More homes are being put up for sale in England and Wales because of the abolition of Home Information Packs (Hips), surveyors say.

The latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) found a "sharp increase" in new instructions from would-be sellers.

Twenty-two per cent more surveyors reported a rise in prices than reported a fall in the three months to May.

However, the number of completed sales fell by 5%, to just 17 per surveyor.

"Surveyors are generally confident that sales will continue to pick up over the summer months," said Rics spokesperson Ian Perry.

Source: BBC News