UK Housing Market Shows Signs of Easing Downturn in June, RICS Reports
RICS Survey Highlights and Market Sentiment
July 9 (Reuters) - The downturn in Britain's housing market abated slightly last month, although sentiment remains fragile and prone to uncertainty, a survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) showed on Thursday.
Interest Rates and Market Outlook
"While the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged, uncertainty around the outlook for inflation and borrowing costs continues to weigh on sentiment, even if the recent decline in oil prices is a welcome development," said RICS head of market and analysis Tarrant Parsons.
Key Findings from the RICS Survey
House Price Balance and Buyer Enquiries
RICS also said:
- The survey's headline house price balance was little changed at -33%
- May's reading was revised up slightly to -34%
- A measure of new buyer enquiries improved to -29% from -34% in each of the previous two months, the least negative reading since February
Sales Expectations and Price Forecasts
- Near-term sales expectations recovered to -16% from a March low of -34%, while over the 12-month horizon sales were seen broadly flat at +1% and price expectations rose to +8% from +6%
Rental Market Trends
- In the rental market, tenant demand strengthened to +18%, the strongest since May 2025, while landlord instructions stayed negative at -18%; rents were expected to rise by about 2.5% over the next year
Market Outlook and Uncertainties
Political and Economic Factors
"Until there is greater clarity over both the political backdrop and the path of interest rates, housing market activity is likely to remain relatively subdued in the near term," Parsons said
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Suban Abdulla)
