The coronavirus pandemic caused an unprecedented economic shock in the UK, closing businesses and putting people out of work left, right and centre.
But despite that, average house prices held up across England and Wales – even if there was a drop in sales.
Prices rose by 4.1% between October 2019 and September 2020 compared to the same period the year before, reaching an average of £310,782, according to the Office for National Statistics. Over that time, the volume of house sales fell by almost a quarter (24%).
The ONS also publishes house price figures by Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) – small geographic areas containing an average population of 7,200 people.
These show 4,631 of the more than 7,000 MSOAs in England and Wales saw a rise in house prices over the same period.
Here we reveal which neighbourhoods saw the strongest growth in the year to September 2020.
13. Hall Farm, Sunderland
Prices rose to £205,118 in Sunderland’s Hall Farm area, up by 48.1% from £138,468. Sales were up by 5%, from 65 to 68. Photo: Google Maps
14. Battersea Park, Wandsworth
Back in Wandsworth, prices rose by 47.5% in Battersea Park, up from £873,192 to £1.29 million. There were 65 recorded sales, down by 37% from the 103 seen the year before. Photo: Google Maps
15. Brondesbury Park, Brent
In Brent, prices in the Brondesbury Park area rose by 45.9%, from £944,735 to £1.38 million. Sales volumes fell by 37%, from 103 to 65. Photo: Google Maps
16. Roundwood Park, Brent
Still in Brent, Roundwood Park enjoyed a price boost of 45.6%, rising from £317,100 to £461,670. Sales were also up by 25%, from 20 to 25. Photo: Google Maps