New homes registrations dip 9% in April

A total of 12,712 new homes were registered in the UK during April, according to NHBC’s latest new home statistics.

Of these, 9,446 were registered in the private sector (11,008 in April 2016), with 3,266 in the affordable sector (3,029 in April 2016), representing an overall decrease of 9% on last April’s total of 14,037.

However, for the rolling quarter there were 43,561 new home registrations (Feb 2017 – April 2017), compared to 40,140 in the same period last year, an increase of 9%. Private sector registrations increased by 2% over this period (31,970 in 2017; 31,443 in 2016), with the affordable sector increasing by 33% (11,591 in 2017; 8,697 in 2016).

The notable increase in affordable sector registrations can be attributed to a number of larger Housing Associations developing homes for market rent, private sale and shared ownership along with a rise in joint ventures with the private sector.

Over the rolling quarter all but two of the 12 UK regions experienced growth, including Wales (35%), East Midlands (22%) and West Midlands (20%), when compared to the same time last year.

NHBC Managing Director Neil Jefferson said, “The strong start to this year’s new home registrations has continued with further encouraging figures across the majority of the country. With demand for new homes remaining strong, this growth in both the private and affordable sectors, and across most regions of the UK, is reassuring.”