Research

Complaints to New Homes Ombudsman rise 204% in 2025

Formal complaints to the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) rose by 204% from 593 in 2024/25 to 1,802 in 2025/26.

Construction output declines in August – S&P Global

The headline index fell from 44.7 in July to 44.3 in August, remaining below the neutral 50 mark for the 20th month in a row.

Only half of advisers use technology to help them with Consumer Duty compliance, research finds

The findings come as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues its supervision exercise into Consumer Duty, which has already resulted in several investigations into firms.

Young adults not expected to leave home until 27 due to financial pressures, study finds

Scottish house prices rise 1.8% as market outpaces England and Wales

Average house prices in Scotland increased by £3,471 over the year to June 2026, according to analysis from DJ Alexander, with prices rising faster than in England and Wales.

Waverley records biggest fall in private rents as older renter numbers rise

Waverley recorded the largest annual fall in private rents among UK local authorities in the year to July 2026, according to analysis from Landlord Resource, as the proportion of over-65s living in private rented accommodation reaches 18%.

A third of homebuyers would walk away over damp or structural issues, study finds

Some 35% of buyers said the presence of damp or structural problems would stop them making an offer, rising to more than 40% among first-time buyers and family movers.

Land listings increase by average 44% a month, LandSale data shows

The number of land-only listings coming to market increased by an average of 44.1% a month between February and July 2026, according to LandSale, with the South West recording the strongest regional growth.

Back-to-school commitments to slow property search for 88% of parents, research finds

86% expect to spend less time searching for a property because of school-related commitments.

Stamp Duty still viewed as major cost barrier, YBS says

Nearly a quarter of first-time buyers (23%) said Stamp Duty is a barrier to them personally buying a home, rising to almost a third (31%) of second-steppers.

Adult children living at home could cost parents £17bn a year

Key Equity Release has warned that the rising number of adult children living with or returning to their parents could be adding significant financial pressure for older homeowners approaching retirement.

Over one million borrowers could see mortgage payments rise by £283, study finds

Laura Pomfret, personal finance expert at Compare the Market, said: “An extra £283 a month on your mortgage is a significant amount of money for most households."