UK house price growth remained subdued in July

British house prices rose weakly in July and uncertainty about Brexit and its impact on the economy are likely to drag on the market, mortgage lender Nationwide said.

House prices increased by 0.3% compared with a year earlier after rising by 0.5% in June. Economists had expected a 0.2% increase. In monthly terms, house prices in July also rose by 0.3%, a stronger than the median forecast for a rise of 0.1%.

Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said: “Annual house price growth remained below 1% for the eighth month in a row in July, at 0.3%. While house price growth has remained fairly stable, there have been mixed signals from the property market in recent months. Surveyors report that new buyer enquiries have increased a little, though key consumer confidence indicators remain subdued. Data on the number of property transactions points to a slowdown in activity, though the number of mortgages approved for house purchase has remained broadly stable. Housing market trends will remain heavily dependent on developments in the broader economy. In the near term, healthy labour market conditions and low borrowing costs will provide underlying support, though uncertainty is likely to continue to exert a drag on sentiment and activity".