London landlords have started the new year by dropping their rents according to estate agency Chestertons, whose data suggests that there are 41% more rental properties currently available in London than there were in January 2023.

With more properties on the market, tenants are enjoying more choice and are under less pressure to make a decision quickly. Data from Rightmove supports this, showing that the average length of time a property is listed on the platform before being let or placed under offer increased from 33 to 39 days. Growing numbers of landlords – 76% more than last year – have reacted to this shift in the market by choosing to reduce their asking rents to attract tenants.

Chestertons’ Head of Lettings, Adam Jennings, says: “We have seen a significant increase in landlords bringing their property to market as they have been attracted by the substantial rent increases over the last 18 months or so. This influx of properties has led to more choice for tenants and as a result, many landlords have decided to lower their rent expectations.

“We foresee the number of available rental properties to continue to grow in 2024, which will cause rent levels to adjust further. This does create more beneficial market conditions for tenants, however, London still has  one of the most competitive lettings markets out there and we advise tenants to start their search as early as possible”, Jennings adds.

In January alone, Chestertons registered a 7% increase in viewings compared to the same month last year.

Work is progressing well at a new Bovis Homes location in West Malling, with show homes due to open this spring.

Construction work at Pippins Place on the eastern edge of the Kent village started last year and the first homes were released for sale in the summer.

Two show homes are to open in the housebuilder’s four-bedroom Aspen and five-bedroom Birch house styles in February while the first new residents are expected to move into their completed homes in early Spring.

Candice McCabe, marketing manager for Bovis Homes, said: “The first homes are beginning to take shape at Pippins Place, and we are looking forward to opening a permanent sales office and show homes on site very soon.

“West Malling is highly sought-after among home-hunters because it is a charming village with a range of great restaurants, gastro pubs and boutique shops, and it is within easy reach of London.

“Pippins Place itself is just a 10-minute walk from the train station which has regular services into London taking less than an hour, so it’s the perfect location for commuters who work in the city but want to live away from the hustle and bustle.

“And there will be plenty to enjoy for those who come to live here as the development will include a country park, a children’s play area and an orchard. It will be a pleasure to come home to a property at Pippins Place.”

The development will be made up of 250 homes, which will include 150 three, four and five-bedroom properties for private sale and 100 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership. The affordable homes will range from one to four-bedroom properties.

The properties are being built on 44 acres of land to the south of the A20 London Road, with more than half the site providing green space, including a new country park.

A range of sustainability measures are planned for the scheme including solar panels and electric vehicle charging points at every house. There will also be measures to protect biodiversity including bird boxes and badger and hedgehog highways across the site.

Bovis Homes is part of Vistry Group, which also includes Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Pippins Place is a joint venture between Vistry Kent and Wates Developments.

Natalie Flint, residential investment director at Wates Developments, said: “We have worked with many Vistry regions over the years, with Pippins Place being the first joint venture with Vistry Kent.

“The development has been carefully designed to minimise its impact on the environment and deliver sustainable new homes which will become an integral part of the local community in West Malling.

“We are pleased to see that construction at Pippins Place is now well underway and look forward to seeing the first new homes taking shape.”

There’s currently a choice of three, four and five-bedroom Bovis Homes houses available to reserve at Pippins Place, with prices starting from £459,995. To find out more, visit bovishomes.co.uk.

InstallerSHOW is back from 21st to 23rd June and it’s bigger and better than ever this year in a new home at Birmingham’s NEC. InstallerSHOW will bring together over 300 exhibitors, 100 speakers and 10,000 visitors over the three days, with a packed exhibition of all the latest plumbing, heating and electrical products, plus a host of ideas and solutions to help the industry decarbonise buildings on the route to net zero.

There is SO much going on this year, so here are 8 of the highlights you won’t want to miss

1. Inspiring speeches: There will be two thought-provoking keynote speeches at the show, from Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, and environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt. Listen to what they have to say about the challenges facing the industry as we strive to decarbonise heat and buildings.
2. Educational discussions: The three elemental content theatres – Net Zero by Design with BEAMA, Decarbonising Buildings and Making Buildings Smarter – are an exciting addition for 2022, with expert-led panel discussions and seminars discussing everything from low-carbon housing retrofit to the rollout of EV charging points. The fantastic line-up of speakers features leading voices from organisations including BEIS, E.ON, Max Fordham, Homes England, Midland Heart, British Gas, NatWest, Wates Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Pivot Power, The Carbon Trust and many more.
3. Knowledge boost: The BESA Theatre is another place to head for those looking for free-to-attend educational content at the show, with a selection of sessions, aimed at building engineers and those seeking to further their professional knowledge, enhance their skills and ensure they remain fully qualified and competent in an environment of fast-moving changes and directives. Topics include ventilation for health and its balance with sustainability, and how and why to transition to heat pumps
4. Innovation: Another new feature for the 2022 show is theWates Innovation Zone – a showcase of low-carbon products from extensively vetted suppliers who can offer genuine, market-leading sustainable technology to help in the design, construction, maintenance and use of buildings. Just some of the innovators within the Wates Innovation Network include Solar glass, Hydrotap, Ecoprod, Beanbag, Dyson, Altecnic, Elysator and Mixergy. The full list can be accessed at wates.co.uk/wates-innovation-network/innovation-partners/
5. Special offers: And the product innovation doesn’t stop there, with over 300 exhibitors, there will be plenty of opportunity for visitors to get hands-on with the latest ranges, ask questions and also bag some superb offers. Many manufacturers offer exclusive show-only offers and The Great Industry CLEARANCE, run in association with Wolseley, is where visitors can walk away with some fantastic deals on tools, equipment, and supplies – most at well over 50% OFF the original price.
6. Hot topics: The hub of the show isthe InstallerPLAZA, sponsored by GlowWorm, where a series of events will be staged, including the announcement of the Heating Installer Awards Winners on Wednesday 22nd, and a special guest appearance by Midlands football legend, Dion Dublin. The InstallerPLAZA will host six Great Debates on some of the hottest industry topics. Hydrogen, heat pumps, smart homes, water saving, plus a live BetaTALK podcast will all take to the stage. Head to the InstallerSHOW website to see the full schedule and speakers.
7.  Hands-on training: Visitors can access no-cost training and update their skills at InstallerSHOW. The InstallerTHEATRE will host daily sessions from the Gas Safe Register, IMI Hydronic, Elysator and the CIPHE. Plus the new Installing the future. NOW! feature gives installers hands-on and practical training on the products that will lead the UK’s drive to net zero including EV charging points and heat pumps.
8.  Network: All visitors will get the opportunity to meet others looking for solutions to the same challenges and share ideas, or simply catch up with friends and colleagues from this close-knit industry. With challenges, giveaways, competitions, freebies and more, there’s plenty to keep you entertained over the three days. 2022 also sees the debut of Installer Street Food. After listening to feedback from past attendees, we have lined up some mouth-watering culinary surprises for our visitors to tuck into at our Installer Street Food complete with its very own Installer Pub.

Best of all, it’s completely FREE to attend. Register for your free ticket today > https://installer-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/pr0806