Prices were some 3.7% higher in the April-June period than they were during the same period last year.
Martin Ellis, housing economist at the Halifax, said: "Improved confidence in both the housing market and the economy, combined with a shortage of properties available for sale, appear to be pushing up house prices," said
Ellis said that there were also early indications that the government's Help to Buy equity loan scheme might be stimulating demand.
But Ellis warned: "Despite these signs of improvement in the market, the still subdued economic background and weak income growth are expected to remain significant constraints on housing demand and activity during the second half of 2013."
