The UK residential property market recorded 32,200 new listings in week 41 of 2026, according to the latest market statistics, reflecting ongoing challenges despite continued transaction activity. The figure represents a decline from the weekly 2026 average of 35,900 listings, though year-to-date figures remain above historical comparisons.
Year-to-date new listings reached 1.471 million, marginally below 2025’s equivalent period but 9.4% higher than 2023 and 8.4% above the ten-year average. However, gross residential sales of 22,400 homes sold subject to contract in week 41 fell short of the ten-year weekly average of 24,400.
Transaction volumes decline year-on-year
Total UK homes sold subject to contract year-to-date stood at 989,000, representing a 7.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2025 and 3% lower than 2024. Net sales, which account for fallen-through transactions, totalled 761,000 year-to-date, down 6.4% on 2025 but 14% ahead of 2023 figures.
The data reveals persistent challenges in converting listings to completed sales. In September 2026, only 54% of homes that left agents’ books exchanged and completed, with 46% withdrawn unsold. This compares unfavourably to the seven-year average exchange-to-listings ratio of 57.6%.
Price reductions and market adjustments
Price reductions affected 22,400 properties in week 41, with 14.7% of all homes for sale reduced in September, up from 11.1% in August. The 2026 year-to-date average of 13% exceeds the six-year long-term average of 10.9%, suggesting pricing pressures persist across the market.
The gap between initial asking prices and prices achieved at sale agreed stage stood at 14.2% in week 41, below the ten-year average of 16-17%. Average listing prices reached £418,000 compared to £366,000 for sale agreed properties. This pricing dynamic has implications for letting agents and property professionals adjusting their valuation strategies.
Rental market indicators
The rental sector showed average rents of £1,831 per calendar month in week 41, with year-to-date 2026 averaging £1,763 per month. Rental stock available reached 299,000 properties on 1 October 2026, up from 295,000 in September 2025. New rental properties entering the market in September 2026 totalled 127,000, compared to 123,000 in September 2025.
House prices measured by agreed sales averaged £338.98 per square foot in September 2026, representing a marginal 0.2% increase year-on-year and 13.7% higher than five years ago. The per-square-foot metric correlates with HM Land Registry Index data at 98% accuracy, providing an advance indicator of price movements.
Regional focus and market outlook
Stock levels reached 764,000 homes on the market as of 1 October 2026, up from 752,000 in October 2025 and 722,000 in October 2024. The sell-through rate stood at 14.7% in September 2026, below the pre-Covid average of 15.5% but improved from 13.3% in August.
Fall-through rates remained at 26% in week 41, above the decade average of 24.5%, though the September 2026 rate of 5.2% of sold subject to contract properties falling through aligned closely with historical averages. The data suggests market conditions remain challenging for both buyers and sellers, with first-time buyers facing particular obstacles in certain regions.
The statistics indicate a market characterised by adequate supply but subdued demand, with transaction volumes below recent years despite elevated listing numbers. Price adjustments and extended marketing periods appear increasingly common as sellers and agents navigate current conditions.
