Mortgage rates increased at a record pace in 2022, with the 10-year fixed mortgage rate doubling between March 2022 and December 2022. With inflation increasing, the Bank of England introduced several bank rate hikes, resulting in higher mortgage rates. In May 2025, the average 10-year fixed rate interest rate reached **** percent. As borrowing costs get higher, demand for housing is expected to decrease, leading to declining market sentiment and slower house price growth. How have the mortgage hikes affected the market? After surging in 2021, the number of residential properties sold declined in 2023, reaching just above *** million. Despite the number of transactions falling, this figure was higher than the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. The falling transaction volume also impacted mortgage borrowing. Between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the value of new mortgage loans fell year-on-year for five straight quarters in a row. How are higher mortgages affecting homebuyers? Homeowners with a mortgage loan usually lock in a fixed rate deal for two to ten years, meaning that after this period runs out, they need to renegotiate the terms of the loan. Many of the mortgages outstanding were taken out during the period of record-low mortgage rates and have since faced notable increases in their monthly repayment. About **** million homeowners are projected to see their deal expire by the end of 2026. About *** million of these loans are projected to experience a monthly payment increase of up to *** British pounds by 2026.

Mortgage interest rates in Europe soared in 2022 and remained elevated in the following two years. In many countries, this resulted in mortgage interest rates across the region more than doubling. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the average mortgage interest rate in the UK stood at *** percent. Belgium had the lowest rate, at **** percent, while Poland had the highest, at *** percent. Why did mortgage interest rates increase? Mortgage rates have risen as a result of the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate increase. The ECB increased its interest rates to tackle inflation. As inflation calms, the ECB is expected to cut rates, which allows mortgage lenders to reduce mortgage interest rates. What is the impact of interest rates on home buying? Lower interest rates make taking out a housing loan more affordable, and thus, encourage home buying. That can be seen in many countries across Europe: In France, the number of residential properties sold rose in the years leading up to 2021, and fell as interest rates increased. The number of houses sold in the UK followed a similar trend.

The benchmark interest rate in the United Kingdom was last recorded at 4 percent. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

August 2024 marked a significant shift in the UK's monetary policy, as it saw the first reduction in the official bank base interest rate since August 2023. This change came after a period of consistent rate hikes that began in late 2021. In a bid to minimize the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of England cut the official bank base rate in March 2020 to a record low of *** percent. This historic low came just one week after the Bank of England cut rates from **** percent to **** percent in a bid to prevent mass job cuts in the United Kingdom. It remained at *** percent until December 2021 and was increased to one percent in May 2022 and to **** percent in October 2022. After that, the bank rate increased almost on a monthly basis, reaching **** percent in August 2023. It wasn't until August 2024 that the first rate decrease since the previous year occurred, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. Why do central banks adjust interest rates? Central banks, including the Bank of England, adjust interest rates to manage economic stability and control inflation. Their strategies involve a delicate balance between two main approaches. When central banks raise interest rates, their goal is to cool down an overheated economy. Higher rates curb excessive spending and borrowing, which helps to prevent runaway inflation. This approach is typically used when the economy is growing too quickly or when inflation is rising above desired levels. Conversely, when central banks lower interest rates, they aim to encourage borrowing and investment. This strategy is employed to stimulate economic growth during periods of slowdown or recession. Lower rates make it cheaper for businesses and individuals to borrow money, which can lead to increased spending and investment. This dual approach allows central banks to maintain a balance between promoting growth and controlling inflation, ensuring long-term economic stability. Additionally, adjusting interest rates can influence currency values, impacting international trade and investment flows, further underscoring their critical role in a nation's economic health. Recent interest rate trends Between 2021 and 2024, most advanced and emerging economies experienced a period of regular interest rate hikes. This trend was driven by several factors, including persistent supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, and robust demand pressures. These elements combined to create significant inflationary trends, prompting central banks to raise rates in an effort to temper spending and borrowing. However, in 2024, a shift began to occur in global monetary policy. The European Central Bank (ECB) was among the first major central banks to reverse this trend by cutting interest rates. This move signaled a change in approach aimed at addressing growing economic slowdowns and supporting growth.

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The 5% Sample Survey of Building Society Mortgage Completions (BSM) has been in existence since 1965. The Archive holds data from 1974. Monthly returns, giving detailed information on a nominal 5% sample of all mortgage completions, have been submitted on a voluntary basis by most building societies to the Department of Environment who process the data on a quarterly basis. The survey results have served as the offical source of statistics on the owner-occupied housing market, providing a wealth of information on mortgage advances, dwelling prices and the characteristics of borrowers and properties. An increased share of the mortgage market being accounted for by other lenders and a widening range of mortgage products during the 1980s have necessitated change, leading to the BSM being succeeded by the Survey of Mortgage Lenders (SML) in 1992 (see GN: 33254). An important consideration for users of the data is that the SML figures allow continuity with the BSM survey results to be maintained for a reasonable period. Main Topics: Building Society code, date mortgage completed, whether dwelling is wholly or partly occupied by borrower. Mortgage amount, whether solely for purchase of property, period of mortgage, gross rate of interest, repayment method. Purchase price and whether discounted in any way. Location of dwelling, whether new, age of dwelling, type, number of habitable rooms, whether garage, rateable value. Number and sex of borrowers, age of main borrower, basic income, other income, total income, whether applicant previously owner occupier, previous tenure, whether main borrower nominated by LA under support lending scheme. Building Societies are divided into four strata according to the size of their assets. All the largest societies are asked to complete questionnaires on a sample of 5 per cent of their new mortgage advances. Mortgages are included if their reference numbers end in specified digits chosen so that every twentieth mortgage is selected. Societies in the next stratum are arranged in order of size of assets and alternate societies chosen each of which are asked to complete questionnaires on 10 per cent of their mortgages. In the next stratum 20 per cent of the mortgages of every fourth society are obtained. The smallest societies are completely excluded.

In June 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In the first half of 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 20 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at 0.1 percent in June 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 9.4 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.

Companies in the Residential Estate Agents industry act as intermediaries when a residential property is bought, sold, rented or leased in the UK. Typically, estate agents earn income via fixed flat rates or commissions and transaction fees related to the selling price charged to interested parties. Estate agents also provide clients with value-added ancillary services through which they can earn sufficient income, including specialist advisory services, contract appraisals, property valuation and escrow services. Over the five years through 2024-25, residential real estate agent’s is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 4.7% to £5.8 billion. In 2020-21, a temporary hiatus in housing market activity during the spring lockdown left a gap in estate agents' income statements, made worse by unfavourable tax reform for buy-to-let property investors. Activity rebounded over 2021-22 as the release of pent-up demand and stimulatory policies restored and elevated property transaction levels. However, over 2023-24, revenue tanked by 14.4% as successive rises in the bank rate, eventually landing at 5.25% in August 2023, increased mortgage rates across the UK and significantly reduced the market for residential property transactions and estate agent revenue. In 2024-25, revenue is expected to inch upwards by 0.7%, as interest rates fell to 5% in August 2024; interest rates are forecast to drop at least once more in 2024-25, making borrowing more affordable and increasing transaction volumes. According to HMRC, there were 90,210 UK residential transactions in August 2024, a 5% increase on August 2023. There is optimism as household disposable incomes and consumer confidence climb, meaning a bounce back in the housing market is imminent. Over the five years through 2029-30, residential real estate agent’s revenue is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 1.4% to £6.2 billion. Beyond an envisaged recovery phase, competitive pressures from the proliferation of online-only and hybrid estate agents will intensify, challenging traditional agencies. Due to increasing council taxes on second homes, landlords may sell some of their portfolios, increasing the supply of houses to be transacted and boosting revenue. House prices are forecast to trend upwards in the medium term, increasing transaction commissions and benefitting estate agents.

In 2022, house price growth in the UK slowed, after a period of decade-long increase. Nevertheless, in March 2025, prices reached a new peak, with the average home costing ******* British pounds. This figure refers to all property types, including detached, semi-detached, terraced houses, and flats and maisonettes. Compared to other European countries, the UK had some of the highest house prices. How have UK house prices increased over the last 10 years? Property prices have risen dramatically over the past decade. According to the UK house price index, the average house price has grown by over ** percent since 2015. This price development has led to the gap between the cost of buying and renting a property to close. In 2023, buying a three-bedroom house in the UK was no longer more affordable than renting one. Consequently, Brits have become more likely to rent longer and push off making a house purchase until they have saved up enough for a down payment and achieved the financial stability required to make the step. What caused the recent fluctuations in house prices? House prices are affected by multiple factors, such as mortgage rates, supply, and demand on the market. For nearly a decade, the UK experienced uninterrupted house price growth as a result of strong demand and a chronic undersupply. Homebuyers who purchased a property at the peak of the housing boom in July 2022 paid ** percent more compared to what they would have paid a year before. Additionally, 2022 saw the most dramatic increase in mortgage rates in recent history. Between December 2021 and December 2022, the **-year fixed mortgage rate doubled, adding further strain to prospective homebuyers. As a result, the market cooled, leading to a correction in pricing.