New home registrations up 7%

New home registrations have ended the year on the up, giving housebuilders hope for 2011, according to the latest NHBC statistics.

Registrations during September-November were up 7% on a year ago to 28,910, with the whole year 2010 looking at a 30% bounce from last year.

“The year started very brightly in comparison to last year, but tailed off as potential housebuyers awaited the outcome of the government’s spending review in the autumn,” said Imtiaz Farookhi, NHBC chief executive.

“ Now that the scope of the planned cuts is known, there seems to have been a slight bounce in consumer confidence which may allow the industry to build some momentum in the early part of 2011.

“What the industry needs above all from government in the year ahead is clear and consistent policy and, in particular, positive measures to improve mortgage availability which is now clearly the major factor constraining volumes.”

Private sector registrations were up 7% to 19,909 for the rolling quarter, with public sector starts rising 6% to 9,001.