Euro-area inflation rose to 3.8% on energy; the ECB meets on 28–29 October

Among EstateScope's markets, inflation rose to 5.6% in Bulgaria and 5.1% in Greece, up from 3.7% in August. Cyprus stayed at 5.2%. Outside the euro area, Romania had the highest rate in the EU at 6.5%, and Poland rose to 4.0%. Energy added 1.71 percentage points to euro-area inflation and services 1.52 points.

What it means for home owners and buyers

• Borrowers in Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus: the ECB's deposit rate is 2.50% after the September increase (ECB). Check which reference rate your loan follows and when it resets, so you know when any change reaches your instalment.
• Owners and landlords: with energy prices up almost a fifth in a year, update heating, electricity and common-area costs in your budget or net-yield calculation, and check who pays them under your lease.
• Buyers: when comparing a variable and a fixed rate, look at the total cost over the fixed period rather than the first instalment.

What the data do not say

Higher inflation does not by itself decide the ECB's next move, and these figures say nothing directly about house prices. Romania and Poland set rates through their own central banks.