For tenants, April is a useful point to pause and plan. With rents still rising across the UK and the first phase of rental reform approaching in England, this is a good time to review your budget, renewal options and next move.

Over the last few weeks, there has been a growing narrative in the national press suggesting that the housing ladder is becoming increasingly difficult to climb. Much of this centres around the widening gap between smaller and larger homes, with many commentators suggesting that homeowners are becoming “stuck” and unable to move up.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest something rather unexpected. After years of worsening affordability, the picture has begun to improve. Wages have risen faster than house prices since 2021, nudging the headline affordability ratios in the right direction. On the face of it, that feels like progress.

When most homeowners decide to put their Shepperton home on the market, they assume one thing. The chances their home will sell are very good.