Yorkshire housing market fails to gain momentum for Spring period

Yorkshire and the Humber’s housing market failed to pick-up during the month of May as stock levels failed to rise, resulting in buyer interest waning and prices increasing, according to the monthly RICS UK Residential Market Survey.

Throughout last month, agents in Yorkshire and Humber reported an average of 39 properties on their books, which is close to an all-time low.

This lack of stock resulted in interest from potential buyers declining, with just 8% of respondents reporting a rise in buyer enquiries last month (down from 12% in April).

The ongoing shortage of housing stock in the region resulted prices increasing in some areas last month with 19% of respondents reporting a rise in house prices during May (up from 8% in April).

Looking ahead, respondents in Yorkshire and Humber are cautious about near term price and sales expectations with just 5% expecting prices to rise further over the coming three months and 3% anticipating sales transactions will rise over the next three months.

Turning to the lettings market, demand for rented properties (on a non-seasonally adjusted basis) declined last month with 14% of respondents reporting a rise in tenant demand (down from 28% the previous month), whilst 25% also reported a fall in landlord instructions last month (new rental properties coming onto the market).

Kenneth Bird of Renton & Parr in Wetherby commented: “We’re seeing an increasing number of new properties coming on to the market which is encouraging. However, the time taken from agreeing a sale to exchanging continues to cause problems.”

Alex Mcneil of Bramleys in Huddersfield said: “There continues to be a low volume of new sales instructions but demand levels from buyers remain sustainable.

“The private rental market also continues to be subject to sustainable demand. But there is a shortage of higher value and middle-market properties available for rental. Therefore, average tenancy terms continue to be extended.”

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, added: “Although some agents in Yorkshire and Humber are suggesting that a little more supply may have come onto the market in May, some of it from the Buy to Let sector, overall inventory levels in the region still remain near historic lows.

“Indeed, with the run rate on appraisals continuing to track below the numbers of a year ago it is premature to conclude that a sustained upturn in available stock is imminent.

“Against this backdrop, it is likely that the headline picture regarding activity in the housing market will remain subdued for some months to come. This is reflected in the feedback to the latest survey which shows sales expectations only marginally positive on a one-year view.”

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