Polanski’s houseboat highlights tension between property and politics
Mortar and Margins ep 19 Zack Polanski’s council tax controversy has reignited a familiar debate about political hypocrisy, wealth taxes and the growing hostility towards landlords and property owners. What began as a dispute over whether the Green Party deputy leader should have been paying council tax on his canal boat residence has quickly evolved […]
How to fix the UK – it’s all about property
Margins and Mortar episode 18 Few issues loom as large over Britain’s economic and social future as housing. It shapes where people live, how they work, and the opportunities available to them. From high house prices to regional inequality, many of the country’s most persistent challenges appear, at least in part, to trace back to […]
The Renters’ Rights era: lessons from Scotland
Mortar and Margins episode 17 The so-called “renters’ rights era” marks one of the most significant shifts in UK housing policy in decades, reshaping the balance between landlords and tenants and prompting a wider debate about the future of the private rental market. While headlines have often veered towards extremes – from predictions of collapsing […]
How to buy property like an investor
Mortar and Margins episode 16 For most people, buying a home is the biggest financial decision they will ever make. Yet the way many approach it is emotional, reactive and, at times, financially naïve. By contrast, seasoned property investors take a far more structured and strategic approach – one that prioritises long-term value, flexibility and […]
Are you being played by your tenants?
Mortar and Margins 12 Imagine you are a landlord with a handsome Regency property in Cheltenham. It is a short walk from the centre, all high ceilings and winter draughts. Your tenants are a young couple who have caused no trouble for two years. Then, during Festival week, the boiler fails. You send a trusted […]
Beware the perfect tenant
Mortar and Margins episode 11 explores how to deal with a scam tenant. You find what looks like the ideal tenant for your high-end Manchester property. Professional, high income, spotless references. The keys are handed over and everything seems straightforward. Then, after the first month, the rent stops. Phone numbers are disconnected. Emails bounce back. […]
The EPC climbdown and the problem with Making Tax Digital.
Episode 10 By Duncan Hooper and Adam Lawrence The government’s recent announcement on Energy Performance Certificates has been widely welcomed by landlords, but the headline changes mask several important details that will shape investment decisions over the next decade. The most significant shift is the decision to align all privately rented properties to a single […]
There’s more to London and homes as pensions
For more than a decade, headlines have periodically announced the death of London. Each time, the claim is framed as a sudden collapse, a dramatic turning point, or proof that the capital’s dominance is finally over. In reality, what is being described today is not a new phenomenon but the long tail of changes that […]
Get involved in the January sales, and US investor ban: Mortar and Margins 8
By Duncan Hooper and Adam Lawrence January is usually framed as a quiet month in the property market, a time when confidence is low and headlines are dominated by predictions of decline. Yet this year, the data and the underlying dynamics tell a more interesting story. While many landlords and investors are choosing to sell, […]
How to Value Your Property Portfolio in 2026
Whether you are managing a single rental or a sprawling portfolio, understanding the true value of your assets is not just an accounting exercise; it is the foundation of your investment strategy. It’s important to keep on top of what your assets are worth so you can take timely decisions about when to sell and […]
Urgent actions for landlords ahead of year-end
In Episode 6 of Mortar and Margins The conversation around how to fund Britain’s public services is reaching a fever pitch. As the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest continues to widen, some political figures are proposing radical shifts in how we view the national economy and private wealth. At the heart of this […]
Don’t wait – your mortgage options won’t get much better
The US Federal Reserve recently cut its benchmark interest rate, and the Bank of England is expected to follow suit next week. Property owners and investors are naturally asking what this means for mortgages, borrowing, and their portfolios. A common temptation is to wait for rates to drop before making financial decisions, but this approach […]