Hi there,

This is Chubby Wallet. The newsletter that teaches you how to profit from property trends before they go mainstream..

Here's what’s in store..

• Commercial property auctions rebound

• Prime London sales under pressure

• Renters reform bill finally gets go-live date

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

AUCTIONS

Commercial property auctions rebound

Essential Information Group just dropped the October 2025 UK property auction stats — a modestly firmer month with activity edging higher YoY, commercial stealing the show, and regional performances all over the map as buyers stay picky.

The details:

• Lots offered nationwide up 4.3% YoY to 4,434; lots sold +2.4% to 3,029; total raised +9.7% to £611.8m, success rate dipped to 68.3% as more stock meets selective demand.

• Residential stayed flat on volume (2,677 sold) but money raised +7.2% to £521.7m, pricing holding firm despite the extra choice.

• Commercial was the standout: lots offered +20%, lots sold +24.4%, money raised +27% to £90.1m — clear sign investors are hunting yield again.

• Rolling quarter highlights: South-West crushed it (+30% lots sold, +15% raised), South-East Home Counties +22.4% raised, Scotland residential flying (+60% sold, +152% raised). North-East and London lagged hard (North-East sales -36%, raised -32%; London raised -6.5% despite more lots).

Why It Matters

Commercial rebound is the big green shoot, appetite for income assets is back after the rate-hike squeeze. Vendors who price realistically sell fast, with private-treaty stock finally starting to correct and auctions absorbing the overflow at realistic levels, the 2025 story is the same, no fire sale, but definitely more buyer leverage than we’ve seen since 2021.

PRIME CENTRAL LONDON

Prime London market on pause

According to Savills, Prime London activity was subdued in Q3 2025 as pre-Budget uncertainty weighs on buyer sentiment, creating a quieter market with increased stock and selective opportunities for active purchasers.

The details

• Prime London sales volumes fell 19.9% YoY in Q3, with the £5m+ segment down 26.1%; the customary autumn uplift in activity was notably absent amid speculation over potential budget changes (Savills; LonRes).

• Available stock rose 18.7% YoY by end-September, supported by a 20.1% increase in new instructions during Q3; £5m+ new listings remained broadly stable (Savills; LonRes).

• Annual price adjustment of -3.9% in prime central London and -2.6% across wider prime areas; total change since Q1 2020 stands at +1.9% overall.

• Performance depends on sub-markets and property type: e.g there’s growing strength in prime Notting Hill/Kensington/Fulham houses vs declining sales in Knightsbridge & Belgravia flats

Why It Matters

Right now, there are more properties for sale than usual in prime central London, fewer buyers are competing, and some sellers are extra motivated because it's the end of the year. This means smart buyers can now negotiate good (lower) prices on the right properties.

REGULATORY UPDATE

RENTERS REFORM ACT

Renters reform goes live in 6 months

It’s official, the Renters’ Rights Act goes live on May 1 2026, coinciding with International Workers’ Day.

The Details:

• All existing and new private tenancies in England convert automatically to open-ended periodic assured tenancies; fixed-term ASTs are abolished.

• Section 21 no-fault evictions end immediately; possession only via statutory grounds (court process retained).

• Tenants gain the right to end tenancies with two months’ notice and request pets (refusal must be reasonable)

• Blanket bans on bidding up rents by Landlords, and demands for rent in advance

• Local authorities may impose civil penalties of up to £7,000 per breach (£40,000 for repeated or serious offences)

• Tenants may seek rent repayment orders of up to two years’ rent for specified offences

• Property Redress Scheme Landlord Ombudsman and PRS database delayed until late 2026 at the earliest.

Why it matters

1 May 2026 represents the most significant structural change to private renting in England since 1988, shifting the balance decisively toward tenant security while introducing immediate and severe financial sanctions for non-compliance. Landlords and agents have under six months to update contracts, policies, and procedures before the majority of the new regime and its enforcement powers takes full effect.

That's it for this week folks. Each week we'll cover strategies, updates and insights to help you succeed in real estate. We love this stuff!

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