Press & media coverage

Marc von Grundherr, director of estate agent Benham & Reeves, said: “Overall, England offers a balance between continued market flexibility and increasing regulation: still attractive to investors, but with higher expectations around compliance and tenant protection than ever before.”

‘Sutton has always appealed to buyers looking for a more balanced London lifestyle and that appeal has only strengthened in recent years,’ Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, tells Metro. It offers the sort of family-focused environment that many London movers now prioritise, namely good schools, more green space, a stronger sense of community and significantly better value for money compared to many other commuter hotspots.’

Meanwhile, Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, said the news was also encouraging – even for the capital. “Buyer demand across London has remained consistent and, with mortgage rates continuing to improve, we expect confidence to strengthen further as we move through the summer market.”

Research by lettings agency Benham and Reeves analysed mortgage costs – assuming a 25% deposit and a 25-year mortgage term – shows that the average UK house price has increased from £191,298 a decade ago to £267,957 today, a rise of 40.1%.

Marc von Grundherr, director at Benham and Reeves, said: “The buy-to-let sector has faced a relentless stream of challenges over the last decade and landlords are now contending with substantially higher mortgage costs at the same time as sweeping legislative reform via the Renters’ Rights Act.

Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, saw London demand holding up despite national headwinds. "While the market may have paused for breath on a monthly basis, the wider picture remains one of stability and resilience and that's particularly encouraging given the economic uncertainty seen so far this year," he said.

Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves: “Whilst house price growth has picked up to 3.0% annually, performance so far this year has remained relatively modest, which reflects a market that is moving forward, but without the urgency seen in previous years. However, this shouldn’t detract from the underlying strength of the market. Buyer demand remains present, transactions are completing and, with yesterday’s decision by the Bank of England to hold the base rate, many homebuyers will feel reassured when it comes to committing to a purchase. This should help to sustain a steady level of activity over the coming months.”

For Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, the Act is best understood not as a single reform but as the latest in a long sequence of interventions. "The Renters' Rights Act arrives after years of sustained government intervention in the private rented sector, which has already been reshaped by repeated tax changes, regulatory tightening and a steadily increasing compliance burden," he said.

Marc von Grundherr, director of estate agency Benham and Reeves, said: “While current data points to continued investment, the longer-term trajectory of the market may hinge on how landlords respond to this next phase of fiscal reform.”

Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves, said: “The London Marathon route is a perfect demonstration of the diversity of the London rental market. What this really shows is that London remains a market of huge choice, whether tenants are looking for affordability, riverside living, vibrant neighbourhoods or a prime central London address.”