Over the past 18 months, one buyer trend has stood out above all others: hesitation.

The cost-of-living crisis isn’t just affecting tenants – landlords are feeling it too. Rising mortgage rates, higher insurance premiums, and repair costs that seem to climb every week mean every penny counts. But responsible landlords know there are smart ways to protect their investment and support their tenants through challenging times.

If you’re planning to move in 2026, the best time to get ready isn’t when the Christmas tree comes down — it’s right now.

With Christmas around the corner, everything slows down a little. Emails tail off, work diaries ease, and for a short while at least, the urgency of the year steps back a bit.