UK home asking prices fell by more than is typical for the time of year in early December, according to property website Rightmove, highlighting a subdued housing market around last month’s government budget.
- Rightmove said average asking prices for newly listed homes dropped 1.8% month-on-month in the four weeks to December 6, a steeper fall than the 10-year average decline of 1.4% for the period.
- Prices were also 0.6% lower than a year earlier (compared with November of -0.5% y/y)
The report adds to evidence of softer market conditions. The UK budget included plans for a new annual tax on homes valued above £2 million from April 2028.Rightmove said there were early signs of a post-budget pickup in sales activity at the top end of the London market.
Looking ahead, Rightmove expects a more stable economic backdrop to support a rebound in activity and around 2% house price growth in 2026.
