Q3 2005 new house building statistics Scotland 14/02/06

House-building activity in Scotland increased in the third quarter of 2005 according to statistics released today by NHBC.

NHBC figures for Scotland show that a total of 4,714 applications were made to start new homes during the quarter, showing a two per cent increase on the same period in 2004 (4,628).

In Scotland the average anticipated selling price of new homes (started by NHBC registered builders) during the third quarter of 2005 was £165,000, a one per cent increase on quarter three of 2004 (£163,000). Based on actual selling price, the proportion of homes sold for over £150,000 was 58 per cent, an increase on the same period last year (50 per cent).

Malcolm MacLeod, NHBC Director for Scotland, says: "New house building activity increased in Scotland during the past three months. However, the number of applications to start new homes in Scotland so far this year, are slightly down (4%) when compared to the same period last year."

NHBC's first time buyers ability to buy index increased by four points during the quarter to 61 (the figure for quarter two, 2005 was 57). 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 46,748 applications to start new homes during the third quarter of 2005, showing a four per cent decrease on the same period in 2004 (48,909). Of that total, 38,847 relate to private sector activity (i.e. excluding housing associations), showing an 11 per cent decrease on the same quarter of 2004 (43,407). Housing association starts totalled 7,901 - an increase of 44 per cent on quarter three of 2004 (5,502).

NHBC UK figures (including the Isle of Man) show there were 41,669 new build completions during quarter three of 2005, showing a one per cent increase on the same quarter last year (41,073).

The figure for the average daily sales of new homes in the UK for the third quarter of 2005 was 542, a decrease of one per cent on the same period in 2004 (546).

Quarter 3 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.