Average monthly house price growth across Britain has fallen into negative territory this year – and it’s only the second time in the last decade.
Online agency Yopa analysed average monthly house price growth between 2016 and today.
It found that prices across Britain have so far this year declined by an average of -0.22% per month this year.
The decline follows weaker buyer demand driven by higher borrowing costs, affordability pressures and wider economic uncertainty.
The agency claims that sellers are increasingly adjusting asking prices to attract buyers.
The only other year to record negative average monthly growth over the last decade was 2023, when prices fell by -0.23% per month on average.
Even last year, despite significant economic uncertainty in the wider economy, prices still increased by an average of 0.15% per month.
Yopa says 2021 remained the strongest year of the last decade, with house prices rising by an average of 0.63% per month.
This was considered to be down to the pandemic property boom and a temporary stamp duty holiday.
The agency’s latest figures also show notable regional differences across Britain.
England has seen the smallest decline so far in 2026, with prices edging down by an average of -0.16% per month.
Wales has experienced the steepest slowdown at -0.75% per month, while Scotland has recorded a decline of -0.45%.
Yopa spokesperson Verona Frankish says: “House price growth can often be erratic and heavily influenced by seasonality, economic conditions and wider buyer sentiment.House prices in the red for only second time in a decade
“However, when we look at the average monthly rate of growth over the course of a year, it gives us a far clearer picture of the overall direction of the market.
“Whilst the market entered 2026 on a relatively positive footing, a combination of economic uncertainty, affordability pressures and wider geopolitical instability has since caused momentum to soften and, as it stands, house prices are currently trending downwards across Britain.”
