The survey also revealed that the gap between supply and demand narrowed with fresh demand for property still outstripping new supply with 20% more surveyors stating that enquiries from potential purchasers are rising rather than falling.

House prices in December rose with 30% more chartered surveyors reporting a rise than a fall in house prices compared to 35% in November.

A majority of surveyors in London, the South East, the South West and East Anglia recorded price increases. However, more surveyors in the North and the West Midlands saw house price falls indicating that the recovery in the market is less entrenched in some parts of the country than others.

Other demand indicators are losing some momentum. Enquiries rose at the slowest pace since January 2009 and the newly agreed sales balance slipped to 22 from 24 while the sales expectations net balance dropped to six from 20.

Transaction levels were little changed in December with the number of sales per surveying firm hovering around 19 for the fourth consecutive month and the sales to stock ratio – a measure of market slack and a lead indicator of future prices- fell back slightly.

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Jeremy Leaf, spokesperson for RICS, said the recent loss of momentum in prices and the moderation in new buyer interest can be attributed in part to the housing market pulling down its shutters for Christmas.

He added: “It is likely that the New Year will see more interest and activity in the market as those who held back start to market their property with renewed optimism.”