UK New House Building Statistics - February 2005 22/03/05

Statistics released today by NHBC reveal that new build completions for the combined public and private sectors totalled 11,939 in February 2005, a one per cent increase on the same month last year (11,775).

This February saw 14,678 applications made to start new homes in the UK by the combined public and private sectors showing a 22 per cent increase on applications received in January (12,031). Whilst the figures show a fall of six per cent on applications made in the same month last year (15,629), they also show there were 2,761 UK housing association applications, a 61 per cent increase on February 2004 (1,710).

Additional information from NHBC reveals an average of 555 new homes have been sold each day in this financial year , an increase of three per cent on the same period last year (540).

Imtiaz Farookhi, Chief Executive of NHBC, says: "Overall, these figures demonstrate stability within the new house-building industry.  Additionally, the increase in the average number of daily sales in this financial year to date, indicates a steady demand for new homes. "

Note to editors:

NHBC statistics are based almost exclusively on information relating to its 19,000 (approx.) registered house builders who construct around 85% of the new homes built in the UK.  As such they represent a unique source of detailed, up-to-date information on new home construction and the house building industry.