David S. Byers

6 days ago | thetimes.com | David S. Byers

In the drawing room of his private boarding school, in a grade II* listed Georgian building in the Berkshire countryside, Charlie Freer doesn’t equivocate over why he has decided to close its doors for the final time next month. “Broadly, it’s tax,” he says, sitting next to French double doors that open out on to undulating landscaped gardens in which a marquee has been set up for what will be his pupils’ last ever summer ball.

1 week ago | thetimes.com | David S. Byers

2 weeks ago | thetimes.com | David S. Byers

3 weeks ago | thetimes.com | David S. Byers

A total of 47 per cent of Americans interested in Britain are searching for smaller homes with up to two bedrooms, while 32 per cent want three to four bedrooms. Analysts suggest the Trump effect - particularly richer liberal buyers seeking a bolt-hole abroad amid concern about the impact of the president's policies - is increasing the share of US buyers in Britain.

3 weeks ago | thetimes.com | David S. Byers

This has been a long time coming. In 2016 George Osborne, then chancellor, raised stamp duty by three percentage points for second home buyers and also eroded the tax relief that landlords could claim on mortgage interest. Then landlords endured a sharp rise in mortgage rates from autumn 2022. Finally, in her autumn budget last year, the present chancellor, Rachel Reeves, raised stamp duty by another two percentage points.