The National RICS Price balance figure for April 2018 is the most negative since Novemner 2012

The latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey report – April 2018, released today headlines ‘Buyers enquiries and sales stabilise in April, as house prices dip’.

The report reveals that house prices at a national level dipped marginally in April, while they continue to fall in London and the South East in particular. Both new buyer enquiries and agreed sales stabilise following recent declines.

The national RICS Price balance indicator turns mildly negative in April (-8%), although this figure signals only a slight decline at this stage, it is still the most negative figure since November 2012 according to RICS.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist said:

“The housing market typically tends to see a pick-up in activity at around this time of the year and the feedback from respondents to the latest survey does seem to be capturing this tone. However, once this seasonal pattern has been allowed for the underlying trend in transactions still remains broadly flat.

“Meanwhile, the impact of recent tax changes appears increasingly visible in the letting results with new instructions from landlords in the three months to end April falling again and at a faster pace than previously. Given what this says about the Buy to Let market at the present time, it is imperative that Build to Rent begins to take on a greater role to ensure those seeking to rent in private sector over the coming years have sufficient choice.”

Read the RICS UK Residential Market Survey report – April 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 18/5/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Labour’s flagship social housing provider Vistry flounders   For the past 18 months, Labour’s housing strategy has been built around one central promise: accelerate delivery, unlock planning, and hit ambitious housebuilding targets through large-scale partnerships between government, housing associations and major developers. But the…
Read More
Breaking News

UK’s most affordable locations for first-time buyers

New Lloyds research reveals the most affordable places in the UK for first time -buyers • East Ayrshire tops the list, with average first -time buyer prices below £150,000 • Blackpool, Merthyr Tydfil and Mid and East Antrim also rank among the most affordable • Average first -time buyer age is 32 – but falls…
Read More
Breaking News

House prices trending into negative territory for just second time in a decade

The latest research by Yopa has revealed that average monthly house price growth across Britain has slipped into negative territory in 2026, marking only the second time this has happened over the last decade. Yopa analysed the average monthly rate of house price growth across Britain, England, Wales and Scotland between 2016 and 2026 so…
Read More
Breaking News

Homesellers face months of delays

The latest market analysis from House Buyer Bureau has revealed that home sellers in some parts of the country are facing Local Authority search waiting times of more than 90 days, with growing legal bottlenecks increasingly putting transactions at risk before they reach the finish line.   House Buyer Bureau analysed the latest Local Authority…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 14/5/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The art of getting noticed as a recruiter in a world noisy with AI Why personal branding, humour and sharp messaging cuts through all – meet Daniel Fisher MREC Cert RP As a two times editor, journalist, author, analyst and consultant I get to…
Read More
can you drink tap water
Letting Agent Talk

What tenants really want from a HMO in 2026

By Allison Thompson, Chief Lettings Officer, Leaders part of LRG   Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), also referred to as multi-lets or room rentals, have come a long way in the past couple of decades. Once thought of as very much at the bottom of the accommodation pile, with a reputation for being sub-standard, many…
Read More