Housing Market
UK housing market news: official house price figures, sales volumes, stamp duty changes, first-time buyers, and the trends in house prices across UK regions. Desk editor: Anthony Ivahand (AiProperty).
Budget landlord property tax changes: 22% rate from April 2027
Landlord tax allowance changes are limited, but new property rates of 22%, 42% and 47% from April 2027 will raise rental income tax and trim property investment returns.
ISA withdrawal tax clawback rules UK: where charges really apply
Taking money out of most ISAs costs nothing in tax, but Lifetime ISAs carry a 25% charge and new rules take effect from 6 April 2027. Here is the ISA withdrawal mistake HMRC rules actually penalise.
Lifetime ISA withdrawal penalties: what first-time buyers pay
A 25% charge applies to unauthorised Lifetime ISA withdrawals. Here are the early withdrawal rules, the cost in pounds, and how to avoid the charge when buying a first home.
UK housing market negative equity risk 2026: what it means
Mortgage rates are rising and sales growth is cooling, but official data show households coping. What the negative equity warnings mean for UK homeowners and affordability.
First home scheme deposit requirements await October Budget clarity
The new first-time buyer deposit help scheme would cut deposits to 2.5% on new-builds, but LSL warns some buyers may wait for Budget detail before acting.
Seven in 10 first-time buyers found buying a home frustrating, Skipton research finds
Skipton research finds 70% of first-time buyers found the home-buying process frustrating. We look at what causes delays and uncertainty, and what the government says its reforms will change.
Stamp duty reform for first-time buyers: ministers target delays
The government's homebuying package targets delays and collapsed sales, not stamp duty allowance changes. The tax itself is untouched in the announcement.
Grenfell Tower community update October 2026: what it covers
The government's October 2026 update sets out how Grenfell Tower is being taken down and includes dust, noise and vibration monitoring. The published summary does not mention rehousing or compensation.
Kemi Badenoch inheritance tax policy would exempt family homes
The Conservative leader says no one would pay inheritance tax on a family home. Tax experts say the £6bn-a-year plan would mainly help wealthier households.
UK building safety reforms 2026: new chief adviser appointed
A new independent Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser starts work as the Building Safety Levy takes effect. Here is what both mean for flat owners and buyers.
Your First Home scheme first-time buyers help: caps may bar families
Savills says Help to Buy-style regional price caps could leave families with no eligible three-bedroom homes. The caps and income limit are due in the Budget on 28 October.
House prices to earnings ratio: what official data actually shows
Official datasets track UK property affordability down to district level, but the listings reviewed do not contain figures confirming recent claims of an 11-year low in the national ratio.
UK house prices September 2026: growth halves to 0.8%
House price growth slowing in 2026 is clear in Nationwide's September House Price Index, with annual growth halving to 0.8% as higher mortgage rates weigh on buyers.
About our Housing Market coverage
We report from HM Land Registry and ONS data releases and lender indices, and we're clear about what each figure measures and the period it covers.