UK Property Agents Split on 2026 Market Confidence

Property Sector Reveals Divided Outlook for 2026

A recent study has unveiled a significant split in confidence among UK property professionals regarding the market’s performance in 2026. The research highlights a clear divergence between those focused on property sales and their counterparts in the lettings sector.

Sales vs. Lettings: A Tale of Two Markets

According to the fifth instalment of the Voice of the Agent Survey, a notable 60% of agents primarily dealing with sales anticipate an increase in new instructions next year. Nearly a third of this group expressed “very confident” sentiments about the upcoming period. This contrasts sharply with the lettings market, where only 31% of agents share a similar optimistic view, with a quarter of them actually expecting a downturn.

The comprehensive study, which gathered 556 responses and analysed millions of data points throughout 2025, offers a detailed perspective on how recent economic policies, including the Autumn Budget, are shaping the expectations of estate and letting agents. It underscores that market confidence is not uniform across the industry.

Confidence Forged by Capability

Intriguingly, the report points to a strong correlation between confidence and capability. Among the top 5% of agencies, an overwhelming 80% are confident about growth, with virtually no uncertainty detected in their forecasts. The survey concludes that leading agencies “engineer” their growth rather than merely “hoping” for it, suggesting proactive strategies are key to their success.

Industry Demand for Data-Driven Insights

Simon Leadbetter, founder of The Voice of the Agent and We Are Unchained, commented on the evolution of the research. He noted that the initiative has grown into a vital intelligence system for the property sector, driven by a strong industry demand for rigorous, evidence-based insights over mere speculation. The success of their recent conference and thousands of survey responses collected in 2025 further solidify this need.

A Look Ahead: Expanded Reporting in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, The Voice of the Agent is set to transition to monthly reporting. This expanded programme will feature 12 themed editions, delving into various critical aspects of the property industry, including sales, lettings, property portals, marketing strategies, artificial intelligence, regulatory changes, surveying, conveyancing, political impacts, mental health, and the broader market outlook. This shift aims to provide more timely and relevant information in an industry that is constantly evolving.

Joey

Joey is the founder of Survey Remedy, a London-based property due diligence service specialising in period homes. With hands-on experience coordinating structural, damp, drainage and building investigations, they focus on turning complex survey findings into clear, actionable repair strategies.

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