Home Buying news in 2026
11 stories, newest first.
- September 2026
Government announces Your First Home equity loan scheme for first-time buyers in England
The government has announced Your First Home, an equity loan scheme for first-time buyers in England, with 2.5% deposits and 20% government-backed loans, to be confirmed at the Budget.
Resolution Foundation publishes roadmap for replacing Council Tax and Stamp Duty in England
The Resolution Foundation has set out a roadmap for replacing Council Tax and Stamp Duty in England with a single proportional property tax charged at 0.7 per cent of value.
Leasehold reform consultation closes
The government consultation on the charges used to calculate lease extension costs closes on 23 September 2026, with further legislation needed before new calculations take effect.
- July 2026
UK HPI for May 2026 published showing 2.7% annual house price growth
The May 2026 UK House Price Index puts the average UK property at £271,000, up 2.7% on the year, with London the only English region to record an annual fall.
- June 2026
Government launches First Time Buyer ISA consultation
HM Treasury has opened a consultation on a new, simpler ISA for first time buyers that would replace the Lifetime ISA, with responses accepted until 18 August 2026.
Government publishes response to home buying and selling reform consultation
The government has published its response to the October 2025 home buying and selling reform consultation, committing to reforms and setting out a timetable running to the end of this Parliament.
- May 2026
New section 8 possession notice regime applies from 1 May 2026
Section 8 possession notices served on private tenants in England from 1 May 2026 must use Form 3A, under new government guidance published on 7 April 2026.
- April 2026
UK House Price Index for February 2026 published
HM Land Registry has published the February 2026 UK House Price Index, showing a 1.2% annual rise in UK house prices and an average property value of £268,000.
- January 2026
Net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 60,000 in January 2026
Bank of England data show net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 60,000 in January 2026, below the recent six-month average, while mortgage borrowing and consumer credit also shifted.
Government announces ground rent cap and ban on new leasehold flats
The government has published a draft bill to cap ground rent at £250 a year, ban new leasehold flats and make commonhold easier, with the cap not expected before late 2028.
Government publishes draft leasehold reform legislation
Draft legislation published in January 2026 would cap ground rents at £250 a year, ban leaseholds for most new flats and create a commonhold conversion route, with law possible from 2027.