HMRC has reported that there were 94,590 residential property transactions in the UK in February.

This was up from 85,300 in January, and from the 78,540 reported in February last year.

The figures quoted are ‘actuals’, although HMRC prefers ‘seasonally adjusted’ data, showing upwards massaging to 114,560 transactions in February.

Agents are saying that the rise in February was largely due to buy-to-let deals ahead of the 3% Stamp Duty surcharge which kicks in next week.