Surprisingly Useful Blog...

Battersea was such an undesirable location in Victorian times, that, in order to alter the perception of the area, town planners named its station ‘Clapham Junction.’ This station name has remained the same ever since, despite the fact that it sits s...

Spanning the reign of Queen Victoria between 1837 and 1901, the Victorian era was arguably the most radical historical period for Britain in terms of modernisation, and such change was reflected in the architecture of the time.

Victorian buildings pr...

When you dispose of any house (all or part thereof), or even part of a garden attached to your property, you would normally be required to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any gain made as a result of the sale. However, pursuant to certain eligibility ...

If you own property for rental and you decide to sell, you will be liable for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) as well as personal income tax. CGT is payable on the profit you make when you sell the property, so it’s important to understand how to calculate y...

As the UK steps further out of lockdown, while there is some trepidation, there is also a lot of renewed activity. According to data from the Land Registry’s UK House Price Index, average British home prices for May 2021 had risen 10% annually - an i...

Living in Forest Gate is becoming increasingly popular. The area in East London is part of the borough of Newham. The district derives its name from a gateway that was built to prevent cattle from Wanstead Flats and Epping Forest from straying onto t...

We have handpicked our favourite properties currently on the sales market suitable for anyone looking to get a foot on to the London property ladder. Take a look below!

1. Curwen Road, Hammersmith, W12 - £385,000

A modern one bedroom apartment located ...

Leyton in East London takes its name from the River Lea and was originally known as the settlement by the Lea. From its origins as a small village, it grew with the coming of the railway and the subsequent growth of industry and associated housing.

T...

Even if you’re just renting a property, it’s important it feels like home. There’s loads of ways you can add your own touch and make it a little more cosy without making changes to the existing property or breaking the bank. Why not try one of our to...

There’s no denying it - London can certainly be an expensive place to purchase property, and a tricky place to start with when it comes to getting yourself on the property ladder. According to the Office of National Statistics, the average property p...

The rental market is booming, with many landlords considering getting in on the action. Whether you are a first-time landlord with no experience, or a go-it-alone landlord who has had enough of dealing with hassles like weekend maintenance calls, eng...

Famed for its stunning architecture and relationship to historical figures, Chigwell is among the best areas to live in the county of Essex. Dickens himself described it as ‘the greatest place in the world.’ While it’s far less of a stand-alone town ...

When buying a house it’s vital your credit score is at a certain level, otherwise your mortgage could be declined. If you wait until you decide to get a mortgage, it’s impossible to make quick changes to your score to improve it. It’s important in th...

Whether you're looking to find a new rental property or just fancy a browse, why not scroll through some of our favourite rental properties new to the Portico market! If you’re interested in any of the below properties, click through for further deta...

Have you ever wondered, ‘How much is my house worth?’ Well, can you find out very easily through a property valuation. A property valuation is an appraisal of your home that is conducted by a property expert, in order to determine just how much it is...

Renting out any property is extremely competitive, particularly in large cities such as London where there are often hundreds of properties on the rental market in just one area at the same time. It is also important to find the best tenant who you c...

The origins of Whitechapel date back to the 13th century, when the church of St Mary Matfelon was founded and was soon dubbed ‘alba capella’ - meaning ‘white chapel’.

In the 15th century, industrialisation ushered in a new era of engineering, brewing ...

According to recent statistics, joint mortgage applications of cohabiting couples increased by a staggering 60% year-on-year in 2020. Applications submitted by those in civil partnerships rose by 15%, whilst for married couples, the volume increased ...

We've handpicked our top ten most interesting properties currently on the sales or lettings market. From a two bedroom apartment in a former Victorian hospital in Woodford to a five bedroom family home with a private swimming pool in North Finchley, ...

According to analysis from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the number of second homes being purchased in the UK had already hit a record high before the pandemic struck.

According to the data, secondary homes - whether renta...

Woodford’s growth dates back to the 18th century when wealthy London merchants built mansions in a green, leafy area previously populated only by small medieval hamlets. Reflecting its history, the area retains many grand Edwardian and Victorian home...

We've handpicked ten of our favourite properties currently for sale that are priced for £400,000 and less which are perfect for first-time buyers, investors and those looking to find a home in the City. Check out our top picks below

1. Lordship Lane, ...

If you are looking to get onto the property ladder, Portico Finance, an FCA approved mortgage broker and protection service, can help get you the best possible mortgage deal with access to over 70 lenders as well as clarify the often-confusing proper...

If you’re currently thinking about investing your money into buying a property, chances are that you’ve considered the option of snapping up an older property and renovating it. While this can certainly be a great way to secure a more profitable retu...

Ilford has a long history and was originally part of the parish of Barking. It was created as a separate parish in 1830 before forming its own council in 1888.

For a large part of the 19th century Ilford remained a small village with large parts of t...

Due to the Stamp Duty deadline, there has been so much attention on the booming sales market of late. But, recent data reveals there has also been a rental market boom. The rental market has recorded a solid month, with rents rising and voids (period...

If you are a first-time buyer looking to get onto the property ladder it can be a daunting and costly process. Unexpected costs such as broker fees can often leave your budget stretched to the limit when you are wanting to furnish or decorate your fi...

With lockdown measures lifting and life slowly returning to normal, 30th June 2021 also saw the phased ending of the Stamp Duty holiday. First announced in July last year, the holiday removed paying stamp duty on the first £500,000 of a purchase pri...

Despite the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, property prices in the UK have continued to rise fairly sharply and the housing market has remained active and buoyant. And with little sign of any significant slowing, many are wondering wha...

The ongoing effects of Covid-19 and the limited number of holiday destinations on the “green list” means Brits are likely to spend this summer on home turf and enjoy a staycation. In fact, 80% of all Portico Host bookings are for Airbnb properties in...

Passing property to loved ones can be tricky, especially if you own multiple properties or buy-to-let properties. By taking the appropriate steps and planning for the future, you can not only mitigate your capital gains tax (CGT) but inheritance tax ...

At Portico, we want your moving experience to be as smooth and hassle-free as...

Help to Buy is a government equity loan scheme, the key advantage being that it can allow you to purchase a property with just 5% down as a deposit. Essentially this means that, under the scheme, part of your 95% mortgage is covered by the government...

The lockdowns have been lifted, summer is nearing full swing, and house prices are on the up. Rents have continued to drop somewhat in some London locations, but tenant registrations are up and the return of overseas students coupled with the reopeni...

Are you a first-time buyer? Buying your first property is probably the most expensive purchase you are ever going to make so you should not go into it half-heartedly. To help you, we have put together a list of our top ten tips to get your foot on th...

Whether you're looking to find a new rental property or just fancy a browse, why not scroll through some of our favourite rental properties new to the Portico market! If you’re interested in any of the below properties, click through for further deta...

When restoring, updating, or otherwise renovating a Grade II listed building, there are strict Do’s and Don’ts or rules and limitations on how the process must be handled. These  protectionary laws can make it challenging, so it’s important to know w...

Having your own private garden, roof terrace, balcony, patio or even access to a communal garden has increasingly risen in popularity for many house hunters since the start of the pandemic whether looking to buy or rent.

According to Portico Dulwich...

The vaccine roll-out has finally ushered in the lifting of many lockdowns and restrictions, and with that comes the promise of improved economic conditions. This should have a positive impact on the property market, giving investors a better outlook ...