Demand 'better than expected'

The property portal believes that an increase in mortgage approval figures coupled with a slight rebalancing of house prices has impacted favourably on its own user data.

The site saw its unique users increase by 15 per cent in January 2008 compared to January 2007, despite the current conditions within the property market and a heavily publicised dip in consumer confidence.

This pushed the number of leads pertaining to specific properties up by 38 per cent, with online viewings of rental property surgung by 128 per cent.

Propertyfinder.com's chief executive, Gillian Kent, believes that this demonstrates just how much support is being given by today's rental market.

"We have seen a lot more interest from home movers than expected. While much of this reflects propertyfinder.com’s own growth, there is also some life in the market.

"The rental market is where things are busiest and we are seeing phenomenal interest from people looking for good rental homes. Our lead generation for estate agents shows that people are not just browsing but actively seeking to move.”