Top headlines this week: Prices fall in 11 London cities And yYoung people are turning to artificial intelligence for mortgage advice.
Explore these and other key industry updates below:
Prices fall in 11 London cities: Rightmove
Average asking prices have fallen in many London commuter belt cities, while more affordable locations near Glasgow and Manchester are seeing strong growth, according to Rightmove.
Falkirk recorded the biggest rise of 13.5%, while Haywards Heath saw the biggest fall of 4.8%, highlighting how buyers are increasingly seeking better value in commuter areas as property prices fall.
YBS names Brayden as new Director of Distribution and CEO of Accord
Yorkshire Building Society has appointed Amanda Bryden as the new Distribution Director and Managing Director of Accord Mortgages, bringing over 25 years of mortgage and broking experience from roles at Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, Santander and Coventry Building Society.
She will succeed Jeremy Duncombe, who will support the transition ahead of his retirement at the end of 2026, with Bryden pledging to build on Accord’s brokerage relationships and develop propositions that better meet clients’ changing needs.
Young people turn to artificial intelligence for mortgage advice: Lloyds
Young people are increasingly using AI to manage their finances, with 28% of AI users aged 35-44 turning to it for mortgage advice, according to Lloyds Banking Group.
While 18-24 year olds are the most enthusiastic users of AI and digital financial tools, financial confidence appears to increase with age, highlighting the importance of combining technology and financial literacy.
Buyers return to housing market as searches rise 7%: Zoopla
Homebuyers are returning to the market ahead of an expected recovery in the autumn, with Zoopla recording a 7% year-on-year rise in property searches over the past four weeks and growth in every UK region for the first time in a year.
However, affordability remains a major constraint as rising mortgage rates have reduced borrowing capacity, while oversupply of housing and cautious buyer demand continue to keep house price growth low.
HMO planning refusals have doubled since 2021
HMO planning refusals in England have doubled between 2021 and 2025, rising from 590 to 1,203, according to research by 1st Avenue.
As more councils introduce Section 4 guidance restricting HMO transfers, the company warns that stricter controls could reduce the supply of legitimate, regulated shared housing and leave tenants with fewer affordable options.
Accord and TSB trim rates are up to 37 basis points
Accord Mortgages has cut interest rates by up to 37 basis points across residential product conversion and additional loan ranges, while TSB has reduced selected home purchase and remortgage rates by up to 20 basis points.
Accord’s biggest cuts were to three-year fixes, while TSB cut two-, three- and five-year purchase fixes and three-year remortgage rates.
Almost half of buy-to-let transactions in the UK are owned by companies
Almost half of buy-to-let properties in the UK are now owned by companies, with company ownership accounting for 45.1% of the market in Q3 2026, according to Lendlord.
The proportion rises to 57.6% among landlords with 20 or more properties, highlighting a clear shift towards corporate structures as investment portfolios grow, particularly in the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and Scotland.
Mortgage terms of 30 to 40 years are becoming the norm for younger borrowers
Two-thirds of borrowers under 30 take out mortgages with terms between 30 and 40 years, according to Spriv, compared to just 6% of homeowners aged 40 to 49.
Longer terms help younger buyers manage affordability, but mean they are on track to pay off their mortgage at an average age of 59 and face higher interest costs over the life of the loan.
Lending in later life jumps in Q2: UK finance
Lending to borrowers aged 55 and over rose 20.5% year-on-year to £6.2 billion in the second quarter, with 37,300 new loans made, according to UK Finance.
However, the industry body warned that the increase was amplified by weaker lending in the second quarter of 2025 following the stamp duty deadline, while industry figures highlighted a persistent gap between mainstream residential lending to older borrowers and specialist options later in life such as lifetime mortgages and retirement interest-only deals.
The government is investing £39 billion in social and affordable housing
The Government has announced almost £10 billion in funding to deliver more than 70,000 social and affordable homes across England, as part of its £39 billion housing programme.
It is expected that around 60% of homes will be for social rent, with funding aimed at addressing temporary housing and housing waiting lists, while industry figures have stressed the need for a mix of social housing and affordable home ownership options.
