Average house prices increased at the start of 2026, with Nationwide recording a slight acceleration in annual growth and a modest month-on-month rise.

Development finance confidence peaked mid-year as brokers searched £70bn in loans.

The new regulations, subject to parliamentary approval, will come into force on 1 April.

Alongside the changes to its buy-to-let offering, the lender has also announced the launch of its new broker portal dashboard.

The five-year fixed remortgage product is now 4.96% at 75% LTV with no product fee.

Rates on two-year 75% LTV products have been cut by 10 to 25bps, with Standard and Limited Company pricing now from 3.69%.

Half of England's privately rented homes (50.1%) currently sit below the Government's minimum EPC C threshold, equating to 2,479,757 properties needing improvement.

The development will deliver 10 homes, including six restored from 16th and 17th-century buildings and four timber-frame new builds.

The funding structure includes recycling £200,000 of sales proceeds and deferring part of the developer’s equity contribution into construction.

The refinance was completed under a fixed deadline to avoid penalty charges on an expiring short-term facility.