British house prices rose by a stronger-than-expected 0.4% in February compared with January, according to data published by mortgage lender Nationwide on Friday, adding to signs of buyers rushing to beat the expiry of a tax break next month.

House prices increased by 3.9% over the year in February with the average UK property now worth £270,493 according to the latest data from Nationwide.

Northern Ireland has seen the highest house prices rises in the past year, up 7.2%. In England, there is a clear north-south divide, with prices rising 3% in the North West, compared to 1% in the South East and East. The differences can be seen in the interactive map below.

The average UK house price has increased month-on-month for the sixth month in a row, but looming stamp duty changes could dampen the market, according to an index

UK house prices unexpectedly dipped in February, as an uptick in property sales driven by a tax holiday came to an end, according to mortgage lender Halifax. The average UK house price fell 0.1 per cent from January to £298,

The UK housing market saw an unexpected decline in February, with average house prices falling by 0.1% to £298,602, according to data from Halifax, Britain’s largest mortgage lender. This follows a record high in January and contradicts analyst forecasts,

House prices dipped by 0.1% in February as the window to beat stamp duty changes narrowed, but a supply-demand imbalance could push prices higher this year overall