The latest figures from the National House-Building Council (NHBC) showed a three per cent increase on the same period last year.
It was notable that while private sector registrations were down by six per cent on an annual basis, affordable and rental registrations were up by 36 per cent.
The NHBC suggested that the overall increase was partly down to the low levels seen last year as a result of the winter storms playing havoc with building work, while the growth of the private rental sector in many towns and cities had helped boost the number of affordable and rental registrations.
There were significant regional variations in the registration stats. London saw a sharp jump in registrations, from 3,549 to 5,625, while the South East saw numbers increase from 5,820 to 6,267.
However, things were less positive in the North West and Merseyside, where registrations crashed from 5,059 to 3,968. The East Midlands also saw a notable fall, from 3,460 to 2,650.
Steve Wood, chief executive of the NHBC, said that the year was off to a good start.
He added: “Although Brexit uncertainties are impacting consumer confidence and causing some dampening of new-build and second-hand sale markets, housing remains an attractive asset class for inward investors, which does cause us to be more optimistic about build to rent.”
