Autumn Budget 2026: What does it mean for the property market?

The Government announced further support for first-time buyers, including changes relating to Lifetime ISAs and plans for a new First-Time Buyer ISA. However, Lucy believes affordability and the overall cost of moving remain significant barriers across the housing market.

“The property market thrives when buyers and sellers have confidence and certainty around costs. Unfortunately, the Chancellor’s Budget has done little to provide that certainty.”

One of the biggest omissions was any significant change to Stamp Duty for ordinary home movers.

Lucy said: “Stamp Duty continues to be a significant barrier to moving home and can discourage activity across the housing market. If the Government is serious about stimulating growth and increasing mobility, reducing the financial burden of moving would have been a logical place to start.”

She also argues that reform needs to go beyond tax. Long transaction times, delays obtaining information and failed sales continue to cause frustration and uncertainty for people buying and selling homes.

“Greater investment in modernising the conveyancing process, faster access to property information and increased transparency around leasehold transactions would make a real difference,” Lucy said.

For buyers and sellers, the message following the Budget is therefore mixed. Support for first-time buyers is welcome, but broader reform is still needed to give people greater confidence to move.

Thinking about buying or selling a property? WSP’s Residential Conveyancing team can guide you through the process with straightforward, practical legal advice.

You can get in touch with our Residential Property Conveyancing Team using the form on this page or by clicking here. Alternatively you can call us on 01453 847200.