Economic uncertainty and lack of mortgage finance led to a decline in the number of property sales over the past three months.
According to the RICS UK Housing Market Survey, the number of sales per surveyor over the three months to August dipped slightly to an average of 14, taking transactions back to the levels seen in June 2009 when the UK was in recession.

Asked why they felt the housing market remained subdued, the majority of respondents cited general economic uncertainty as the most common reason, while 40% added that fears over house price falls were affecting transaction levels, with buyers and sellers avoiding the market while the wait for things to improve.

The figures are not necessarily good news for the DIY and garden industry, with mixed views over whether the 'don't move, improve' mindset had had a positive impact on sales figures. Some retailers have reported a slowdown in sales as a result of the flat the housing market, with cautious shoppers opting for low-cost maintenance projects rather than splashing out on high-ticket items or major revamps.

Talking to DIY Week for the Garden Retail Leaders supplement this month, Hillier managing director Andy McIndoe said: "The property market is still very flat and that has the biggest impact. People are not doing gardens up to sell or because they've just bought, so it's just the maintenance infill. Customers are cautious."