In recent years, the UK’s coastal towns have experienced a significant revival—not just as charming tourist spots but as property investment hotspots. With increasing government attention, infrastructure investment, and projects like Eden Project North, areas once seen as secondary markets are now being recognised for their potential to deliver long-term capital growth and impressive yields, particularly for serviced accommodation and holiday lets.

In the property world, few three-letter acronyms stir as much anxiety as CGT—Capital Gains Tax. At face value, it's the tax you pay on your profits when you sell a property that has increased in value. Understandably, many investors view it as a burden or a cost to be avoided.

But here’s the truth savvy investors understand: paying Capital Gains Tax means you’ve done something very right.

In fact, CGT is one of the strongest indicators of successful property investing. Rather than trying to dodge it entirely, the best investors embrace CGT as a sign of healthy portfolio growth—and manage it strategically to maximise overall returns.

In this article, we explore why Capital Gains Tax is a good thing, what it really means for investors, and how to view it as a sign of long-term success—not a penalty.

Rent-to-Rent (R2R) is a property strategy where an operator takes control of a property from a landlord—often through a lease agreement—then lets it out to tenants or guests at a higher rate, typically as serviced accommodation (SA) or a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

The model promises high cash flow without property ownership, but its reliance on landlord agreements makes it inherently fragile.

In the fast-moving world of property investment, Rent-to-Rent (R2R) has exploded in popularity—often promoted as a “no money down” shortcut to success. On the surface, it sounds ideal: lease a property from a landlord, sublet it for a profit, and pocket the difference each month.

But behind the hype, the truth is much darker.

Many Rent-to-Rent arrangements are technically illegal, poorly structured, or operating in breach of contract—risking eviction, financial loss, damaged reputations, and even criminal prosecution. For investors and landlords alike, entering an R2R deal without expert legal and compliance oversight is like walking into a minefield blindfolded.

In this article, we expose the real issues with Rent-to-Rent, from voided insurance and mortgage terms to unauthorised subletting, broken leases, and the hidden liability nobody tells you about.

The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project was once envisioned as a sweeping high-speed network linking the great cities of the North. While scaled-back from its original ambition, targeted upgrades and new routes in 2025 are still triggering a wave of regeneration, connectivity improvements, and long-term investment potential across key towns and cities.

For property investors looking to stay ahead of the curve, understanding where rail-led growth is happening is critical. This article explores the towns set to benefit most from the NPR roll-out—and what it means for landlords and developers in the coming years.

In a housing market where prices in major UK cities continue to push the affordability ceiling, savvy landlords are looking for the next growth hotspots—towns with a strong economic foundation, solid transport links, and property prices that allow for a high yield. Warrington, nestled between Manchester and Liverpool, ticks all these boxes. In 2025, it stands out as a medium-term property play that offers value, resilience, and returns for both short-let and long let landlords.

In the property world, "yield" is a key metric that tells investors how much income a property generates compared to its value. It's a way of measuring the return on investment (ROI) from rental income.

Yield gives investors a simple snapshot of profitability—how hard their money is working for them. A higher yield typically means higher income return, which is attractive, especially in markets where capital appreciation is slower. It also helps investors compare different properties or locations quickly and make more informed buying decisions.

After a prolonged period of high interest rates aimed at tackling inflation, the Bank of England (BoE) has started to ease monetary policy.

In May 2025, the BoE reduced the base rate to 4.25%, down from a peak of 5.25% in 2024. Further cuts are expected throughout the year, with many analysts predicting a rate of 3.75% or lower by the end of 2025.

But what does this mean for mortgage holders and the wider housing market—particularly for those considering 2- or 5-year fixed mortgage deals?