Market Insights March 2026

Please see below our March Market Insights sharing the key themes we’re seeing in the prime central London property market this month.

As always, the team and I would be delighted to answer any questions or discuss the market in more detail; please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes

Jo Eccles

Founder and Managing Director, Eccord

+44 (0) 20 7244 4482 / +44 (0) 7740 825 875

jo.eccles@eccord.com

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HNWIs weigh up the trade-offs of UAE

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has served as a reminder that the region’s stability can’t be taken for granted. It has re-framed the perception of London for many and we have seen more decisiveness and commitment from some buyers as a result.

Whilst we’re not seeing expat clients make knee-jerk reactions by leaving, some are investigating their options and many school admissions teams have reported significantly increased enquiries from Dubai based families, lining up school places should they need them if the situation continues longer term or escalates further.

It should be recognised that a great deal of tax planning and commitment goes into an international move and returning to London is not a straightforward decision. Expats who are three or four years into a five-year favourable tax position are unlikely to leave early. But those who are only one or two years into the five-year period may cut ties.

Of those who were planning to relocate to the region, many have suspended or ruled out those plans. We have seen this filter into the London sales market, where a number of off market properties we were due to show clients have now been withdrawn, where the owners are no longer moving to the UAE.

Whether we see an uplift in activity from Middle Eastern buyers remains to be seen. With Eid celebrating the end of Ramadan just last Friday, now is the time we would expect more interest - as one recently said, “London property is always a stable currency”.

Repossessions on the rise

In recent months we’ve seen a noticeable increase in repossessions across Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair, and this could rise further as properties are brought to market by administrators handling the collapse of specialist lender MFS.

Ownership in these neighbourhoods is typically more discretionary and hands off, versus domestic and family-led markets such as Kensington, Notting Hill and Hampstead.

Belgravia, for example, is currently seeing around three times the usual level of repossessions, notably at the top end of the market. Recent examples include properties priced between £10m and £50m, which are not compromised assets – some are high-quality, well-located homes in excellent condition.

Higher interest rates and a significant reduction in mortgage products is also contributing to this, and those who have been putting off re-financing or locking in mortgage agreements in principle (AIPs) are now having to act swiftly. Stricter anti-money laundering rules are also causing problems for some.

For buyers, this is creating some compelling opportunities where owners are motivated to secure a quick sale. However, it would be a mistake to assume every seller in prime central London whose property has been on the market for a long time is distressed. There are still plenty of wealthy sellers who have no borrowing and who are perfectly willing and able to hold out for their desired price or withdraw from the market if they don’t achieve it. 

Preparing landlords for a new era of regulation

With the Renters’ Rights Act and Making Tax Digital coming into force imminently, we are entering the most significant period of reform for landlords in decades. Yet a surprisingly large proportion of the market remains unaware of what is about to happen. I was reminded of this recently over lunch with two professional advisors who hadn’t heard of the changes, despite both being landlords themselves.

Coming into force on 1st May, the Renters’ Rights Act will affect any property rented for under £100,000 per year (£1,932 p/w), representing a significant proportion of the rental market. Whilst we will oversee this transition seamlessly on behalf of our landlords, we have prepared a comprehensive guide setting out what’s changing and how landlords will be impacted. We would suggest this is an important read for anyone who is already a landlord or considering renting out a home. 

In addition, from 6th April, Making Tax Digital will require landlords with an annual combined self-employed and rental income of over £50,000 to file quarterly tax returns. It’s important to note that this is a reporting requirement, not a payment one, and also that it does not replace the current annual tax return. 

Landlords will submit their income and expenses digitally each quarter, then undertake a fifth submission at the end of the tax year when the tax bill is settled. For more detail, we have prepared a separate guide here. 

Please contact Catriona Mackay at catriona.mackay@eccord.com if you need any help or have questions about either of these important changes.

Double recognition in the 2026 Spear’s Index

I’m delighted to have been recognised once again in the highest ‘Top Flight’ category of buying agents in this year’s Spear’s Property Advisers Index. Spear’s Magazine named just eight buying agents across the country as leading, top-tier property advisers.

We are also thrilled that Simmi Sangha, who leads our Home Management service, has also been recognised in the Index. Since joining Eccord five years ago, Simmi has been instrumental in building and shaping this service which has grown significantly, driven in part by increased demand from former nom-doms retaining their London homes and requiring a trusted team to seamlessly manage it in their absence, ensuring everything is ready for their next visit to London.