Fewer homes put on market in February according to RICS

RICS UK Residential Market Survey – February 2018 released today headlines   ‘Further fall in housing stock as demnd also falls for the eleventh month’

The survey reveals the indicators for future activity in the UK housing market remain subdued. New buyer enquiries fall for the eleventh consecutive month as average stocks on estate agents’ books hits fresh record low. Results continue to signal significant regional variation across the country.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist said:

“The consultation announced earlier this week on housing delivery put the onus squarely on developers and planning departments to up their game to lift the supply pipeline, but the feedback to the latest RICS Residential Market Survey casts some doubt as to whether this will be sufficient to address the challenge.

“Significantly, the longer term national house price indicator has begun to creep upwards once again in recent months despite the current somewhat mixed climate and the private rent series also remains firm, in both cases pointing to increases of at least fifteen percent over the next five years.

“Meanwhile, the divergent regional picture is becoming increasingly pronounced with key RICS indicators across huge swathes of the country still showing considerable resilience but data for London, the South East and East Anglia rather more subdued.”

Read the RICS UK Residential Market Survey – February 2018 released 8th March 2018 in full click here.

Read also RICS UK Residential Market Survey: Devolved Regional Outlook released 8th March 2018 in full click here.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 14/7/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   REVIEW: The Future of Real Estate Education: From Pedagogy to Technology Author Mr. Hugh Kelly, Ph.D., CRE Emeritus   Edited by Karen M. McGrath, Elaine M. Worzala, and Pernille H. Christensen. (Routledge, New York and London, 2026). 330 pp. ISBN 9781032625041. Paperback $70.99; hardcover $170.00; ebook…
Read More
Breaking News

Why 2026 is redefining responsibility in the private rented sector

The landlord rulebook has changed  Insurance experts warn that understanding where landlord obligations end and tenant responsibilities begin has never been more important, following the biggest legislative shake-up of the rental market in a generation. The implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1st May 2026 has transformed the relationship between landlords and tenants, introducing…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage demand slowed in Q2

Mortgage demand softened as anticipated in the second quarter due to affordability pressures exacerbated by rising borrowing costs, Stonebridge reveals today. However, mortgage rates remain tricky to accurately predict while borrowers face being wrong-footed by renewed clashes in the Gulf, which sent oil prices and inflation expectations higher last week. Stonebridge mortgage and protection network’s…
Read More
Breaking News

Prime London buyer demand strengthens in Q2

aThe latest Prime London Demand Index by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, reveals that buyer demand across London’s prime property market strengthened during the second quarter of 2026, with overall demand reaching 14.5%. The capital’s family-focused prime neighbourhoods continued to lead the way, with Clapham, Wandsworth, and Chiswick among the strongest performing…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage rates fall at fastest pace in almost two years

Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals fixed mortgage rates have recorded their biggest monthly reductions since October 2024. Product choice rose and the churn of mortgage deals was stable. Fixed mortgage rates dropped for a consecutive month, citing the biggest monthly reductions since October 2024, with the average two- and five-year fixed rates…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 13/7/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   How Prevou created the world’s most enthusiastic salesperson for estate agents   A fly on the wall analysis of how and why successful technology companies solve big problems for small estate agencies in the UK Every successful business starts with a problem. For Prevou, that…
Read More