Prices rose by 0.3% month on month, following a 0.5% gain in September

UK house prices rose modestly in October to £272,226, as the housing market was hit with higher borrowing costs and subdued consumer sentiment, according to figures by Nationwide Building Society.

The lender said prices rose by 0.3% month on month, following a 0.5% gain in September. On an annual basis, prices were 2.4% higher than a year earlier, up slightly from September’s 2.2% growth.

The figures came in stronger than expected.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said: October saw a slight rise in the rate of annual house price growth to 2.4%, from 2.2% in September. Prices increased by 0.3% month on month, after taking account of seasonal effects.

He added: The housing market has remained broadly stable in recent months, with house prices rising at a modest pace and the number of mortgages approved for house purchase maintained at similar levels to those prevailing before the pandemic struck.

Against a backdrop of subdued consumer confidence and signs of weakening in the labour market, this performance indicates resilience, especially since mortgage rates are more than double the level they were before COVID struck and house prices are close to all-time highs, Gardner said.

Looking ahead, Gardner suggested some easing in borrowing costs could support the market. Housing affordability is likely to improve modestly if income growth continues to outpace house price growth as we expect.

Borrowing costs are also likely to moderate a little further if bank rate is lowered again in the coming quarters, he said. This should support buyer demand, especially since household balance sheets are strong – indeed, in aggregate the ratio of household debt to disposable income is at its lowest for two decades.