It was the first day of Spring last week, Friday 20 March 2026. And we all know that Spring is ‘the best time of year’ to sell your home? Right?

Actually, no, not necessarily.

It is, however, often the busiest time of the year for property transactions and sees a steep rise in the number of new properties listed for sale. As a result, it can all feel very buoyant. And Spring is certainly not a bad time to sell.

If you own a home in Oxford and you’re wondering whether to sell in spring 2026, this article will help you decide.

After a sluggish end to 2025, activity is picking up, and the headlines look encouraging.

We know, for example, that properties currently advertised on the market for sale are at their highest level for a Spring market since 2015 (Dataloft), and that property values are possibly at their highest level ever: the average UK property price is now around £301,000, according to the Halifax, breaking through the £300,000 mark for the first time – although other sources, not least the Office for National Statistics, vary (the ONS has it closer to £270,000).

No matter the national headlines, however, it's worth understanding what's really going on in the market right now, and especially what is going on here in Oxford – because the property market picture is often more nuanced than it first appears.

More Homes for Sale in Oxford

There are certainly similarities between the national picture and the local Oxford market when it comes to reading the data.

One interesting statistic that jumps out is that estate agents started 2026 with an average of 32 homes for sale, the highest level in early January since 2018 and thank you to Garrington, the home search specialist, for the information. That marks a significant shift from the supply-starved market of previous years – and in many ways, supply-starved markets are the sort of markets sellers particularly enjoy.

It indicates an overall picture of more properties becoming available for sale following the Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025 – an event that stalled the market in the weeks running up to it, slowing down new listing numbers and transactions.

The growth in homes listing for sale is greatest in London, up 16% on last year; the South East in general, which Oxford tends to fall into as a region, is up by 9%.

But Oxford actually shows a similar trend to London, with the number of new properties for sale up by 14% compared to 2025.

In fact, there have been 3,457 properties come up for sale in Oxford over the past 12 months, with 1,471 available today (as of 23 March 2026) – and as far as choice goes, 20.4% more properties available to choose from this year than last year, and that is city-wide – as true in Headington as it is in New Hinksey.

Property prices, too, are higher than the national average- £477,276, according to data compiled by Dataloft, drawing on Land Registry figures – and are within 0.5% of prices this time last year.

However, transaction numbers have fallen steeply over the past twelve months. There have been 1,265 property sales over the year, a 25% fall on the year before. 

Figures and percentages don’t mean anything on their own, but it is important to talk about them and understand the context. Why? Because what it means, when brought together, is that buyers in Oxford have more choice – and they know it.

Buyers are Back, but Buyer Behaviour is More Cautious

Falling transaction numbers can read like bad news, but it isn’t necessarily. The wheels didn’t come off the market locally, simply because transaction levels fell, but with listing numbers increasing at the same time, especially post-Budget 2025, it does lead to this situation we are looking at as we enter the Spring – i.e. that property for sale is at a high. And that has meant many sellers remaining on the market longer than normal – those sold in February 2026 had been on the market for an average of 46 days, which is 9.6% longer than a year ago. It is partly why property prices have remained relatively flat over the year.

The good news for sellers is that buyer demand has also rebounded over recent weeks. Buyer registration numbers have remained sustained – and our own sale numbers are beginning to increase – 12 sales agreed during February, and we look like hitting a similar number this month, with one week to go. But that ‘time on market’ figure is important to note – as until that starts falling, it indicates that whilst buyers numbers are rising again to meet demand, they are nevertheless behaving more cautiously, taking their time to make decisions, perhaps third-viewing or even fourth-viewing before making decisions, and probably viewing more properties than during previous years, as there is simply more available to them to view.

On top of this, the wider market situation might play on minds. The mortgage picture has shifted sharply this month, with rates rising in response to geopolitical events. The outlook for rates and where they might go has become a little uncertain. Anyone planning to buy or sell where there is a mortgage involved should certainly speak to an independent mortgage adviser sooner rather than later.

When we note Oxford’s homeownership demographic, and that 45% of homeowners have a mortgage, we can appreciate that this is an issue that will come into the planning and thought process of a large number of would-be movers right now.

What This Means If You're Thinking of Selling

The spring market of 2026 is one of opportunity – but with the market picture as it is, with stock levels high, property prices evidently steady but not rising, and with the marketing period taking almost 10% longer before securing a buyer than in the past, it is important that sellers – and their estate agents – approach the process with clear eyes and a smart strategy.

Properties that need price reductions take 2.4 times longer to sell than those that were correctly priced to begin with – and, crucially, those sales then have a higher chance of falling through.

That means, in a market with more choice available to buyers, an optimistic asking price isn't just unhelpful – it can actively damage your sale.

The fundamentals here in Oxford, however, remain positive, which means that well-marketed, sensibly priced homes are still selling quickly. Medium-term forecasts do point to stronger price growth through to 2030, despite current economic headwinds, which, as headwinds do, will eventually blow through.

Sellers who act in 2026 are well placed to benefit from improving conditions as we head into the Easter period and the spring market that follows.

We believe it is key to work with an agent who understands the local market intimately and in depth and detail, and who benefits from day-to-day experience working within it. National headlines can guide us, but analysing local market activity at a more granular level helps us build the right strategy to get local Oxford homeowners moving. In this market, more than ever, success will be dictated by hyper-local awareness and a tailored sales strategy.

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Are you ready to find out what your home is worth in today's market? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation valuation and honest, data-led advice on the right strategy for your sale.

New Tenancy Agreement Requirements Announced: What Oxford Landlords Need to Know

Specific legal requirements for what to include in new tenancy agreements have been announced.

Here at Cherry Picked Residental, we specialise in letting and managing properties for landlords across Oxford. Here is our guide to help you navigate the upcoming changes to tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act, before the date arrives!

With the 1st May 2026 deadline fast approaching for most new private assured tenancies, now is the time to understand what’s required and make sure your documentation is ship-shape and watertight.

The key change: written statements become mandatory

From 1st May 2026, most new private assured tenancies must include a written statement containing specific mandatory information, provided before the tenancy is agreed.

This represents a significant legal change to how rental arrangements are formalised, and getting it right is crucial to avoid enforcement action and potential fines.

What must be included in your written statement

The government’s draft secondary legislation sets out a comprehensive list of mandatory information set to be included. Here’s what every written statement for an assured periodic tenancy is expected to contain under the new rules.​

Basic tenancy information

Your written statement must clearly identify the core details of the tenancy:

• The landlord’s full name – if the property has multiple owners, every joint landlord must be named.
• All tenants’ names – every individual who will be party to the agreement.
• A service address in England or Wales – this is where tenants can serve notices on the landlord.
• The property address being let – one hopes this one is a no brainer.
• The date from which the tenant is entitled to possession of the property.

The regulations also note contact details and certain identifiers will be included, so in practice your template will need to capture all prescribed items rather than just the headline points above.

Financial terms

Financial transparency is central to new requirements:

• The rent amount and payment schedule – how much is payable, how often and on what dates.
• A clear statement that rent can only be increased using the statutory rent increase process (the updated Section 13 route), rather than by informal or unilateral increases.
• Utility and service arrangements – whether utilities, TV licence, communication services or council tax are included in the rent or paid separately.

If they are paid separately, you must explain how and when payment is due, or how the tenant will be notified of charges.

• The security deposit amount (if applicable) – you must state the amount to be paid as a deposit.

You do not have to specify in the written statement which deposit protection scheme will be used, although you still have to comply with the existing tenancy deposit protection rules and provide the prescribed information separately.​

Notice periods and possession rights

Tenants need to understand their rights and obligations around ending the tenancy and how possession works.

The minimum notice period the tenant must give to end the agreement has a defined statutory minimum, and will be set in regulations.

A statement explaining possession procedures, which is drawn from the Housing Act 1988, must cover three key points:

• The landlord can normally only end an assured tenancy through obtaining a possession order from the court.
• To obtain a court order, the landlord typically needs to serve a notice in the prescribed form setting out the statutory grounds for possession (commonly referred to as a Section 8 notice).
• The notice period will depend on which grounds for possession are being used and what those grounds relate to.

As the wording of these possession explanations is prescribed, your documentation will need to align with the final form set out in the regulations.​

Property standards and safety

Your written statement must include several declarations about property standards:

• A statement confirming the landlord’s obligation to ensure the property is fit for human habitation, reflecting the modern “fitness” duties that apply to most private tenancies.
• A statement outlining the landlord’s obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, covering repairs to the structure, exterior and key installations.
• A statement detailing the landlord’s obligations under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector regulations.
• If the property has gas, a statement covering the landlord’s obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

These elements are designed to ensure tenants are explicitly told, in writing, what standards they can expect from their home.

Equality and accessibility

Two important provisions relate to equality and accessibility:

• Information about Section 190 of the Equality Act 2010 – this confirms that landlords may not unreasonably withhold consent to disability‑related improvements that would help a disabled occupant enjoy the premises.
• Information about the tenant’s rights around adaptations and how to request consent in a way that is consistent with the Equality Act framework.

In practice, this should encourage earlier conversations about reasonable adjustments and clarity over what will be permitted.

Pets and pet requests

The new regime also strengthens tenants’ rights around keeping pets:

• Tenants will be able to request permission to keep a pet under a new section inserted into the Housing Act 1988 by the Renters’ Rights Act, and landlords may not unreasonably withhold consent.
• The written statement must explain this right to request a pet and how landlords will deal with such requests, including any timescales for responding.

Any conditions attached to consent, such as requiring additional cleaning or damage clauses, will still need to comply with the Tenant Fees Act and the existing deposit cap, as there is no separate “pet deposit” permitted.

Special circumstances

If applicable:

• For supported accommodation, you must include a statement identifying it as such and explaining why it meets the criteria set out in the regulations.​

This helps distinguish supported tenancies from standard private lets where slightly different rules and expectations can apply.​

How this affects Oxford landlords

For our clients across Oxford and its surrounding towns and villages, there are clear practical implications we are keeping on top of on your behalf:

• For new tenancies starting on or after 1st May 2026: providing the written statement before the agreement is signed or otherwise agreed. This information can be incorporated directly into our tenancy agreement or provided as a clearly linked separate document.
• For existing written tenancies created before 1st May 2026: we do not need to issue entirely new agreements just because of the written statement rules, but we must provide all named tenants with a government‑issued information sheet by 31st May 2026. This information sheet is expected to be published in March 2026.

We don’t operate on verbal agreements as an agency, but if you are reading this and currently not a client of ours, and if you do have any existing verbal‑only agreements that started before 1st May 2026, you need to take action – and soon.

Landlords will be required to provide a full written statement with details of the key terms by a statutory deadline (currently expected to fall later in summer 2026), not just an information sheet.

Where a tenancy is partly written and partly verbal, the transitional rules are expected to focus on ensuring the tenant at least receives the government information sheet, with additional written terms provided where necessary to plug obvious gaps.​

The risks of non‑compliance

Failure to provide a compliant written statement, or to meet the deadlines for existing tenancies, exposes both landlords and agents to enforcement action, including financial penalties.

Civil penalties for breaches of the new duties can reach several thousand pounds per offence, and repeat or serious non‑compliance may lead to more severe sanctions.

In a competitive rental market like we have here in Oxford, regulatory issues and disputes around unclear terms are the last thing most landlords want distracting from securing and keeping good tenants.​

Our approach: getting ready now

Although the final version of the statutory instrument is expected in March 2026, we are already working with our own landlords to review and update tenancy documentation so it can be quickly aligned with the confirmed wording, based on the details in this latest government announcement.

The draft legislation does, after all, offer a clear roadmap, and starting early means we won’t be rushed, nor should our clients feel under pressure when the deadline arrives.

We are also monitoring sector feedback on these requirements.

Industry bodies such as Propertymark and the NRLA have successfully pushed for clarifications on timing and delivery methods, and there are ongoing discussions about how best to reflect agents’ details and to accommodate the upcoming landlord unique identifiers that will be linked to the new Private Rented Sector Database (a separate but related reform under the wider Renters Rights Act 2026).

What you should do next

If you are a client of ours already, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

If not, then to prepare and stay ahead of changes, Oxford landlords should:

• Review current tenancy agreements and any side letters – identify where they fall short of the new written statement requirements.
• Watch for the March publication of the final statutory instrument and the government information sheet – these will set the definitive requirements and wording.
• Plan your timeline – if you have tenancies starting in early May, build in time now for agreement updates and for issuing the information sheet to existing tenants.

By all means, if you are unsure about these changes and feel it is time to seek professional advice, please do contact us to discuss updates.

We can help you prepare compliant documentation that folds the prescribed wording into your existing templates without over‑complicating them.​

Final thoughts

These changes add some administrative steps to the letting process, but they do serve an important purpose: ensuring tenants have clear, comprehensive information about their rights and obligations from day one. In our experience across Oxford’s diverse rental market, this kind of transparency helps prevent disputes, sets clear expectations and supports stronger landlord‑tenant relationships.

The key is preparation, however. By understanding what’s required and acting now, you’ll be ready when 1st May arrives and your lettings can continue smoothly without interruption – and without you feeling under any stress or pressure.

If you have questions about how these changes affect your specific properties or circumstances, please get in touch.

This article is for guidance purposes and reflects the draft secondary legislation available in January 2026; landlords should seek professional advice for their particular situation and keep an eye out for the final statutory instrument expected in March 2026.