That is down by nine per cent on the same period last year, when 43,403 homes were registered.
Of the new homes, the private sector accounted for 27,916, down by 16 per cent on a year ago.
In contrast, the number of affordable and rental sector properties registered rose by 11 per cent on the same period in 2018.
Just three of the 12 UK regions saw increases over the quarter.
The West Midlands saw the most significant jump, rising by 52 per cent from 3,136 to 4,760. This was in no small part down to 1,200 plots being registered in Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village.
The East Midlands and Eastern regions also saw increases.
At the other end of the scale, the largest falls were seen in the South West, where registrations fell to 3,055 from 4,604, and the North West & Merseyside, where registrations dropped from 4,273 to 3,161.
Steve Wood, chief executive of NHBC, said: “It is great to see the strength of the affordable and rental sectors, while we would hope that the slowdown in private sector registrations is transient, and a function of short-term Brexit uncertainties.
“In any event, NHBC will continue to work with builders to raise standards and improve quality for homeowners.”
