Melbourne has recorded its lowest auction clearance rate in six years, while Sydney’s property market also saw declines in houses selling under the hammer.

Across the country 900 properties went to auction, down from 2,281 the previous week, News Corp reports. The preliminary clearance rate was 55.3 percent.

There were just 276 auctions held in Melbourne last week with a preliminary clearance rate of 56.1 percent, the lowest since 2012.

Adelaide was the strongest performer with 65.6 percent of 29 auctions clearing, following by Canberra with 65.4 percent of 26 auctions.

Sydney returned a preliminary auction clearance rate of 57.6 percent with 414 homes going to auction.

According to News Corp, Sydney has not recorded consecutive clearance rates in the low to mid-50s outside of December and January long weekends since the late 2010-12 downturn.

Sydney’s nose-dive in clearance rates is being pinned on longer approval periods for home finance as the lending industry tightens up standards in response to the royal commission.

In Sydney, the property market has been propped by apartment sales and the gap between houses and apartments is continuing to grow.

According to Domain, just 50.8 percent of all houses that went to auction across Sydney last month sold, while apartments had a slightly higher 58.2 percent auction clearance rate.

Domain Group data suggests the gap between apartments and houses is widening with both property types hit by cooling market conditions.

Domain Group data scientist Nicola Powell said the gap is “driven by affordability constraints”.

“We know apartments are becoming increasingly popular for all sectors of the market … as they offer a lower entry price point, better connectivity, and allow people to purchase closer to the CBD,” she said.