UK house prices grow by surprise 1.3% on-year in February - Halifax

UK house prices grew at their ‘strongest’ annual rate in four months, while monthly growth slowed, Halifax reported on Friday morning.

The Halifax house price index showed prices rising 0.3% in February, slowing from an 0.8% rise in January, but in line with FXStreet-cited consensus expectations. January’s figure was revised upwards from 0.7%.

Prices grew 1.3% on an annual basis, beating the consensus forecast of a 0.9% increase. Growth accelerated from a 1.1% increase in January, which was revised up from 1.0%.

‘The housing market built on its steady start to the year in February, with average prices rising by +0.3%, following an increase of +0.8% in January,’ commented Halifax Head of Mortgages Amanda Bryden. ‘Annual growth also picked up to +1.3%, its strongest rate for four months. Since the start of the year, average prices have increased by around £3,000, with a typical property now costing £301,151.

‘These latest figures suggest the market has regained some momentum after a softer end to 2025. While industry data for January show a slight easing in new mortgage approvals, overall activity has continued to prove resilient.’

Bryden continued: ‘There’s no doubt that affordability remains stretched, supply is constrained, and regional disparities persist...However, conditions have been gradually improving, with easing interest rates and real wage growth helping to support buyer confidence.’

However, she added: ‘Looking ahead, geopolitical uncertainties seem set to influence the outlook for inflation and the wider economy. Against that backdrop, markets are now anticipating a more gradual path for interest?rate reductions. If realised, the speed at which borrowing costs ease may be tempered.’

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