Increase in new build registrations

New home registration numbers are at their highest level for more than a year, new figures have revealed.

Latest statistics from the National House-Building Council (NHBC) showed that there were 9,163 registrations in October, the highest number recorded since July 2008.

The number of applications in the last three months has also increased by 27 per cent when compared to last year.

NHBC figures showed that between August and October 2009, there were 24,896 applications to build new homes in the UK – up 27 per cent compared to the same period last year.

During the same period private sector applications increased to 16,630 an increase of 45 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Steve Turner, head of communications at the Home Builders Federation, said the figures were an "extremely positive sign".

"We have got to now ensure that the stimulus measures put in place by the government are continued and that we look to build on the stabilisation we have seen in recent months," he said.

Mr Turner claimed that a lack of mortgage availability was a key constraint to sustaining the recovery of the housing market.

He added that it is vital that the government continues to "nurture" the improvement by ensuring that it continues its stimulus measures.

"We are encouraging the government to continue with the stimulus measures to make sure that we do nurture this, so that the industry maintains its capacity for the future," he said.

Get a buy-to-let buildings insurance quote today from Simple Landlords Insurance.