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House prices down

ended 20. May 2026

Annual house price growth has fallen flat on its face, according to official data published today. Average UK house prices remained unchanged (0.0%), at £268,000, in the 12 months to March 2026, down from 1.7%, in the 12 months to February 2026.

The annual UK house price inflation rate slowed because average monthly prices fell by 0.4% between February and March 2026, compared with a large monthly rise of 1.2% in the same period a year ago; this happened ahead of the April 2025 changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax, in England and Northern Ireland.

Average house prices decreased to £290,000 (negative 0.6%) in England, and increased to £213,000 (2.9%) in Wales and £187,000 (1.6%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to March 2026.Average UK monthly private rents increased by 3.5%, to £1,381, in the 12 months to April 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is up from 3.4% in the 12 months to March 2026.

Meanwhile, average rents increased to £1,438 (3.5%) in England, £834 (4.9%) in Wales, and £1,019 (2.0%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to April 2026. In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £877 (4.0%), in the 12 months to February 2026. In England, private rents annual inflation was highest in the North East (6.5%), and lowest in London (2.0%), in the 12 months to April 2026.

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4 responses from the Newspage community

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Darryl Dhoffer
Founder at The Mortgage Geezer
The Middle East crisis is genuinely hammering confidence and spiking costs, but let’s not let global conflict hog the spotlight. We must applaud the true saboteurs of British property - our clueless estate agents.

While the world burns and UK prices drop 0.4% in a month, these retail geniuses, smelling of cheap aftershave and trapped in tight suits, still think it's 2021. Instead of adjusting to reality, they just apply more hair gel, slap three blurry Rightmove photos on a overpriced damp-trap, and wonder why there are no viewings in four weeks.

They can't read a room, let alone an economic chart. Meanwhile, rents are up 3.5% to £1,381. Is it a broken market? Absolutely.
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Dariusz Karpowicz
Director at Albion Financial Advice
Flat is the new down. Annual growth has stalled at zero percent, with the average UK home stuck at £268,000, and that tells you the gap between wages and asking prices has finally bitten. Plenty of buyers are sitting on their hands, hoping for cheaper rates or cheaper houses, while some sellers still chase top money and watch their listings go cold.
If you are looking to buy, this is your window to push hard, because a stalled market rewards a sharp offer. England has already slipped to negative 0.6 percent while Wales climbed 2.9 percent, so the picture varies wildly by postcode. Waiting carries its own risk though. Rates could rise, and if they fall instead, prices may well climb again and quietly swallow any saving you hoped to bank.
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Martin Rayner
Financial Adviser at Compton Financial Services
The housing market has stalled because buyers are nervous. Ongoing conflict in Iran, volatility in financial markets, political uncertainty around the Labour government and speculation over future leadership are all pushing up wholesale swap rates, which then feeds directly into higher mortgage pricing and weaker buyer confidence. Constant headlines about mortgage rate increases only add to the caution, even when some of the reporting exaggerates the reality.

Affordability is already stretched, so many buyers are choosing to wait rather than commit during a period of uncertainty. That inevitably slows price growth.

At the same time, landlords continue to exit the market due to higher taxes, regulation and borrowing costs. Fewer rental properties means less supply, so rising rents are almost inevitable.

The danger is ending up with the worst of both worlds: a stagnant housing market for buyers and an increasingly unaffordable rental market for tenants.
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Editor
Ken James
Director at Contractor Mortgage Services
A new chapter is opening in the UK property market, and for the first time in years, it’s buyers who are stepping into the spotlight. Annual house price growth has effectively collapsed, flatlining after a long period of volatility. While this may unsettle sellers, it marks a rare moment of opportunity for those looking to purchase especially after years of being outpaced by rising prices, bidding wars and limited stock With growth grinding to a halt, the market has shifted from a seller‑dominated battlefield to a more balanced, even buyer‑friendly landscape. The power dynamic has changed, and buyers are beginning to realise they finally have room to manoeuvre.