2026.08.1223:10:38UTC+00UK Housing Market Remains Subdued

The RICS UK Residential Market Survey reported that the house price balance edged up to -30% in July 2026 from -32% in June, but remained firmly in negative territory as buyer demand and agreed sales continued to lack momentum. New buyer enquiries and agreed sales were unchanged from June, at -28% and -30% respectively, indicating only limited improvement in market activity. New vendor instructions strengthened markedly, improving to -4% from -23%, though the overall pipeline of new listings remained constrained. London, the South East and the South West continued to register the weakest price balances, while Northern Ireland again outperformed the rest of the UK. Looking ahead, three-month price expectations remained subdued at -31%, while the 12‑month outlook turned marginally positive at +4%. Sales expectations also improved, with the 12‑month balance rising to +3%. In the rental market, landlord instructions stayed weak at -27%, keeping supply tight, while 28% of respondents anticipated rent increases over the next three months.