2026.09.0923:05:36UTC+00UK House Price Balance Improves to 5-Month High

The RICS UK Residential Market Survey reported that the house price balance improved to -28% in August 2026 from an upwardly revised -29% in July, reaching a five-month high as the housing market showed signs of stabilising. The net balance for new buyer enquiries rose to -19%, its strongest level since January, while the sales expectations balance strengthened to -3% from -13%. RICS noted that key activity indicators have become progressively less negative, although any recovery remains fragile. Property prices are still expected to decline over the next three months but to stabilise over a 12‑month horizon. London recorded the weakest price balance, while Northern Ireland remained the strongest. In the rental market, stronger tenant demand combined with fewer properties from landlords pushed the three‑month rent expectations balance up to +44% from +33%. RICS cautioned that higher interest rates or increased property taxation following October’s budget could put renewed downward pressure on prices.