Negative trend in prime central London according to RICS

RICS UK Residential Market Survey report – August 2017 released today headlines ‘Growth at the headline level, but regional house price picture remains mixed.’

Although the headline level shows a return to growth, sentiment is less positive in prime central London and to a lesser extent the wider South East, alongside the North and East Anglia.

In the August RICS survey, 6% more respondents reported prices rising rather than falling at the headline level, the latest figures point to solid price growth in many parts, including Northern Ireland, the North West, Scotland, and the South West.

Negative trend in prime central London in particular  with 56% more respondents seeing a fall in prices, posting the weakest result since 2008.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist said: “The latest results continue to suggest that the greatest pressure on both prices and activity continues to be felt in prime central London market. Although there are some signs that the wider South East is also losing some momentum, anecdotal evidence suggests the impact is very location specific. Meanwhile the numbers for most other parts of the country point to a rather more resilient marketplace.

“It is interesting that over the medium term, the conclusion of the latest survey is that rental growth is likely to outpace increases in house prices. Although the Build to Rent offer is now stepping up a gear, there clearly is some doubt as to whether it can do so at a fast-enough pace to address the shortfall which may result from the more hostile environment for Buy-to-Let investors.”

Read the RICS UK Residential Market Survey report – August 2017 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

UK Gov announcement capping ground rents at £250

The Government has announced that it will cap ground rents at £250 per year in England and Wales, as part of changes to the leasehold system. The measures announced by the Prime Minister aim to give homeowners greater control over their properties and include new leasehold flats to be banned and existing leaseholders getting the…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlords behind the curve on tax changes, and tenants could pay the price

Millions of renters are facing another cost-of-living hit, thanks to a botched tax overhaul and landlords who admit they don’t know what they’re doing. A new survey suggests most landlords are woefully unprepared for Making Tax Digital (MTD), a government tax overhaul due to begin this April. Just 1 in 8 landlords say they understand…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental Inflation Grinds to a Halt as Rent Controls Arrive in Scotland

Rental growth falls close to zero at just 0.2% Rents fall in real terms as new Act gives rise to controls Caution advised for future council market analyses   National rental growth falls to near zero as new rent control powers land in Scotland’s Private Rented Sector. The latest Citylets report shows the rate of…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Buying schemes remain in high demand but short supply across England

The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that whilst buying schemes designed to to help homebuyers onto the ladder are in high demand, the stock availability of properties with such offerings is low. Yopa has analysed the current market for for-sale housing stock in England, looking at what proportion of homes currently…
Read More
Breaking News

Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

ALEP (the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) has welcomed the publication of the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, describing it as an important step in the government’s long stated aim to modernise tenure structures in England and Wales. The draft Bill, published as a policy paper, sets out to reinvigorate and reform the commonhold…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

New Phase for London’s Super-Prime Market

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners London’s super-prime residential market is entering a new phase, defined not by retrenchment, but by renewed global interest, improved value and a subtle shift in buyer dynamics. After several years of price adjustment, the capital is attracting a fresh wave of internationally mobile purchasers who see…
Read More