Houzecheck comments on HMRC Property Transaction data

28 August 2026

Richard Sexton, commercial director at HouzeCheck, commenting on HMRC’s latest Property Transactions data, said:

“The latest figures are a reminder that the housing market is still moving cautiously. But relatively modest changes in transaction volumes should not be mistaken for lower expectations: buyers and sellers still want transactions to move quickly and with as little uncertainty as possible.

“Periods of slower activity also give the industry an opportunity to look closely at where friction remains. If consumers are already hesitant to move, unnecessary delays, duplicated information and uncertainty around a property's condition can make the decision to proceed harder still.

“For brokers and lenders, the priority should therefore remain on giving customers greater certainty as early as possible. Faster, more consistent surveying can play a role here by getting reliable information into the transaction sooner and reducing the risk of problems emerging after significant time and money have already been invested.”