Will UK mortgage rates fall in 2026?

The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% on 30 April 2026, with the next decision on 18 June. Markets had been pricing further cuts; the Strait of Hormuz disruption has pushed those expectations back. Lender fixed rates are priced off SONIA OIS swap rates, not the headline Bank Rate, and the Moneyfacts average 2-year BTL fix rose from 4.66% to 5.44% between March and April 2026.

Is UK property still a good investment with inflation at 3.3%?

Residential property historically reprices rent with inflation while leaving fixed-rate debt nominal-priced — a structural inflation hedge most other asset classes don't offer at the same scale. The MSCI UK Quarterly Property Index reported 7.6% total return for UK direct property in 2024, comfortably above CPI.

Where in the UK are yields highest in 2026?

Paragon Bank's most recent landlord data puts the North West at 7.84% average gross BTL yield — the highest of any English region. Greater Manchester is the demand engine inside that region, with £100bn GVA and a population approaching 3 million by mid-2026.

Should I fix my BTL mortgage for 2 or 5 years right now?

A 5-year fix removes refinance risk through the next likely shock cycle, at the cost of paying ~30 basis points more today. If your portfolio cashflow can absorb the higher rate, the 5-year buys you certainty. If you're betting on cuts, the 2-year is cheaper; if cuts don't come, you're back at the swap-curve roulette wheel in 2028. Personal call between you and a regulated broker.

Why is SJB Property Group still raising capital with this much volatility?

Because deals priced to today's swap curve, in the right patch, with the right structure, still clear our underwriting bar with a margin. We have a 100% repayment record across four investors and are currently underwriting to 5.75%-equivalent debt service on every model. We offer fixed-return JV contracts (8–12.5% per annum, secured against the property, contractually fixed) and equity-split structures.

Why is the North West outperforming the rest of the UK property market in 2026?

Three reasons stack: affordability headroom (North West stock trades at roughly half average London prices), the strongest regional rental yields in England at an average of 7.84% according to Paragon Bank, and a city-region economy growing at double the UK rate over the last decade. Nationwide HPI placed the North West at +3.1% YoY in April 2026, second only to the North East.

Why Stockport specifically rather than central Manchester?

Pricing and pipeline. Stockport terraces still trade in a sub-£260k window where buy-to-let and small HMO underwriting works on current mortgage rates, while a £1bn Mayoral Development Corporation programme is delivering 1,200+ new homes, 170,000 sq ft of office space, and a transformed transport interchange — eight minutes by train from Manchester Piccadilly. Central Manchester is a great market; Stockport is the one with regen dollars still arriving.

What is the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC)?

The Stockport MDC is a partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Stockport Council and Homes England, formed to deliver a £1bn town centre regeneration programme. Parliament approved an expansion of its boundary on 23 February 2026, roughly doubling the area in scope. To date the MDC has attracted £600m in private investment and delivered 1,200 new homes and 170,000 sq ft of Grade A office.

What yields can I realistically expect on a Stockport buy-to-let?

Single-let terraces in the Stockport postcodes we operate in typically yield 6–8% gross on purchase price, depending on refurb spec and rent achieved. Small HMOs to professional-tenant spec frequently exceed 9–10% gross. These are pre-finance, pre-tax figures — net cashflow depends on your mortgage product, your management model and your void assumption. Always model deals net, not gross.

Do you only manage properties for clients you've sourced?

No. We manage properties for landlords who already own in Greater Manchester (Stockport-heavy) regardless of how the property was originally bought. Full management is 10% of rent collected, tenant-find only is 65% of the first month's rent, refurb project management is 15% of build cost. Contact us for a no-obligation portfolio review.

Property Management Fees Stockport & Greater Manchester | SJB Property Group Pricing

Services and Fees

Professional Solutions for UK Landlords

We understand that every landlord has unique goals for their property portfolio. Some seek to maximise their rental income potential, while others prioritise absolute certainty and a completely hands-off experience. That's why we offer two distinct, professional solutions designed to meet you where you are. Explore our services below to discover which path is the right fit for you.

1. Professional Property Management (BTL and/or HMO)

Maximise Your Returns, Eliminate the Hassle

This is our comprehensive management service for landlords who want to retain the full market rent from their property without any of the day-to-day operational burdens. We handle every aspect of the tenancy, ensuring your asset is protected, your compliance is managed, and your income is optimised.

Our Full Management Service Includes:

Finding Your Ideal Tenants

Professional Marketing: We create a high-quality marketing pack, including property staging and photography, to attract the best tenants.
Baseline Advertising — Included: Your property is listed on SpareRoom, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and our website at no additional cost.
Premium Advertising — Optional, At Cost: Paid platforms such as OpenRent (with Rightmove and Zoopla redistribution), professional photography, floor plans, virtual tours, and branded "To Let" boards are available as optional extras. These are passed through at cost with no markup, and we'll always ask for your approval in advance for any spend over £25.
Rigorous Vetting: We conduct all viewings and carry out a thorough referencing and onboarding process, including Right to Rent checks, affordability criteria, and guarantor referencing to secure reliable tenants.

Hassle-Free Tenancy Management

Robust Agreements: Preparation and signing of all legally sound tenancy agreements, fully compliant with the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Seamless Onboarding: Full management of the tenant check-in process and deposit protection.
Reliable Rent Collection: We ensure rent is collected on time and provide you with clear, detailed monthly rental statements for your records.
Arrears & Legal Management: In the unlikely event of issues, we manage the entire rent arrears and legal notice process on your behalf.

Protecting Your Asset

Full Maintenance Management: We are the 24/7 emergency contact and handle all maintenance requests promptly using our network of trusted contractors.
Minor Repairs Included: Small handyman jobs taking under 60 minutes and needing under £25 of materials are carried out by our in-house team at no additional labour charge — part of the standard service.
Contractor Costs — At Cost: Any larger repairs are passed through at cost with no markup, with your approval required for anything over £250 (save for genuine emergencies such as burst pipes, gas leaks, or total loss of heating, where we'll act first and notify you immediately).
Regular Inspections: We conduct detailed inventories and regular property inspections to ensure your investment is being looked after.
Compliance & Licensing: Full management of all essential safety certificates and licences (e.g. Gas Safety, EICR, HMO licences) to ensure your property remains fully compliant.

Our Fees

Our fee structure is transparent and designed to reflect the value we provide. We operate on a pass-through basis — any third-party costs we arrange on your behalf are recharged at cost with no markup.

Ongoing Management Fee: 10% of the gross monthly rent collected.

Tenant Find Fee (within Full Management): 30% of the first month's gross rent on each new tenancy. This is half our standalone tenant-find rate of 65% — discounted in recognition of the existing management relationship.

Re-let Discount: 20% of the first month's rent if a replacement tenant needs to be sourced within 3 months of the previous tenancy starting.

Void Period Service: £10 per calendar month, applied only where the property is vacant for more than 14 days. This covers a monthly inspection and update while the property is empty.

Tenancy renewals, Section 13 rent reviews, and Section 8 notice preparation: included in the management fee.

🎁 New Client Offer 2026

Sign up for our Full Management service and we'll waive the Tenant Find Fee on your first tenancy, saving you 30% of the first month's rent. Offer valid on the first tenant find within 12 months of signing, subject to a 12-month minimum term. Available to new clients only.

Example Payment Scenario

For a property generating a gross monthly rent of £2,500, our 10% management fee would be £250, meaning you receive a net payment of £2,250 directly into your account each month.

2. The Guaranteed Rent Partnership

Your Rent, Paid on Time, Every Month. No Voids, No Bills, No Excuses.

This is our ultimate "peace of mind" solution, designed for landlords who want to completely step away from their property while receiving a fixed, guaranteed income. We effectively become your sole, professional tenant through a long-term company lease, giving you absolute financial certainty.

This All-Inclusive Partnership Includes:

Guaranteed Fixed Rent: We agree on a fixed monthly rental amount and pay it to you on time, every month, for a term of 3-10 years, regardless of whether the property is occupied or not.
Free Property Upgrade: We often invest our own money to upgrade your property to our professional standards. This can include, but is not limited to, new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and professional decoration, adding significant value to your asset at zero cost to you.
All Bills & Maintenance Covered: We assume responsibility for all utility bills and handle all general repairs and maintenance throughout the term of our agreement.
Complete Compliance Management: We manage all safety certificates and licensing requirements to ensure your property remains fully compliant.
Zero Fees or Voids. Ever: There are no management fees, commissions, or hidden charges. Your guaranteed rent is the net amount you receive.

Our Process & "Fees"
There are no ongoing fees for this service. We generate our profit from the difference between the guaranteed rent we pay you and the rent we collect from our tenants.

Our process is simple: it begins with a no-obligation visit to your property to assess its potential, after which we will provide you with a clear, guaranteed rental offer, typically within 24 hours.

3. Professional Tenant-Find Service

The Right Tenants, The Right Start. A Flawless Handover.
For the hands-on landlord who is confident in managing their own property but understands the immense value of starting a tenancy on the right foot, our Tenant-Find Service is the perfect solution.
Getting this crucial first step wrong can lead to months of stress, lost rent, and legal complications. We take this entire high-stakes process off your hands. We leverage our professional marketing, rigorous vetting procedures, and legal expertise to find you a high-quality tenant, set up the tenancy flawlessly, and then hand you the keys to a securely established tenancy, ready for you to manage.
Our Tenant-Find Service Includes:
Professional Marketing & Viewings
- Baseline Advertising Included: SpareRoom, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and our website — at no additional cost.
- Premium Advertising Available at Cost: Paid platforms such as OpenRent (with Rightmove and Zoopla redistribution), professional photography, and floor plans are available as optional extras, passed through at cost with no markup and subject to your approval for any spend over £25.
- Our team professionally conducts all viewings, presenting your property in the best light.
Rigorous Referencing & Vetting
- A thorough and comprehensive vetting process for all applicants, including Right to Rent checks, affordability criteria, and full guarantor referencing.
- Our goal is simple: to ensure you get a reliable and responsible tenant for your property.
Seamless Tenancy Setup & Handover
- Preparation and execution of a legally robust tenancy agreement that protects your interests, fully compliant with the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
- Full management of the tenant check-in process.
- Secure collection of the first month's rent and the tenancy deposit.
- Registration of the deposit with a government-authorised deposit protection scheme, with prescribed information served to the tenant.
- Production of a professional handover pack for you and your new tenant, containing all necessary documents and information for a smooth start.
Our Fees
Think of this not as a fee, but as an investment in securing a high-quality, long-term tenancy and avoiding the immense cost of a bad one.
Tenant-Find Fee: 65% of the first month's rent, charged as a one-off on tenancy commencement.
No-Let, No-Fee Guarantee: If we don't find you a suitable tenant, no fee is payable (other than any third-party advertising costs incurred with your prior approval).
Example: For a property with a monthly rent of £1,000, the one-off fee would be £650.
Looking for ongoing management after the tenancy starts? Our Full Management service includes tenant-find at a discounted 30% rate — see Section 1 above..

4. Refurbishment Project Management

Maximise Your Asset's Value, Managed by the Experts.

This service is designed for landlords who want to undertake a refurbishment to increase their property's value and rental income but lack the time, expertise, or local presence to manage the process themselves. We deploy our own trusted team and proven systems to handle your project from initial design to final handover, ensuring a high-quality result, on time and on budget.

Our Project Management Service Includes:

Strategic Planning: A full consultation to define the scope of work, followed by detailed budget creation and timeline scheduling to align with your goals.
Full On-Site Management: We deploy and coordinate our vetted team of contractors, manage all procurement, and act as the single point of contact for the entire project.
Quality Control & Reporting: Regular progress updates are provided to you, along with rigorous on-site quality checks to ensure our exacting standards are met.
Transparent Handover: A meticulous final inspection, snagging list management, and a fully reconciled budget handover for complete financial clarity.

Our Fees

Our fee structure is transparent and competitive, designed to provide you with exceptional value and peace of mind. We charge a project management fee based on the total net cost of the refurbishment works.

Our Project Management Fee:15% of the total project cost.

This rate is highly competitive, often lower than the industry standard of 15-20%, reflecting our efficient systems and established team.

Example Payment Scenario:

Let's say the total cost for the labour and materials for your refurbishment comes to £30,000.

Total Refurbishment Cost (Net): £30,000.00
Our Project Management Fee (15%): + £4,500.00
Total Cost to You:£34,500.00

For this fee, you secure a completely hands-off experience, leveraging a professional team that will almost certainly save you more than our fee in avoided mistakes, optimised material costs, and a faster, higher-quality finish.

Not Sure Which Service is Right for You?

Every landlord's situation is unique. Contact us today for a friendly, no-obligation chat. We'll be happy to discuss your goals and help you decide on the best path forward for you and your property.