New information has uncovered a patrons’ market, professional say
Consumers can take benefit (Picture: JUSTIN TALLIS, AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Annual home value development dropped to zero within the yr to March, in line with official figures launched this week, down from 1.7% within the 12 months to February 2026. The typical UK home value presently stands at £268,000.
The annual UK home value inflation charge decelerated as common month-to-month costs declined by 0.4% between February and March 2026, in contrast with a considerable month-to-month improve of 1.2% throughout the identical interval a yr earlier. This occurred forward of the April 2025 modifications to Stamp Obligation Land Tax in England and Northern Eire.
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Common home costs fell to £290,000 (a decline of 0.6%) in England and rose to £213,000 (2.9%) in Wales and £187,000 (1.6%) in Scotland, within the 12 months to March 2026. In the meantime, common UK month-to-month personal rents climbed by 3.5%, to £1,381, within the 12 months to April 2026, up from 3.4% within the 12 months to March 2026.
Common rents rose to £1,438 (3.5%) in England, £834 (4.9%) in Wales, and £1,019 (2.0%) in Scotland, within the 12 months to April 2026. In Northern Eire, common rents grew to £877 (4.0%), within the 12 months to February 2026. In England, personal rents annual inflation was highest within the North East (6.5%), and lowest in London (2.0%), within the 12 months to April 2026.
Ken James, director of London-based Contractor Mortgage Companies, mentioned now was the right time for patrons: “A brand new chapter is opening within the UK property market and, for the primary time in years, it is patrons who’re entering into the highlight.
“Annual home value development has successfully collapsed. Whereas this will unsettle sellers, it marks a uncommon second of alternative for these trying to buy, particularly after years of being outpaced by rising costs, bidding wars and restricted inventory.
“With development grinding to a halt, the market has shifted from a vendor‐dominated battlefield to a extra balanced, even purchaser‐pleasant, panorama. The ability dynamic has modified and patrons are starting to understand they lastly have the room to manoeuvre.”
Babek Ismayil, CEO at homebuying platform OneDome, mentioned: “Circumstances stay far tougher than what they had been within the mortgage market, however within the property market they’re very beneficial, as individuals are able to barter laborious on value.”
Dariusz Karpowicz, director of Doncaster-based Albion Monetary Recommendation, additionally instructed now may very well be the perfect second for patrons to make their transfer: “If you’re trying to purchase, that is your window to push laborious, as a result of a stalled market rewards a pointy supply.”
Martin Rayner, mortgage dealer and monetary adviser at Compton Monetary Companies, attributed the stalling of home costs to a disaster of confidence amongst patrons.
He mentioned: “The housing market has stalled as a result of patrons are nervous. Ongoing battle in Iran, volatility in monetary markets, political uncertainty across the Labour authorities and hypothesis over future management are all pushing up wholesale swap charges, which then feeds immediately into increased mortgage pricing and weaker purchaser confidence.
“Fixed headlines about mortgage charge will increase solely add to the warning, even when among the reporting exaggerates the truth. Affordability is already stretched, so many patrons are selecting to attend quite than commit throughout a interval of uncertainty.
“That inevitably slows value development. On the similar time, landlords proceed to exit the market on account of increased taxes, regulation and borrowing prices.
“Fewer rental properties means much less provide, so rising rents are nearly inevitable. The hazard is ending up with the worst of each worlds: a stagnant housing marketplace for patrons and an more and more unaffordable rental marketplace for tenants.”
Emma Jones, managing director of Runcorn-based Whenthebanksaysno.co.uk, highlighted that hovering rents pose a big problem for potential debtors: “The extra individuals need to spend on their lease, the much less they will afford to place apart for a deposit, which is a continuing battle for aspiring patrons.”
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