Average UK house price fell to six-month low in December, Halifax says

Halifax reports average UK house prices fell 0.6% in December to £297,755, the lowest since June 2025, while annual growth slowed to 0.3%.

Halifax reported that average UK house prices fell in December, reaching their lowest level in six months. Property values dropped 0.6% month on month, a decline of £1,789, bringing the typical price to £297,755. On an annual basis, growth in property values slowed to 0.3%, down from 0.6% in November. Halifax noted recent falls in mortgage rates after a Bank of England base rate cut and said more lending options are becoming available, which it expects could support the market in 2026. Key figures: - Monthly change: prices fell 0.6% in December, down £1,789, with a typical house price of £297,755, the lowest since June 2025. - Annual change: average growth slowed to 0.3% year on year, down from 0.6% in November. - Halifax outlook: the lender expects a modest rise of between 1% and 3% in house prices during 2026, citing lower mortgage rates and more lending options. - Regional highlights: Northern Ireland reported the strongest annual rise at 7.5%, Scotland 3.9%, and London saw an annual fall of 1.3%. - Market activity: Rightmove reported its busiest Boxing Day for website visits in December 2025, and several estate agents said they had seen signs of improved buyer interest after the budget and recent rate falls. Summary: The December decline left average prices at their lowest since June 2025 and coincided with slower annual growth. Halifax describes overall activity last year as resilient and expects modest price gains of 1%–3% in 2026; Undetermined at this time.