House-building may have peaked
The latest registration statistics from the National House-Building Council (NHBC) suggest that the house-building boom might have peaked.
NHBC new home registrations in May 2014 were down 5% on the same month last year, at 13,220 compared to 13,914 in May 2013.
May was the peak month for 2013 and so far has also been the peak month for 2014.
However, for the rolling quarter March to May 2014, the total of 37,975 new homes registered with NHBC was up 4% on the 36,487 registered in the same three month period last year.
Private sector registrations in March-May 2014 increased by 6% (28,222), compared with the same period in 2013 (26,607). Public sector registrations in the quarter decreased by 1% (9,753) compared with the same period a year before (9,880).
NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said the industry remained in growth mode.“House-building levels have remained steady, continuing through May and consolidating the high volumes seen in 2013,” he said. “Overall we are seeing steady growth on last year’s exceptional figures and we obviously hope that this will continue throughout the remainder of the year as the sector continues its impressive recovery.”
Full regional breakdown of total new homes registered March-May 2014 by region/country:
Region |
March – May 2014 |
March – May 2013 |
|
England – Regions |
|
|
|
North East |
1,659 |
1,652 |
|
North West |
2,236 |
2,390 |
|
Merseyside |
542 |
613 |
|
Yorkshire & the Humber |
1,852 |
1,436 |
|
West Midlands |
2,792 |
2,742 |
|
East Midlands |
3,506 |
2,731 |
|
Eastern |
3,433 |
3,898 |
|
South West |
3,415 |
3,747 |
|
Greater London |
8,781 |
8,676 |
|
South East |
5,836 |
4,298 |
|
Totals for England |
34,052 |
32,183 |
|
Scotland – Councils |
2,376 |
2,910 |
|
Wales – Unitary Authorities |
974 |
759 |
|
Northern Ireland – Counties |
571 |
609 |
|
Isle of Man |
2 |
26 |
|
Totals for UK |
37,975 |
36,487 |