UK monthly property transactions for May 2025

June 27, 2025

Headline statistics from the latest transactions data include:

  • the provisional seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK residential transactions in May 2025 is 81,470, 12% lower than May 2024 and 25% higher than April 2025
  • the provisional non-seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK residential transactions in May 2025 is 80,530, 13% lower than May 2024 and 42% higher than April 2025
  • the provisional seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK non-residential transactions in May 2025 is 9,760, 5% lower than May 2024 and 4% higher than April 2025
  • the provisional non-seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK non-residential transactions in May 2025 is 9,520, 9% lower than May 2024 and marginally lower (less than 1%) than April 2025

Executive Summary

Figures for seasonally adjusted residential transactions in May 2025 have increased by 25% compared with 65,110 in April 2025 to 81,470. These numbers have been affected by the changes in Stamp Duty Land Tax Rates in England and Northern Ireland in April 2025. On 1 April 2025, the nil-rate threshold, which had been £250,000, returned to the previous level of £125,000. The nil-rate threshold for first-time buyers also decreased on 1 April 2025, from £425,000 to £300,000. The increase in transactions for May follows decreased transactions for April, which were likely brought forward into March to take advantage of the higher thresholds.

Non-seasonally adjusted residential transactions increased by 42% in May 2025 compared to April 2025.

Seasonally adjusted non-residential transactions have also seen an increase, with figures for May 2025 increasing by 4% relative to April 2025. Seasonally adjusted non-residential transactions are 5% lower than in May 2024.

Non-seasonally adjusted non-residential transactions are marginally lower (less than 1%) relative to April 2025.

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments:

“It is extremely positive to see an enhanced magnitude of transactions month-on-month.

“But considering new Stamp Duty thresholds across England and Northern Ireland have kicked in, it’s understandable we have seen a considerable drop in housing transactions year-on-year.

“The housing market saw a mass rush of people working at pace to complete on their housing purchase to avoid any increased Stamp Duty liability. Nonetheless, we have seen positivity regarding the number of properties coming to the market, which has delivered a year-on-year increase of almost 15 per cent.”

EAN Breaking News

Breaking News from the team at Estate Agent Networking. Have a new story to share with us? Then please get in contact today! When and where we can we will refer to third party websites with a 'live link back' where news was released first.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Applicant budgets remain stable and rental prices in line with historic norms

Ratio of new renters per instruction rose by 5.1% from 8.9 to 9.4 applications per instruction. Average rental prices declined by 4% in November 2025, remaining closely aligned with November levels observed over the past four years. Year-to-date, average rental prices are 2% higher in 2025 compared to 2024.   New data from Foxtons, London’s…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

The Impact of Increasing Lease Conversions on Estate Agents in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a watershed year for the property market. Economic pressures, shifting demand and regulatory changes are converging to create a surge in lease conversion applications. For estate agents, this “perfect storm” will reshape the portfolios they manage and redefine their role in advising landlords. Mustafa Sidki of the construction team…
Read More →
Breaking News

First-time buyers help drive the most home moves for three years

Zoopla forecasts 1.5% house price growth for 2026 Housing sales hit 1.2 million over 2025 despite Q4 Budget slowdown More sales doesn’t mean faster price growth – house prices rise just 1.1 per cent (vs 1.9 per cent in 2024) The hottest markets for price growth across Britain are the Scottish Borders (TD postal area…
Read More →
Breaking News

Mortgage Lending Statistics – December 2025

Latest findings The outstanding value of all residential mortgage loans increased by 0.9% from the previous quarter to £1,733.7 billion, and was 2.9% higher than a year earlier. The value of gross mortgage advances increased by 36.9% from the previous quarter to £80.4 billion, the largest increase in new advances since 2020 Q3, and was…
Read More →
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England interest rates decision – Thoughts from the Industry

The Bank of England has just announced its decision to cut the base rate to 3.75%, the first cut seen since August of this year. This decision comes after inflation (CPI) dropped to 3.2% in November (from 3.6% in October), slowly edging towards the Bank’s 2.0% target. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-4 in favour…
Read More →
Breaking News

A Winter Rate Cut to Thaw the Market

By Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director, LRG Today’s reduction in interest rates is very welcome news – for homeowners, buyers, property professionals, and no doubt Government ministers. This warming news is set against a chilly backdrop: unemployment has increased to 5.1%, while the November Budget tightened the fiscal screws. Inflation, however, has eased to…
Read More →