Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Guardian Property. Read the original article for full details.

UK House Prices Record First Monthly Rise Since Iran War Began

UK house prices increased by 0.2% in June, the first monthly gain since February, according to the latest Lloyds house price index. The typical property cost £299,330 in June, following a 0.2% drop in May.

The annual growth rate for UK house prices edged up to 0.6% in June from 0.5% in May. Despite the monthly rise, property values remain narrowly below levels seen at the start of the year. In February, prices increased by 0.3% to £301,051, but June’s average remains below both February and January’s figures.

For first-time buyers, annual price growth rose to 0.8% in June from 0.3% in May, with the average first-time buyer property now costing £240,433. Lloyds noted that this suggests demand among first-time buyers remains resilient.

Regional Variations

Northern Ireland recorded the strongest annual house price growth in the UK, with average prices up 7.4% over the past year to £229,000. Scotland followed with 3.9% annual growth and an average price of £223,277. In Wales, annual price growth reached 0.9%, taking the typical home value to £231,142.

In England, stronger price growth was concentrated in the northern regions. The north-east saw prices rise 2.8% over the year to £181,133, while the north-west recorded 2.4% annual growth, with the average property now costing £248,218.

By contrast, prices continued to fall in the south. The south-east experienced a 2% year-on-year decline to £381,654, and average values in London fell by 1.1% to £534,831.

These trends are relevant for letting agents and inventory clerks monitoring regional market shifts and rental demand, particularly as affordability and borrowing costs continue to influence buyer activity.