There is renewed hope for buyers
Summer could be busy(Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A new prediction has been given on mortgage rates.
They could continue their journey south and buyers start to return following news this week that inflation remained at 2.8% in the 12 months to May, property experts have claimed. However, they cautioned that people should be “realistic” and not expect sharp rate reductions on the back of inflation holding steady and an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.8% in the 12 months to May 2026, unchanged from the 12 months to April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed on Wednesday. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.2% in May 2026, the same rate as in May 2025.
Grant Fitzner, Chief Economist, ONS, said: “After last month’s slowdown, inflation held steady in May as various price movements offset each other. The main upward movement came from transport, with airfares, vehicle taxes and petrol prices all pushing up inflation.
“These were offset by lower food prices, with decreases in inflation seen across a range of meat, dairy and vegetable items compared to last month, as well as the cost of domestic heating oil, which fell back after climbing in recent months.”
Chris Barry, director of London-based Thomas Legal, said “mortgage rates will react positively to this news” and that buyers will start to reappear after activity levels stalled when the war started.
He continued: “Buyers have been disappearing since the war in Iran started, so steady inflation in the UK along with an end to the conflict should begin to even out supply and demand in the housing market. This should give the market a boost.”
Rohit Kohli, director of Romsey-based The Mortgage Stop, was surprised by the data, but also believed it would see mortgage rates continue to edge down, albeit gradually.
He said: “This inflation data is a little surprising, but it is welcome news for borrowers either way, as the Bank of England is now less likely to be forced into a tougher position to combat inflation. Saying that, it is probably still too early for cuts. I would not expect sharp rate reductions from lenders on the back of the data, but the gradual downward tweaks we have seen recently may continue if nothing unexpected knocks confidence.”
Katy Eatenton, mortgage and protection specialist at St Albans-based Eatenton Finance, agreed: “Inflation staying the same will not trigger an avalanche of sharp rate cuts, but it should see mortgage pricing continue to move in the right direction, namely down. This week we have definitely seen an increase in enquiries as buyers gain a little more confidence about the economy and general direction of mortgage rates now that the Middle East conflict appears to be over.”
Darani Ganesharajah, mortgage broker at Springtide Capital, described the inflation print as “great news” and said a number of lenders had already shaved their rates this past week.
She added: “Great news on inflation. Several lenders have cut rates this week, with Santander announcing further reductions to come in effect from Thursday, including on tracker products. Even if a Bank of England rate cut isn’t around the corner, lower tracker margins are helping deliver more competitive options for borrowers.”
Manooch Suree, director of Uxbridge-based Zinga Financial Services, described the data as “good news”, but said the public should not expect aggressive rate cuts and an immediate return to the levels they were at before the war in the Middle East began.
He continued: “For mortgage borrowers, the direction of travel remains downward, but expectations should be realistic — we’re talking about a slow easing in mortgage rates rather than a sharp drop.”
Daniel Hobbs, CEO at Rayleigh-based New Leaf Distribution, also believed activity levels would start to pick up.
He said: “The traditionally busy spring property market was hit for six by the war, but now that it’s over and mortgage rates are starting to come down we could see a busier than usual summer for bricks and mortar. A lot of people who put their buying and selling plans on hold may now revisit them and more competitive mortgage rates will likely add to the improvement in sentiment.”