08/01/2002

HBOS reveal further evidence of house price rises

The UK’s largest mortgage lender, HBOS has revealed that house prices in the UK rose at their fastest rate for two years in the last month of 2001.

The group, which includes the Halifax Bank, said that the price of a UK home rose by just under three per cent in December and year on year, the rate of increase hit 15.5 per cent. In January 2001, the yearly rate of house price inflation had amounted to less than four per cent.

The report is expected to fuel fears of a rise in UK interest rates, and also follow data from the Nationwide showing that UK house prices grew more quickly last year than at any time since the property boom of the late 1980’s.

The Nationwide estimated last year's overall rise at just under 14 per cent, with prices edging 1.9 per cent higher in December.

However, the Halifax echoed Nationwide predictions that price growth would calm in coming months. (MB)

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