The number of new prospective buyers registering with Knight Frank’s London offices rose to its highest weekly total in over 15 years during the second week of this month.

While Knight Frank has not revealed exact numbers, it does say that the figure was 92% higher than in the same week last year and 95% up on the same period in 2018.

The number of viewings across London rose to its third highest total in 15 years on Saturday, January 11, Knight Frank also reports, with no sign of abating.

Christopher Burton, head of Knight Frank’s Dulwich office, said: “We have our busiest ever Saturday for viewings this week.

“The second half of last year was active as buyers ventured back into the market, but interest has exploded at the start of this year.”

Knight Frank has also revealed that, excluding the month before a pre-announced Stamp Duty increase in April 2016, the number of exchanges for existing homes in prime central London in December was the  highest monthly total for almost six years – since April 2014.

The overall monthly figure was boosted by the post-election period.

In the ten working days following December 12, Knight Frank transacted more exchanges in prime central London than in any equivalent period since December 2016.

Overall, the number of exchanges in prime London markets was 14% higher last year than in 2018 and the highest annual total since 2014.

Other London agents are also reporting an enormous rise in activity.

However, Patrick Rampton, of Rampton Baseley with offices in Wandsworth and Battersea, cautions: “Stock levels are half what they were last year. Conversely, buyer registrations are double . . . We have very little stock and lots of buyers.”

In an amusing email to prospective customers headed “Boris Johnson ate my hamster” (he didn’t, but it does make you read on), Rampton says that after the election, the market suddenly kicked off.

Rampton says: “All the quality properties began to be snapped up. People were competing for them and pretty fiercely too. I don’t think that I can ever remember so many competitive bidding situations in December.”

Rampton says that the business took the unheard of step of staying open between Christmas and New Year.

“People were still ringing and registering throughout (as an aside, I was pondering on the type of family you must have, if you’d rather speak to an estate agent over Christmas than your nearest and dearest).”

Rampton ends by saying that London’s current bull rush may not last. He also believes that there are still quite a few potential vendors waiting to see what the Budget brings in around six weeks’ time.