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Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The best mortgage rates for first-time buyers: What deals are available and how long should you fix for?
If you're hoping to buy your first home soon, searching for the best mortgage rates for first-time buyers is an essential part of the process. Data from Zoopla revealed the property market saw the busiest May in four years, amid an increased number of properties for sale and relaxed affordability stress tests, allowing many first-time buyers to borrow more. This is despite April's Stamp Duty hike, which means first-time buyers now pay more tax when purchasing a property after they saw their exemption trimmed back. Getting the best possible mortgage deal is important because it can make a big difference to your monthly repayments - and the interest you pay overall. Mortgage rates for the rest of 2025 are widely expected to trend downwards but no big falls are expected, so first-time buyers should compare mortgage deals to secure one that's right for them, as soon as they decide to buy. > Compare mortgage deals and get a free mortgage in principle with L&C * Best mortgage rates for first-time buyers at different LTVs The deals below are the best rates aimed at first-time buyers. The best rates for home movers or those remortgaging may be different. The rates and repayments below are based on a purchase of £226,000 and a term of 25 years. Mortgage rates change often, so it's a good idea to find the deal that could be best for you by comparing rates and getting a mortgage in principle *, with our broker partner L&C. Best mortgage rates for first-time buyers with a 5% deposit Two-year fix: HSBC has a two-year fixed rate at 5.05 per cent with a £0 product fee and £500 cashback. Monthly repayments are £1,260. Five-year fix: HSBC has a five-year fixed rate at 4.89 per cent with a £0 product fee and £500 cashback. Monthly repayments are £1,240. Best mortgage rates for first-time buyers with a 10% deposit Two-year fix: Furness has a two-year fixed rate at 4.45 per cent with a £999 product fee and £250 cashback. Monthly repayments are £1,130. Five-year fix: Leek has a five-year fixed rate at 4.38 per cent with a £995 product fee. Monthly repayments are £1,122. Best mortgage rates for first-time buyers with a 15% deposit Two-year fix: Furness has a two-year fixed rate at 4.17 per cent with a £999 product fee and £250 cashback. Monthly repayments are £1,037. Five-year fix: HSBC has a five-year fixed rate at 4.32 per cent with a £999 product fee. Monthly repayments are £1,048. Best mortgage rates for first-time buyers with a 25% deposit Two-year fix: Barclays has a two-year fixed rate at 4.28 per cent with a £0 product fee. Monthly repayments are £922. Five-year fix: HSBC has a five-year fixed rate at 4.28 per cent with a £0 product fee. Monthly repayments are £920. Best mortgage rates for first-time buyers with a 40% deposit Two-year fix: Mpowered has a two-year fixed rate at 4.19 per cent with a £0 product fee. Monthly repayments are £730. Five-year fix: Barclays has a five-year fixed rate at 3.99 per cent with a £999 product fee. Monthly repayments are £715. > Guide: How to get a mortgage as a first-time buyer What mortgage can I get as a first-time buyer? The mortgage deal you can get as a first-time buyer depends on the size of your deposit, as well as your personal circumstances, your income, outgoings, any other outstanding debts and credit score. Having a bigger deposit relative to the purchase price opens up cheaper mortgage rates, as lenders see you as a less risky borrower. Mortgage rates are offered based on the size of the mortgage versus the property's value. This is known as the loan-to-value (LTV) and is the reverse percentage of your deposit amount. For example: if you had a 10 per cent deposit, your mortgage would be 90 per cent LTV if you had a 25 per cent deposit, it would be 75 per cent LTV if you had a 40 per cent deposit, it would be 60 per cent LTV > Compare mortgage rates at different loan-to-values with L&C * Although they assess on individual affordability, mortgage lenders typically limit most people to borrowing roughly no more than 4.5 times their annual income. However, this can be lower if you have any other loans or debts – or higher if your income is stable, you have an excellent credit history and little existing debt. Speaking to a whole-of-market mortgage broker, rather than going direct to a bank or building society, is the easiest way of getting matched to the cheapest possible mortgage deal. Mortgage brokers will also run an affordability check to see what the maximum amount you can borrow is, looking at information from bank statements, payslips or tax returns. David Hollingworth, mortgage expert and broker at L&C Mortgages, told us there have been positive developments recently that could benefit first-time buyers. 'The biggest issues are affordability and being able to save a big enough deposit. Lenders have reacted quickly to the FCA's reminder that they have some flexibility in how they stress test affordability. That has seen many improve the stress rates which should allow more borrowers to achieve a bigger mortgage.' What first-time buyer help schemes are available? Some mortgage providers have introduced first-time buyer help schemes that boost how much first-time buyers can potentially borrow. Nationwide's 'Helping Hand' mortgage gives employed first-time buyers the ability to borrow up to six times income – those with a smaller deposit of five per cent are even eligible. This means couples earning £50,000 can borrow £300,000 for their first home, which is roughly £75,000 more than standard lending. Halifax's 'First Time Buyer Boost' mortgage works in a similar way, allowing first-time buyers to borrow up to 5.5 times their annual income. To be eligible, first-time buyers need to be employed and earning a total household income of £50,000 or more. They also need to have a deposit of at least 10 per cent to put towards the purchase of the property. Certain lenders provide higher multiples for particular professions, usually secure public sector jobs such as nurses or civil servants. Some providers are even offering mortgage deals that don't require a deposit, although buyers need to have good affordability and should be prepared to fix for longer. George Smith, Mortgage Adviser at LDN Finance, told us that despite the availability of these 100 per cent mortgages, many first-time buyers struggle to meet the criteria to qualify for them. 'In practice, these schemes often require a joint income to meet lenders' stress tests, making it difficult for single buyers to take advantage of them. As such, the concept of a sole applicant successfully securing one of these loans is more theoretical than realistic in today's climate. 'Moreover, with house prices remaining stubbornly high and showing little sign of downward movement, the gap between earnings and property values continues to grow.' How long should first-time buyers fix a mortgage for? Choosing how long to fix your mortgage rate for depends on what you think will happen to interest rates over the fixed period and your personal circumstances. A longer fix offers security and can save on fees from repeatedly remortgaging. Often people can avoid five-year fixes because they think they will move but most homeowners stay longer than two or three years in a property. Ask yourself, will you really need to move again after just a few years? Most people fix for either two years or five years, although there are some who will fix for three years or even 10 years. People often fix for two years because they believe that interest rates will continue falling, so a shorter fix allows them to eventually switch to a cheaper rate. Shorter fixes can also suit people who think they'll want to move again soon – fixing for longer might open them up to an early repayment charge on the mortgage were they to exit early. But there's no easy answer, so you have to think about what's best for your situation. George Smith, Mortgage Adviser at LDN Finance, says that the length of the fix is completely dependent on the homebuyer's situation and outlook. 'However, the majority of borrowers are currently opting for shorter-term fixed rates, with a view to reviewing things in two to three years' time.' Remember though, there is no guarantee rates will me materially lower in two or three years' time - and they could be higher. What about a tracker mortgage? A tracker mortgage essentially tracks the Bank of England's base rate plus or minus a fixed percentage. For example: The mortgage could track base rate, currently at 4.25 per cent, while adding 0.5 percentage points, making the rate 4.75 per cent. If the Bank of England were to then cut base rate from 4.25 per cent to 3.75 per cent, the tracker rate will immediately fall to 4.25 per cent. A tracker mortgage without an early repayment charge could put borrowers in a position to take advantage when rates drop, but not all trackers come without fees for jumping ship. Meanwhile, despite the potential benefits, a tracker can leave people vulnerable to further base rate hikes while also being more expensive at the start than fixed rates at present. Broker George Smith says that people ask him about trackers regularly, but he then questions: 'If the base rate were to rise for any reason, would you have sufficient assets or savings to comfortably absorb an increase in your monthly mortgage payment – on top of all the other rising living costs? 'More often than not, for first-time buyers or those early in their ownership journey, the ability to budget and have certainty over their biggest monthly outgoing is really appealing in the current climate.' First-time buyer checklist: Getting ready to buy your first home 1. Build a deposit Your deposit usually needs to be at least five per cent of the value of a property, but many mortgage lenders ask that first-time buyers have at least 10 per cent. The higher your deposit the better. Not only will you have less debt to repay, but those who put down larger deposits as a percentage of the property's value will usually get better interest rates. Still, you should avoid throwing everything at the deposit – it's wise to keep an emergency savings fund and you'll need money for other costs associated with home buying. To build a deposit quicker, work out your budget to find out how much you can afford to save regularly then contribute monthly to a savings account that pays a high interest rate. What is a Lifetime Isa? A Lifetime Isa can help you save for a deposit quicker because the Government gives you a 25 per cent bonus on your contributions. So if you save the maximum of £4,000 in your Lifetime Isa each year, the Government will top this up by £1,000. But be careful though, because Lifetime Isas can only be used to buy homes of up to £450,000. How much is the average deposit for first-time buyers? According to figures from UK Finance, the average deposit paid by first-time buyers in 2024 who didn't receive help from family was £60,741. On the other hand, the average deposit paid by those who did have assistance from family was £118,073. 2. Check your credit history Checking your credit history as soon as possible gives you enough time to iron out problems and improve your credit file if necessary. Issues such as a history of late payments or a lack of data about your financial obligations – known as a thin credit file – aren't quick to fix. Checking your credit file at least 12 months before you want to apply for a mortgage gives you the best chance of getting your credit history into shape. How to check your credit history Checking your credit score is your first port of call because it's based on the data in your credit file and represents the health of your credit history. You don't have one credit score. Each credit reference agency calculates your score differently and mortgage providers have their own systems for working out your creditworthiness too. But the scores you get from the credit reference agencies are a useful indicator of how a mortgage lender will view your application. You can get a free credit score at: Experian ClearScore (not a credit reference agency – uses Equifax data) Credit Karma (not a credit reference agency – uses TransUnion data) TotallyMoney (not a credit reference agency – uses TransUnion data) These services usually let you view your full credit report too. A good score indicates that the mortgage lender is more likely to see you as creditworthy while a poorer score suggests it will view you as riskier to lend to. A poor score warrants further investigation into where to improve. You can view your credit score and credit history as many times as you like without damaging them, because accessing your own data is recorded as a 'soft' search and isn't visible to lenders when they look at your file. 3. Boost your credit score if necessary You don't need a set credit score to get a mortgage as a first-time buyer. Even if you have an excellent score, there's no guarantee a mortgage lender will accept your application. But a good credit score indicates it's more likely you'll be able to borrow the amount you need at the cheapest interest rates. This makes it worth improving if it's not where you want it to be. You can improve your credit score by taking steps such as registering to vote, if you haven't already, and reducing your credit utilisation. This is how much of your available credit you're using across all your credit cards. As a basic example, if you have one credit card with a £6,000 credit limit and a £3,000 balance, your credit utilisation will be 50 per cent. It's generally recommended to keep your credit utilisation below 25 per cent. Work out your credit utilisation ratio by adding up your credit card balances, dividing this by your total available credit limit, and multiplying that figure by 100 to get a percentage. > A scam wrecked my credit score: Can I put our mortgage in my wife's name? 4. Get your bank statements on track Lenders ask for three months' of bank statements to check things like: the consistency of your income your affordability your regular outgoings your regular balance (for example, whether you're hitting your overdraft limit often) A healthy bank statement will show you have a steady income each month, recurring monthly bills that are paid on time, and purchases that still leave you with reasonable cash reserves. This shows you'll be able to afford mortgage payments without any problem. On the other hand, using an overdraft regularly can imply to lenders that you find it difficult to manage your money. Spending significant amounts on things lenders deem risky, such as gambling, can cause similar concerns. Returned direct debits, which occur when you don't have sufficient funds in your account, can also suggest that you find it difficult to make payments on time. 5. Speak to a mortgage broker It's possible to approach mortgage providers directly, but first-time buyers may find it useful to have a mortgage broker guide them through the application process. A good mortgage broker can scour deals from lots of lenders and discuss which one is best for you. They may also have access to special rates that banks don't offer to everyone. Some brokers charge customers a fee for their services. But you can also find brokers that take a commission from the mortgage lender instead and don't charge homebuyers anything. When looking for a mortgage broker, check they're whole of market. This means they look at all of the mortgages available across many lenders, instead of being paid fees by a select few to only offer buyers their deals. Mortgage brokers are also called mortgage advisers – the terms are usually used interchangeably.
Metro
19 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
The UK's most affordable seaside town is a 'paradise' with £220,000 house prices
Relocating by the sea sounds like a dream until you see the house prices. Cornwall for one is eye-wateringly expensive, and Brighton is practically London-on-Sea. But not every seaside town requires a trust fund or a six-figure salary to move there. New research from the Co-operative Bank has revealed the UK's most affordable seaside towns — and the winners make coastal living seem like a surprisingly realistic prospect. For each place, the bank looked at average house prices, monthly rents, the house price to income ratio, and the proportion of salary that goes on rent to calculate an overall affordability score. Oban, a small town in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland, came out on top of the list, with an overall affordability score of 9.82 out of 10. Often referred to as the seafood capital of the country, this picturesque spot offers some of the lowest average house prices (£220,458) and the most reasonable rents (£800 per month) which works out to just 34.7% of the average monthly income. You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. And a low cost of living isn't all it has going for itself. Located on Scotland's west coast, Oban is a harbour town known for its fresh seafood and sea views. Surrounded by a rugged coastline and rolling hills, it's considered a gateway to the Hebrides and although its population is small (home to just over 8,000 people), the town has plenty to see and do. McCaig's Tower is its most notable attraction, a colosseum-like landmark that sits above the town, offering views of the bay and nearby islands. Nestled beneath a cliff in the town centre, there's also Oban Distillery – one of the oldest in Scotland – where you can take a guided tour and sample some of its signature whiskies. Near the harbour, you'll find lots of fishing boats and ferries, along with plenty of local restaurants serving freshly caught seafood. But if history's more your thing, head just north of Oban to explore the 8,000-year-old ruins of Dunollie Castle, Experts at Co-operative Bank found two Lancashire seaside towns to be the most affordable in the UK. Morecambe came second on the list, with an affordability score of 9.8 out of 10. 'This Lancashire gem captures the essence of the English seaside and has some of the most affordable house prices in the country,' the bank says. 'The average house price here is actually lower than in Oban at £194,295, however, rent prices in Morecambe are slightly higher.' Blackpool tied with Morecambe for second place. The bank says: 'The average house comes in around £147,449 in Blackpool, making Blackpool the most affordable seaside town to purchase a property in the UK. Unfortunately, Blackpool is slightly let down by its rent prices. At an average of £704 per month, rent in Blackpool works out as 40% of the average monthly salary.' It might feel remote to some, but Oban is well-connected. Scotrail runs regular daily trains to and from Glasgow, with tickets starting from around £20. The scenic journey does take about three hours by rail, but since it runs through the Highlands, you're spoilt for beautiful scenery. Oban also serves as the main ferry port for those wanting to reach the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa and is often used as a base for island-hopping. Oban has been described as a 'paradise' for seafood lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and many locals have raved about life there, declaring it a 'gorgeous part of the world'. More Trending One resident on Mumsnet wrote: 'Oban is beautiful, a wonderful place to live and work. Winters are mild, being on the west coast. You get used to midges, they are not the big problem everyone thinks they are, especially by the coast, a bit of sea breeze and they can't fly so won't bother you.' Others praised its pace of life compared to the city, including Redditor Stevoknevo70 who commented: 'I've lived in Oban for six years now, wild horses couldn't drag me back to Glasgow. Wonderful place to raise a family, can be on the beach in under 10 minutes, and easy access to numerous islands.' According to Rightmove, the majority of properties sold in Oban during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £151,783. Detached properties sold for an average of £351,993, with semi-detached properties fetching £227,786. View More » So, while you might not secure a five-bedroom beachside property for £200,000, there are definitely affordable options. Oban – £220,458 (average house price) Morecambe – £194,295 Blackpool – £147,449 Troon – £225,977 Filey – £213,669 Scarborough – £202,600 Whitby – £253,519 Southport – £239,472 Dunbar – £327,821 Swansea – £200,648 Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Schoolboy who left teacher disfigured after throwing her onto concrete spared jail MORE: Body found in search for British man Greg Monks who went missing on stag do in Portugal MORE: Youngest ever Omaze winner puts £3,000,000 house on the market — for £2,500,000
Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Youngest Omaze winner puts her £3,000,000 house up for sale — for £2,500,000
For the price of just a £10 raffle ticket, winners of the Omaze Million Pound House Draw walk away with a dream home, complete with bougie interiors, and absolutely no mortgage stress attached. Each new owner has the choice to move in, rent, or sell up, with the majoritychoosing to put their house on the market, and become an instant cash millionaire. Lauren Keene, the youngest winner at just 24, is no different. Back in December, she won a Wirral property, valued at more than £3,000,000. Now, less than six months later, she's selling up her six-bed James-Bond style mansion — but for just £2,500,000, half a million less than it's previous valuation. When Lauren, a nanny, found out about her win, she was on her way to grab a trusty McDonald's drive-through meal. As she was pondering her options, her phone rang – Omaze was on the other end of the line to tell her that she'd won. You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 'I was sceptical — and hungry — but went straight home to see what I'd won,' Lauren, who is from Gloucester, said at the time. Afterwards, she joked that she wasn't fussed about missing her regular post-work snack as 'missing that Maccies' made her a 'multi-millionaire.' Although she did later pick up a 'very, very happy meal'. A few days after finding out about the life-changing win, Lauren and her partner Ryan Mitchell, 25, a software engineer, celebrated his birthday in style. She joked that the house was his 'birthday and Christmas present combined.' The couple – who have been together since they were 18 – had been saving relentlessly to buy a place of their own, with Lauren still living in a two-bedroom flat with her dad. Lauren's home (called Rock Mount) spans 4,750 square feet and was even nominated for the RIBA Mansell House of the Year. It draws on inspiration from the American West Coast and mid-century modern styles – and certainly wouldn't look out of place in LA, either. The interiors certainly don't skip on the details, complete with a state-of-the-art cinema room, double garage, and even a sunken sofa. Outside, there's a heated swimming pool, paired with a huge terrace and multiple full-width balconies overlooking the space. Perfect for hot girl summer, right? CEO of Yopa Estate Agents, Verona Frankish, tells Metro that the postcode where the Omaze home is located, CH48, has actually seen a 10% increase in property prices since December 2024. In her view, the reduced value 'hasn't been driven by a decline in local property values' — but it's important to consider that housing stock in the area is 'rather slim.' 'Homes priced at £1,000,000 or more account for just 16% of the total homes for sale, while homes valued at £2,500,000 or more account for just 4%,' Verona explains. 'So the likelihood is that the pool of potential buyers will be limited, and when you also consider that the design of this particular property is a little more contemporary than the more traditional aesthetic of other prime properties in the area, it might not hold the same degree of appeal.' However, she adds that winning a £3,000,000 property for a 'few pounds' means that a reduction is, of course, 'easier to stomach. You're essentially 'making £2,500,000, rather than losing £500,000.' Naturally, homes of this value aren't for the average prospective homeowner, as it massively exceeds the typical rate across the UK, which data from Zoopla places at £268,250. In terms of the types of buyers the home might attract, Verona reckons it'll catch the eye of people with 'deep enough pockets' – but believes it's 'probably more suited to a younger buyer due to its style.' She sees it as a 'beautifully unique property with a wealth of attractive features,' and notes that it's a 'relative steal, providing very good value for money to whoever does take it on.' Of the 37 winners, many chose to sell their properties. The Dorset home – which was won by 60-year-old father-of-three Chris Milnes – is currently on the market for £2,100,000. In June 2024, when he won the property, it was valued at £2,500,000. When he first found out, he hadn't even told his family that he'd entered the draw – so naturally, they were 'speechless.' Having spent most of his childhood in a council flat in Leeds, Chris always intended to sell up and cash in to unlock a new life as a multi-millionaire. He said he wanted to give his 'children the start in life I never had.' Meanwhile, the Surrey home – originally valued at £3,000,000 and won by 54-year-old Rachael Reid from Inverness in July 2024 – is currently on the market for £2,750,000. More Trending When Rachael first received the call, she thought a family member was playing a joke on her. She never expected her life to change forever. But for now, Rachael loves where she lives – which is why the family have decided to cash in and pocket the money so that they can buy an 'amazing home' closer to their family and friends in Scotland. 'The money from the sale will change everything for the entire family – it's just incredible – we're all so excited for the future – we might even build our very own Omazing house!' Rachael said at the time. 'Entering Omaze was the best decision I ever made – I wish anyone who enters the best of luck, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » MORE: Nearly half of landlords plan to raise rents by £888 this year MORE: The 5 hidden legal red flags that could derail your property purchase MORE: I'm on benefits – landlords refuse to rent to me
Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Nearly half of landlords plan to raise rents by £888 this year
Nearly half of buy-to-let landlords in Britain plan to increase the rent they charge because of the Renters' Rights Bill, research shows. The bill, brought in by Labour and set to come into force this year, means landlords will only be able to increase rents on their properties once per year. This increase would also be capped at the market rate – the price they would achieve if the property had been newly advertised for rent. But figures from housing lender Landbay found 44% of buy-to-let landlords will increase rents in response to the bill, by an average of 6%. This is well above the current level of inflation of 3.6%. This increase would add £74 to the average monthly rent, costing tenants an extra £888 per year. You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Plus, tenants can challenge rent increases at tribunal if they think they exceed market rate. Their research also found the vast majority of landlords (89%) plan to raise rents in the next year, with about 40% planning to increase rents by 3% or more. The figures come at a dire time for renters, as there are 1.7million tenants who are only one paycheque away from being homeless, Shelter says. Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director of Landbay, said: 'This sharp rise in rents in the short term shows the unintended consequence of this new regulation, as landlords look to act now and pre-emptively raise rents in fear of future cost implications or difficulties, and to protect their investments. 'By forcing the hand of landlords in this way, there is a real risk of worsening the cost of living crisis that so many private renters are currently facing. 'Any good and reasonable landlord will agree with protecting the rights of tenants, but they also believe that the rights of the property owner should be protected too. 'There's no doubt we need to balance reform with support and safeguards for landlords to make sure that the rental market continues to play the important role it does in the UK's housing mix. 'While we may not be able to influence government policy or regulation, our role as a BTL lender is to ensure our product range is competitive and delivers exactly what landlords need – whether that's for purchases or refinancing.' The Renters' Rights Bill is bringing in new protections and rights for the 11million people in England who privately rent. This will give tenants more rights – but landlords see the reforms as giving them less control over their properties. Critically the bill will also abolish Section 21 'no fault' evictions – but the National Residential Landlords Association has warned the courts will not be prepared to cope with the increase in demand. More Trending Landbay research found that 75% of landlords are concerned about the removal of Section 21 evictions and their ability to remove 'problem tenants'. The move raised fears tenants could be kicked out of their homes before the Section 21 ban comes into effect after 'veiled threats' made by landlords. The bill is currently being looked at by the House of Lords, and if it is given Royal Assent by the summer as planned it should come into force by the end of 2025. Other changes included in the Renters' Rights Bill include: Landlords can no longer ask tenants to pay more than one month plus a deposit equating to six weeks' worth of rent Ending fixed term tenancies Extending notice periods Allowing tenants to request a pet Restricting rent increases Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Rachel Reeves reveals £15,000,000,000 transport projects – here's what we know MORE: The 5 hidden legal red flags that could derail your property purchase MORE: The UK is 'sleepwalking into a bloody ambush and may not be around in 2034'
Metro
2 days ago
- General
- Metro
Iconic houses just off Portobello Road painted black to deter influencers
Residents of a brightly coloured London street are painting their houses black to deter tourists who are so loud they 'sound like a football match'. Neighbours on Lancaster Road in Notting Hill, where houses are worth upwards of £2,000,000, are inundated with tourists taking selfies outside their front doors. Now some of them are fighting back and have painted their houses a far less attractive colour. Black. The street is just metres away from the equally bright Portobello Road, which was named one of the most beautiful streets in the world by Conde Nast Traveller last November. Metro visited the popular street and found scores of tourists posing up. Mike, who has a bright turquoise flat on Lancaster Road, told Metro he has been forced to hold his meditation classes at the back of the house due to the disruption. You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. He added: 'What is more irritating than anything else is just noise. Tourists work at a different volume level. They are so unbelievably loud. 'There will be a group of 70 plus. It sounds like a football match.' The set designer, who moved in two years ago, called the Instagram photographers 'sheep' who 'go where everyone else goes just to be photographed in front of that.' He said the scaffolding just came off the now black houses at the end of the street, which is right around the corner from where Bob Marley recorded his seminal albums at Island Records. Mike fears, however, that the new paintwork will just become 'the new epicentre for goths.' He also seems reluctant to repaint his house because of the sheer cost of the scaffolding job, which could go into the thousands. Neighbours are clearly riled by the constant flow of tourists on Lancaster Road. The houses have chains and belt barriers blocking off their front door steps, and there are signs telling people to be quiet. According to Mike, one cycled down the road shouting: 'You are all f***ing sheep. These are normal houses' at visitors a few days ago. But what do tourists think themselves? Metro spoke to the Obeid family, who were busy snapping away outside the colourful facades. Mum-of-three Tete said she 'loves the beautiful colours' after she took snaps outside the houses with her children, Conrado, Consuelo and Justina. The family are visiting London from Argentina and came straight to Lancaster Road after seeing the beautiful houses on social media. But when asked about the black houses, the family agreed they like the new edgy colour too. Despite this, Metro noticed tourists largely avoided taking pictures outside the black paint, and instead were drawn to the bright reds, blues and yellows on the street. More Trending Other residents are being asked to join suit in the black house revolt. In a letter sent to neighbours, residents said: 'It's clear that the bright and contrasting house colours are a major draw for photographs for their social media accounts. 'While we all value the charm of our street, the unintended consequence has been a surge in disruptive tourism.' Other colourful houses in Notting Hill and Portobello Road are yet to join suit, however. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Bollywood film worker and his partner found dead after 'taking mystery green pill' MORE: Motorcyclist seriously hurt after crash near London's Blackwall Tunnel MORE: No Tussauds waxwork for Starmer over fears he won't be relevant in five years
