House prices are heading for a short-term dip amid uncertainty over the EU referendum outcome, according to surveyors.

For the first time since 2012, more surveyors expect prices to fall in the next three months than those predicting an increase, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said.

A net balance of 10% more surveyors expect prices to fall in the next three months than those expecting an increase.

But Rics said this was unlikely to signal the start of a more affordable housing market - and in the longer term, with the supply of homes still tight, prices were predicted to swing back upwards.

A net balance of 54% of surveyors expect prices to be higher in 12 months' time. Surveyors expect to see annual house price increases of 4.1% for the next five years - while rents are predicted to increase at 4.7% annually over the same period.

Rics found demand from buyers fell for the second month in a row in May. Buyer demand shrank at the fastest rate since 2008, with a balance of 33% of surveyors reporting falls in new enquiries.

The supply of properties available decreased sharply, with 30% of surveyors reporting supply falling. Rics said this represented the most widespread decline since the survey started in 1999.

The report said surveyors put forward several suggestions for the waning appetite from buyers, "with uncertainty over the upcoming referendum on the UK's membership of the EU by far the most prevalent suggestion".

Surveyors also reported a lack of demand from buy-to-let investors, following a three percentage point stamp duty increase for this sector from April 1. Many investors brought forward property purchases to beat the deadline, which might otherwise have taken place later in 2016.

By Vicky Shaw, Press Association.