The provisional seasonally adjusted December 2025 figure is 5% higher than in December 2024, HMRC said.

Non-seasonally adjusted residential transactions increased by 1% in December 2025 relative to November 2025.

Estate agent and former RICS residential chairman Jeremy Leaf said: “At a time when we might have expected more of a pause at least as these figures reflect activity particularly leading up to the Budget at the end of November, buyers and sellers have demonstrated considerable resilience.

“We have certainly noticed more activity since that time, which has resulted in more urgency although sales are still taking longer to complete.”

OnTheMarket president Jason Tebb said: “Transaction numbers remain steady as the housing market demonstrates resilience, despite many wider economic and political concerns.

“The series of interest rate reductions from the Bank of England have provided reassurance for buyers and sellers, and helped ease affordability. Further rate reductions this year will only strengthen the market and encourage those planning to move, enabling them to plan ahead with more confidence.”