The 2025 Autumn Budget delivered few direct interventions for the housing and mortgage market, but the implications for buyers, brokers, landlords and developers are far from insignificant. Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), the UK’s leading mortgage intermediary, has responded to the Chancellor’s statement with a detailed assessment of what the absence of major housing reforms means, and where the opportunities now lie.
Nothing definitive regarding housing has been announced in today’s Budget. What does this mean for the majority of prospective and current homebuyers?
Ben Thompson, Deputy CEO, Mortgage Advice Bureau:
“As expected, with lots on the Chancellor’s plate, this was a fairly quiet budget for the majority of the housing sector. While the silence around the sector is undeniably disappointing for the millions trying to get onto or move up the property ladder, we need to remain optimistic.
Thanks to earlier changes made this year by regulators and lenders, many more people could now move home than this time last year. In fact, we have a very high number of mortgage products available, so there’s still plenty to be positive about.
There is, of course, more the Chancellor could’ve announced today, for example, some much-needed changes to Stamp Duty or a revival of a housing tax relief such as Mortgage Interest Relief At Source (MIRAS). However, what we do have now is certainty, improved affordability, falling mortgage rates, and a record number of mortgage products for people to choose from.
What we need to see now for the housing market to really get going is stronger consumer confidence. We also ideally need anyone thinking of buying their first home (and, in fact, those planning a move up the ladder) to be fully updated about what mortgage options they do have today versus this time last year.
The fact remains: it’s a very good time to buy. If you believe homeownership is out of reach, think again. A mortgage adviser can cut through the complexity, unlocking options you didn’t know existed, and securing the right deal for your circumstances.”
How will the outcome of today’s Autumn Budget impact mortgage rates?
Rachel Geddes, Strategic Lender Relationship Director, Mortgage Advice Bureau:
“The Chancellor kept the housing industry out of the spotlight to an extent in today’s budget, delivering a welcome dose of stability and consistency for the market.
The introduction of a Mansion Tax for properties of more than £2 million demonstrates that the Government is making it increasingly challenging for a proportion of homebuyers and owners. This risks hindering some borrowers who are looking to take that next move up the ladder, particularly in a country where average house prices are increasing at a significant pace.
While housing policy was quiet elsewhere, the budget’s wider fiscal decisions are crucial for your mortgage. The healthier the government’s balance sheet looks, the lower its own borrowing costs (known as gilts) become. Lower borrowing costs for the government have a powerful domino effect, leading to lower funding costs for lenders and solidifying the current trend of falling inflation.
In light of this fiscal stability and cooling inflation figures, we remain hopeful that a Bank of England rate cut in December is more likely. This anticipated move will continue to push down the cost of borrowing across the board, paving the way for more competitive fixed-rate deals in the coming weeks.
The message for anyone looking to buy, move, or remortgage is clear: now is the time to act. Don’t gamble your plans by waiting for rates to bottom out – 3-4% is the new normal and isn’t going anywhere.
This is where a mortgage adviser really comes into their own, helping you navigate the current market to secure a deal that works for you and your financial situation.”
Will the lack of housing updates in the Autumn Budget impact broker confidence?
Rachel Geddes, Strategic Lender Relationship Director, Mortgage Advice Bureau:
“The Autumn Budget largely delivered a housing-neutral outcome, and we must treat this as a positive. The immediate impact is that the air has been cleared of weeks of paralysing rumour and speculation. Our job now is to translate this stability into consumer confidence and action.
The broker community has navigated far greater shocks than budget silence and emerged stronger; we can absolutely handle this. The focus now shifts decisively from crisis management to opportunity maximisation.
As the dust settles around the budget, we must now use this as an opportunity to spur customers into action. First, focusing on the data: communicate market stability and the expectation that rates should continue their gentle decline into 2026. Seize this moment to leverage your lender relationships to enhance borrowing power and secure competitive deals.
Reinforce that the best time to buy, move, or refinance is dictated solely by the client’s individual circumstances, not external headlines or speculation. Leaning on speculation is the surest way to miss out on competitive deals: if the deal is right for the client’s finances and long-term goals, there is absolutely no reason to wait. The time to secure their financial future is now.”
How will the outcome of the Autumn Budget impact landlords?
Rachel Geddes, Strategic Lender Relationship Director, Mortgage Advice Bureau:
“The lack of updates around buy-to-let in today’s Budget actually provides stability and positivity for the landlord market – a much-needed change given the amount of uncertainty they have faced as of late.
The good news is that lenders are stepping up to support landlords in this space. They’re constantly innovating to facilitate this shift, helping property owners to expand their portfolios efficiently and refinance their existing loans to manage costs.
Whether you’re looking to start your buy-to-let journey or expand your existing portfolio, working closely with an expert mortgage adviser is no longer just good practice – it’s essential for future-proofing your income against relentless policy changes.”
How does the lack of housing updates in today’s Budget impact current planning and supply levels?
Felicity Barnett, New Build & Affordable Housing Partnerships Manager, Mortgage Advice Bureau:
“The lack of updates in the Autumn Budget was a missed opportunity to tackle the most fundamental issue in housing: supply. Setting a target of 1.5m new homes is useless if the planning system is a massive bottleneck, with permissions taking up to seven months in some areas, and the government needs to urgently cut the red tape holding up construction.
Instead of rehashing old initiatives, we need smarter, highly targeted support to get more aspiring homebuyers on the ladder. We should look at models like the First Buy scheme, which limited buyers to purchasing a home only one bedroom larger than their needs. This ensures aid goes directly to those who need it most, rather than unnecessarily inflating the entire market.
We must also ensure public funds aren’t just funnelled into build-to-rent projects at the expense of genuine affordable and social housing. Regardless of government policy, focus should now shift to what we can control. There is a wealth of options available right now, making homeownership even more accessible, and by working with a mortgage adviser, you can cut through the noise, finding a solution that aligns with your financial situation.”
