According to the June 2020 RICS Residential Market Survey, a net balance of +17 per cent of survey respondents in Scotland saw a rise in new buyer enquiries in the month, which is in stark contrast to the readings of -82 per cent and –81 per cent posted in April and May respectively.

Most other indicators also headed in the right direction in the latest survey, with net balances for newly agreed sales and new instructions to sell moving less negative than they were in the May and April reports.

There were also notable improvements in near-term expectations. A net balance of +23 per cent of Scottish respondents said that they expect sales activity to increase in the three months ahead. Meanwhile, the net balance for three-month price expectations moved from -58 per cent in May to -7 per cent in June.

Despite the notable improvements though, the Scottish housing market appears to be lagging the UK as a whole, given the earlier easing of restrictions in England. At a UK-level, the number of people looking to purchase a home rebounded in June, with a net balance of +61 per cent of UK survey respondents seeing a rise in new buyer enquiries over the month.

The number of new properties being listed for sale in the UK also rose in June, with a net balance of +42 per cent of survey participants noting an increase rather than decrease.

As agents continue to deal with a backlog of sales held up by lockdown, the number of newly agreed sales in the UK moved into positive territory for the first time since February, with a net balance of +43 per cent citing an increase in completed transactions.

Thomas Baird, MRICS of Select Surveyors in Glasgow, said: “Since return, like most other surveyors, we have a significant backlog of instructions to work through. This of course may lead to an artificially high expectation of the current market conditions.”

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “Key activity indicators in the RICS survey suggest that the market is enjoying a short term bounce following ending of the lockdown, with sharp spikes in the metrics tracking both buyer enquiries and new instructions.

“However, there are worrying signs that this rebound may quickly run out of steam against the backdrop of a tightening in lending criteria by mortgage providers, and the uncertain macro environment particularly with regard to the employment picture. Respondents to the survey highlight both of these issues in explaining the broadly flat picture regarding sales expectation beyond the immediate uplift.

“Meanwhile, the issues around the sales market appear to be shifting sentiment in the lettings market with, somewhat ominously given the prevailing economic climate, rent expectations beginning to edge upwards once again.”

Tamara Hooper, RICS policy manager, added: “government must ensure they keep the public at the heart of their interventions when rebuilding post-COVID. An ask RICS has called for since March is the temporary removal of stamp duty for all home movers, not just first time buyers, and this specific change will demonstrate government’s confidence in the residential sector as well as encouraging the economy and the country to start moving again.

“In keeping with this, all tenures must be addressed, and we look forward to more detail on the retrofitting announcements from government with regards to the PRS. Tenants’ needs are just as important as home owners, including their financial needs for decreased bills from more energy efficient housing if rents are set to rise. The need to feel safe, warm and secure is more important than ever.”