Slowdown in price growth of UK property in 2017

London

HOUSE prices in the United Kingdom may only eke out a modest gain next year as economic growth weakens and a pickup in inflation squeezes consumers, according to Halifax.

The mortgage lender sees housing demand easing in 2017, partly as tax changes and stricter underwriting standards restrict buy-to-let investment. It also highlighted the market in London, saying adverse affordability means the capital will see a sharper slowdown than elsewhere. Elsewhere, there are "few signs" of significant stresses and imbalances at present, it said. London's underperformance has also been a theme of 2016, with Brexit and an increase in stamp duty weighing on the market. Luxury hom…