The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration last year was 133,962, a year-on-year increase of 18.2%, but down 8.1% on 2007, the Land Registry announced today.

During the year, the total consideration of agreements was $515.7 billion, a 24.8% increase on 2008 but a 1.9% fall on 2007.

The number of building units assignments was 141,307, down 13.3% on 2008, while the total consideration for last year's assignments was $471.6 billion, down 13.2% on 2008.

The number of land register searches the public made last year was 4,968,134 - up 6.1% on 2008.