Connells Survey and Valuation says there were 24% more residential mortgage valuations in April than a year ago.

This is despite April being shortened working month due to Easter and the royal wedding.

The valuations market recorded its busiest April since 2007. As a result of the annual increase, residential mortgage valuation activity has now risen year-on-year for five successive months.

However, April recorded an overall drop in the number of valuations conducted compared to March. Valuation activity dipped by 14% month-on-month, although much of this was directly due to the shorter working days in April, five (14%) fewer than in March.

Colin Dorman, business development director of Connells Survey and Valuation, said: “April tends to be a trickier month for the housing market with the onset of Easter and the sheer number of bank holidays reducing the volume of buyers hitting the streets and looking to move. In spite of the added distraction of the royal wedding and a month-on-month drop in remortgaging