Weak UK homes market

Britain’s housing market had its weakest month since just after June’s Brexit vote in December as house price growth slowed and the number of homes sold fell slightly, a survey of property valuers showed yesterday.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said its members expected a further slowdown in price rises over the next three months, although a clear majority thought prices in 2017 would be higher than last year.

Gains were strongest in northwest England. Central London, where prices have fallen for 10 months due to concerns about Brexit and higher tax on expensive properties, was the only region to see a decline.