Did you know there are homes in the UK actually named “Halloween”? From Norwich to the Cotswolds, each carries its own spooky charm. A home’s name can spark emotion before anyone steps inside—proof that properties sell not just on bricks and mortar, but on the stories they tell.

Private renting has grown across every UK region over the last 40 years, but the scale and pace are often misunderstood. This graphic shows how uneven that growth has been, shaped largely by the decline in social housing. Understanding this shift helps explain today’s housing balance and the choices ahead.

This visual snapshot reveals how property values rarely move in unison. Some streets surge ahead, others advance more quietly, each following its own rhythm. It’s a reminder that markets are made of micro stories, where proximity alone doesn’t guarantee the same outcome.

A new £2m-plus home surcharge is billed as progressive, but its impact falls mainly on London and the South East, where many owners now face an annual bill from 2028. Critics warn it punishes long-term residents, cools the prime market and deepens regional divides, even as households weigh downsizing. Many fear a new cliff edge at £2m too.