrowers may well be disappointed to see fixed mortgage rates on the rise," adding: "Volatile swap rates and a cautionary approach among lenders have led to an abrupt halt in consecutive monthly average rate falls."  

Daily Express (14/10/2025)   Daily Mail (14/10/2025)   The Independent (14/10/2025)   The Standard (14/10/2025)  

L&Q has launched The Nest, a new 476-home development on the Greenwich Peninsula comprising Manhattan studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with prices starting at £399,950 or £86,000 for a minimum shared ownership stake. The homes, which are set within two bronze-framed towers, the tallest reaching 29 storeys, alongside brick mansion buildings arranged around landscaped gardens, are just a two-minute ride from Canary Wharf on the Jubilee Line, eight minutes from London Bridge, and 13 minutes to Westminster. "Off-plan sales at Prime Point have already been well received and we expect strong demand for this latest release", said Claire Brenlund, L&Q sales and marketing director. "Residents will have everything they need right on their doorstep, with many enjoying spectacular views of the City and beyond – making this the perfect place for a mix of local people, city workers and professionals to call home".

This is Local London (08/10/2025)  

UK house prices have shown mixed signals, with Halifax reporting a 0.3% monthly fall in September, reversing August’s modest rise, and annual growth slowing to 1.3%, the weakest since April 2024. The typical property now costs £298,184, while first-time buyer homes average £236,811. The average London price rose 0.6%, to £543,497. Amanda Bryden, Halifax head of mortgages, said: "This slight monthly dip in house prices reflects a housing market that has remained broadly stable . . . many homes are available at a cost well below this headline figure." Analysts point to affordability pressures and uncertainty over the upcoming November Budget, with potential property taxes affecting buyer sentiment. 

City AM (08/10/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (08/10/2025)   The Guardian (08/10/2025)   The Standard (08/10/2025)  

Homebuyer demand has fallen for the third consecutive month, with sales also subdued, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). In September, a net balance of 19% of property professionals reported declining new buyer inquiries, while 16% saw a drop in agreed transactions. Surveyors cited caution ahead of the November Budget, affordability pressures, and weak sentiment as key constraints. House price expectations remain negative in the short term, particularly in the South East and East Anglia, though modest gains are seen in Scotland and Northern Ireland. New seller instructions are also down, while rental demand is flat, but landlord listings fell sharply, with rents expected to rise by around 3% over the next year. 

The Daily Telegraph (09/10/2025)   The Times (09/10/2025)  

Britain faces a shortfall of 1m builders to meet the government's housing and infrastructure ambitions, according to the Chartered Institute of Building. Delivering 1.5m homes by 2029, decarbonising properties, and expanding infrastructure could require a 40% increase in construction output. The sector currently employs 2.1m workers but has lost 150,000 to retirement over five years. Reliance on overseas labour has grown, with the number of foreign-born builders increasing from 10.6% to 16.7% in a decade, but tighter immigration rules may limit this. 

The Daily Telegraph (07/10/2025)  

The government plans to cut homebuying times by four weeks and shift some costs from buyers to sellers under new proposals. Proposed changes include requiring property sellers and estate agents to provide more information upfront, implementing earlier binding contracts, and setting new qualifications and standards for agents and conveyancers. Housing Secretary Steve Reed said that these reforms should simplify the buying process, potentially saving first-time buyers an average of £710 and cutting transaction time by one month. 

BBC News (06/10/2025)   Financial Times (06/10/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (06/10/2025)   The Standard (06/10/2025)