🏠 The UK property market: why buying a home is harder than ever
How important is home ownership in your country?
Why is the property market such a big issue?
In many countries, home ownership is seen as an important goal and something that means you’re successful, settled and secure. However, in recent years, it’s become much harder for younger people and first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder in the UK. Prices are high, interest rates are rising and there aren’t enough affordable homes for everyone.
In the UK, buying a home is not only a financial issue, it’s also a cultural one. Many people feel pressure to stop renting and buy a home, even when it’s not realistic. Therefore, is this really the best solution?
Let’s explore the vocabulary, hear what’s happening in today’s UK market and discuss your opinion.
🧾 Key property vocabulary
Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
property ladder | The idea that you start by buying a small flat or house and move to bigger/more expensive ones later |
mortgage | A loan you get from a bank to buy a house |
first-time buyer | A person who is buying a home for the first time |
rental market | The part of the housing market where people rent homes instead of buying |
deposit | The amount of money you must pay in advance to secure a mortgage (usually 5–20%) |
interest rate | The percentage you pay on top of the loan, depending on the bank and economy |
housing crisis | A situation where there aren’t enough homes or they are too expensive |
affordable housing | Homes that are reasonably priced for people with low or average income |
estate agent | A person or company that helps people buy, sell or rent property |
house price crash | A sudden drop in property prices, often caused by economic problems |
🎧 Listening task: Why are UK rents rising so fast?
⏱ Duration: ~5 minutes 🎯 Level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)
📋 Comprehension Questions
- 1. Why did Ella have to move out of Manchester and back home?
→ Her landlord increased the rent by £200 per month, and she could no longer afford to live there.
- 2. How long does Ella’s daily journey to university take?
→ It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes in the morning, but up to 3 hours to get home in the evening. It’s physically and emotionally draining for her.
- 3. What did Ella try to do to increase her chances of getting a flat?
→ She offered to pay three months’ rent in advance and even considered offering more rent, but neither worked.
- 4. What do some landlords now ask tenants to do before offering a property?
→ Some ask for a written personal statement or even start a bidding war, asking potential tenants if they can pay more than others.
- 5. What are some negative consequences of rising rent prices?
→ Students are being forced to move home, sleeping on friends’ sofas, giving up on studies or living in unstable conditions. People are being pushed to choose between food, heating, and rent.
- 6. How many rental properties were available in 2019 compared to now?
→ In January 2019, there were over 360,000 properties available. Now, there are around 215,000.
- 7. What has happened to the average rental price in the UK since 2019?
→ It increased from £850 per month in 2019 to £1,150 now.
- 8. What reasons do landlords give for increasing rent?
→ They say it’s due to higher mortgage rates, tougher tax rules, licensing regulations, and the general cost of managing property — not just profit.
- 9. What action has the Scottish government taken to control rent prices?
→ They have temporarily frozen rents in response to the crisis.
- 10. What are some English cities asking for?
→ They are urging Westminster to introduce similar rent control measures.
💬 Optional Discussion Questions
- • How is the rental market in your country or city?
- • Have you or someone you know struggled to find a flat?
- • Do you think the government should limit how much rent can increase?
- • Would you consider living far from your university or job to save money?
- • What advice would you give to a friend who is looking to rent their first flat?
🎥 Further Listening: What’s Next for the UK Property Market in 2025?
If you’re interested in learning more about where the UK housing market is heading, this short expert video gives a helpful overview of:
✅ The latest market trends
✅ Where people are buying in 2025
✅ What’s affecting prices and demand
Whether you’re thinking about buying a property in the UK or just want to understand more about the economy, this video is full of useful vocabulary and insights.
🧠 Challenge yourself:
- Watch the video and note 3 words or phrases you don’t know.
- Try to summarise what you learned in 3 sentences.
- Would you buy or rent in the UK right now? Why?
