The latest house price index from Halifax shows that house prices in the UK have risen for the fifth month in a row.

According to the latest Halifax house price index, the cost of houses in the UK rose again in November for the fifth consecutive month.

The latest figures from Halifax’s survey showed that house prices rose by 1.4% in November 2009, with the average cost of a home now reaching £167,664.

UK house prices have risen five months in a row and the average house price is up 4.2% for the first eleven months of the year.

Despite the steady increases, house prices are still on average 1.6% lower than a year ago.

House prices in the three months from September 2009 were 3.7% higher than the previous three months – the biggest three-month increase since November 2006.

Martin Ellis, Housing Economist at Halifax, said: “The recovery in house prices since the spring has been driven by increased demand for property, largely due to the improvement in affordability for existing homeowners and first-time buyers who can raise the necessary deposit.”

House prices have also been boosted by the lack of new properties entering the market. The low number of houses available has pushed up prices.

The outlook for the UK property market remains uncertain and Halifax has stated that “prospects for the market will depend on how the UK economy evolves and whether there is a significant increase in the supply of properties for sale.”

Halifax has predicted that in 2010, house prices will overall remain flat and experience no great change.