Fifth month of housing market increases

The official statistics released today by Registers of Scotland (RoS) show an increase of 17 per cent for the months of April to June 2010. This also shows that Scotland’s housing market is in its fifth continuous month of growth.

Kenny Crawford, Head of Commercial Services at RoS says;

"The mortgage market only covers approximately 75 per cent of the total transactions in this country. The RoS statistics are the only figures that properly reflect the national picture as we record every property transaction.

 "Our figures show that the total value of sales has increased by 23.2 per cent in Scotland since this time last year."

 Semi-detached properties showed the largest percentage increase year on year in average house price to £148,450 a rise of 8.2 per cent on the same quarter in 2009. Flats show the highest percentage rise in sales volumes with an increase of 20 per cent, with 6,863 sales recorded compared to 5,717 in the same period last year.

For the full picture, read the RoS official Statistical release at www.ros.gov.uk/public/news/quarterly_statistics.html

ENDS

For further information, please contact: Communications, Registers of Scotland, tel: 0131 200 3975 or email: communications@ros.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. Tables showing the average house price, median price, number of sales and value of sales by local authority area during the quarter (January to March 2010) compared to the previous quarter (October to December 2009) and the same quarter in 2009 are available in the statistical report at: www.ros.gov.uk/public/news/quarterly_statistics.html

2. Graphs showing trends in residential property prices and sales volumes from 2003-2010 are available at:

www.ros.gov.uk/professional/eservices/land_property_data/lpd_stats.html

3. The statistics have been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for official statistics.  The Code of Practice requires the statistics to be produced, managed and disseminated to high professional standards.

4. Monthly house price statistics based on local authority area are also available at: www.ros.gov.uk/professional/eservices/land_property_data/lpd_stats.html

5. This quarterly report tracks the movement of property prices in Scotland on the activity in local authority areas across the country.

6. The method of calculating the figures has been independently audited to ensure that the information is accurate and comprehensive.

7. RoS has developed a methodology for delivering statistics based on house type. This covers four house types: Detached, Semi-Detached, Terraced and Flatted (encompassing all types of flats, maisonettes, tenements and 4-in-a-block properties).

8. RoS is the Government Department responsible for compiling and maintaining registers relating to property and other legal documents in Scotland. RoS records and safeguards the rights of the individual whilst providing open access to information on the registers.

Isla MacLeod, Communications, Registers of Scotland
Meadowbank House, 153 London Road, Edinburgh, EH8 7AU
Tel: 0131 200 3975, fax: 0131 479 3672, email: communications@ros.gov.uk