{
  "id": 260537,
  "title": "UK house prices flat in July, says Lloyds, as buyers struggle with affordability",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/uk-house-prices-flat-in-july-says-lloyds-as-buyers-struggle-with",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T09:32:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/07/uk-house-prices-flat-july-lloyds-affordability"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UK house prices remained stagnant in July, according to figures released by Lloyds bank. The average property cost £299,253, a decrease of £143 compared to the previous month. Lloyds' head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, noted that prospective buyers were struggling with affordability, particularly due to rising mortgage rates resulting from recent tensions in the Middle East. Despite steady demand, market activity continued to fluctuate in response to changes in mortgage rates. Experts predict that market activity and house prices will remain relatively stable throughout the remainder of the year, influenced by the outlook for inflation and household confidence. Anthony Codling, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, described the situation as one of \"suspended animation,\" with prices neither falling sharply nor rising with conviction, trapped in a narrow range by stretched affordability and high mortgage rates. Northern Ireland saw the strongest growth, with a 7.4% increase, bringing the average price to £231,131. Scotland followed with a 3.6% rise, reaching an average of £223,246. Wales experienced a 1.6% increase, with the average price at £231,458. England's north reported the strongest growth at 2.8%, averaging £182,488, while prices in the north-west increased by 2.1%, reaching £247,836. In contrast, the south-east saw a 2% decline, with the average price falling to £381,146, and Greater London experienced a 1.3% decrease, dropping to £533,930.",
  "summary": "Property prices in ‘suspended animation’ owing to higher mortgage rates and uncertainty in Middle East Business live – latest updates UK house prices were broadly stagnant in July as prospective buyers were squeezed by higher mortgage rates, uncertainty around the Middle East and stretched affordability, according to the lender Lloyds. The average property cost £299,253 in July, down by £143…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}