More than 12,500 new homes registered in January, reports NHBC

28 February 2019

two people walking on site in site safety clothing and hard hats

The UK’s housebuilders and developers registered 12,677 new homes at the start of the year – an increase of 9% compared to January 2018.

8,931 were registered in the private sector (9,214 in 2018), with 3,746 in the affordable sector (2,469 in 2018).

For the rolling quarter, between November and January 38,611 new homes were registered compared to 37,990 a year ago – an increase of 2%. During this period there were 26,668 new homes registered in the private sector (28,509 in 2017: -6%) and 11,943 in the affordable sector (9,481 in 2017: +26%).

Seven out of the 12 UK regions experienced growth in registrations during this period – notably Northern Ireland (+65%), Wales (+20%) and the South East (+19%).

NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK and its registration statistics are a lead indicator for the new homes market.

Commenting on the first new home figures of 2019, NHBC Chief Executive Steve Wood said: “As a standalone month, the January figures show some solid growth, with a particularly good uplift in the affordable sector.

“However, it is clear that Brexit uncertainties are affecting the private sector and this will impact the months ahead.  NHBC will continue to work to help the industry face these challenges and to keep the focus on the quality of new homes.”

NHBC UK statistics show that:

  • During November '18 – January '19 the number of NHBC new home registrations was 38,611 compared to 37,990 a year ago.
  • 26,668 were registered in the private sector, compared to 28,509 in the previous year.
  • 11,943 were registered in the affordable sector, compared to 9,481 in the previous year.

Full regional breakdown of total new homes registered during this period:

NHBC - UK Registrations by Region

Nov 18 - Jan 19

Nov 17 - Jan 18

England - Regions

 

 

North East

1,190

1,039

North West & Merseyside

4,733

4,228

Yorkshire & Humberside

2,676

2,527

West Midlands

3,424

3,766

East Midlands

2,981

4,014

Eastern

3,914

4,036

South West

3,313

3,480

London

4,325

4,763

South East

7,201

6,034

Total England

33,757

33,887

Scotland

2,360

2,295

Wales

1,316

1,095

Northern Ireland & Isle of Man

1,178

713

Totals for UK

38,611

37,990

Registrations refer to the process of a builder registering a new plot/home to be built in the coming months or weeks, to be covered by NHBC’s ten-year Buildmark warranty. Completions refer to when a new home is completed as indicated by NHBC inspectors.

Changes can occur between figures published at different times owing to changes in policies and cancellations.

NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. NHBC's ten-year Buildmark warranty covers around 80 per cent of new homes built in the UK, having covered nearly eight million homes since it began and currently protecting around 1.5 million homes. NHBC is a non-profit distributing organisation with no shareholders.