October 27, 2025
Good afternoon,
With the UK Autumn Budget set for 26 November 2025, the property market has quietened slightly as buyers and sellers wait to see what the Chancellor announces. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening:
Market pause: Activity has slowed as many people take a “wait and see” approach. This has reduced transactions and kept price growth modest, especially for homes over £500k.
Possible tax changes: The government is considering reforms such as replacing Stamp Duty with a new property tax, changes to Capital Gains Tax on higher-value homes, and potential increases to taxes on rental income. Nothing is confirmed yet, but speculation is already shaping decisions.
Affordability pressures: Mortgage rates have come down slightly but remain higher than in previous years, which is keeping demand fairly subdued.
Regional differences: Higher-value areas like London and the South East are most affected by uncertainty, while more affordable regions continue to see steadier activity.
Short-term outlook: Expect a quieter market through the end of the year, with prices largely stable. For committed buyers, this period may offer good negotiation opportunities.
Medium-term outlook: Once the Budget details are clear, confidence should return and activity is likely to pick up again. The exact impact will depend on which tax measures are introduced.
Overall, this slowdown looks more like a temporary pause than a downturn. Once we have clarity from the Budget, we should see movement return to the market.