Figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC) show 29,356 new homes were registered to be built in Q1 2025, up 36% on the same period last year.

Housebuilding Activity – Q1 2025

Registrations (Intent to Build)

• Total: 29,356 new homes registered

  • 🔼 +36% on Q1 2024

  • 🔼 +17% on Q4 2024

• Private sector: 20,653 homes registered (🔼 +62% on Q1 2024)

• Rental & affordable sector: 8,703 homes (🔽 -2% on Q1 2024)

By Region

• 11 out of 12 UK regions saw growth in registrations

• Biggest increases:

  • Wales: +116%

  • East Midlands: +102%

  • West Midlands: +51%

• Only decline: London (🔽 -38%)
  Affected by building safety rules and constrained housing association budgets

By Housing Type

• Detached houses: 🔼 +63%

• Bungalows: 🔼 +54%

• Apartments: 🔽 -3% (reflecting drop in London activity)

Completions

• 26,120 homes completed in Q1 2025

  • 🔽 -1% compared to Q1 2024

Market Context & Commentary

• Confidence growing despite global uncertainty

• Factors helping growth:

  • Lower mortgage rates

  • Easing inflation

  • More low-deposit mortgage products

  • Strong early spring sales

• Low-rise homes and regions outside London performing best

• London faces delays due to the new Building Safety Regulator and budget constraints in the affordable sector

Policy and Industry Outlook

• Sector welcomes:

  • Government investment in infrastructure, planning reform, and skills

  • £2bn funding for up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes

• NHBC urges:

  • Continued high build quality standards

  • More demand-side support in affordable housing (e.g. through the Affordable Homes Programme)