More new home registrations in July

There was a rise in the volume of new home registration in July compared to the previous month, according to fresh figures released by the National House Building Council (NHBC) today.

During July the organisation received 10,638 new home registrations, compared with 9,263 in June. This figure is also an improvement on July 2009, when 8,403 new homes were registered with the NHBC.

For rolling quarter May to July 2010, NHBC received 30,771 registrations to build new homes - a 30% increase on the same period last year (23,661).

Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of NHBC, said: "It is encouraging that we have seen a rise in registrations during July, after the dip in June, however this should not be taken out of context. It does seem clear that following the very strong recovery we witnessed in the first quarter of the year, volumes appear to have reached a plateau at levels well above last year's depressed volumes, but still materially below their long-term trend.

"Our figures seem to reflect what much of the housing sector is thinking - that too few homes are being built. Yet we know the UK needs more homes and it is vital that somehow the industry is able to deliver on those needs. The coming months will be crucial as we head towards the Chancellor's spending review and the very important autumn sales season for the housing."