Richard Pike, Phoebus Software sales and marketing director, added: “As we look forward, house prices should remain strong for the six months to March 31. However, the effect on the property market of the ‘conveyancing system’ not being able to cope with mass completions at the end of March remains to be seen.

“The government should be looking at allowing some leeway, for example if an offer letter has been produced by 1 March, then it should be allowed until 15 April to complete and receive stamp duty benefit.”