Price growth and sales activity subdued according to RICS

August 10, 2017

The RICS UK Residential Market Survey for the month of July published today headlines ‘Activity in UK housing market faltering’.

The survey reveals record low stock numbers, political uncertainty and the aftermath of tax changes are obstacles hindering the UK housing market with price growth and sales activity subdued during the month of July.

The headline price growth gauge slipped from +7% to +1%, signalling prices were broadly flat over the period and representing the softest reading.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, commented: “Sales activity in the housing market has been slipping in the recent months and the most worrying aspect of the latest survey is the suggestion that this could continue for some time to come. One reason for this is the recent series of tax changes, but this is only part of the story. Lack of new build in the wake of the financial crisis is a more fundamental factor weighing on the market. And there are some very real consequences for the economy from all of this including the impact on the ability of people to be mobile when looking for work.

“The flatter trend in price growth is arguably a silver lining, but there is no real indication that the housing market will become materially more affordable anytime soon. Hence the need for the government to press ahead with the Build to Rent initiative, as well as continuing to focus on other tenures alongside home ownership to try address this critical issue”.

Read the RICS UK Residential Market Survey for the month of July 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

Estate Agent Talk

Property sitting on the market? Experts reveal top tips to unlocking property sales

Many homeowners understand the frustration of properties sitting on the market for extended periods of time with no sale on the horizon. Leading estate agency group, Beresfords, has released advice to help sellers take control of their sales journey. With the average time from initial marketing through to a successfully agreed offer now standing at…
Read More →
LIVING BY THE SEASIDE 2022
Breaking News

Demand for Coastal Living Remains Remarkably Resilient

Coastal house prices fall by as much as 38%, but seaside hotspots still command premiums of up to 76%   The latest research by Yopa has revealed that house prices across some of the nation’s most popular seaside hotspots have fallen by as much as -38% over the last year. However, many continue to command…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Buyer demand bounces back after May heatwave

New real-time analysis from the UK’s largest property platform Rightmove reveals that buyer demand has bounced back after a temporary dip due to the May heatwave during the school holidays Starting on May 22nd, buyer demand dropped by 8% over the course of the heatwave week, as potential buyers held off from booking viewings to…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 11/6/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Leasing decisioning platform set to scale with new injection of investment Findigs, the AI-native leasing decisioning platform that helps residential operators across the U.S. improve revenue and grow their bottom line, announced that it closed a $32 million Series C funding round led by…
Read More →
Breaking News

Cost of void periods climbs by as much as 53% for landlords

Landlords face growing pressure on profits as the cost of void periods climbs by as much as 53%.   The latest research by property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, has found that the average cost to landlords as a result of void periods between tenancies has climbed by as much as 52.9% across some areas…
Read More →
Breaking News

Lack of Supply Keeps Upward Pressure on Rents

More ‘affordable’ areas see rents rise two times faster than the national average    Rents are rising 5% on average in more affordable areas where rents are below £750pcm – over twice the national average of 2.1% Regionally, Carlisle (+9.1%), Kilmarnock (+9%) and Halifax (+6.5%) are among the fastest-rising markets where rents are rising quickly…
Read More →