Bank of England Holds Rates at 3.75% Amid Middle East Tensions
The Bank of England has confirmed it will hold the base interest rate at 3.75% following its latest Monetary Policy Committee meeting. Notably, a rate cut had been widely expected before the conflict in the Middle East escalated. That expectation has now been reversed. The key driver is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz […]
AI Is Changing Property Search But Expertise Still Wins
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept for the property industry. It is already here, and it is moving fast. New AI powered platforms such as Jitty and The Property DriveBuy are emerging as challengers, and even the largest portals are investing heavily in the technology. Rightmove, which reported revenues of £425.1m last year, […]
Blending Experience with Innovation: Introducing Nurtur AI Voice
At Drivers & Norris we believe great estate agency is built on two things. Experience and progress. For over 170 years we have built a reputation for trusted advice, strong local knowledge and long standing relationships across London. That foundation means everything to us. But so does looking forward. As part of our ongoing investment […]
Spring Statement 2026 – What It Means for the Property Market
Dear Client, Following the Chancellor’s Spring Statement and the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), we wanted to provide a clear update on what this could mean for the housing market and your property decisions in 2026 and beyond. Interest Rates & Inflation Inflation is forecast to return to the Bank of […]
Inflation at 3% How It Could Shape the Property Market
The latest figures show that UK inflation has fallen to 3% in the year to January, down from 3.4% in December. After a period of sustained cost pressures, this is a reassuring sign that the wider economy is beginning to stabilise. Lower petrol and food prices have played a key role in bringing inflation down, […]
Protecting Your London Property from Damp and Mould This Season
The UK has experienced an exceptionally wet start to 2026, with persistent rainfall across many regions and reports of near continuous rain in parts of the country. Recent national coverage has highlighted saturated ground conditions and ongoing flood risks following one of the wettest beginnings to a year in recent memory. Prolonged periods of rain […]
UK Interest Rates Held at 3.75% by the Bank of England
The Bank of England has today confirmed it will hold the base interest rate at 3.75%, in line with expectations. Inflation remains above the Bank’s 2% target, rising to 3.4% in December, which has encouraged policymakers to take a cautious approach at the first Monetary Policy Committee meeting of the year. Although rates have been […]
Landlords Given Until 2030 to Meet EPC C Requirements
If you rent out property, the Government has confirmed a new deadline that could affect your portfolio. By 1 October 2030, all rental properties must achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C, unless a valid exemption is registered. This applies to all rented homes, including properties with existing tenants, and forms part […]
UK Asking Prices Surge to Record High in January 2026
The UK housing market has kicked off 2026 with its strongest January price rise on record, according to the latest Rightmove House Price Index. Average asking prices climbed 2.8 per cent month on month — an increase of £9,893 — bringing the national average to £368,031. This surge reflects renewed seller confidence after a quieter […]
New Tenancy Agreement Wording Confirmed
The government has confirmed the wording that must be included in new written statements under the Renters’ Rights Act. From 1 May 2026, all new tenancies in England and Wales will be assured periodic tenancies, replacing fixed-term agreements. Landlords must provide tenants with a written statement containing specific mandatory information before a tenancy begins. This […]