UK property facts

The highest average gross rental yield among the 316 council areas of England and Wales is in Newcastle upon Tyne, at 7.0%. The median is 4.4% and the lowest is Derbyshire Dales, at 2.8%.

Source: Housetrix rental yield ranking (HM Land Registry July 2026, ONS August 2026) · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

In Wales, Merthyr Tydfil has the highest average gross rental yield of the 22 council areas, at 5.8%.

Source: Housetrix rental yield ranking (HM Land Registry July 2026, ONS August 2026) · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

The national planning dataset records 7,275 Article 4 direction areas across 137 English councils. 103 of them restrict HMO conversions, in 45 councils; about 1,600 restrict commercial-to-residential conversions.

Source: Housetrix Article 4 monitor (planning.data.gov.uk) · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

19 of England's 50 highest-yield council areas have HMO Article 4 areas in the national planning dataset, against 0 of the 50 lowest-yield areas.

Source: Housetrix research: rental yields and HMO restrictions · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

Stamp duty (SDLT) in England and Northern Ireland for a home mover: 0% up to £125,000, 2% from £125,001 to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5 million and 12% above.

Source: gov.uk: Stamp Duty Land Tax residential rates · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay no stamp duty up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. Above £500,000 the relief does not apply at all.

Source: gov.uk: Stamp Duty Land Tax residential rates · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

Buyers of an additional residential property, such as a buy-to-let or second home, pay 5 percentage points on top of every stamp duty band in England and Northern Ireland.

Source: gov.uk: buying an additional residential property · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

Section 21 no-fault evictions ended in England on 1 May 2026, when assured shorthold tenancies became periodic tenancies. Landlords now regain possession through section 8 grounds.

Source: gov.uk: guide to the Renters' Rights Act · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

England's private rented sector landlord database opens region by region from 15 December 2026, West Midlands first. Registration deadlines run from 14 March 2027 to 14 November 2027, and the fee is £65 per property per year.

Source: MHCLG Housing Hub: get ready to register · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

The median time from a landlord's possession claim to repossession in England was 27.1 weeks in April to June 2026.

Source: gov.uk: mortgage and landlord possession statistics, April to June 2026 · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

From 6 April 2027, property income is taxed at 22%, 42% and 47% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2 points above the standard rates. The section 24 finance-cost credit rises from 20% to 22% at the same time.

Source: gov.uk: changes to tax rates for property, savings and dividend income · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax covers landlords and sole traders with gross qualifying income over £50,000 from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028.

Source: gov.uk: use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

Gains on residential property are taxed at 18% within the basic-rate band and 24% above it, after a £3,000 annual exempt amount. UK residents must report and pay within 60 days of completion.

Source: gov.uk: Capital Gains Tax rates · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

Privately rented homes in England will need an EPC rating of C or above by 1 October 2030, with landlords' spending capped at £10,000 per property, under the government response published in January 2026.

Source: gov.uk: improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, government response · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact

The reformed Decent Homes Standard will apply to private and social rented homes from 2035, confirmed in the policy statement of 28 January 2026.

Source: gov.uk: the new Decent Homes Standard policy statement · checked 24 September 2026 · link to this fact