House prices started 2017 £13,000 higher on average than they were a year earlier, according to official figures.
At £218,000 in January, the average UK property value was £13,000 higher than it had been in January 2016, the index released jointly by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Land Registry and other bodies said.
The report said house prices are continuing to see "strong growth", with average values up by 6.2% in the year to January and increasing by 0.8% month-on-month.
London continues to be the region with the highest average house price at £491,000, followed by the South East and the East of England, where values stand at £319,000 and £279,000 respectively.
The lowest average price regionally is in the North East of England, at £124,000.
Sarah Beeny, owner of estate agent Tepilo, said January tends to be a slower month for house sales.
She said: "The ongoing shortage of properties for sale will also ensure prices continue to rise."
By Vicky Shaw, Press Association.
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