Richard Pike, sales and marketing director at Phoebus Software, said: “Although the figures from HMRC today are provisional, and we are advised to accept them with caution, these are not the only signs that the housing market is on the move again. When you add in the Chancellor’s announcement on stamp duty you would hope that this upward trend is set to continue.

“Coming out of lockdown, even with an air of caution, has given many people the impetus to pick up where they left off. Whereas for others, especially those who have been living in flats with little or no outside space during lockdown, may be thinking that now is the time to look for a new home.

“All the signs are positive so now it’s up to the lenders to jump into action, while the demand is there.”