Property estate agent sales and letting signs are seen attached to railings outside an apartment building in south London, Britain, September 23, 2021. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -Average house prices in the United Kingdom in July were 2.8% higher than a year earlier, down from a 3.6% rise in the year to June, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday.

Growth in property prices slowed sharply after hitting a two-year high in March when buyers rushed to complete sales before an expiry of a tax break on many house purchases.

Private-sector rental growth slowed to 5.7% in the 12 months to August from 5.9% in July, the ONS added, and the smallest annual increase since December 2022.

(Reporting by Suban AbdullaEditing by Ros Russell)