UK housing sales remain subdued according to RICS
July 17, 2018
Latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey published 12th July 2018 headlined ‘UK housing sales remain subdued as rent expectations continue to heat up’.
The RICS survey reveals that: significantly, over the month, newly agreed sales have recorded the sixteenth successive month of continued decline, with 7% more respondents reporting a fall in agreed sales.
The survey states: For the second month in a row, new instructions have risen, with 10% more respondents seeing an increase in the flow of properties being put up for sale. However, with average stocks remaining close to historic lows at 43 it would be too early to suggest that this issue is lessening as an obstacle.
Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist said:
“It is hard to see what is going to provide much impetus for activity in the housing market in the near term. Meanwhile the on-going challenges around lifting the delivery pipeline, reflected in last week’s disappointing data on housing starts, is captured in the suspicion in the survey that prices are likely to resume an upward course over the coming year. The challenge is also visible in the response of the private lettings market to change to the tax treatment on investment properties. While it is understandable that the government wanted to provide a lift for first time buyers, this may well come at the cost of higher rents as the appeal of buy to let diminishes.”
Read the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey 12th July 2018 in full click here.
You May Also Enjoy
First-time buyer reform could reshape conveyancing risk landscape
The Government’s consultation on replacing the Lifetime ISA with a new first-time buyer savings product by April 2028, and review of the £450,000 property price cap, could have significant legal and transactional implications for buyers and property professionals alike. According to Beswicks Legal, the reform is a live conveyancing risk issue already affecting transactions on…
Read More 
Property Redress reports Complaint enquiries rise 47%
Complaint enquiries rise 47% as Property Redress annual report shows faster resolutions and higher early settlements 47% increase in complaint enquiries in 2025 (4,220 vs 2,863 in 2024) 41% more cases accepted by December compared to the previous year Average resolution time reduced to 34 days (down from 39 days in 2024) 53% of cases resolved at early…
Read More 
Breaking Property News 2/3/26
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Rightmove’s CEO Johan Svanstrom … ‘is a man under pressure’ Rightmove’s ‘Unthinkable Event’ Thought Leadership by Mal McCallion CEO at ModelProp, guiding AI-driven growth in property. The #Rightmove CEO came out swinging on Friday when his company’s latest set of annual results, for 2025, showed that they…
Read More 
Bank of England Money and Credit Report – January 2026
Overview These monthly statistics on the amount of, and interest rates on, borrowing and deposits by households and businesses are used by the Bank’s policy committees to understand economic trends and developments in the UK banking system. Key points: et borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals decreased to £4.1 billion in January, from £4.5 billion…
Read More 
Nationwide house prices showing a 0.3% increase
Thoughts from the Industry Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark comments: “Today’s figures from Nationwide show continued upward movement in house prices, reflecting resilient demand in many parts of the UK despite ongoing affordability constraints. “While rising prices may signal confidence in the market, they also reinforce the need for policies that support supply and improve…
Read More 
House price growth holds steady in February
Annual house price growth unchanged at 1.0% House prices were up 0.3% month on month Continued improvement in affordability helped drive first-time buyer activity in 2025 Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “Annual house price growth remained steady at 1.0% in February. Prices increased by 0.3% month on month, after taking…
Read More