In total 26,230 new homes were registered in the capital last year, a 60% increase on the 16,364 registered in 2012.
Across the whole of the UK, the number of new homes registered was up 28% in 2013, reaching 133,670. This is the highest number of registrations since the economic downturn began in 2007.
As the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, NHBC’s registration statistics provide insight on the country’s house-building market.
NHBC’s annual statistics for 2013 also show that private sector registrations were up 25% to 97,399 (2012: 78,125). Public sector registrations were up 37% to 36,271 (2012: 26,389).
NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said: “Looking back at 2013 it is very clear that it has been the best in a number of years for the sector as a whole, across the entire country. Over the year, we have seen a genuine return of confidence to the industry as builders strive to meet the growing demand for new homes that the UK clearly needs. Government initiatives such as Help to Buy have also contributed to registrations increasing at their fastest rate since the downturn.
“According to our records, London enjoyed its highest ever annual total of new home registrations. This can be attributed to prime sites, such as Nine Elms, now being redeveloped largely for residential use, an increase from overseas investment into the market and the capital’s continued appeal as a property hotspot.
“However, let’s be clear that we are not popping the champagne corks just yet. As we have stressed throughout the recent upturn, this recovery has been from a historically low base. The UK still has a chronic shortage of new homes, with an unprecedented number of young people still living at home and unable to get on the housing ladder. There is much work still to do, but the UK’s housebuilding industry is up for the challenge.”
Fourth quarter data
For the rolling quarter October to December 2013 the number of registrations was 32,675, a 33% increase on the same period last year (24,567). Of these, private sector registrations increased by 31% to 23,598 (2012 Q4: 17,961). Public sector registrations for the fourth quarter increased by 37% to 9,077 (2012 Q4: 6,606).
New homes registered October-December 2013 by region/country:
|
Region |
Oct-Dec 2013 |
Oct-Dec 2012 |
|
|
England - Regions |
|||
|
North East |
1,314 |
946 |
|
|
North West |
2,503 |
1,532 |
|
|
Merseyside |
427 |
219 |
|
|
Yorkshire & the Humber |
1,833 |
1,625 |
|
|
West Midlands |
2,771 |
1,940 |
|
|
East Midlands |
2,655 |
1,671 |
|
|
Eastern |
3,809 |
3,359 |
|
|
South West |
3,088 |
2,712 |
|
|
Greater London |
5,740 |
3,697 |
|
|
South East |
5,003 |
3,851 |
|
|
Totals for England |
29,143 |
21,552 |
|
|
Scotland - Councils |
2,082 |
1,677 |
|
|
Wales - Unitary Authorities |
856 |
896 |
|
|
Northern Ireland - Counties |
568 |
432 |
|
|
Isle of Man |
26 |
10 |
|
|
Totals for UK |
32,675 |
24,567 |
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