UK House Prices Rise More Than Expected

The Halifax House Price Index showed UK house prices rose 1.3% year-on-year in February 2026, more than the expected 0.9% gain, from a revised 1.1% increase in January, marking the strongest annual growth in four months. The average UK home reached a new high of £301,151. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.3%, following a 0.8% gain in January. Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Halifax, said the market maintained early-year momentum, with prices up around £3,000 since January. Affordability remains stretched and supply constrained, but easing interest rates and real wage growth are supporting buyers. Regional growth was led by Northern Ireland (6.3%) and Scotland (4.7%), followed by Wales (2.4%) and northern England, including the North East (3.5%) and North West (2.9%). Southern markets lagged, with the South East down 2.2% and London falling 1%. Halifax noted mortgage approvals and geopolitical uncertainties may affect borrowing costs and future price growth.

The Halifax House Price Index showed UK house prices rose 1% year-on-year in January 2026, accelerating from an upwardly revised 0.4% gain in December, marking the largest increase in three months. The average UK home surpassed £300,000 for the first time, reaching £300,077. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.7%, more than the expected 0.1% growth, and reversing a 0.5% fall in December. Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Halifax, said the market entered 2026 on a steady footing, with the monthly rise reflecting resilience despite affordability challenges. Stronger wage growth and more mortgage deals below 4% are supporting buyers, and Halifax expects prices to edge up 1%–3% in 2026. Regionally, Northern Ireland led growth at 5.9%, followed by Scotland (5.4%) and the North West (2.1%). Southern regions, including London, the South East, South West, and Eastern England, saw annual declines of over 1%, reflecting higher borrowing costs and affordability pressures.

The Halifax House Price Index showed UK house prices rose 0.3% year-on-year in December 2025, slowing from a revised 0.6% gain in November and below expectations of a 1.1% increase. This marks the smallest growth since a decline in November 2023. On a monthly basis, prices declined 0.6%, following a 0.1% drop, missing forecasts for a 0.2% rise. The average house price fell by £1,789 to £297,755, the lowest level since June. Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Halifax, said the softer end to 2025 likely reflected late-year uncertainty that should begin to ease, while overall market activity remained resilient and broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels. She added that lower mortgage rates and a broader range of high loan-to-value products should support demand into 2026, with Halifax forecasting house price growth of 1%–3%. Regionally, Northern Ireland led gains at 7.5%, followed by Scotland (3.9%) and Wales (1.6%).