Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleVicky ShawFriday 01 May 2026 08:32 BSTRelated: What steps can homeowners worried about mortgage rate rises consider?UK home sales experienced a 41 per cent decline in March 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, according to HM Revenue and Customs data.The significant annual fall is largely attributed to a surge in transactions in March 2025 as buyers rushed to complete purchases before the stamp duty holiday concluded.Around 104,070 properties were sold across the UK in March 2026, marking a 1 per cent increase from the previous month and the highest sales figure since March 2025.Mortgage rates, which had been easing, recently saw an uptick amid the conflict in the Middle East, potentially influencing future market activity.Property experts observe a degree of resilience in the housing market, but anticipate that the true impact of recent economic uncertainty and mortgage rate changes will become more apparent in the coming months.In fullUK home sales plunge by 41% year-on-year with one factor blamed for ‘distorting’ marketThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in