The Autumn Budget 2026 included a number of announcements with potential implications for the UK property market, from support for first-time buyers and affordable housing investment to changes affecting brownfield development and high street businesses.
Here, we look at some of the key property-related announcements and what they could mean for homeowners, landlords, developers and businesses across Lancashire and the wider North West.
No Change to Stamp Duty
The Budget did not announce changes to residential Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates or thresholds.
For those looking to buy or move home, the existing Stamp Duty framework therefore remains in place. However, the Government announced other measures aimed at helping first-time buyers access the housing market.
£4.7 Billion Your First Home Scheme
One of the headline housing announcements was the £4.7 billion Your First Home scheme, designed to help more first-time buyers onto the property ladder.
Under the scheme, eligible first-time buyers in England will be able to access a 20% equity loan, with a minimum deposit requirement of 2.5%. The Government expects the scheme to support around 70,000 households and contribute towards the delivery of around 20,000 new homes.
Pre-registration is expected to open by the end of December 2026, followed by full applications from February 2027 and the first loans from April 2027.
The scheme could provide another route into home-ownership for buyers who may otherwise struggle to raise the deposit required.
Higher Tax Rates on Property Income
Landlords will also see further changes to the taxation of property income, with rates increasing from April 2027.
From April 2027, property income tax rates will increase to 24% for the basic rate, 44% for the higher rate and 49% for the additional rate, taking effect from 6 April 2027.
For residential landlords, the change adds another consideration when reviewing the costs and returns associated with their investment.
Further Investment in Affordable Housing
The Government also announced an additional £1.5 billion for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
The investment is expected to support around 10,000 additional homes in England, with funding prioritised towards Social Rent and particularly council housing. This brings total planned investment in the programme to more than £40 billion over ten years.
The funding could create further opportunities for housing delivery and residential development while increasing the supply of affordable homes.
BNG Exemption for Smaller Brownfield Sites
For property developers, one of the Budget’s most notable announcements was a change to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements.
The Government has announced that residential brownfield developments on sites of up to 1.5 hectares will be exempt from BNG requirements, with the change intended to make it cheaper and simpler to build homes on smaller brownfield sites.
The measure could help remove some of the barriers associated with bringing smaller brownfield sites back into residential use and contribute towards the delivery of new homes.
Business Rates and Support for High Streets
Commercial property also featured in measures relating to business rates and high streets.
From April 2027, qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England will see business rates either frozen in real terms, reduced or cut to zero. Small Business Rate Relief thresholds will also increase, with the Government estimating that around 70,000 additional high street businesses will be taken out of business rates altogether.
The measures sit alongside a wider High Streets Strategy, including funding aimed at bringing derelict buildings back into use.
What Could the Autumn Budget Mean for Property in Lancashire and the North West?
For Lancashire and the wider North West, the Budget contains measures that could influence several areas of the property market.
Support for first-time buyers and additional affordable housing investment could encourage residential activity and development. The BNG changes could also support the wider use of smaller brownfield sites for new housing.
Meanwhile, changes to business rates and measures to revitalise high streets could support investment in existing commercial property and the reuse of underutilised buildings.
The full impact will become clearer as the measures are introduced, but property owners, buyers, landlords and developers will need to understand how the changes could affect their individual circumstances and property decisions.
Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors provides residential and commercial property advice to clients across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria and the wider North West. To discuss your property requirements, contact our team.
