Private Sector Housebuilding Rises 9% in Q3 2025, Says NHBC
New NHBC data shows UK new home registrations continued their upward trend in the third quarter of 2025, led by a strong performance in the private sector. The figures mark the third consecutive quarter of improvement, although the organisation emphasises that overall growth remains “subdued”.
Key facts & figures (Q3 2025)
-
Total registrations: 30,643 (+8% YoY)
-
Private sector: 20,996 (+9% YoY)
-
Rental & affordable: 9,647 (+6% YoY)
-
Strongest regions: Eastern +46%, North West & Merseyside +34%, West Midlands +30%
Private sector leads increase in new home registrations
Registrations across all sectors reached 30,643 in Q3, representing an 8% increase compared with the same period in 2024. This total is also 1% higher than Q2 2025 and 5% above Q1, indicating a gradual strengthening of activity since the start of the year. The private sector drove much of the uplift, with 20,996 homes registered, while the rental and affordable housing category contributed a further 9,647 new starts.
Despite the gains in registrations, completions moved in the opposite direction. NHBC reported 26,427 completed new homes during Q3 2025, a 6% drop year-on-year, highlighting ongoing supply-side pressures affecting build-out rates.
Regional performance varied significantly. Seven out of the 12 UK regions recorded annual growth, led by the Eastern region (+46%), North West and Merseyside (+34%), and the West Midlands (+30%). The steepest declines were seen in Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and Humberside, and Wales, with London slipping 6%.
Looking ahead, Daniel Pearce, NHBC’s corporate strategy director, noted: “We anticipate steady growth in new home registrations as government investment and planning reforms begin to take effect. However, affordability challenges will continue to affect demand.”
