The number of residential property transactions in the UK fell by 2% in July 2026 compared to June, according to the latest interim figures from HMRC.
Seasonally adjusted residential transactions were 96,710 in July, down from 98,390 in June, and 1% lower than in July 2025.
However, non-seasonally adjusted estimates rose by 3% compared to June to 106,620 deals. This was also 5% higher than the 101,650 transactions recorded in July 2025.
These figures form part of HMRC’s latest monthly property transaction statistics, published on 28 August 2026, covering transactions completed during July.
Between April and July 2026, there were 389,490 non-seasonally adjusted residential transactions, compared to 337,530 during the same period from 2025 to 2026.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, there were 393,800 transactions between April and July 2026, compared to 342,900 during the previous fiscal year.
HMRC has warned that the latest figures are provisional because not all Stamp Duty Land Tax, Land and Building Transaction Tax and Land Transaction Tax returns were received when the statistics were compiled. It is therefore expected that the numbers will be revised in the coming months and will generally stabilize after about three months.
The data represents completed transactions, which on average take between two and four months after the initial offer on a property is made. As a result, HMRC said the figures did not necessarily represent the current strength of the property market.
HMRC figures cover transactions registered through Stamp Duty Land Tax, Land and Building Transaction Tax and Land Transaction Tax, using records from HMRC, Revenue Scotland and Welsh Revenue.
Mark Harris, CEO of SPF Private Clients, said: “With seasonally adjusted transaction numbers falling slightly in July, a relatively steady number of buyers and sellers continued to move forward with their plans.
“Affordability remains an issue for many, so with a number of lenders reducing their mortgage rates in recent weeks, this is good news for those looking to move. The Bank of England’s decision to hold its key interest rate sends a strong message of stability, which we hope will continue for a while even if inflation rises in the short term.”
“Volatility in mortgage rates may continue to be a feature of the autumn, as the past few months have shown us that the situation can change quickly without warning. Those who need a mortgage may want to secure a product sooner rather than later to protect themselves against price fluctuations, and can revisit it before closing to see if a cheaper rate is available at that time.”
