UK house prices accelerate again, but slowdown likely – Nationwide

LONDON (Reuters) – UK house prices rose by the most in nearly six years in annual terms in October but the mini-boom in the housing market is likely to slow soon, perhaps sharply, mortgage lender Nationwide said on Friday.

Prices increased by 5.8% from September’s 5.0% rise, faster than a median forecast of 5.2% in a Reuters poll of economists.

In monthly terms, prices were up by 0.8% from September, a slight slowdown but faster than the poll forecast of 0.4%.

Britain’s housing market has defied a loss of momentum in the broader economy.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said:

“However, activity is likely to slow in the coming quarters, perhaps sharply, if the labour market weakens as most analysts expect, especially once the stamp duty holiday expires at the end of March.”

Finance minister Rishi Sunak gave an extra boost to the housing market in July when he suspended purchase taxes for homes costing up to 500,000 pounds until the end of March next year.

Demand for homes with more space – reflecting the stay-at-home experience of many people during the lockdown – has also driven the housing market bounce-back.

The Bank of England said on Thursday that British lenders approved the highest number of mortgages since September 2007 in September, but there was a record drop in unsecured lending to consumers, suggesting growing caution among households.

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