Number of new homes jumps to highest in nearly 12 years

The number of new homes being registered across the UK has jumped to its highest level in nearly 12 years, according to a warranty and insurance provider.

Some 43,438 new homes were registered between April and June 2019 – up 12% on the same period last year, the National House Building Council (NHBC) said.

It was the highest total since the fourth quarter of 2007, when 43,525 homes were registered.

The NHBC’s figures are an indicator of the homes which are to be built in the coming months. Its 10-year warranty covers around 80% of new homes built in the UK.

Home registrations in London have more than doubled compared with a year ago, the NHBC said.

The North West of England and Scotland also saw a buoyant quarter for new home registrations.

The latest quarter saw 29,993 homes registered in the private sector, up 14% on a year earlier.

Some 13,445 new homes were registered in the affordable and rental sector, marking a 7% increase on the second quarter of 2018.

NHBC chief executive Steve Wood said: “It is great to see this sign of confidence in new-build housing and that the positive start to the year has continued into the summer.

“The combination of the growing private rental sector and ongoing investment into the UK market is helping to boost new home registrations.”

Here are the numbers of new homes registered in the second quarter of 2019 and the percentage increase or decrease compared with the same period in 2018, according to the NHBC:

– Scotland, 3,887, 17%
– North East, 1,226, 9%
– Yorkshire and Humberside, 1,954, minus 34%
– East Midlands, 3,167, 5%
– Eastern, 5,118, minus 3%
– London, 6,000, 101%
– South East, 6,584, minus 1%
– South West, 3,079, 1%
– West Midlands, 4,019, 12%
– Wales, 1,362, 3%
– Northern Ireland and Isle of Man, 1,224, minus 30%
– North West, 5,818, 47%.