A boom in renters as buyers cool off

Rental growth projections are modestly positive for the three months ahead, with 24% of respondents expecting rents to rise.

That compares with 11% in September.

Alex McNeil, of estate agency Bramleys in Huddersfield, said: “We’re seeing continuing strong demand for good quality accommodation in most areas available to the rented sector.

“Rents are continuing to rise this year, too, and are likely to continue over the next 12 to 18 months.”

The RICS survey said Yorkshire’s housing market continued to struggle in October – with both demand from buyers and agreed sales declining again.

With most UK regions showing a flat or negative trend in newly agreed sales, momentum in the market was likely to remain subdued in the near term.

Only 1% of respondents in Yorkshire saw a rise in new buyer enquiries last month.

Despite agents reporting a slight rise in the average number of homes on their books – 48 against 46 in September – house sales in the region failed to pick up during October.

Some 21% of respondents in Yorkshire expect sales to rise over the coming three months – up from 19% back in September.

But 25% more agents in the region reported a rise in prices – down from 27% in September.

Only 5% more respondents in Yorkshire anticipate house prices will rise in the coming three months. OUSEBUILDER Jones Homes has appointed David Ruffley as regional director for its Yorkshire office in Cleckheaton.

Mr Ruffley has more than 30 years experience holding senior positions in land, planning, operations and management.

In his new role, he will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Jones Homes office in Yorkshire and the strategic development of the regional business. He will oversee all aspects of the business from land acquisition and planning to the build programme, sales and customer care.

Mr Ruffley holds a degree in strategic environmental planning studies and a diploma in environmental planning, both from Liverpool John Moores University.

He is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.