The Office for National Statistics has revealed that December 2019 house prices in England rose on average by 0.6% since November 2019.
The annual price rise of 2.2% takes the average property value to £251,711.
The East of England experienced the greatest monthly price rise, up by 2.1%, while the North West saw the most significant monthly price fall, down by 0.6%.
Yorkshire and the Humber experienced the greatest annual price rise, up by 3.9% and the South East saw the lowest annual price growth, up by 1.2%
Price change by region for England
| Region |
Average price December 2019 |
Monthly change % |
| East Midlands |
£197,048 |
0.5 |
| East of England |
£297,714 |
2.1 |
| London |
£483,922 |
1.6 |
| North East |
£130,977 |
0.5 |
| North West |
£166,003 |
-0.6 |
| South East |
£325,050 |
-0.3 |
| South West |
£262,286 |
1.3 |
| West Midlands |
£201,343 |
-0.4 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber |
£168,382 |
1.7 |
Sam Mitchell, CEO at online estate agent Housesimple, said: “The property market was tested last year, but despite the economic and political headwinds it managed to prove its resilience all the way through to December. London and the South East struggled to fight back from time to time, but the latest ONS house price figures demonstrate a nationwide revival to finish the year.
“This positive sentiment has continued into 2020. Buyers have flocked to the property market with more gusto thanks to the ‘Boris boom’ and greater clarity on Brexit. The months of March to June are typically when we see a real boost in buyer activity, though this spring awakening appears to be starting a little earlier this year.
“Ultimately, an imbalance between supply of properties and demand from buyers is what contributes the most to house price growth. More buyers to the market increases demand so, unless the government introduces any real investment into home building initiatives in the upcoming Spring Budget, house price growth is here to stay.”