Allowing investors to place spread bets on an asset that seems to be moving in only one direction may appear unlikely. But it is still possible for investors to bet that property prices will fall further.

UK house prices have dropped sharply in the past 18 months and there is little hope of a recovery any time soon. Prices are expected to fall by at least another 10 per cent this year. So placing a short bet on property prices may seem like a no-brainer.