UK house prices saw their biggest gains in more than six years this month amid a continued increase in demand that is being partly driven by government measures.
Average values in England and Wales rose 0.5%, the biggest rise since May 2007, after a 0.4% gain in August, London-based property researcher Hometrack said in a statement today.
Annual price inflation accelerated to 2.4%.
British Prime Minister David Cameron defied critics of "Help to Buy" yesterday, saying the second phase of the plan aimed at helping prospective buyers will start next week, three months earlier than planned.
The programme has drawn criticism that it may help fuel a property bubble and the UK government said last week the Bank of England will perform annual checks.
Prices rose in September in nine of 10 regions tracked by Hometrack, according to the report. London led gains on the month, with a 0.8% increase.
Nationally, the number of buyers registering with realtors increased 1.4% in September from August, while new property listings fell 0.3%. In London, listings dropped 2.9%, according to Hometrack.
The report follows data from Nationwide Building Society showing home-price growth quickened this month
"In many markets outside London this is the first time that prices have started to register positive growth for over five years," Hometrack said. "Prices are rising off a low base and talk of a housing bubble in relation to the national market is overdone."
That echoes comments from the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee on September 25, when it said that property activity remains below its historic average.
In the statement following its quarterly meeting, the panel added it will "closely monitor developments in the housing market and banks' underwriting standards" and be "vigilant to potential emerging vulnerabilities."
