There was a 1.4% fall in prices in April following no change in March, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index.
The lender reported that house prices in the three months to April were 1.2% lower than in the previous three months. This continues the modest decline in prices recorded since the middle of last year on this measure of the underlying trend.
The average UK house price in April was 1.5% lower than in December 2010 on a seasonally adjusted basis. The current average house price of £160,395 is 4% above its April 2009 low, but remains 20% below its August 2007 peak.
Martin Ellis, housing economist, said: “Weak confidence amongst households