House prices in the UK increased by nearly £900 from March to April, despite stamp duty deadlines creating uncertainty for many potential buyers, Halifax has reported. According to the index, there was a subtle 0.3% price increase month-on-month in April, which came after a 0.5% decline in March.

Halifax reported a slight uptick in the yearly house price growth, reaching 3.2% in April, up from 2.9% in the previous month. In terms of numbers, the average house price stood at £297,781 in April, an increase from £296,899 in March. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: “UK house prices rose by 0.3% in March, an increase of just under £900. We know the stamp duty changes prompted a surge in transactions in the early part of this year, as buyers rushed to beat the tax-rise deadline.”

She also noted that, despite the rush to complete purchases before the deadline, this hasn’t resulted in any significant property price inflation, with the past six months witnessing a stability in housing prices that has been rare since the onset of the pandemic.

Contrasting with Halifax’s data, the latest figures from Nationwide Building Society depict a cooling in the property market.

Nationwide reported a drop in house prices by 0.6% month-on-month in April, and annual price growth seemed to slow to 3.4% in April from 3.9% in March.

Stamp duty “nil rate” bands were reduced in April, increasing costs for some homebuyers. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland.

Ms Bryden noted “modest price growth” is on the horizon, stating: “Overall, the market continues to show resilience, despite a subdued economic environment and risks from geopolitical developments.”

Looking across the UK, Halifax recorded strong house price growth in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, with a more subdued picture in south-west England and London.

Nathan Emerson, Propertymark’s head honcho, commented: “This is a sign of sustained confidence in the UK’s housing market following a recent stamp duty surge in home buying, and it should give those sellers hoping to take advantage of the traditionally busier spring and summer months motivation to move up the housing ladder.”

Iain McKenzie of the Guild of Property Professionals added: “We’re seeing mortgage rates continue their welcome descent, with sub-4% deals now reappearing, which is a clear boost for buyer affordability and confidence.”

Matt Thompson from Chestertons in London highlighted seasonal market activity, noting: “In April, some house hunters paused their search amid the Easter holidays, but sellers remained motivated, which resulted in an uplift in the number of properties put up for sale.”

Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, noted a positive market trend, saying: “Demand has increased as more mortgage rates drop below 4%, which will underpin prices while the momentum is maintained.”

He added caution for prospective buyers, stating, “Tariff turbulence has helped push interest rate expectations lower, but buyers could be put off if it gets too bumpy.”

Halifax provided the latest figures for average house prices and the annual increase. The regional changes for the year, drawn from the most recent three months of approved mortgage data, showed growth in certain areas:

• Northern Ireland – £208,220, 8.1%
• Wales – £229,079, 4.7%
• Scotland – £214,011, 4.6%
• North West – £240,975, 4.1%
• Yorkshire and the Humber – £214,844, 3.8%
• West Midlands – £261,098, 3.3%
• East Midlands – £245,884, 3.0%
• North East – £175,207, 2.1%
• Eastern England – £335,619, 2.0%
• South East – £391,830, 2.0%
• London – £543,346, 1.3%
• South West – £304,451, 0.9%