Bank of England Cuts Interest Rates to 4.5%

The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the third time in just under a year, bringing the rate down to 4.5%. The move, supported by the majority of the Monetary Policy Committee, is aimed at boosting economic growth amid easing inflation, which currently sits at 2.5%. However, concerns remain that rising energy costs and other pressures could push inflation higher later this year. This is the lowest base rate since June 2023. The Bank of England has also adjusted its growth forecast, now expecting the UK economy to grow by 0.75% in 2025, down from an earlier prediction of 1.5%. The rate cut could lead to lower borrowing costs for some homeowners and businesses, but the impact will vary depending on individual financial arrangements. As lenders respond to the change, borrowers and savers alike will be watching to see how it affects their finances.

The Bank of England has lowered its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.5%, marking its first cut in months.

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NI Housing Market Update:

Introducing the Q2 2026 edition of our Housing Market Update, where we examine the latest trends in the NI housing market.The full report can be viewed below or accessed here: <a href="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/Housing_Market_Trends_Q2_2026_f8cd6be4fe/Housing_Market_Trends_Q2_2026_f8cd6be4fe.pdf">Download PDF</a>

Key highlights from the report include:

Key Takeaways from Q2 2026<ul><li>Average property price: £239,234</li><li>House prices: +3.8%</li><li>Number of sale agreed properties: 6,699</li><li>The average time to reach ‘sale agreed’ is 36 days</li><li>Average rent: £1,013p/m</li><li>Rental growth: +3.8%</li><li>Rental enquiries per property: 63&nbsp;</li></ul>Almost £9,000 has been added to the average NI house price during the last 12 months, according to PropertyPal’s latest quarterly report.The average property price in Northern Ireland is now £239,234, the analysis from the leading property portal shows, up 3.8% compared to the same time last year.Fermanagh and Omagh was the council area with the biggest increase in property values over the year, where average prices increased there by 10.3%.In terms of demand, enquiries to estate agents per advertised property were up 7% on last year, and properties are typically being agreed within 36 days, around two weeks faster than the long-term norm. However, supply pressures in the market remain acute. Around 6,500 new second-hand listings were added to the market in the quarter, fewer than the number of transactions agreed, meaning stock available to buyers has continued to tighten.

&nbsp;<blockquote>Jordan Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer at PropertyPal, commented on the Q2 2026 housing market:“Northern Ireland's housing market continued to perform robustly across the second quarter of the year, with average prices now sitting at around £240,000, up 3.8% annually, having eased slightly from the exceptional 5.0% pace recorded in Q1. In practical terms, that annual growth has added almost £9,000 to the value of the average local home over the past 12 months.There were approximately 6,700 transactions agreed in the quarter, broadly in line with long-term averages. Enquiries to estate agents per advertised property were up 7% on last year, pointing to a healthy pipeline heading into the summer months, while properties are typically being agreed within 36 days, around two weeks faster than the long-term norm.Supply pressures remain a defining feature of the market. Around 6,500 new second-hand listings were added to the market in the quarter, fewer than the number of transactions agreed, meaning stock available to buyers has continued to tighten. Alongside the well-documented challenges facing new-build supply, this remains a core constraint on activity, set against a strong demand backdrop.Recent improvements in macroeconomic conditions point towards a gradual easing in mortgage rates, while the local economy remains a bright spot, with steady growth, a strong labour market and real wage growth supporting affordability.Together, this should improve household confidence and support market conditions through the remainder of the year.” &nbsp;</blockquote>

&nbsp;<blockquote>Discussing the rental market, Jordan Buchanan adds:“Rents have added almost £40 a month to the average Northern Ireland tenancy over the past year with the typical rental property now costing £1,013 per month, up 3.8% annually. Demand remains considerably stronger than long-term norms, with an average of 63 enquiries to estate agents per advertised rental property, up 11% on last year.This demand is spread across Northern Ireland, with every local area seeing growth in both tenant demand and annual rent growth over the past 12 months. New rental supply started the year encouragingly but has since slowed, with total available inventory now down 5% on last year. Against this backdrop, we expect rental growth to continue at a moderate pace through the remainder of 2026, as structural supply constraints continue to persist.”</blockquote>

Introducing the Q2 2026 edition of our Housing Market Update, where we examine the latest trends in the Northern Ireland housing market. 

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Bank of England Cuts Interest Rates to 4.5%
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