The number of residential property transactions increased by 17% in June compared to May, new data released by HMRC has revealed.

June’s total of 95,080 was also 5% up on the same month last year.

HMRC’s monthly estimates are based on its own records as well as those of Revenue Scotland and the Welsh Revenue Authority, for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Land Transaction Tax (LTT) in each of the three nations, respectively.

For non-residential property, the number of transactions in June was up by 8% compared to May, at 10,190, a figure also up 8% on June last year.

Movera CEO, Nick Hale, suggested that the rise in residential transactions this month “points to growing confidence in the market”.

“It’s also a reminder of how closely activity tracks alongside interest rate movements, tax policy, and consumer sentiment,” he added. “Buyers are clearly responding to the more stable rate environment and wider availability of mortgage products, particularly for first-time buyers.

“What matters now is whether this activity can be sustained. Without consistency in policy and clearer timelines across the home-moving journey, we risk another stop-start pattern that puts unnecessary pressure on the system.”

Chair of the Open Property Data Association, Maria Harris, added: “While it’s great that volumes are back on the rise, the experience of buying and selling a home isn't where we need it to be. Consumers and the industry are still stuck navigating a process that is opaque, inefficient, and largely paper-based – and that must change.

“To create a housing market that is fit for purpose, we need to deliver physical and digital housing strategy. Digitising property data at source and making it shareable using open, trusted standards removes the friction that holds transactions back.

“We need everyone in the industry driving change and adopting new ways of working to sustain this upward trend and create a system that works better for everyone.”

---