UK Housing Market Stalls with Flat Demand and Falling Prices
Latest RICS data shows buyer demand and agreed sales remained static in July with little meaningful recovery, while rental supply remains constrained. Price pressures continue despite longer-term sentiment improving slightly.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' latest UK Residential Market Survey, published in mid-August, reveals a housing market still struggling to find traction. Buyer demand and agreed sales were essentially flat in July 2026, with surveyors reporting little sign of a meaningful recovery in sales activity.
Market Pressures
- Buyer demand remains static as mortgage affordability challenges persist
- Rental supply is constrained, keeping upward pressure on rents despite slower annual growth rates
- Longer-term sentiment is gradually improving, though near-term activity remains weak
For foreign buyers and expats considering relocation to the UK, this means that while headline rental growth has slowed to 3.7% annually, finding available rental properties remains challenging due to constrained supply. If you're planning to buy and live in the UK, current low transaction volumes suggest less competition for property sales, but mortgage rates remain elevated due to wider geopolitical factors, making affordability a key consideration.
Sources
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