RICS

Global commercial property rents experienced the biggest decline in Q2 for five years with surveyor sentiment remaining depressed, according to Q2 2009 RICS Global Commercial Property Survey.

Mortgage approvals hit their highest level since March 2008, according to the latest statistics from the British Bankers Association (BBA).

New buyer enquiries soared to their highest level in a decade in April, figures show, while the number of homes sold edged higher.

Interest from buyers has increased for the fourth straight month, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) UK housing market survey, with 20% more surveyors reporting a rise than a fall in new buyer enquiries in February.

There has been little movement in the average number of housing transactions per surveyor, despite buyer interest rising for a third consecutive month.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says the average number of transactions per surveyor fell to a record low in December, despite increasing buyer interest.

Home buyer interest climbed for the first time in more than two years this month, figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) show.

A record number of would-be property sellers are opting to let instead as the housing gloom takes hold, a survey suggests.

Chartered surveyors have reported a collapse in housing transactions, with the average number of sales per surveyor falling from 18.5 to 17.4 over the past three months.

Ruth Kelly has confirmed a delay in the introduction of Home Information Packs until August 1 as revised guidelines are drawn up.