Last week’s High Court ruling has ramped up property market uncertainty according to haart estate agents chief executive Paul Smith.

The ruling that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger Article 50 without parliament’s consent has prompted calls for an early general election. Smith said the decision is likely to drag out the process of leaving the EU, causing a lack of confidence among buyers, sellers and housebuilders

He added: “It cannot be emphasised enough how much the residential property market is reliant on confidence, and as we currently see a market that is suffering from almost record low transactions levels, especially in the capital, it is now more important than ever that clarity is provided.

“What we need to see is a quick, clean break from the EU, as opposed to a dragged-out process that (this) ruling will make more likely. Britons have voted to be free of the EU, and their wishes should be respected with a clear exit strategy being put in place.

“(This) decision is likely to stall the process, increasing likeliness of a half-way house deal that would see many Brexit promises reversed, something that the government must avoid.”