Landlords Wanted
The NHBC has published its annual statistics for 2013, showing that 133,670 new UK homes were registered last year – compared to 104,514 in 2012.
The figures also show that the number of new homes registered in London last year was the highest since electronic records began over 26 years ago, with 26, 230 homes registered in the capital in 2013.
Commenting on the statistics, 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 house building industry is up for the challenge.”
Responding to the NHBC’s annual statistics for 2013, Executive Chairman of the HBF Stewart Baseley said:
“A 28% increase in new home registrations is a huge leap and demonstrates the acceleration in house building activity.
“The Help to Buy Equity loan scheme is driving demand and builders are responding quickly by increasing output. Considering Help to Buy only launched in April in England, September in Scotland and not until this year in Wales, 28% is a significant increase in supply for 2013.
“If people can buy, builders can build, so creating tens of thousands of jobs on construction sites and in the supply chain.
“However, we are still a long way from building the number of homes the country actually needs. Government needs to work hard to reduce planning and regulatory costs while securing stability on the demand-side if we are to see sustained increases and the associated social and economic benefits.”