Q4 2005 new house building statistics Scotland 14/02/06

House-building activity in Scotland decreased in the fourth quarter of 2005 according to statistics released today by NHBC. NHBC figures for Scotland show that a total of 3,785 applications were made to start new homes during the quarter, showing a 12 per cent decrease on the same period in 2004 (4,292).

In Scotland the average anticipated selling price of new homes (started by NHBC registered builders) during the fourth quarter of 2005 was £185,000, a three per cent increase on quarter four of 2004 (£179,000). Based on actual selling price, the proportion of homes sold for over £150,000 was 60 per cent, an increase on the same period last year (52 per cent).

Malcolm MacLeod, NHBC Director for Scotland, says: "Despite the decrease in the number of new homes started in Scotland during the last quarter, NHBC statistics show the overall number of new homes started in the UK in 2005 was the second highest in the last 11 years. The number of private and social housing registrations during the year totalled 180,777, the second highest number of homes started since 1994."

NHBC's first time buyers' ability to buy index increased by three points during the quarter to 64 (the figure for quarter three 2005 was 61). The index is based on a formula which takes into account the average cost of homes bought by first time buyers, average income and mortgage interest rates (from the Nationwide Building Society). The higher the index, the greater the ability to buy.

UK-wide figures (including the Isle of Man) show a total of 40,352 applications to start new homes during the fourth quarter of 2005, showing a four per cent decrease on the same period in 2004 (41,824). Of that total, 33,454 relate to private sector activity (i.e. excluding housing associations), showing a 10 per cent decrease on the same quarter of 2004 (37,318). Housing association starts totalled 6,898 - an increase of 53 per cent on quarter four of 2004 (4,506).

NHBC UK figures (including the Isle of Man) show there were 47,235 new build completions during quarter four of 2005, showing a three per cent decrease on the same quarter last year (48,914).

The average number of daily sales of new homes in the UK for quarter four 2005 was 540, an increase of three per cent on the same period in 2004 (525).

Quarter 4 2005 Regional Figures

Note to editors:

• NHBC statistics are based almost exclusively on information relating to its 19,000 (approx.) registered house builders who construct about 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.