Property values were up 1.7 percent compared to last month, and were 1.5 percent higher than the same period last year, a survey revealed. The Nationwide Building Society said that the

average price of a home sold in the last month was £220,936, up from £216,403 in June. But the institution's chief economist Robert Gardner said that pent-up demand came through in July

as the lockdown eased. He said: "The bounce back in prices reflects the unexpectedly rapid recovery in housing market activity since the easing of lockdown restrictions."

Sentiment In May, a survey by the building society found that around 15 percent of people were contemplating a move because of their new locked-down lives. But Mr Gardner warned homeowners