Dutch & Dutch Monthly round up: September 2025

15 September 2025

Market Update

House prices in the UK are continuing to climb - albeit slowly. In August 2025, the average UK home price rose 0.3% month on month. Meanwhile, in London prices increased by 0.8% over the year.

Speculation is heating up around major tax reforms due in the upcoming autumn budget. Potential changes include extending capital gains tax on homes over £1.5 million, applying National Insurance to landlords and replacing stamp duty with an annual property levy. This level of uncertainty is significantly weighing down the upper end of the market - in affluent parts of London like Mayfair and SW10 some areas have as few as 10% or fewer homes under offer.

Political Headlines

Angela Rayner resigned on 5th September 2025 as both Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after admitting she underpaid approximately £40,000 in stamp duty. As Housing Secretary, Rayner was overseeing crucial reforms aimed at stabilising the market. While political turbulence often feels unsettling, for London's property market this moment could open up fresh opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

Angela Rayner’s resignation is a headline, but for Londoners it’s also a reminder that the property market is evolving and timing is everything.

Sellers - with fewer homes currently on the market, you have a prime opportunity to attract motivated buyers
Buyers - entering the market now could mean securing a property before any major tax reforms come into play
Investors - rental demand and international capital are working in your favour

The Renters' Rights Bill - Latest Developments

At Dutch & Dutch we have been keeping you updated on the Renter's Rights Bill throughout its journey and now it's edging closer to the finish line. Below is a brief update on what it could mean for you.

Set to roll out in 2026, the reforms will:

End no-fault evictions (Section 21).
Make rolling tenancies the norm.
Limit rent increases to once a year.
Enforce Decent Homes standards.
Protect tenants from discrimination.

What this means:

Greater stability for tenants
Landlords/investors benefit from loyal tenants and demand for quality properties
Sellers of rental stock may see increased interest from investors

Renters’ Rights Bill - Key Updates

On 8 September, the Government overturned several House of Lords’ amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill. The Bill now goes back to the Lords, but it’s expected to progress quickly towards Royal Assent.

Key points:

No extra pet deposits – landlords can’t ask for a separate “pet deposit"
Student lets – limited to HMOs only, no wider use of fixed-term contracts
Property sales – 12-month wait before re-letting remains in place
Carers – no new possession ground introduced
Agricultural lets – expanded to include self-employed workers

Parliament goes into recess on 19 Sept, so final sign-off is expected after that.

Final Thoughts

At Dutch & Dutch, we see this moment as one of possibility, not pause. Whether you're buying, selling, renting or investing, our team is here to help you navigate London's ever evolving market.