Two-thirds of property sales arranged by The Buying Solution in prime areas outside London have been off-market so far this year, the agent has claimed.

TBS, part of Knight Frank, said 67% of purchases agreed so far this financial year by its country team had been off-market, up from 32% in the previous 12 months.

Jonathan Bramwell, of TBS, said: “There is little to suggest that the current situation will change any time soon, with many vendors not wanting to openly advertise their properties until there is more certainty in the market.”