Looking back at 2025, optimism for 2026

The second half of the year slowed as speculation gained momentum way ahead of The Autumn Budget. Viewing number held themselves, however the offers and sales were not following on as they should have done, as buyers sat on their hands waiting to see what the government had in stall for the property market.

In the end, The Autumn Budget came and went with no real surprises. With little time left in 2025 there was only a small window for buyers to recommence their search, and many were encouraged to do so with a very late Bank of England interest rate drop.

The rate drop helped to build some momentum, which in tail meant 2026 started with a flurry of activity. The sales market has seen a high level of viewings, offers and agreed sales. This feels like the busiest start to a year since 2021 which was the year that had the Stamp Duty discounts. If the market continues to build into Spring, 2026 should be a much needed very busy year for home-movers.

2025 was steady, with no real increase in rent prices agreed, but a very good level of professional tenants viewing and offering.

2026 see’s the introduction of the looming Rent Reforms. The government still has some loose ends to tie up, but in the meantime, the key is to plan ahead and be ready for May when the new laws will come in.

The headline of the reform is the ban of no fault evictions, however there is no need for landlords to panic, as no fault evictions are very rare. We will see the end of fixed term tenancies, giving tenants to freedom to move more regularly without the need to be fixed into long term contracts, however time will tell if this happens as everyone that has moved home before knows, it takes considerable time and money to find a new property and move, so it is likely good tenants will still say longterm if they find the right home with a quality landlord.

If you have any question about the upcoming Rent Reforms please contact our lettings team and we will be happy to answer any queries.