Demand for property has risen by 88% since restrictions on housing viewings and moves were lifted in England, however Zoopla analysts have warned this could be short lived as actual house sales still remain sluggish. Rightmove have echoed this statement and have reported a return to pre-crisis level of browsing and enquiries, with the rebound in demand going beyond the level seen at the start of March. Richard Donnell, the director of research at Zoopla, has warned that many households will likely re-evaluate what they want from their home, and that economic uncertainty will lead to greater caution among buyers and sellers.

Since restrictions were lifted in England, the interest in the rental market has increased ahead of the level seen this time last year, with Monday 18th May seeing Rightmove’s highest level of rental demand in a single day. Miles Shipside, from Rightmove, said “A week’s worth of data should only be taken as an early indication of activity, but it’s certainly encouraging."

These trends were much more muted in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where restrictions remain in place. A relaxation of restrictions on housing moves is expected in Phase Two of the First Minister's route map>.

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