Docklands News

UK house prices unexpectedly fell in August, with Nationwide reporting a 0.1% decline to an average of £271,079. Economists had predicted a 0.2% rise, but instead prices slipped for the fourth time in six months, leaving values 0.4% lower over the summer despite a brief gain in July. Annual house price inflation slowed to 2.1%, down from 2.4% in July and over 4% earlier in the year. Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner said affordability pressures remain intense, with first-time buyers now spending about 35% of their take-home pay on mortgage repayments, compared to a long-run average of 30%. Higher living costs and stubbornly elevated mortgage rates continue to squeeze demand. Analysts expect subdued growth in the housing market through the remainder of the year, unless wage growth and gradual interest rate cuts ease affordability pressures. 

BBC News (02/09/2025)   Daily Mail (02/09/2025)   The Daily Telegraph (02/09/2025)   The Standard (02/09/2025)  

UK property transactions rose in July, with HMRC reporting 95,580 sales - up 4% year-on-year and 1% from June. The figures mark a continued recovery after a slowdown earlier in the year, following the end of the stamp duty holiday and the April reduction in the threshold back to £125,000. Activity surged in March as buyers sought to avoid higher costs, then dipped in April before rebounding. Experts said the housing market remains resilient, supported by five recent interest rate cuts, stabilised mortgage rates, and improved affordability. Analysts expect around 1.15m sales in 2025, up 5% from 2024, despite ongoing economic and property tax concerns. 

City AM (29/08/2025)   Daily Express (29/08/2025)   Daily Mail (29/08/2025)   The Standard (29/08/2025)  

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has accused water companies and councils of worsening the housing crisis by stalling nearly 30,000 homes, including 7,000 affordable units, over wastewater capacity concerns. A survey found 80% of developers face delays despite paying £2.3bn to water companies since 2020. Anglian and Thames Water were highlighted, with £330m and £440m received respectively, yet thousands of homes remain blocked. The HBF criticised misalignment between planners, utilities, and policy, while Water UK cited regulatory flaws. The Government has pledged £104bn to upgrade water infrastructure by 2030. 

The Times (01/09/2025)  

Canary Wharf is defying predictions of decline, with office values rising, major firms renewing commitments, and diversification into housing, retail, and life sciences boosting appeal, supported by renewed demand for in-person work. The average property price on the peninsula stood at £612,925 over the last year, out of reach for many first-home buyers. However, a more affordable community sits just three stops away from Canary Wharf, at Hyde New Homes' Stories Wharf. Launching for sale in late summer 2025, the new homes, just a quick step from King George V DLR station, are set around an inviting communal garden, with direct access from every building. Every property, which comes with its own private balcony or terrace, includes private outdoor space, contemporary kitchen units with integrated appliances, fitted wardrobes, ensuites, quality flooring included and an NHBC warranty for complete peace of mind. Prices start from £144,000 for a 40% share of a one-bedroom apartment with a full market value of £360,000.

City AM (22/08/2025)   Financial Times (24/08/2025)  

Criminals are driving up London house prices by £11,000 through illicit cash, according to SmartSearch. Since 2016, over £11bn of suspicious money has entered the UK property market, inflating average prices by £3,000. More than half of this money comes from shell companies in British Overseas Territories, which are often linked to money laundering. The all-party parliamentary group on anti-corruption warns that the trend exacerbates the housing crisis for ordinary families. 

The Mail on Sunday (24/08/2025)  

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has not ruled out an overhaul of council tax that could mean higher bills. While Labour had previously said reforms such as a revaluation, adding extra bands or raising rates for more valuable properties were not on the agenda, the Treasury has refused to repeat the pledge, saying only that Reeves wants to "keep taxes for working people as low as possible." Writing in the Observer, Andrew Rawnsley says that council tax is outdated, regressive and in urgent need of reform, still being based on 1991 property valuations. He says that while scrapping stamp duty may be politically difficult, modernising council tax offers Reeves the best chance to act as a reforming chancellor. Updating bands or introducing proportional property or land value taxes could make the system fairer and more effective, he adds.

The Observer (24/08/2025)   The Sunday Telegraph (24/08/2025)