Latest Property Market Update - September 2026
September traditionally marks the start of one of the most important periods in the property calendar. Summer holidays are over, families are returning to normal routines and buyers and sellers who put plans on hold during August are beginning to look at the market again.
This year, there are already signs of that autumn momentum returning. Buyer demand jumped during the opening week of September, house prices remain higher than a year ago, and Nationwide recorded a small monthly increase in August.
At the same time, the latest official figures released on the 16th September show that house-price growth has moderated while rental growth has edged higher.
So, rather than simply asking whether property prices are rising or falling this month, there is a more useful question:
What do the latest figures actually mean for people thinking about buying, selling or letting property?
Buying: Buyers Return After the Summer
One of the most interesting developments this month has come from Rightmove.
Its latest data shows buyer demand increased by 5% during the first week of September as home-movers returned from the summer break. That compares with an average increase of just 0.4% during the same period over the previous five years.
London saw demand rise by 9%, while the South West recorded an 8% increase.
That does not necessarily mean the autumn market will suddenly become frantic. What it does suggest is that buyers who temporarily stepped away during the summer are returning more quickly than usual.
There was also some encouraging news in Nationwide's latest House Price Index.
UK house prices increased by 0.2% month-on-month in August after seasonal adjustment. Annual growth also edged upwards from a revised 1.4% in July to 1.6% in August.
The average non-seasonally adjusted UK property price stood at £275,465.
Tip for buyers:
If you restarted your search in September, review properties that were already available during the summer as well as newly listed homes. A seller who has been on the market for several weeks may now be particularly motivated to secure an autumn move.
House Prices: The Latest Official Picture
The newest Office for National Statistics figures were released on the 16th September and provide the most up-to-date official picture of UK house prices.
Average UK house prices increased by 1.4% in the 12 months to July 2026, reaching £273,000.
That annual growth rate has eased from 1.5% in June, suggesting a market where prices are continuing to grow, but at a modest pace.
Across the nations, average prices reached:
- £293,000 in England, up 1.1% annually
- £215,000 in Wales, up 2.6%
- £196,000 in Scotland, up 2.3%
It is worth remembering that these figures represent national averages. Property markets can behave very differently from one town, postcode and property type to another.
For anyone considering a move, local evidence remains far more useful than assuming a national percentage applies directly to an individual home. Speak with our team at Alan Cooper for a more detailed local insight.
Selling: September Brings Motivated Buyers Back
The 5% increase in buyer demand reported by Rightmove provides sellers with an encouraging start to the autumn market.
September buyers can also have a different mindset from casual summer browsers. Some will want to complete before Christmas. Others may have delayed their plans for holidays or simply decided that they do not want to postpone moving until 2027.
That creates an opportunity, but sellers still need to compete for attention.
Rightmove's most recent full House Price Index, published in August, showed the number of homes available for sale was at a 12-year high for that point in the year. More available property is excellent news for buyers, but it means sellers need to give people a clear reason to choose their home.
If you are coming to market this month, resist the temptation to launch at an unrealistic price simply to "see what happens". The first few weeks of marketing are valuable because that is when a property is fresh to buyers searching online.
Tip for sellers:
Look at the three or four homes a buyer is most likely to compare with yours. What makes yours the better choice? Sometimes it will be price, but it could equally be condition, garden space, parking, energy efficiency, location or simply better presentation. Make sure that advantage is obvious.
Mortgage Market: Buyers Are Still Borrowing, But Carefully
The latest Bank of England figures show 56,100 mortgages for house purchases were approved in July, compared with 58,200 in June.
Net mortgage borrowing decreased from £7.7 billion in June to £4.3 billion in July, while approvals for remortgaging increased slightly to 34,500.
The effective interest rate actually paid on newly drawn mortgages increased from 4.35% in June to 4.45% in July.
These figures suggest buyers remain conscious of affordability, but they should be viewed alongside Rightmove's more recent September evidence showing that people are returning to property searches after the summer.
For buyers, the important consideration is not trying to predict the perfect mortgage rate. It is understanding what repayments are affordable now and leaving enough flexibility within the household budget for other costs.
Lettings and Landlords: Rental Growth Edges Higher Again
The latest ONS release has produced another interesting development in the rental market.
Average UK private rents increased by 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2026, reaching £1,400 per month.
That is slightly higher than the 3.7% annual growth recorded in July.
Average monthly rents reached:
- £1,459 in England, up 4.0%
- £846 in Wales, up 4.3%
- £1,013 in Scotland, up 1.1%
Within England, the North East and North West recorded the strongest annual rental growth at 5.8%, while the South East recorded the lowest at 3.0%.
The figures are interesting because rental growth had been slowing earlier in the year. We have now seen the annual rate edge upwards again.
That does not necessarily mean another period of rapidly accelerating rents is beginning, but it does reinforce how important supply, demand and affordability remain within the rental market.
Tip for landlords:
Do not use the national 3.8% figure as an automatic guide for your next rent review. Look at comparable local properties, tenant retention, property condition and current demand. Keeping a reliable tenant can sometimes be more valuable than achieving the highest possible monthly rent.
Tip for tenants:
If you are planning an autumn move, start researching early. Knowing what your budget allows you to rent in Nuneaton before you need to move can make the search considerably less stressful.
New For Landlords: A National Registration Service Is Coming
Landlords in England also received an important update this month.
The government confirmed on the 9th September that its new "Register your rental property" service will begin rolling out region by region from the 15th December 2026, starting in the West Midlands.
Landlords will be given a three-month period to register when their region enters the scheme, with all landlords actively letting properties required to have registered by the 14th November 2027.
The government has also confirmed that, under future requirements as the public-facing service is introduced, registration numbers will need to appear on property advertisements.
For landlords, the important point is that this is a phased rollout. There is no need for landlords across England to attempt to register immediately, but it is something to prepare for as individual regions are brought into the system.
Market Insight Of The Month: A Two-Speed Market Is Emerging
This month's fresh figures reveal something more interesting than whether the average house price moved up or down.
The sales and rental markets are moving at different speeds.
Official house-price growth has eased to 1.4%. Rental growth, meanwhile, has edged upwards to 3.8%.
At the same time, Rightmove recorded a 5% increase in buyer demand during the opening week of September, while Nationwide recorded a small monthly rise in house prices during August.
Put those figures together and the picture becomes clearer.
The sales market is not racing ahead, but buyers are returning. Prices are relatively stable, giving people more time to make considered decisions.
The rental market remains tighter, with rents still increasing more quickly than house prices.
For buyers, a relatively stable sales market combined with greater property choice can create opportunity.
For sellers, renewed September demand means there are buyers looking, but realistic pricing remains important.
For landlords, rental demand continues to support the market, although affordability must remain part of any pricing decision.
And for tenants, the renewed increase in rental growth makes preparation and budgeting increasingly important.
The real September story therefore isn't "house prices up" or "house prices down".
It is that different parts of the property market are now behaving very differently.
Housing Moves Higher Up The Political Agenda
Housing has also moved further up the government's agenda since our August update.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government has announced initial allocations from its £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, with £9.58 billion allocated through strategic partnerships to support the delivery of social and affordable homes.
The government has also announced proposals giving mayors across England powers to take over decisions on strategically important developments. Outside London, proposed national thresholds include schemes of more than 150 homes.
These measures will not transform housing supply overnight, but they indicate a clear focus on increasing supply and moving more housing and planning decisions closer to regional government.
For the wider property market, increasing housing supply remains important. More homes can ultimately create greater choice for buyers and renters while supporting areas where demand has outpaced available housing.
One Thing Sellers Should Do This Month: Prepare For The Serious Second Viewing
Last month we talked about making the most of summer presentation. September calls for something different.
Prepare for the buyer who comes back!
A first viewing can be emotional. Buyers notice the kitchen, garden, room sizes and whether the property simply feels right.
A second viewing tends to be more forensic.
Buyers may look inside cupboards, test water pressure, examine windows, ask about the boiler, check broadband speeds, look at parking at a different time of day and start thinking seriously about running costs.
Make that process easy.
Have information about the boiler, EPC, improvements, warranties and utility arrangements available where appropriate. Fix small maintenance issues you have learned to ignore.
A buyer returning for a second viewing is no longer simply browsing property.
They may be deciding whether yours is the one.
What Buyers Are Thinking Right Now
Rightmove's September figures give us a useful clue.
Buyers have returned more quickly than usual following the summer holidays.
For some, September also creates a psychological deadline. Christmas is suddenly only a few months away, and buyers hoping to be settled before the festive period know that they cannot spend indefinitely browsing.
This does not mean every September buyer is in a rush.
But it does mean sellers may increasingly encounter buyers who have finance arranged, know what they want and are ready to make a decision when the right property appears.
What Could Happen Next?
The latest figures leave us with an interesting autumn market.
House-price growth is modest rather than excessive. Nationwide recorded a small monthly increase in August. Rightmove has seen buyers return more strongly than usual in September. Rental growth has edged upwards again.
The next full Rightmove House Price Index will provide another important indication of seller pricing and buyer behaviour as the autumn market gets properly underway.
The next ONS house-price and rental update is due on 21st October.
Rather than expecting dramatic changes, the more useful indicators to watch will be buyer demand, mortgage affordability, the supply of homes coming to market and whether rental growth continues to accelerate.
Final Thoughts
September 2026 is beginning to look like a genuinely interesting month for the UK property market.
Buyers have returned from the summer more quickly than usual, while relatively modest house-price growth means the market has avoided the rapid increases that can quickly damage affordability.
For sellers, there is fresh autumn demand to capture, but buyers still have enough choice to be selective.
For landlords, average rents remain higher than a year ago, while the forthcoming registration system creates another reason to stay informed and prepared.
Sales, mortgages and rents are moving at different speeds, which makes good local advice increasingly valuable.
If you are considering buying, selling, letting or renting in Nuneaton, Alan Cooper can help you understand what the latest national figures mean in your local market.
Call us on 02476 349336 or email sales@alan-cooper.co.uk to speak with our friendly and experienced team.
Note: The information in this article is based on the most recent data available as of July to September 2026 and may change. Always seek professional advice for specific circumstances.