Cash purchases

Cash purchases

At £14bn the value of unspent paper £20 and £50 notes equates to the equivalent of over 50,000 average priced homes.


  • After the 30th September 2022 paper £20 and £50 notes will no longer be legal tender in the UK. At the last count the Bank of England estimated there were over 460 million unspent paper notes, over £6bn unspent in £20s and £8bn in £50s.
  • Each month around 28% of all sales in England and Wales are cash purchases. In 2021, cash sales account for more than 1 in 3 property purchases in the South West and less than 1 in five in London.
  • The average price of a property purchased with cash is, on average, 8%-9% less than the average price of a property purchased with a mortgage. Source: Dataloft, Nationwide, UKHPI, Bank of England
  • **This week there are two versions of the infographic to chose from. One focuses on unspent notes and number of home it could buy and the other on the proportion of homes purchased with cash. Check the Infographic library**


Get in touch with us

When it comes to buying, selling, or letting property in Hemel Hempstead, choosing the right estate agent is crucial. Discover why independent agencies often provide a superior service compared to their larger corporate counterparts.

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces the biggest changes in private renting in decades. This guide breaks down the facts landlords need now, including key dates and compliance steps.

After a subdued end to 2025, the first quarter of 2026 has quietly rebuilt confidence in the housing market. March may be the strategic launch point sellers have been waiting for.

The Renters’ Rights Act is set to revolutionise the private rental sector from 1st May 2026. This is the biggest legislative overhaul in nearly 40 years, bringing significant changes that all landlords, especially those on 'Let Only' services, must understand and act upon immediately.