Builders registered nearly 38,000 new homes in the UK during Q3 2017, according to the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) latest new home registration statistics, the highest Q3 total since the recession.
In the period July – September 37,936 new homes were registered, representing a 6% increase on the 35,946 registered in the same period last year.
The private sector saw a 9% increase for the quarter (Q3 2017: 29,083 vs Q3 2016: 26,611), with 8,853 new homes registered in the affordable sector, a 5% decrease on Q3 2016 (9,335).
Seven out of the 12 UK regions experienced growth in registrations, when compared to the same period last year. Scotland (3,056 +50%), East Midlands (3,575 +42%) and the North East (2,078 +34%) were among the regions with most notable growth.
NHBC’s registration statistics are said to be a lead indicator of the UK’s new homes market because it reportedly holds 80% market share for warranties and insurance.
Commenting on the latest new home statistics, Steve Wood, NHBC chief executive, said: “We have seen encouraging growth in terms of the number of new homes being registered over the last three months, across many parts of the country.
“With demand for high quality new homes as strong as ever, this is positive news for the industry and prospective homebuyers, particularly in light of the current political and economic uncertainties.”
NHBC UK statistics for Q3 2017 show:
The number of registrations was 37,936 – a 6% increase on last year (35,946). Of these:
- Private sector registrations in Q3 2017 increased by 9% (29,083), compared with the same period in 2016 (26,611).
- Affordable sector registrations in Q3 2017 decreased by 5% (8,853) when compared with the same period in 2016 (9,335).
