Key indicator of new housebuilding activity shows ‘modest growth’ but still some way short of pre-pandemic numbers
New home registrations have risen for the third successive quarter, suggesting a fragile recovery in the sector.
The latest statistics from the National House Building Council show there were 30,643 registrations in the third quarter of 2025, up from 30,315 in quarter two and 29,083 in the first quarter. It is also up on the 28,304 posted for the same period last year.
But the figure is still markedly lower than typical quarter three figures pre-pandemic, when registrations were hitting the late 30,000s and early 40,000s.
Daniel Pearce, corporate strategy director at NHBC, said: “Our latest figures show modest growth in home building, with a steady increase in registrations since the start of the year.
“While planning reforms and government investment have been welcomed, new home registration growth remains subdued as changes take time to bed in.”
Homes registrations in the private sector rose 9% to 20,996 year-on-year, while the rental and affordable sector saw annual growth of 6% to 9,647.
The regions with the largest growth in registration were East of England (46% rise), the North-west (34%) and West Midlands (30%). Registrations fell in Yorkshire & Humber (23% fall), Wales (18%) and London (6%).
NHBC registrations are used as an indicator of housing activity because developers wishing to use the NHBC warranty scheme must register each home before construction starts.
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