Landlords in the UK appear to be selling up in record numbers, according to property website Rightmove, possibly driven by fears of a rise in capital gains tax (CGT) in this month’s budget.

The number of agreed house sales over the past month was 15% up on this time last year, according to Rightmove, as buyers anticipate “gamechanging” interest rate cuts they hope could come as early as August.

Average private rents in Great Britain have climbed to record highs, prompting a call for the next government to prioritise measures to help create an extra 120,000 rental properties.

Average private rents in Great Britain have risen to record highs, with annual rental growth in hotspot locations such as Reading and Coventry running at almost 20%.

The average asking price for a UK home rose by just £14 from January to February, according to property website Rightmove - the lowest increase for the month since its records began in 2001.

The asking prices for homes have dropped for the first time this year, down £4,795, because of a summer lull in activity, says sales portal Rightmove.

It’s been more than two years since the start of the pandemic, and the importance of our homes has never been more in focus.

Demand among tenants has jumped for properties where all the bills are included in the rent, according to Rightmove.