UK house price growth goes to 13.4% – Nationwide House Price Index

Average house price growth in the UK has risen to 13.4 per cent, according to the latest Nationwide House Price Index, released yesterday.

The figures, released yesterday, show that prices grew 0.7 per cent month on month, after the taking into account of seasonal factors.

Commenting, Robert Gardner, chief economist for Nationwide, said:

“Annual house price growth accelerated to 13.4 per cent in June, the highest outturn since November 2004. While the strength is partly due to base effects, with June last year unusually weak due to the first lockdown, the market continues to show significant momentum. Indeed, June saw the third consecutive month-on-month rise (0.7 per cent), after taking account of seasonal effects. Prices in June were almost 5 per cent higher than in March.”

There was much comment on the increase from within the industry.

Sundeep Patel, director of sales at Together, said:

“Another month of strong growth for house prices goes to show just how competitive the race for space has become, with buyers still eager to snap up properties at pandemic prices, ahead of the first taper for the Stamp Duty holiday extension ending this week. Today’s figures show house prices were up by 0.7 per cent month-on-month and annual house prices rose by a staggering 13.4 per cent – the highest level recorded since November 2004.”

Patel added:

“That said, from the second half of the year onwards, we are expecting to see things start to slow down as potential buyers adapt to this next phase of the pandemic, without Government support and tax breaks. Whatever property financing is needed in the future, lenders who can offer a degree of flexibility are going to be highly sought after, as people look to pursue property plans against their changing needs in the market.”

Others were far more critical.

Guy Harrington, CEO of residential lender Glenhawk, said:

“This is only going to end one way. Given the economic backdrop and with government support schemes ending in a few months, this insane level of growth is long overdue a correction. In some rural hotspots houses are selling for 40 per cent over the asking price. The UK housing market has a rocket attached that is burning low on fuel and once this perfect storm passes, we are headed for a serious shock to the system.”

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