/ 1 January 2002

UK property continues to surge through the roof

British house prices rose strongly in September as the market continued to boom, Britain’s biggest mortgage lender said on Friday.

Halifax said prices rose by 4,3% last month, as low interest rates and falling unemployment continued to underpin demand.

The rise meant annual house price inflation jumped to 24,2%. Halifax said property prices rose by 0,2% in August and by 1,8% in July.

”The UK housing market remains very strong with house prices increasing at a record pace in September following a very small rise in August,” said Martin Ellis, group economist at Halifax.

Earlier this week Nationwide building society’s monthly index showed prices rose by 2,1% in September. – Sapa-AP