2nd Feb 2026 07:15
(Alliance News) - UK house price growth rose more than expected in January, according to a report published on Monday.
The Nationwide house price index showed UK house price growth rose to 1.0% year-on-year in January from 0.6% in December.
It was ahead of the FXStreet-cited consensus which forecast an increase of 0.7%.
The building society said house prices rose 0.3% in January on-month after taking account of seasonal effects, swung from a 0.4% fall in December, and in-line with the market consensus.
This left the average UK house price at GBP270,873 in January, down from GBP271,068 in December.
"Housing market activity also dipped at the end of 2025, most likely reflecting uncertainty around potential property tax changes ahead of the budget. Nevertheless, the number of mortgages approved for house purchase remained close to the levels prevailing before the pandemic," said Nationwide's Chief Economist Robert Gardner.
"Housing market activity is likely to recover in the coming quarters, especially if the improving affordability trend seen last year... is maintained."
By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter
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