Chancellor Philip Hammond is being urged to extend Stamp Duty cuts in his Budget this month.

Paul Smith, chief executive of haart, said first-time buyers dominate the agent’s registrations – helped by the Stamp Duty exemptions introduced last year – but said downsizers need support to get transactions moving.

Data from haart branches showed new buyer registrations were up 38.3% annually, with 21.4% coming from first-time buyers.

The agent also reported that listings were up 10.9% annually, with sales – based on exchanges – up 4.8%.

On a monthly basis, new buyer registrations were down 1.9% and listings fell 2.8% but exchanges were up 2.4%.

Smith said: “The property market remained buoyant in September despite ongoing economic and political turbulence. Prices remained steady, and both transactions and new buyer registrations shot up on the month and the year.

“First-time buyers continued to drive the market with 21.4% more registering to buy than the same time last year, as aspiring home owners continue to take advantage of their Stamp Duty cut.

“But for the ‘just about managing’ in middle England nothing has changed. With the Government not meeting building targets and downsizers reluctant to move, family homes are in stark supply and this is holding the market back.

“Last month saw the level of house building drop to ‘pre-crash levels’. A healthy housing market depends not just on introducing new buyers into the market, but also helping them move through it, but as it stands too many are stuck unable to move up to the ladder.

“The Chancellor must use the Budget to cut Stamp Duty for downsizers and free up stock for families moving up the ladder. Ahead of Brexit, this would strengthen the housing market in the short term and improve home ownership in the long-term.

“The Government must also avoid at all costs any further Stamp Duty increases for any part of the market.”