Whether it’s the challenges of selling a leasehold flat, home improvements that may not add as much value as expected, or a look at the cheapest places to rent in the UK, the latest property news offers an interesting snapshot of the housing market. All this comes against a backdrop of slower growth in average UK house prices.
Let’s take a closer look at some of those headlines.
More than 80% of leasehold flats remain unsold after six months
Despite reductions in asking prices, the majority of leasehold flats remain unsold after six months on the market, according to The Guardian on 8 August.
The research highlights a marked difference between the performance of houses and flats. Over the past 10 years, the average price of a UK house has risen by 43%, compared with 10% for flats. Some sellers are therefore reducing their initial asking prices significantly, in some cases to levels below the price they originally paid.
London had the highest proportion, with 87% remaining unsold after six months, followed by the South East at 85% and the East of England at 84%.
The reports point to factors including concerns about ground rents, the cost of lease extensions and uncertainty surrounding leasehold reform as contributing to weaker flat prices compared with houses. The timing and detail of further leasehold reform remain subject to government policy and legislation.
Five home renovations sellers think add value – but often don’t
You may assume that certain home improvements will automatically add value to your property. An article published by property website Rightmove recently suggests that this is not always the case.
The top five myths highlighted include:
- Extensions that are too large and affect the overall balance of the property;
- Over-investing in a new kitchen or choosing highly personalised interior décor;
- Converting an extra bedroom into a hobby room, private cinema or home gym, which may not appeal to every prospective buyer;
- Adding features such as hot tubs or custom-made bars, which prospective buyers may see as overly personalised or unnecessary; and
- Installing eco-friendly features such as heat pumps, solar panels and batteries. While these may increase a property’s appeal, Rightmove says they do not necessarily translate into a corresponding increase in market value.
UK house price growth slows for second month running
Citing official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Housing Today reported on 20 August that UK house price growth had slowed. The annual rate of growth eased in both May and June.
Average UK house prices increased by 0.1% between May and June, compared with a 1% increase over the same period a year earlier. In the year to June, average house prices rose by an estimated 2% to £272,000 – around £5,000 higher than a year earlier.
Revealed: the UK’s cheapest places to rent in 2026
For renters looking at affordability across the UK, Zoopla published a list on 18 August highlighting the cheapest regions in which to rent. Its five lowest-cost regions were:
1. The North East – where the average rent is £766 per month;
2. Yorkshire and the Humber – average rent £866;
3. Scotland – average rent £885;
4. Northern Ireland – average rent £889; and
5. East Midlands – average rent £920.
At the other end of the scale, London had the highest average rent at £2,207 per month, followed by the South East, East of England and South West.
