Ryan Bembridge

Toronto

Writer and Journalist at Freelance

Journalist and writer. Editor of @PropertyWire. Formerly editor of Property Investor Post and @mortgagechat Contact: [email protected] 🇬🇧 🇨🇦

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Articles

Construction project starts on the rise

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

There was a 25% uptick in projects staring in the three months to the end of May, research from Glenigan has found. This represents a 10% increase on 2024 figures. Allan Wilen, economic director at Glenigan, said: “The industry will welcome these results as, despite the downturn in major projects (Construction projects valued at >£100m) recently shown in the May Review, the underlying market, which represents the majority of work across the sector, appears to be on the up.
US private equity firm makes big ticket UK student housing acquisition

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

Dallas-based private equity firm Lone Star Real Estate Fund VII has agreed to buy nine purpose-built student accommodation assets for £212 million. The seller is Unite Student, the UK’s largest developer and owner of student accommodation, while the deal is set to go through in August 2025. The portfolio comprises 3,656 beds across nine high-quality PBSA assets in five well-located university markets: Aberdeen, Leicester, Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield.
Second home tax funding first-time buyer loans in Wales

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

A council is using a second homes tax to fund loans to first-time buyers in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The Homebuy Pembrokeshire scheme will provide a loan of up to 30% of a property’s value, which must be used towards a purchase. The loan is interest-free and secured against the property, while its value is linked to the cost of the home.
Planning permissions drop year-on-year

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

A decline in planning permission in England is threatening UK housebuilding targets, Investec research shows. In 2024 only 241,000 housing units received planning permission in England, a 3% decrease from the previous year. This shortfall is particularly acute in the South East, with London facing a substantial housing gap, with only 32,160 dwellings delivered in 2023, less than half the estimated amount required.
The pros and cons of buying a new build vs. an older property

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

Kevin Shaw, national sales managing director, LRGHistorically, older properties have been generally viewed as more desirable than new builds, mainly because their supply is finite and they can be in the very best locations. In addition, you tend to get a larger garden and driveway than with many newer homes. And, because of the limited supply of these ‘character’ properties, they have usually increased in value well and sold for more than an equivalent-sized new build.
Government EPC targets ‘unachievable’, says landlord group

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

The National Residential Landlords Association has accused the government of setting ‘unachievable’ and ‘unrealistic’ goals when it comes to EPC targets. It’s being proposed that every property across the private rented sector achieve a minimum EPC rating of C, which would apply to new tenancies by 2028 and existing tenancies by 2030. The fresh energy efficiency standards are expected to be confirmed in late 2026, effectively giving landlords a two-year timeframe to upgrade their stock.
Busiest May for sales agreed since 2021

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

May was especially busy this year, with agreed sales reaching a four-year high, Rightmove research has revealed. More favourable mortgage conditions have helped, as the average five-year fixed mortgage rate is now 4.61%, compared with 6.11% at the peak in July 2023. Across Great Britain, the number of sales agreed is now 6% ahead of the same period last year.
High street businesses call for government reforms to tackle crime

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

Representatives from major high streets have urged the government to reform policing and crime reporting across the UK. High Streets UK, which represents 5,000 businesses, spoke out against escalating violence against shop staff. The group’s key recommendations include an uplift in dedicated police in and around flagship high streets. Meanwhile there should be a national framework for businesses to report crime.
Anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

Anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what landlords need to know and how to stay compliant under the new regime.
Labour urged to prioritise infrastructure projects amidst slow start

3 weeks ago | propertywire.com | Ryan Bembridge

The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) has called on Labour to focus on detailed infrastructure projects to boost economic growth. These could include the building of new hospitals, roads, schools and prisons. The BCIS provides price and cost data for the construction industry. Dr David Crosthwaite, its chief economist, said: “The government has had a difficult first year. Some of the challenges faced have been external, but some have been of its own making.