Results show a steadier trend in buyer demand in September, after a brief pull-back that followed the wave of activity around the Stamp Duty holiday.

This more stable trend in buyers sees expectations for sales in the coming three months gaining momentum, with 11% more respondents this month anticipating an increase in sales expectations, up from +6% (net balance) in August. The twelve-month sales expectations point to a stable trend in sales over the year to come.

The September survey also highlights a continued lack of supply which will have further impact on the market as 35% (net balance) of respondents reported a further fall in instructions this September.

In another indication of constrained supply, respondents report that the number of appraisals undertaken during this September was below the rate seen twelve months earlier. Alongside this, for the third successive month newly agreed sales dipped, with 15% (net balance) of respondents reporting a decline.

The lack of available stock is creating competition amongst buyers, which is creating upward pressure on prices. In September, the national reading for house prices posted a net balance of +68%. Whilst still pointing to strong house price growth, this has eased since May when +82% more respondents reported that house prices were growing.

The three-month house price expectations remain positive with +21% of contributors anticipating prices to rise, and further ahead, over two thirds of respondents (70%) anticipate prices will continue to grow over the coming twelve-months.

The lettings market sees little difference to previous months, as tenant demand continues to outstrip supply. +62% of respondents reported a rise in the number of people looking for a rental property in September and -21% reported a decline in new landlord instructions, continuing a trend seen since July 2020.

The imbalance is predicted to drive rents higher. At the national level, the near-term rental expectations net balance stands at +55%, and for the year ahead, respondents’ projections point to headline rental growth of just over 3%.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, commented: “The imbalance between demand and supply remains the most striking theme in the latest RICS Residential Market Survey. And feedback from members provides little reason to believe this issue will be resolved anytime soon.

“This is very clearly reflected in the forward-looking metrics, with both price and rent expectations close to series highs pointing to put greater pressure on affordability at a time when money markets are sensing interest rate increases coming sooner rather than later.

“Delivering higher numbers of new homes is part of the answer but it is critical they are built in the areas where the shortfall is most visible. It is also vital that the tenure mix of the supply pipeline is broadly based helping to address the challenges both in the private rental market and in social housing.”