Press & media coverage

New research from London lettings and estate agent Benham and Reeves has used the London Marathon route as a lens on the capital's rental market, finding that average asking rents range from £1,500 to £6,000 per month across the 26.2-mile course.

Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, said: “The combination of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and the increase in mortgage rates has understandably caused some buyers to pause for thought, particularly across the higher end of the market where affordability is already stretched. However, what we’ve seen is not a collapse in confidence, but a more cautious and considered approach from both buyers and sellers.”

Marc von Grundherr, director at Benham and Reeves, said: “The combination of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and the increase in mortgage rates has understandably caused some buyers to pause for thought.”

Q1 saw a slight increase in the proportion of open-market £2mn+ property listings that had already secured a buyer.

Benham & Reeves Hong Kong will host a launch event featuring property previews and a seminar on the Renters’ Rights Act ahead of its major rollout on 1 May. The seminar will be essential for prospective landlords and current owners seeking to understand the new regulatory landscape.

In a city as expensive as London, you’d be forgiven for assuming that affordable housing requirements are fixed rules. But as Benham and Reeves’ director, Marc von Grundherr, explains, this actually isn’t the case. He says the benchmark is generally 35% for affordable housing, and 50% on public land. Despite this, he believes the decision to allow the Canada Water plans to proceed is ‘understandable.’

The boss of a lettings agency claims landlords are upping their investment in Buy To Let despite greater regulation and rising taxes. And to prove the point, he’s just become the landlord of a property in central London.

Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves: “The latest figures for January show that whilst it may be a new year, the UK property market has remained predictably consistent. House prices are holding firm and have continued to edge up on both an annual basis despite some month to month fluctuation. This more measured rate of growth suggests a market that is building momentum on a far stronger foundation when compared to the sharp rates of inflation seen in previous years. London has also shown one of the strongest rates of monthly growth, suggesting that whilst the market may be more subdued than the wider national picture, the tide could be now turning".

The boss of a lettings agency claims landlords are upping their investment in Buy To Let despite greater regulation and rising taxes. Marc von Grundherr, director of London agency Benham and Reeves, says despite the likes of Making Tax Digital and the Renters Rights Act, landlords are still buying up property assets at an increased rate.

Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves, observed that London has shown “one of the strongest rates of monthly growth, suggesting that whilst the market may be more subdued than the wider national picture, the tide could be now turning.”