The Nottingham property market in 2026 presents an interesting picture for anyone considering a move. House prices in the city have remained broadly stable over the past year, while rents continue to rise and buyers have a reasonable choice of properties. Against a national backdrop of higher borrowing costs and cautious buyer behaviour, Nottingham’s relative affordability continues to make it an important residential market in the East Midlands. For anyone buying, selling or relocating to Nottingham, understanding what is happening locally can help you plan your next move with greater confidence.
What is happening to Nottingham house prices?
The latest local data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), using UK House Price Index data from HM Land Registry, puts the average Nottingham house price at £191,000 in May 2026.
That compares with £192,000 in May 2025, representing an annual change of -0.7%. In practical terms, prices have been broadly flat over the year.
This differs from the wider East Midlands, where the average property price reached £241,000 in May 2026, up from £233,000 a year earlier. The UK average stood at £271,000.
For people considering moving to Nottingham, those figures demonstrate one of the city’s attractions: average prices remain below the East Midlands and UK averages.
The type of property you are buying makes a considerable difference. According to the ONS, average Nottingham prices in May 2026 were:
- Detached homes: £318,000
- Semi-detached homes: £214,000
- Terraced homes: £169,000
- Flats and maisonettes: £125,000
Flats experienced the largest annual movement, with average prices falling by 5.3%, while prices for semi-detached properties remained broadly unchanged.
What are properties actually selling for?
Different property market sources use different geographical boundaries, time periods and methodologies, so their figures should not be compared directly.
Rightmove’s sold-price data provides another useful perspective. Its Nottingham data shows an overall average sold price of around £227,000 during the past year, with semi-detached properties selling for approximately £232,000 and terraced homes for around £186,000. Detached homes achieved considerably higher prices at approximately £341,000. Rightmove also reports that overall sold prices have been broadly similar to the previous year.
The broad message from both datasets is therefore similar: this is not currently a Nottingham property market characterised by rapid house-price growth. Prices are relatively steady, and buyers are likely to be paying close attention to value.
Is Nottingham still attractive to first-time buyers?
Nottingham’s comparatively accessible property prices may be particularly relevant to first-time buyers.
The ONS reports that the average price paid by a first-time buyer in Nottingham was £175,000 in May 2026, broadly in line with the previous year.
Home movers, by comparison, paid an average of £227,000.
That does not mean buying a home has become easy. Mortgage affordability remains an important consideration.
The Bank of England maintained Bank Rate at 3.75% in July 2026, with its Monetary Policy Committee voting 6–3 to hold the rate. The next decision is scheduled for 17 September 2026.
Mortgage rates offered to individual borrowers will vary and do not track Bank Rate exactly, but financing costs remain an important factor in what buyers can afford.
For first-time buyers, this makes looking beyond the headline purchase price particularly important. Mortgage repayments, deposits, surveys, legal costs, moving costs and ongoing household expenses all need to form part of the budget.
Buyers have more negotiating power nationally
The wider UK property market provides useful context for what is happening in Nottingham.
Rightmove reported in May that buyer choice nationally was at its highest level for that time of year since 2015. It also found that 32% of existing homes for sale had undergone a price reduction.
By June, the average price of a property coming to market nationally had fallen by 0.6% month-on-month. Rightmove described this as the largest June fall in 14 years.
RICS also reported subdued conditions in its June 2026 Residential Market Survey. New buyer enquiries recorded a net balance of -29%, while newly agreed sales recorded -32%. Although these figures remained negative, both showed signs that the recent downturn could be easing.
These are national rather than Nottingham-specific indicators, so they should not be used to predict the price of an individual Nottingham property. They do, however, show why realistic pricing matters for sellers in the current market.
The Nottingham rental market continues to grow
The rental side of the Nottingham property market tells a different story.
Average private rent reached £1,009 per month in June 2026, according to the ONS. That represents a 2.7% increase from £982 a month in June 2025.
Average monthly rents by property size were:
- One bedroom: £732
- Two bedrooms: £910
- Three bedrooms: £1,046
- Four or more bedrooms: £1,455
By property type, average monthly rents were £834 for flats and maisonettes, £988 for terraced homes, £1,054 for semi-detached properties and £1,300 for detached homes.
For people relocating to Nottingham who are not ready to buy immediately, renting can provide time to get to know the city and surrounding areas before committing to a purchase.
It can also create an additional logistical requirement. You may need to place furniture and household belongings into storage if your temporary property is smaller than your previous home.
Nottingham’s student housing market is changing
Nottingham’s two major universities have long played an important role in its housing market. However, it is worth avoiding the assumption that student housing demand can only move in one direction.
Nottingham City Council’s March 2026 Student Accommodation Update describes the student accommodation sector as being in a period of transition.
The report found that purpose-built student accommodation had an overall vacancy rate of 12.7% in 2025/26, compared with 11.2% in 2024/25. Studio vacancy was higher at 16.1%. The Council also reported a third consecutive year of decline in the number of full-time students requiring accommodation within the city.
That is an important distinction for property investors. Nottingham remains a major university city, but historic assumptions about continually increasing student accommodation demand should be tested against current data.
The universities remain significant contributors to the local economy. The University of Nottingham reports that the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University together contribute £3.8 billion to the UK economy annually.
New homes and future development
The housing picture is not solely about existing properties.
Nottingham City Council formally started preparing a new Local Plan on 30 June 2026. The plan will guide future development, including where homes, employment, infrastructure and services should be located.
The Council’s wider housing strategy runs from 2024 to 2028 and focuses on the quality, supply and affordability of homes across social housing, private rented accommodation and owner-occupied properties.
For buyers and homeowners, future development can matter. New housing, transport, schools, services and regeneration can change an area over time. If you are considering buying a property, it is sensible to investigate local planning applications and proposed developments as part of your research.
What does the market mean if you’re planning to move?
The current figures suggest a relatively steady Nottingham sales market rather than one experiencing dramatic price increases.
That can create opportunities for people moving home, but good planning remains important.
If you are selling, realistic pricing can help you attract serious buyers. If you are buying, having your mortgage arrangements and moving budget prepared can put you in a stronger position when the right property becomes available.
You should also think about the physical move earlier than you might expect.
Nottingham includes everything from city-centre apartments and period properties to larger suburban family homes. Parking, restricted access, stairs, lifts and the distance between the property and the removals vehicle can all affect how a move needs to be organised.
This is where using an experienced local moving services provider can help.
Planning your Nottingham removals
Doree Bonner International’s Nottingham branch provides removals, professional packing and storage solutions for customers moving within Nottingham, elsewhere in the UK or internationally.
Local knowledge matters because different properties create different moving requirements. A move from a city apartment can involve lifts, parking restrictions and limited loading access, while moving a large family home may require several vehicles, additional crew members or professional packing. Doree Bonner plans each move around the property and customer’s requirements.
If your completion dates do not line up, storage can also provide a practical solution. Your belongings can be collected, placed into clean and dry storage and delivered when your new property is ready.
Professional packing is another option if you want help preparing your belongings before moving day, particularly when moving fragile, valuable or bulky items.
Thinking of moving to Nottingham?
The Nottingham property market in 2026 offers a mix of relative affordability, stable house prices and a rental sector where costs are still increasing. Current conditions may give buyers time to consider their options, but mortgage costs and individual property values remain important factors.
Property markets can also vary considerably from one neighbourhood to another. National and city-wide averages provide useful context, but they cannot tell you what an individual property is worth. For that, speak to local property professionals and take independent financial advice where appropriate.
Once you have found your next home, Doree Bonner International can help you plan the move. From Nottingham removals and local moving services to professional packing, packing solutions and storage solutions, our team can manage the practical details from collection through to delivery.
Get a free online removals quote or contact Doree Bonner International 24/7 to discuss your Nottingham move.
References
- Office for National Statistics – Housing prices in Nottingham
- Rightmove – House Prices in Nottingham
- RICS – UK Residential Market Survey, June 2026
- Rightmove – House Price Index, June 2026
- Bank of England – July 2026 Monetary Policy Summary
- Nottingham City Council – Planning for Student Accommodation
- Nottingham City Council – Nottingham City Local Plan Review
- Doree Bonner International – Nottingham Removals and Storage
