Docklands News

Official figures show that house prices increased by 2.8% in the year to July, marking a slowdown on the 3.6% recorded in June. Office for National Statistics data shows that average property prices in England were up 2.7% year-on-year, hitting £292,000. The typical price rose 2% to £209,000 in Wales, while a 3.3% increase took the average in Scotland to £192,000. Meanwhile, average UK rents increased 5.7% to £1,348 per month in August, with slower rises across all regions. Experts attribute the cooling housing market to weaker demand, high mortgage costs, and inflation pressures. Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, noted that "markets are hedging their bets on the potential for one final interest rate cut in 2025," with this expected to dampen activity in the housing market as mortgages remain higher. Looking across 317 local authorities in England and Wales shows that 9.1% of homes were affordable to those who worked there in 2024. The most affordable local authority in London was Tower Hamlets, with a ratio of 9.4; all other areas in London had ratios of 12 or higher, with Kensington and Chelsea the highest at 35.5.

City AM (18/09/2025)   Daily Mail (18/09/2025)   Mortgage Finance Gazette (18/09/2025)   The Independent (18/09/2025)   The Standard (18/09/2025)  

Buying agent Jo Eccles expects London house prices to remain largely flat over the next year, with turnkey properties outperforming due to buyer reluctance to renovate. She warns landlords are exiting the market because of rising costs and regulation, affecting rental supply. Eccles advises investing in well-managed areas, futureproofing purchases, and using neutral experts in transactions. First-time buyers benefit from strategic choices, while buy-to-let yields remain low compared with alternatives like government bonds. 

The Mail on Sunday (14/09/2025)  

Sales of new-build private homes in London have fallen to historic lows, with just 19 properties sold in May, far below the usual monthly average of around 1,000. The collapse in activity, driven by soaring construction costs, regulatory backlogs, and the end of schemes like Help to Buy, threatens the capital's ability to deliver 440,000 of the government’s 1.5m new homes target by 2030. Industry experts warn that many approved development sites remain effectively abandoned, highlighting structural problems in London's housebuilding sector. 

The Standard (17/09/2025)  

The Mail on Sunday contrives a "rotten banana" corridor in northeast London, where neighbourhoods rank poorly across crime, health, deprivation, and house prices. The belt runs from Enfield, Haringey, and Waltham Forest south through Hackney and Tower Hamlets, then northeast to Newham, Barking, Dagenham, and Havering. Haringey 016A, including parts of Wood Green, had the lowest combined score, with median house prices of £240,500, 71% of households experiencing some deprivation, high crime rates, and 9.4% of residents in poor health. Overall, these metrics highlight stark inequalities compared with the more affluent "London banana" stretching through the west.

The Mail on Sunday (14/09/2025)  

Mortgage bills hit £1,000 mark
The average monthly mortgage repayment in the UK has surpassed £1,000 for the first time, reaching £1,002.27 in August, up from under £950 a year ago and £680 five years ago. Despite the Bank of England cutting its base rate from 5.25% to 4% over the past year, homeowners face higher bills as pandemic-era cheap fixed-rate loans expire. New mortgages averaged 4.28% in July, more than double the 1.72% rate in July 2020, highlighting the pressure on family finances and the ongoing impact of previous rate hikes even as policymakers assess the effects of recent cuts. 

Daily Mail (13/09/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (13/09/2025)   The I (13/09/2025)  

House prices in the UK have reached a record high, according to Halifax, hitting an average of £299,331. Property prices were up by 0.3% month-on-month in August, marking the third consecutive month of increases. On an annual basis, prices were up 2.2% on August 2024. First-time buyer property values saw a slight decrease to £237,577, potentially linked to stamp duty adjustments. Regional performance is mixed, with Northern Ireland (8.1% annual growth) and Scotland (4.9%) leading, while the South West experienced a 0.8% price fall. London remains the most expensive market, with growth of 0.8% and an average property value of £541,615. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: "The story of the housing market in 2025 has been one of stability." She noted that since January, prices have risen by less than £600, "underlining how steady the market has been despite wider economic pressures." Halifax forecasts slow and steady price growth, citing improving affordability and lower interest rates, but notes that uncertainty over potential budget tax changes could affect the market. 

Daily Mail (06/09/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (06/09/2025)   The Guardian (06/09/2025)   The Standard (06/09/2025)