"The housing ladder only works if would-be homeowners can get onto it." - Atom bank comments on ONS Private Rent and House Price data

22 October 2025

Chris Storey, Chief Commercial Office at Atom bank

“The rumours about wholesale changes to the Stamp Duty regime - and potentially its complete replacement with a new form of property tax - have understandably caused some potential buyers to put their plans on hold. Why push on with a deal today when holding out for a month or two could mean they save thousands? Reform that makes life easier for aspiring buyers would be welcome, so long as it does not supercharge house price growth. The housing ladder only works if would-be homeowners can get onto it.

“The upcoming Budget represents a great opportunity for the Government. Housing production looks to be significantly down on the promised 1.5 million new homes during the course of this Parliament, and until we dramatically improve that production rate there will remain sharp upward pressure on prices. In the meantime, it’s vital that lenders go further in supporting borrowers who are underserved by mainstream lenders. A broader choice of products with higher LTVs and a more forgiving attitude to credit blips will mean that rising house prices don’t kill off ownership dreams.”