House prices in Harrow have soared despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The average price of a house in the borough went up by 16.7 per cent over the past year to June – the most of any London borough. 

This represented an increase of almost £75,000, as average house prices jumped from £447,250 to £522,143. 

In London, the average home cost £510,299 in June this year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. 

That was 6.3 per cent higher than the average cost of £479,969 in June 2020.

The impact of the pandemic has seen house prices fall in some London boroughs, including Westminster, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, the City of London, and Southwark. 

However, in North West London the market remains strong – in neighbouring Brent, average prices went up by 5.4 per cent from £486,162 to £512,645. 

Harrow Council recently announced plans to build more than 1,500 new homes "for local people" as part of a major regeneration scheme, with more than 40 per cent set to be deemed affordable. 

Harrow Council leader Cllr Graham Henson said: "Harrow is crying out for high-quality affordable housing. 

"Too many people are trapped in unsuitable, overcrowded accommodation. They deserve places to live that will support their success and allow their families to flourish."

Analysis from the Bank of England suggested an ongoing strong demand for housing across most of the UK and a shortage of properties for sale in the quarter to June pushed up prices.  

In the country as a whole, house prices went up by 13.2 per cent in the year to June – the largest percentage increase since November 2004.

Average house prices reached a record high of £266,000, up by £31,000 compared to this time last year.