The UK’s housing market showed signs of recovery during June 2013 as both house prices and demand increased according to the latest RICS Residential Market Survey. June was the strongest month since January 2010 for house prices with 21% more chartered surveyors reporting that prices rose rather than fell and 23% reporting that prices will rise rather than fall in the upcoming three month period. Peter Bolton King, RICS Global Residential Director, said: “After what has seemed like a very long wait we are finally starting to see what looks like the beginning of a recovery in the housing market. It is important to remember that activity levels still remain depressed by historic standards but the various initiatives designed to encourage the provision of finance into the market do appear to be paying dividends.” The rise has been attributed to buyers returning to the market with 38% more chartered surveyors reporting an increase in new buyer enquiries. Demand for rented property also rose in June by 6% from the previous month to 27%. King continued: “Despite the increased interest in buying a property, our numbers continue to show that demand from would-be tenants remains firm and that rents are likely to continue to edge upwards over the next twelve months. As the cost of shelter moves higher, it is absolutely critical that the government continues to focus on its role in supporting the delivery of more new homes into the market.”