The number of new homes started in the third quarter of this year fell by 13% compared with a year earlier, according to figures from a warranty and insurance provider.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) said 26,231 new homes were registered in the third quarter of the year, down by 13% compared with 30,279 in the third quarter of 2025.

With affordability pressures continuing to weigh on demand and supply-side barriers constraining delivery, private sector registrations fell by 8% to reach 18,359, compared with 20,054 a year earlier, the NHBC said.

Registrations in the rental and affordable sector fell by 23% to reach 7,872, down from 10,225 in the third quarter of 2025.

The NHBC has a 70%-plus share of the UK warranty and insurance market for new build homes, and its figures indicate the stock of new properties in the pipeline as homes are registered with it before being built.

The Government recently unveiled the Your First Home initiative, which will give first-time buyers the chance to buy a…