There are signs of growth in the housebuilding market, with private sector registrations up 11% in 2024 vs. 2023 figures, according to the National House-Building Council (NHBC).
The latest NHBC figures show 104,232 new homes were registered to be built in 2024, broadly in line with 2023 (105,071). In the same period 124,144 new homes were completed, 7% down on 2023 (133,611). In the rental and affordable sector, the cost of remediating existing housing stock constrained development budgets, with registrations down 18% in 2024 to 35,245.
Across the UK, seven out of 12 regions saw a rise in registrations last year compared to 2023, with the biggest increases in North West & Merseyside (+17%), West Midlands (+16%) and Scotland (+15%). Registrations were significantly down in London (-48%), with this fall being linked to financial challenges for housing associations and building safety costs on tall buildings.
Semi-detached homes were the most registered house type in 2024 at 34,778, closely followed by detached homes at 34,706. Year-on-year, there was growth of +16% in detached and +11% in semi-detached homes, while apartments (-29%), bungalows (-11%) and terraced properties (-10%) all experienced a decline, compared to 2023.
“A much greater focus on skills from government has been well received by the industry. NHBC continues to do its part, shaking-up house-building training with a £100m investment in a new national network of multi-skill apprenticeship training hubs. These NHBC hubs will help develop the workforce that will deliver the high quality new homes the country needs.”
Of the 124,144 new homes completed in 2024, 45,824 were in the rental and affordable sector, 2% down on 2023 (46,542) and the second highest figure ever recorded by NHBC. Private sector completions saw a decline of 10% on the previous year (87,069) with 78,320 plots confirmed as ready to be occupied.
Steve continued: “It is encouraging to see a high number of new home completions in the affordable sector. If ambitions in new build housing are to be met, a mix of tenures is essential for accelerating housing delivery. Housing associations and local authorities eagerly await details of new investment in the Spring Spending Review. Private sale will continue to be the largest sector but affordable, social, and private build to rent tenures also need to be significantly scaled up.”
