Category: Interest Rates

At its 18 June meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted in a majority decision of 7-2 to hold interest rates for the fourth consecutive time at 3.75%. With steady CPI inflation, easing global energy prices, and resilient property market conditions, the decision to maintain interest rates at 3.75% is a sign of welcomed stability....

Calls for mortgage rule changes have prompted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to launch a series of proposed measures directed at enhancing access to borrowing for older homebuyers, self-employed workers, and first-time buyers. Although over 99% of mortgages originated since 2014 remain on track for successful repayment, escalating property prices, delayed retirement trends, and shifting...

The spring season has facilitated an increase in sales agreed. Part of this is the seasonal increase in demand spring typically brings. Yet another factor is that first-time buyers are taking advantage of preferable property prices and a higher volume of listings across the country, thereby encouraging buyers to exercise greater agency in selecting which...

King Charles will deliver the King’s Speech on Wednesday, which will sketch out the Government’s legislative priorities over the next parliamentary session. Of particular note are the two bills likely to be included in the speech, namely the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill and the Building Safety Remediation Bill – bills which aim to, among...

A recent market phenomenon has been a rising stock of unsold properties. A decline in property exchanges has reverberated throughout the UK property market, driven largely by consumers exercising circumspection amid concerns over mortgage rates and price stability. ‘By historic standards,’ Andrew Lloyd, the managing director at Search Acumen, said, ‘this slowdown in deals is...

Despite global tensions causing mortgage rates to spike, the latest data illuminates that market activity has exhibited signs of resilience. A large part of this resilience lies in the sturdy performance of the UK property market at the beginning of the year. Demand, price growth, and listings were slowly increasing during this period, reinforced by...

Supported by heightened supply, steady decreases in mortgage rates, and rising buyer demand, the early 2026 perspective of the UK property market was positive. But circumspection arose following the ongoing situation in the Middle East, a crisis which has abruptly impacted interest rates, property prices, and consumer purchasing behaviour for the UK property market. These...

The UK’s private rented sector has experienced its largest decline this century. In 2025 alone, for example, the private rented sector lost £48bn in market value. Although the UK property market increased by 3.8%, the private rented sector declined by 5.1%. This signifies the third consecutive year of decline, a £79bn reduction in market value...

On 19 March 2026, the Bank of England unanimously voted to keep the bank rate at 3.75%. In early February 2026, markets predicted an 80% chance that the Bank of England would lower the bank rate in March, citing the relative stability of the market and modest increases in property listings and exchanges. Yet these...