London transactions bear the brunt of Brexit slowdown

London boroughs have seen property transactions fall by a greater proportion than the rest of the UK since the EU Referendum vote on 23rd June 2016, analysis by national fast sale estate agent Springbok Properties has revealed.

However many areas in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the North of England are seeing more transactions than before the vote.

Using Land Registry data, the research compared the number of transactions in the two years and nine months before the Brexit vote to the same timeframe afterward.

London and the South hit hard

The biggest drop across the UK was in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea (-42.4%), followed by Islington (-35.4%), City of Westminster (-31.9%) and Enfield (-30.2%).

London boroughs made up the rest of the top 10, with the exception of nearby Watford (-27.5%) in Hertfordshire, in 10th place.

Other areas that recorded big slowdowns were typically in the South of England, like Slough (-27.2%), Oxford (-25.9%) and Brighton and Hove (-24.5%).

Rest of the UK on the up

Not that transactions have slowed down everywhere.

Two areas in Wales have seen the biggest increase in transactions since the Brexit vote, Torfaen (30.6%) and Newport (25.1%).

Other strong performers were Knowsley in Merseyside (23.5%), Antrim and Newtownabbey in Northern Ireland (21.9%), as well as East Lothian (21.8%) and Renfrewshire (21.3%), both in Scotland.

Looking at transaction levels by country in the United Kingdom, the biggest drop in transactions happened in England at -5.2%, while Northern Ireland saw the sharpest increase of 11.6%.

Wales saw an 8.4% uplift in activity, while transactions in Scotland increased by 5.7%.

Founder and CEO of Springbok Properties, Shepherd Ncube, commented:

“The decline of the UK property market as a result of Brexit uncertainty has been well documented and particularly in England, this decline has been spearheaded by London and the South East.

However, the market landscape is a vast and varied one and there are many pockets across the UK that have not only weathered the storm, but have actually seen more transactions since the EU Referendum then in the same time period preceding it.

These have largely been the more affordable areas where the reality between seller expectation and what buyers are willing to pay is far smaller than the capital and surrounding areas. As a result, less indecision on the part of both buyers and sellers has seen the market continue to operate as normal while other areas have stalled.”

Sales volumes nationally
England
-5.2%
Scotland
5.7%
Wales
8.4%
Northern Ireland
11.6%
United Kingdom
-2.7%
 
Biggest increases in sales volume since the vote
Location / Area
Change in Sales Volume Pre and Post Brexit)
Torfaen
30.6%
Newport
25.1%
Knowsley
23.5%
Antrim and Newtownabbey
21.9%
East Lothian
21.8%
Renfrewshire
21.3%
Liverpool
20.0%
Fermanagh and Omagh
18.1%
Wigan
18.0%
Barnsley
17.3%
Biggest decreases in sales volume since the vote
Location / Area
Change in Sales Volume Pre and Post Brexit)
Kensington And Chelsea
-42.4%
Islington
-35.4%
City of Westminster
-31.9%
Enfield
-30.2%
Brent
-29.8%
Haringey
-29.5%
Kingston upon Thames
-28.4%
Camden
-28.2%
Lambeth
-28.0%
Watford
-27.5%
Biggest decreases in sales volume since the vote (Exc London)
Location / Area
Change in Sales Volume Pre and Post Brexit)
Watford
-27.5%
Slough
-27.2%
Oxford
-25.9%
Brighton and Hove
-24.5%
Windsor and Maidenhead
-24.2%
Elmbridge
-23.8%
Three Rivers
-23.7%
St Albans
-22.4%
City of Aberdeen
-22.3%
Epsom and Ewell
-22.0%
Data looks at transaction levels in the 2 years and 9 months since the vote, compared to the same time period prior to the vote.

 

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

Restoring the Past: How to Expertly Repair Wooden Windows with PM Windows Ltd

Why Wooden Windows Deserve a Second Life Wooden windows are a hallmark of classic British architecture, offering timeless beauty, warmth, and craftsmanship rarely matched by modern alternatives. Whether adorning a Georgian townhouse or a Victorian terrace, their charm lies in both their aesthetics and their heritage value. However, timber windows are not immune to the…
Read More
Breaking News

Slight rise in house prices as market maintains strength

Halifax House Price Index • House prices increased by +0.3% in April vs -0.5% in March • Average property price now £297,781 compared to £296,899 in previous month • Annual rate of growth at +3.2% up from +2.9% in March • House prices remarkably stable over last six months, down by just £48 • Northern…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Industry Reacts to Bank Rate Cut

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark: “Today’s news will no doubt be extremely welcome for many, especially given current economic uncertainties. International bodies have recently stated they expect interest rates to fall in the UK as the year progresses. Overall, we hope to see interest rates further continue their downward trajectory over the course of 2025. …
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove reaction to Bank Rate cut

Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert says: “The much-anticipated second rate cut of the year has arrived, and with some lenders having taken their time to pass on the benefits of the expected Bank Rate cut, I think we may now see further reductions in the coming days and weeks. A fresh round of mortgage rate…
Read More
Breaking News

Zoopla crowns Glenrothes the most popular affordable town for families as one in three fear being priced out of their ideal area

New Zoopla research pinpoints Glenrothes in Scotland, with an average three-bedroom home value of £136,900, as the most attractive option for families seeking affordability All of the towns in the top ten are located in Scotland and Wales, apart from Dartford and Swanley in the South East Three-bed homes in the most popular affordable towns…
Read More
Breaking News

UK government admits almost no evidence nature protections block development

Environmental lawyer says it’s deeply frustrating that the Government is pushing major changes to conservation law without supporting data or research Whitehall analysis provides no data or research to support the government argument that environmental legislation holds up building. Ministers say the new bill will speed up housing developments and large infrastructure projects by allowing…
Read More