Average house prices have climbed by £2,974, or 0.8%, this month, reaching £370,759. This marks a 1.2% rise year-on-year and is double the long-term average for September.

According to Rightmove’s House Price Index (HPI) for September, the typically busier Autumn market has started early, with buyers taking advantage of a  “window of opportunity” due to falling mortgage rates and an increased number of properties on the market.

The latest index has indicated that there is greater confidence in the market, with the number of new sellers up 14% compared to this time last year.