UK average house price sees largest monthly drop since 2008

UK house prices experienced their largest fall since 2008 last month, according to the latest figures from the Halifax House Price Index. It found that the average house price fell by -2.3% in November which it said reflects the “worst of market volatility over recent months”. The latest data found the typical UK property now costs £285,579 - down from £292,406 last month. It added the slowing market is reflected across the UK, with most nations and regions seeing the rate of annual house price inflation fall last month. The only exception remains the North East of England, which saw its rate of annual growth edge up slightly to +10.5% (from +10.4%). It’s also now the only area of the UK with annual house price inflation in double figures, with an average property price of £173,587. Wales (+7.9%, average price of £220,689) and the South West (+8.4%, average price of £307,750) have seen the sharpest slowdown of annual growth (from +11.5% and +10.7% respectively). Halifax said this is notable given both were “key hotspots” of house price inflation during the pandemic, suggesting that previous drivers of the market such as the race for space and heightened demand for rural living are now receding. Scotland has also seen its pace of annual house price inflation continue to slow, now at +6.5% (from +7.4%) with a typical property now costing £203,132. Meanwhile, house prices in Northern Ireland are up +9.1% year-on-year, easing back from +9.7% last month, with an average property price of £185,097. The pace of annual property price inflation also slowed in London, which continues to lag the other UK regions and nations. House prices have risen +5.2% over the last 12 months, down from +6.6%. The average property price in the capital remains well above the UK average at £549,160. Kim Kinnaird, director, Halifax Mortgages, said: “Average house prices fell in November as the rate of annual growth slowed further to +4.7% (from +8.2%), with the typical UK property price now sitting at £285,579. The monthly drop of -2.3% is the largest seen since October 2008 and the third consecutive fall. “While a market slowdown was expected given the known economic headwinds – and following such extensive house price inflation over the last few years (+19% since March 2020) – this month’s fall reflects the worst of the market volatility over recent months.” She added: “Some potential home moves have been paused as homebuyers feel increased pressure on affordability and industry data continues to suggest that many buyers and sellers are taking stock while the market continues to stabilise. “When thinking about the future for house prices, it is important to remember the context of the last few years, when we witnessed some of the biggest house price increases the market has ever seen. Property prices are up more than £12,000 compared to this time last year, and well above pre-pandemic levels (+£46,403 vs March 2020).” She concluded: “The market may now be going through a process of normalisation. While some important factors like the limited supply of properties for sale will remain, the trajectory of mortgage rates, the robustness of household finances in the face of the rising cost of living, and how the economy – and more specifically the labour market – performs will be key in determining house prices changes in 2023.”

UK average house price sees largest monthly drop since 2008

The pace of annual property price inflation also slowed in London, which continues to lag the other UK regions and nations

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