One in five UK homeowners say the upcoming November Budget is putting their plans to sell on ice.
Their biggest fears are rising mortgage rates, stamp duty and potential tax changes, according to a new study.
The uncertainty comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Budget on November 26, with expected announcements around housing, tax, and the wider economy. B
Research from We Buy Any Home reveals that among homeowners concerned about affording a new property, 46% said Budget uncertainty is causing them to delay selling. This group represents 21% of all UK homeowners surveyed. Meanwhile, 38% said they’re specifically worried about being able to afford stamp duty on a new home.
The survey of 1,004 homeowners also found:
A We Buy Any Home spokesperson says: “We’re seeing a perfect storm. People want to move – but they’re frozen by what the November Budget might bring. Will stamp duty go up? Will tax thresholds change? Will interest rates drop, or stay stuck? The lack of clarity is stalling the market.”
While homeowners in London, the East of England, and Wales showed the most anxiety about tax changes, younger homeowners were more concerned about mortgage rates and job stability – with 68% of 45 to 54-year-olds saying they feared not being able to afford their mortgage if they moved.
And it’s not just financial concerns. The uncertainty itself – about what might or might not change – is driving a “wait and see” approach across the board.
The spokesperson continues: “It’s like waiting for a traffic light that never turns green. People feel they can’t plan properly until they know what Rachel Reeves will announce. It’s understandable – no one wants to make the biggest financial decision of their lives in the dark.
“Even small tweaks to stamp duty or capital gains can have a huge ripple effect. Buyers get cold feet, sellers delay decisions – and the whole chain stalls. The Budget needs to bring clarity and confidence. Otherwise, we risk deepening the gridlock we’re already seeing in the property market.”
To make matters worse in terms of market balance, the reluctance to buy comes as more homes have come on to the market.
Estate agency eXp UK says September delivered a notable surge in market activity, with the firm recording an average of 81 new properties listed every day over the course of the month – the highest daily level seen across each month so far in 2025. Almost 2,431 homes were listed with eXp UK in September alone, marking a 19% increase versus the total seen in August.
This article is taken from Landlord Today