House prices in Britain rose 1.1 per cent in April to take the annual three-month rate up to 10.9 per cent, according to the Halifax house price survey.
Economists had expected a rise of 0.8 per cent on the month for an annual three-month rate of 10.5 per cent.
Last month, Halifax reported prices rose 1 per cent in March for an annual three-month rate of 11.1 per cent.
The nation's largest mortgage lender said the cost of an average home stood at £196,745 in April.