This Week in Property – 28 September 2026

Welcome to This Week in Property, our regular round-up of the news that actually matters if you are buying, selling or letting a home in Scotland. This week Ayrshire posts some of the strongest price growth in the country, and landlords get a firm date for new damp and mould rules.

Ayrshire is outpacing the rest of Scotland on price

The July figures from the UK House Price Index for Scotland, released on 16 September 2026, put the national average at £196,000, up 2.3% on a year earlier. The local breakdown is where it gets interesting: South Ayrshire is up 8.5% to £171,905, East Ayrshire up 7.2% to £138,971, East Renfrewshire up 6.3% to £305,723 and North Ayrshire up 5.2% to £143,560, while Glasgow City rose a steadier 2.6% to £193,675.

Why it matters: if you own a house in Ayr, Prestwick, Troon or Kilmarnock, the market has moved noticeably since your last valuation. Our guide to what affects the value of your home in Ayrshire explains what buyers are paying for right now.

Scottish homes still find buyers faster than anywhere in the UK

Rightmove’s September House Price Index, published on 21 September 2026, shows the average asking price in Scotland at £207,426, up 4.2% on a year ago, against a UK average that is 0.8% lower than last year. Homes in Scotland took an average of 33 days to find a buyer in August, against 64 days UK-wide, and 91% of Scottish listings go on to sell, the highest rate of any region.

Why it matters: Scotland is the most liquid sales market in the UK, but UK-wide stock is at a 12-year high, so buyers have choice. The homes achieving that 33-day sale are the ones priced accurately from day one.

Rates held, but mortgage pricing is drifting up

The Bank of England kept Bank Rate at 3.75% on 17 September 2026, though the vote was 6-3, with three members wanting a rise to 4% on the back of energy-driven inflation. Mortgage pricing has drifted up regardless: Rightmove’s 21 September report puts the average two-year fixed rate at 5.29%, up from 5.09% a month earlier. The next rate decision is on 5 November 2026.

Why it matters: affordability is tightening a little each week, so sellers should expect more price-sensitive offers this autumn, and landlords coming off a fixed rate would be wise to speak to a broker now rather than wait for November.

Awaab’s Law arrives in Scotland on 6 October

From 6 October 2026, the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 apply to every private and social landlord in Scotland. The Scottish Government’s landlord guidance, published on 4 September 2026, confirms that once you become aware a property may have damp or mould, an investigation by a competent person must take place within 10 working days, a written summary must go to the tenant within 3 working days of the investigation concluding, and repair work must start within 5 working days after that.

Why it matters: every damp or mould report from next Monday week starts a statutory clock. Get a reporting and contractor process in place now; our landlord compliance checklist covers the rest of your obligations, and our landlord information page explains how a managed service handles this for you.

East Renfrewshire plans at least 3,100 new homes

East Renfrewshire Council has published its Proposed Local Development Plan 3 covering 2027 to 2037, announced on 14 September 2026, with public consultation opening at the end of September. The plan must identify land for at least 3,100 new homes and raises the affordable-housing requirement on new developments from 25% to 30%, with Clarkston, Newton Mearns, Barrhead, Busby, Eaglesham, Neilston and Uplawmoor named as growth areas. Separately, the £18.3 million Balgray station in Barrhead opened to passengers on 27 September 2026.

Why it matters: owners in Clarkston, Giffnock and Newton Mearns should watch which sites are allocated near them, and a new station adds a genuine commuting selling point for homes on the Barrhead side of Newton Mearns.

North Ayrshire asks where 4,500 homes should go, as Irvine’s harbour takes shape

North Ayrshire Council has opened consultation on potential development sites for its next Local Development Plan, covering 2029 to 2039, with responses due by 9 November 2026. The council’s evidence report identifies a need for around 4,500 new homes, with existing sites expected to deliver only about 1,000. Meanwhile the first phase of the £14 million Great Harbour regeneration in Irvine was completed on 22 September 2026, funded by £9 million from the Scottish Government and £5 million from the council.

Why it matters: Irvine and Kilwinning owners have a six-week window to have their say on where new housing lands, and continued investment in the harbourside strengthens the case we make in our Irvine area guide.

The bottom line

Ayrshire prices are rising well ahead of the national average, Scottish homes are still selling quickly when priced right, and landlords have a firm compliance date to prepare for. If you are weighing up a move this autumn, a free, no-obligation valuation is the best place to start: book your free valuation or get in touch with your local branch.