Our results for August 2025 show that the UK market edging toward recovery. Sales activity and stock levels are rising, but affordability pressures and tax uncertainty continue to weigh on buyers. In lettings, rent growth is easing and arrears are falling, offering early signs of a market finally catching its breath.

The second quarter of 2025 shows the commercial property sector is balancing short-term challenges with long-term opportunities, as agents report shifting confidence across sectors.

Responding to the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) consultation on the Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR), Propertymark urges better alignment of UK-wide rental data, the use of achieved rather than advertised rents, and faster income statistics to strengthen affordability analysis. Clearer explanations of methodology are needed, as well as greater transparency around Rent Officer data, and quicker publication to make the index more useful.

Auctions remained resilient this quarter, with 81% of lots achieving or exceeding the reserve price, increased stock levels, persistent 3.6% inflation and a 4.25% base rate. Growth in online participation and steady demand signal continued market strength heading into H2 2025.

The July 2025 report shows steady sales with stronger appraisals, but affordability remains stretched amid high inflation and static interest rates. Rental demand continues to outpace supply, keeping competition intense despite slight stock growth.

While mortgage lending shows resilience, affordability remains the foremost barrier for buyers and renters alike. With supply shrinking in lettings and confidence uneven in sales, policymakers and market participants face ongoing challenges in achieving balance across the housing sector.

A mixed performance across the UK housing market in May. Despite broader economic uncertainties, including stubborn inflation and modest GDP contraction, the sector remains resilient with both challenges and signs of recovery.

As the new Stamp Duty thresholds were introduced from April across England and Northern Ireland, it’s inevitable that a slowing in the pace of the market was to be noted. In the lettings market, we have seen a welcome jump in the number of properties on the market.

Q1 reveals a resilient commercial property sector navigating economic uncertainty with cautious optimism. While inflation remains above target and lending challenges persist, strong confidence continues in the Industrial and Class E sectors.

The first quarter of 2025 delivered a strong performance for the UK auction sector. Despite a backdrop of global economic uncertainty and pending Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes, activity across England and Northern Ireland accelerated, driven by motivated buyers and sellers.

Wider economic factors and upcoming interest rate decisions will likely play a key role in the trajectory of the housing market moving forward. Nevertheless, overall pricing, mortgage products, and confidence are all trending upward, providing a perfect mix to help get people onto or move up the property ladder.

It’s likely that we will now see a return to a normal pace in the sales market now that the Stamp Duty threshold changes have taken effect in England and Northern Ireland. This spurred on a spike in momentum which is likely to tail off in line with previous trends seen on the back of property tax changes.

As widely expected, there was an uplift in activity in the sales market due mainly to the Stamp Duty thresholds changing in April, which will see many homeowners pay more property tax in England and Northern Ireland.

As many towns and cities embark on substantial regeneration projects, there is huge potential in the medium and long term in delivering prolonged growth across many commercial channels and as time progresses, we expect to see a substantial keenness from many investors.

The auctioneering sector continues to adapt and exceed consumer expectations, as demonstrated by the substantial growth in live-streamed events and online engagement. Notably, 41% of member feedback indicates a sentiment of expansion regarding the number of lots available, with the highest proportion surpassing their reserve prices.

Winter is historically quieter in the sales market as people hunker down for the festive period. However, with the announcement that many will see increases in their Stamp Duty bill from April 2025, in some cases costing the average buyer thousands of extra pounds, we expect there to be a noticeable shift in activity moving into 2025.